Nomad's Culture Festival Tour
Kyrgyzstan Culture Tour
TOUR DETAILS
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Period
02.08.2024 – 06.08.2024 -
Tour length and Participants
10 days; 2 - 10 pax -
Price from
898 USD per person
DATES OF THE TOUR 2024
02.08 – 06.08.2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Kyrgyz people value and keep their traditions, the festivals are held to unite the nation and show their traditions and customs. During this tour you will see the exhibition of birds of prey (golden eagle, falcon), berkutchi (hunters) performance, demonstration of hunting skills of birds, archers’ performance, exhibition of Kyrgyz greyhounds Taigan, master classes in crafts, national cuisine, performance Kyrgyz traditions, national games. You will be able to take part in the process.
- Enjoy the quiet charms and warm hospitality of Kyrgyzstan;
- Visit Issyk Kul, the lake known as “The Pearl of Kyrgyzstan”;
- Experience nomadic life sleeping in a yurt beside the alpine lake of Song Kul;
- Take part in celebration of Nomad’s Culture Festival, learn about Kyrgyz traditions, customs and cuisine;
- Watch ancient hunting with Golden Eagles on horses with Taygans;
- Do light hikes along the magnificent Tian-Shan Mountain ranges;
Kyrgyzstan Biking Tour Itinerary
Meeting with a guide and driver in Bishkek. Transfer to Tamga along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, that is considered to be the second largest mountainous lake in the world on the altitude of 1607 meters above the sea level. We call the lake “the pearl” of Kyrgyzstan. On the way we will stop not far from Tokmok town (60 km) and have excursion to Burana Tower, a place on the Great Silk Road dated to 11th century.
Upon arrival to Tamga dinner and overnight in the yurt. (Meal: D)
After breakfast transfer to the Festival. Here in the Festival, we will see the demonstration of hunting with a Golden Eagle; folklore show; exhibition and sale of handicrafts and souvenirs; tasting of Kyrgyz cuisine. One can see the video of this festival following the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJhYHYbtvTY
After the Festival we will come back to the yurt camp in Tamga. Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp.
(Meal: B/L/D)
After breakfast we will drive to Kochkor. On the way we will visit the canyon “Fairy tale”. The canyon was named because of its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by erosion into amazing sculptures and formations. Some formations look like The Great Wall of China and you can also find other formations that look like snakes, dragons, sleeping giants and even whole castles. From the canyon you can see a majestic panorama of Lake Issyk-Kul and snow caped mountains. One-hour walking there. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. (B/-/D)
After breakfast transfer to the mountainous lake called Son-Kul, the lake is considered to be one of the highest lakes in the country, it is situated on the altitude of 3016 meters above the sea level and is a famous summer pasture for the local people, who come here every summer with their cattle and families and stay in the traditional nomadic housing called yurt. In the afternoon a light walking to the lake. In the evening the cook of the yurt camp will show us “Manty” show, Manty is a traditional central Asian dish, made of dough, meet and onions, those who wish can cook together the Manty. Dinner and overnight in the yurt. (Meal: B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer to Bishkek.
Upon arrival to Bishkek is end of our services.
(Meal: B/-/-)
Biking Tour Information
Services included:
- Transport for transfers and excursions during the tour (car in good condition with air conditioning);
- Twin / double room accommodation;
- Four-person accommodation in the yurts
- Meal as indicated in each day of the program
- Entree fees to cultural places and nature parks
- Mineral water during the tour (1 liter per person)
- Tour guide
- Tickets to the Festival
- Manty Cooking class in Son- Kul
Services not included:
- Early check-in on day 1
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Costs for Kyrgyz visa if necessary;
- Porter service in hotels and at the airport
- International and domestic flight tickets
- Personal expenses of customers
- Any division from the program
- Airport pick-ups and drop offs
- Accommodation in Bishkek
- Horse riding in Son- Kul
- Horse Games show in Son- Kul
- Full Board
- Folklore Program in Bishkek
Price for the tour: is 898 USD per person (minimum size of the group is 2 pax, maximum is 10 pax)
Accommodation during the tour:
Place | Hotel / Guesthouse / Yurt Camp | Conditions: |
Tamga | Yurt Camp | 4 people accommodations in a yurt, shared outside European style toilet and shower cabins |
Kochkor | Nomad lodge guesthouse or similar | Twin room accommodation, private facilities in each room |
Song-Kul | Yurt Camp | 4 people accommodations in a yurt, shared outside European style toilet and shower cabins |
Additional information:
Level of difficulty: There are no difficulties on the route.
Conditions: It is necessary to bring warm clothes, walking boots, rain coat and etc. Weight of personal things is not limited.
Health: If you have any specific sicknesses, you need to bring own first aid kit with necessary medicaments.
Book your Kyrgyzstan biking tour here
If you would like to customize your tour please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to organize a custom tour or to provide a modified itinerary based on one of the tours provided by us or our cooperatives.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Money & costs
Safety
Entry & exit
Best time to go
Health
Money & costs
Money & costs
The official currency utilized is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). In the capital, Bishkek, an abundance of ATMs can be found, some of which dispense US dollars in addition to local soms. Beyond the city limits, ATMs are increasingly prevalent in few largest towns but are mostly not available in smaller towns except at the northern shore of Issyk Kul.
Mastercard is universally accepted at all ATMs but Visa is still the more widely accepted card of choice in Kyrgyzstan. Maestro or other cards might be accepted in few select machines. Demirbank with their red colored ATMs has been the best option lately for all foreign cards with moderate fees.
Currency exchange services are readily accessible in major cities, ensuring seamless exchange of rubles, US dollars, and euros into soms. It is imperative that foreign currency banknotes remain pristine, fresh, and devoid of any signs of wear. Larger banknotes from 50 USD and 50 EUR are favored by the cash exchange services and are sometimes the prerequisite for a better exchange rate.
While credit cards face limited acceptance nationwide, starting from 2023, the convenience of utilizing debit or credit cards extends to major hotels, restaurants, expansive supermarkets, and select museums in Bishkek and Osh and rarely even in taxis. However, outside these two prominent cities, the practicality of card payments remains unfeasible.
Safety
Safety
Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe for travelers, but adherence to standard precautions is crucial. The country is experiencing an active surge in tourism. Key recommendations encompass:
- Always have your passport or a notarized copy with you, as lacking proper identification may lead to arrest by the police.
- Incidents of robberies, some of which can be violent, and thefts are commonplace especially in crowded places like the bazars. Caution is advised, particularly when venturing out after dark. Instances of sexual violence and harassment have been reported in public transportation.
- Steer clear of crowds and demonstrations to ensure personal safety.
- Show respect for local traditions, customs, laws, and religious practices at all times.
- The possession or use of narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Photography of anything related to the armed forces or security services is not allowed.
- While same-sex relationships are legal, they are not widely discussed and lack public recognition.
- Avoid solitary walks or travels, especially during nighttime.
- Utilize established taxi services in advance to ensure reliability.
- The southern regions are susceptible to smuggling activities, rendering the security situation unstable and hazardous along the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- Mind where you step in the cities as there are sometimes large holes on the streets and the pavements are not in pristine condition on the pedestrian areas.
Entry & exit
Entry & exit
Kyrgyzstan extends a visa-free arrangement to travelers from 69 countries. Alternatively, others can opt for the electronic visa system or submit applications through the embassy. Comprehensive information about visas is available here. For a tourist visa in Kyrgyzstan, a majority of passport holders require an invitation letter from a tourism company. Since September 1, 2017, Kyrgyzstan has introduced an electronic visa system. Special authorization is mandated for visits to border regions in Kyrgyzstan.
Best time to go
Best time to go
The optimal time to experience Kyrgyzstan is during the summer months of July and August. Despite the temperatures reaching approximately 30°C, this period witnesses the liveliest bazaars in the country. It is also the perfect season to delve into the mountainous landscapes and trekking routes that may be inaccessible during other times of the year. In July and August, you have the opportunity to explore Kyrgyzstan’s mountains either on foot or horseback, immersing yourself in traditional yurt accommodations with local families. Additionally, this time of the year hosts annual festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
While the winters in the highlands are prolonged, limiting passage through the elevated mountain passes, it presents a captivating season for exploring Kyrgyzstan. Engaging in various activities, akin to those enjoyed in summer (with the exception of rafting), such as hiking, horseback riding, or skiing in the mountains, allows for a unique experience. Accommodations in traditional yurts are also available during this season.
Health
Health
The overall state of healthcare in this country is recognized as relatively subpar, prompting a strong recommendation for travelers reliant on regular medications to carry ample supplies. Locating necessary drugs locally might pose challenges or incur significant costs. Medical facilities are anticipated to be scarce, underscoring the importance of securing comprehensive medical and travel insurance prior to arrival. In the event of a serious accident or illness, emergency air evacuation to a neighboring country may be necessary.
It is imperative to treat tap water and other local water sources as contaminated, necessitating thorough boiling before consumption. Opting for bottled water throughout the entire duration of stay in the country is a prudent choice. Exercise particular caution when consuming unpasteurized dairy products or animal products that may be susceptible to contamination.
Before entering the country, obtaining additional vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis is recommended, and other vaccinations may also be deemed necessary. Malaria poses a risk in the country, predominantly in the southern regions.
Other tours in Kyrgyzstan
Tour updated 3.2.2024