Kyrgyzstan Nature and Nomad Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan Nature and Nomad Tour Highlights
This 7-day private tour combines horse riding to Song-Kol Lake, an easy trek to Altyn-Arashan and Kyrgyz nomad culture. From Bishkek the first day crosses the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,600 m) and the Suusamyr Valley and follows the Kokomeren River to a village guesthouse in Kyzyl-Oi.
From Kyzart you ride over the Uzbek-Ashuu Pass (3,300 m) to Song-Kol Lake and spend the night in a traditional yurt with a nomad family, under one of the best starry skies in Kyrgyzstan. The second riding day leads back over the Kara-Kiya Pass to Kyzart – no previous riding experience is needed on the well-trained Kyrgyz horses.
On the south shore of Issyk-Kul you can watch an eagle hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo, explore the colorful Skazka (Fairy-Tale) Canyon and see the Barskoon waterfalls and the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz on the way to Karakol. A two-day trek from Ak-Suu takes you to the natural hot springs of Altyn-Arashan, and after a night in the green Chon-Kemin valley the tour ends with the 11th-century Burana Tower and a city tour of Bishkek.
Difficulty: Moderate Two riding days of 16 km and 20 km (4–5 hours each) over passes of about 3,300 m – no riding experience needed; a 2-day trek of 12 km each way to Altyn-Arashan (easy to moderate). One night in a yurt at 3,100 m without a shower, and drives of up to 300 km a day.
Tour Itinerary
Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Bishkek to the remote village of Kyzyl-Oi. The road passes roadside villages before climbing to the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,600 m), where you stop to enjoy the panoramic mountain views and take photos. Descend into the wide Suusamyr Valley and stop for a picnic lunch by the river, surrounded by peaceful alpine landscapes. After lunch, follow the winding Kokomeren River all the way to Kyzyl-Oi. On arrival, settle into a welcoming local guesthouse with a cup of traditional tea. Later, take a guided walk through the village for an authentic glimpse of rural Kyrgyz life. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The drive is about 200 km (140 km asphalt, 60 km dirt road), 4–5 hours. The tour can start any time until 1:00 pm, so a late-morning departure from Bishkek is possible.
Too-Ashuu Pass, Suusamyr Valley, Kyzyl-Oi
- Bishkek → Kyzyl-Oi (200 km)
Overnight: Kyzyl-Oi (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Kyzart Village. Enjoy lunch at a local guesthouse before you meet your horse and begin the ride to Song-Kol Lake. The first part of the trail crosses open fields and then climbs gradually to the Uzbek-Ashuu Pass (3,300 m). The ascent can be demanding, but the sweeping mountain views make every moment worth it. From the top of the pass you get your first breathtaking view of Song-Kol Lake. After a well-deserved rest for the horses, ride down to the lakeshore, where you stay in a traditional yurt hosted by a local nomad family. Release the horses for the night and take time to explore the peaceful surroundings. If the sky is clear, Song-Kol offers some of the best stargazing in Kyrgyzstan. The drive to Kyzart is about 90 km (2 hours) and the ride about 16 km (4–5 hours). No previous riding experience is needed – the horses are well trained and local horsemen assist you all the way. Leave your large bag at the guesthouse in Kyzart and take only a small backpack with essentials and warm clothes for the two riding days: days at Song-Kol can be warm, but the evenings are chilly.
Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours, Song Kul
- Kyzyl-Oi → Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (90 km)
- Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours → Song Kul (16 km)
Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)
- Shower: No
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: Mobile signal only
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Say goodbye to the nomad family and ride up to the Kara-Kiya Pass (3,300 m), where you enjoy a last sweeping view of Song-Kol Lake before descending to Kyzart Village. In Kyzart, have lunch and take time to rest and refresh after the morning ride. In the afternoon, continue by road to Issyk-Kul Lake and arrive in the evening at your guesthouse in Bokonbaevo Village. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The ride is about 20 km (4–5 hours) and the drive about 200 km on asphalt (3–4 hours). Bokonbaevo lies a little away from the lakeshore; if you prefer to stay closer to the lake, ask your tour manager about yurt accommodation by the lake.
Song Kul, Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours, Bokonbaevo
- Song Kul → Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (20 km)
- Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours → Bokonbaevo (200 km)
Overnight: Bokonbaevo (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day with an optional eagle hunting demonstration by a local Kyrgyz eagle hunter and experience this unique tradition first-hand. Then drive to the Skazka (Fairy-Tale) Canyon to explore its dramatic, colorful rock formations. Continue to Tamga Village for lunch at the home of a well-known Soviet-era mountaineer. Afterwards visit the Barskoon waterfalls and then head to the picturesque Jeti-Oguz Valley, famous for its striking red rock formations. In the evening, arrive in Karakol. Time permitting, take a short tour of the town before dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. The drive is about 150 km (120 km asphalt, 30 km dirt road), 3–4 hours. The eagle hunting demonstration is staged with animal skins (real hunting on horseback takes place only in winter); it costs extra and you can skip it. Wear comfortable walking shoes for the canyon and the waterfalls.
Bokonbaevo, Skazka Canyon, Tamga village, Barskoon Valley, Jeti Oguz, Karakol
- Bokonbaevo → Karakol (150 km)
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day with a short drive to Ak-Suu Village near Karakol, where the trek begins. With a light backpack, follow a scenic trail along a clear mountain river and through lush alpine forest, with views of the surrounding peaks. Halfway, stop for a relaxing riverside picnic before continuing on a gentle uphill path toward the gorge. By early evening, arrive in the beautiful Altyn-Arashan valley and check in at a cozy guesthouse. After the day on the trail, unwind in the natural hot springs and let the warm mineral water soothe your muscles. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The drive to Ak-Suu is about 30 km (30 minutes) and the trek about 12 km (about 5 hours), easy to moderate. Leave your large bag at the hotel in Karakol or in the car and take only a backpack with essentials for the 2-day trek. Instead of walking, you can ride a horse or take a ride in a classic Soviet 4x4 UAZ for an extra fee.
Ak Suu, Altyn Arashan
- Karakol → Ak Suu (30 km)
- Ak Suu → Altyn Arashan (12 km)
Overnight: Altyn Arashan (Guesthouse)
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, trek back to Ak-Suu Village along the river and through the alpine forest, taking in the fresh mountain air and the views one last time. From Ak-Suu, drive to Karakol for lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy a picturesque drive along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, past the towns of Cholpon-Ata and Balykchy, to Chon-Kemin National Park, a quiet mountain valley with pristine landscapes and fresh alpine air. Check in at a cozy guesthouse in the park and relax after a full day of trekking and driving. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The trek is about 12 km (about 4 hours) and the drive about 300 km on asphalt (4–5 hours). It is a long day, so an early start from Altyn-Arashan is recommended; keep a small backpack with what you need for the trek and the drive.
Ak Suu, Karakol, Cholpon Ata, Chon Kemin
- Altyn Arashan → Ak Suu (12 km)
- Ak Suu → Chon Kemin (300 km)
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On the last day of your Kyrgyzstan adventure, drive from Chon-Kemin back to Bishkek. On the way, stop at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. After lunch in Bishkek, enjoy a guided city tour of the capital’s main sights, including Ala-Too Square and the bustling Osh Bazaar, a good place for souvenirs. The tour ends in Bishkek in the afternoon. The drive is about 170 km on asphalt (3–4 hours). If you prefer nature to the city tour, you can take a relaxing walk in Ala-Archa National Park or a more challenging hike to Kol-Tor Lake on the way instead. The hotel in Bishkek is not included.
Burana Tower, Ala Too Square, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Bishkek
- Chon Kemin → Bishkek (170 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $1,978 |
| 2 travelers | $1,265 |
| 3 travelers | $1,035 |
| 4 travelers | $966 |
Optional extras
Airport transfer (one way, per car for 1–4 people): $25 per group
Eagle hunting demonstration (per group): $80 per group
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- Transfers in a 4x4 vehicle with air conditioning
- English-speaking guide for the whole tour
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (6 nights: 4 in guesthouses, 1 in a yurt, 1 in a hotel)
- Full board (set menu), except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 7
- Visits and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- Horse riding to Song-Kol Lake and back to Kyzart (2 days)
Not included
- International flights
- Airport transfer (25 USD one way per car for 1–4 people)
- Hotel in Bishkek
- Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 7
- Single room supplement
- Insurance
- Eagle hunting demonstration (80 USD per group)
- Optional horse riding or 4x4 UAZ ride instead of the trek to Altyn-Arashan
- Water and alcoholic drinks
- Tips for the guide
- Personal expenses
- Services not mentioned as included
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Kyzyl-Oi
Guesthouse in Kyzyl-Oi or similar
-
Night 2
Song Kul
Yurt camp at Song Kol or similar
-
Night 3
Bokonbaevo
Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo or similar
-
Night 4
Karakol
Hotel in Karakol or similar
-
Night 5
Altyn Arashan
Guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan or similar
-
Night 6
Chon Kemin
Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin or similar
Good to know
- Start time: The tour can start in Bishkek any time until 1:00 pm.
- Horse riding: No previous riding experience is needed – the horses are well trained and local horsemen help you all the way. Wear comfortable shoes suited to riding and bring gloves for the cool air at altitude.
- Luggage: Your large bag stays at the guesthouse in Kyzart during the ride and at the hotel in Karakol or in the car during the trek; take a small backpack with essentials and warm clothes.
- Meals: Traditional Central Asian dishes; vegetarian options are available – please tell us about any dietary needs or allergies in advance.
- Mobile signal: Coverage is limited at Song-Kol Lake and in the mountains; a local SIM card gives the best connection elsewhere.
- Money: About 10 USD a day is usually enough for personal spending; carry some Kyrgyz som in cash for small purchases.
- Sun and cold: The high-altitude sun is strong – bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen – and evenings at Song-Kol are chilly even in summer.
What to bring
- Clothing: warm layers (fleece or down jacket) for chilly mornings and evenings, lightweight clothes for the daytime (T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts), a waterproof and windproof jacket, a hat or cap for sun protection, gloves and warm socks, a scarf or buff against the wind, comfortable trekking boots
- Horse riding and trekking: long pants for riding, comfortable trekking pants and shorts, riding gloves (optional), trekking shoes or boots, lightweight breathable clothing
- Other essentials: sunglasses and sunscreen, a small daypack, a reusable water bottle, personal toiletries and a towel, a basic first-aid kit and any personal medications, a camera or smartphone, a power bank and charging cables, your passport, ID and copies of your travel documents
- Optional: binoculars for wildlife spotting, light snacks for the trek, a notebook or travel journal
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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