Nomad’s Culture Festival Tour

In the morning, meet your guide at the hotel at 09:00 and transfer to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. The Chon-Kemin River rises in the Kungey Ala-Too and Trans-Ili Ala-Too ranges and flows 116 km through forested gorges and seven lakes before joining the Chu River. The area is protected as the Chon-Kemin State Nature Park, which covers 5,000 hectares and preserves unique flora and fauna such as the Tolai hare, pheasants and fir trees. The park's river basin remains largely untouched and offers a rich and diverse natural habitat. On the way through the Chui Valley we stop at the historic Burana Tower, a landmark of the Great Silk Road dating back to the 11th century. On arrival at the mountain guesthouse, enjoy lunch, followed by a 2–3-hour walking excursion to a panoramic viewpoint. For those interested, horse riding is available at an additional cost. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. Altitude: 800 m (Bishkek) → 1,700 m (Chon-Kemin).

Burana Tower, Chon Kemin

• Bishkek → Chon Kemin (180 km)

Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)

Meals: Dinner

Transfer to Karakol along the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, with a visit to the open-air museum of petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata. Later, a picturesque drive takes us from the Grigorievskoe gorge over a small pass (2,360 m) to the Semenovskoe gorge. At the top of the pass you can hike for 1–2 hours (3–6 km, as the group wishes). In the evening, a traditional dinner with a Uighur family (a small nation that emigrated from China). Overnight at the hotel in Karakol. Altitude: 1,800 m (Karakol).

Cholpon Ata petroglyphs museum, Grigoriev Gorge, Karakol

• Chon Kemin → Karakol (300 km)

Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Jyrgalan gorge (60 km). The trek in the Jyrgalan gorge takes about 4–5 hours and rewards you with a beautiful view over the gorge from the top of the mountain at Turnaly-Kol. Optionally, visit the hot spring in Jyrgalan on the way back. Transfer back to Karakol. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Trekking: 4–5 hours; start of the trek at 2,300 m, highest point 2,850 m. Altitude: 1,700 m (Karakol).

Jyrgalan valley

• Karakol → Jyrgalan valley (60 km)
• Jyrgalan valley → Karakol (60 km)

Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, a city tour of Karakol with the Russian Orthodox church and the Dungan Mosque, a unique example of Chinese-influenced architecture. Then transfer to the Jeti-Oguz valley, whose name means "Seven Bulls" in Kyrgyz. This picturesque gorge is famous for its striking red sandstone formations surrounded by forests of Tian Shan spruce. A 30-minute walk (both ways) takes you to the best viewpoint of the iconic "Seven Bulls" rocks. In the afternoon, visit the Barskoon Gorge on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, 90 km from Karakol. The gorge is known for its lush slopes, thick vegetation and three waterfalls, including the famous "Tears of the Snow Leopard", which plunges about 100 metres. A 30–40-minute walk (one way) leads to the first viewpoint. Afterwards, continue to the yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, where you can swim and relax. Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp (two people per yurt, European-style toilets and showers). Altitude: 1,600 m (yurt camp on Issyk-Kul Lake).

Karakol Orthodox cathedral, Karakol Dungan Mosque, Jeti Oguz, Barskoon Valley

• Karakol → Tamga Gorge (90 km)

Overnight: Tamga Gorge (Yurt camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Festival day. Early in the morning, visit Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, where the wind has shaped the colourful rocks into bizarre sculptures and formations over many years. Then transfer to the festival. July departure – KolFest: an international music, arts and culture festival on the shore of Issyk-Kul, rooted in nomadic heritage and bringing together contemporary music, visual arts, film, fashion and creative people from Central Asia and around the world. You meet local and international bands, and the festival offers activities such as yoga, lake-side meditation and workshops. Food courts serve a wide variety of dishes. August departure – Salbuurun: the festival of Kyrgyz hunting traditions. Hunters (berkutchi) show their golden eagles and falcons, archers and Taigan hounds perform, and there is a concert of folk music, national games and master classes by local craftsmen. A traditional lunch is a chance to taste Kyrgyz national cuisine. In the afternoon, transfer to Kochkor for dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. Altitude: 1,700 m (Kochkor).

Skazka Canyon, Kochkor

• Tamga Gorge → Kochkor (170 km)

Overnight: Kochkor (Guesthouse)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Song-Kol Lake, the highest lake in Kyrgyzstan at 3,016 m above sea level. This freshwater lake is home to various fish species and surrounded by majestic mountains. In summer, local nomads bring their families and livestock to graze on the rich pastures and live in traditional Kyrgyz yurts. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic walk of about 8 km along the north shore of the lake. On the way, visit local nomads and taste kymyz, a traditional drink made from mare's milk. Horse riding (2–3 hours) and a horse games show can be added at an extra cost. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp (2–3 people per yurt, shared outdoor toilets and showers). Walking: about 8 km. Altitude: 3,100 m (Song-Kol Lake).

Song Kul

• Kochkor → Song Kul (150 km)

Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast and transfer to Bishkek. Arrival in Bishkek and end of services. Altitude: 800 m (Bishkek).

Bishkek

• Song Kul → Bishkek (350 km)

Meals: Breakfast