Kyrgyzstan tour from South to North
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan tour from South to North Highlights
A 13-day private journey across Kyrgyzstan from Osh in the south to Bishkek in the north, with a two-day horse trek in Sary-Chelek. It starts in Osh, the “southern capital” of the country, with the colorful Laglan Canyons and the sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too, and continues to the medieval minaret and Karakhanid mausoleums of Uzgen. In the Sary-Chelek biosphere reserve you ride through fir forests and over a 2,446 m pass to quiet mountain lakes, sleep in a yurt camp and visit Sary-Chelek Lake itself before heading on to the Chychkan Gorge.
In Kochkor local artisans show how the traditional shyrdak felt carpets are made. On the south shore of Issyk-Kul you watch a yurt show in Kyzyl-Tuu and an eagle show in Bokonbaevo, walk through the Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, hike to the waterfalls of the Barskoon Valley and spend two nights in a yurt camp in Tamga. Karakol adds the Przhevalsky Museum, hot springs and an evening with a Dungan family; the summer pastures of the Kyrchyn Gorge and the Grigoriev Gorge lead down to Cholpon-Ata with its open-air petroglyphs, a boat ride and time on the beach, before the journey ends with a city tour of Bishkek.
Difficulty: Moderate Two days on horseback in the Sary-Chelek reserve (17 km, about 4 hours, to Kara-Suu Lake at 1,800 m, then over a pass at 2,446 m), one hike to the Barskoon waterfalls, and long drives of up to about 340 km a day (Osh – Kara-Suu 320 km, Sary-Chelek – Chychkan Gorge 295 km, Kochkor – Tamga 250 km).
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to ancient Osh, the “southern capital” of Kyrgyzstan. After your arrival and the transfer to the hotel, take a short break. Then drive out to the Laglan Canyons to explore their colorful rock formations, followed by a picnic. Back in Osh, visit the sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too with stunning views over the valley, and return to the hotel to rest before the adventure begins.
Osh, Laglan Canyon, Sulaiman Too
- Osh → Laglan Canyon (60 km)
- Laglan Canyon → Osh (60 km)
Overnight: Osh (Hotel)
Meals: Lunch
After breakfast, drive to the ancient town of Uzgen and visit its historical and architectural complex, famous for the medieval mausoleums and the minaret from the Karakhanid period. Continue to the small village of Kara-Suu in the Sary-Chelek biosphere reserve, known for its hospitality and tranquil atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.
Uzgen, Kara-Suu village (Sary-Chelek)
- Osh → Uzgen (55 km)
- Uzgen → Kara-Suu village (Sary-Chelek) (265 km)
Overnight: Kara-Suu village (Sary-Chelek) (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, an orientation and the choice of your horse, then ride north through the Kara-Suu Gorge, crossing a mountain river on wooden bridges. The gorge narrows between slopes covered with beautiful fir forests; the trail passes beneath a waterfall and climbs to Kara-Suu Lake (1,800 m; 17 km, about 4 hours). Lunch and rest on a mountain pasture, dinner by an open fire and overnight in yurts.
Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek)
- Kara-Suu village (Sary-Chelek) → Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) (17 km)
Overnight: Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue the horseback route over a pass at 2,446 m and rest by Iri-Kol Lake, with free time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Sary-Chelek. After lunch, descend to the village of Arkyt for dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.
Iri-Kol Lake, Arkit
- Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) → Iri-Kol Lake (10 km)
- Iri-Kol Lake → Arkit (10 km)
Overnight: Arkit (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, visit the large high-altitude Sary-Chelek Lake and have a picnic by the water. Then transfer to the Chychkan Gorge, check in at a guesthouse and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Sary Chelek, Chychkan Gorge
- Arkit → Sary Chelek (20 km)
- Sary Chelek → Chychkan Gorge (275 km)
Overnight: Chychkan Gorge (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, the journey continues to Kochkor, a village high in the mountains known for its artisans who make the traditional felt carpets called shyrdak. Lunch is a packed lunch box on the way. In Kochkor, attend a felt-making workshop and visit a shop with felt products, then enjoy dinner with a local family before spending the night in cozy rooms at their guesthouse.
Kochkor
- Chychkan Gorge → Kochkor (340 km)
Overnight: Kochkor (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, travel to the village of Kyzyl-Tuu on the south shore of Issyk-Kul for a yurt show, followed by lunch. Continue to Bokonbaevo for an eagle show and a walk in the Skazka (“Fairy Tale”) Canyon with its colorful rock formations. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp in Tamga.
Kyzyl-Tuu village, Bokonbaevo, Skazka Canyon, Tamga Gorge
- Kochkor → Kyzyl-Tuu village (150 km)
- Kyzyl-Tuu village → Bokonbaevo (30 km)
- Bokonbaevo → Skazka Canyon (45 km)
- Skazka Canyon → Tamga Gorge (25 km)
Overnight: Tamga Gorge (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, explore the colorful Barskoon Gorge and hike to its waterfalls, with a picnic in nature. Return to the yurt camp in Tamga and relax on the beach of Issyk-Kul.
Barskoon Valley
- Tamga Gorge → Barskoon Valley (30 km)
- Barskoon Valley → Tamga Gorge (30 km)
Overnight: Tamga Gorge (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel along the shore of Issyk-Kul to visit the Przhevalsky Museum, then enjoy a city tour of Karakol, check in at the hotel and visit hot springs. In the evening, dinner with a Dungan family.
Przhevalsky Museum, Karakol
- Tamga Gorge → Karakol (80 km)
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, head towards Cholpon-Ata, visiting the picturesque jailoo (summer pasture) of the Kyrchyn Gorge, a former venue of the World Nomad Games. Descend through the Grigoriev Gorge to the lake, check in and enjoy the beach.
Kyrchyn Gorge, Grigoriev Gorge, Cholpon Ata
- Karakol → Cholpon Ata (146 km)
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Visit the open-air Petroglyph Museum, take a boat ride on Issyk-Kul and relax on the beach.
Cholpon Ata petroglyphs museum, Issyk-Kul Lake
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, for a city tour. Overnight at a hotel in Bishkek.
Bishkek
- Cholpon Ata → Bishkek (255 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The tour ends in Bishkek after your last night at the hotel. Have a safe journey home!
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.
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What's included
Included
- English-, German- or Russian-speaking guide
- Transfers according to the itinerary
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (12 nights in hotels, guesthouses and yurt camps)
- Two-day horseback tour in the Sary-Chelek reserve with horses
- 1 liter of drinking water per person per day
- Entrance fees to museums and sights in the itinerary
Not included
- Flights
- Medical insurance and expenses
- Early hotel check-in on the arrival day
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
- Any changes to the itinerary
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Osh
Hotel in Osh or similar
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Night 2
Kara-Suu village (Sary-Chelek)
Guesthouse in Kara-Suu village or similar
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Night 3
Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek)
Yurt camp at Kara-Suu Lake or similar
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Night 4
Arkit
Guesthouse in Arkyt or similar
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Night 5
Chychkan Gorge
Guesthouse in Chychkan Gorge or similar
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Night 6
Kochkor
Family guesthouse in Kochkor or similar
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Nights 7–8
Tamga Gorge
Yurt camp in Tamga or similar
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Night 9
Karakol
Hotel in Karakol or similar
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Nights 10–11
Cholpon Ata
Hotel in Cholpon-Ata or similar
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Night 12
Bishkek
Hotel in Bishkek or similar
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Warm, waterproof clothing
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A hat or other headwear
- A personal first aid kit
- A water bottle
- Personal hygiene items
- A comfortable backpack
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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