South of Kyrgyzstan Trekking tour
Accommodation, guides, transport, a flight included.
South of Kyrgyzstan Trekking tour Highlights
This 13-day private trekking tour from Bishkek takes you into the little-visited mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan. After a city tour of Bishkek you cross the Suusamyr Valley and the Chychkan Gorge to Nichkesai, a Kyrgyz village near the Toktogul Reservoir, and spend the night in a yurt camp run by a local family.
The heart of the tour is a 6-day trek with pack horses from Taktalyk village to Arslanbob. Along shepherd trails through the Alatay nature reserve you cross passes of 2,906 m and 3,186 m and camp by the mountain lakes Kara-Suu and Kapka-Tash. Then come the red cliffs of the Otuz-Art Valley, the “Thirty Passes”, where you meet shepherds and beekeepers and can taste wild honey, before the trail ends in the vast walnut forests of Arslanbob. The landscape changes every day, from mountain lakes and white rocks to red mountains.
From Arslanbob you drive to Osh, the “capital of the south”, visiting the 11th-century mausoleums of Uzgen on the way. The tour ends with two nights at the base camp of Lenin Peak in the Alai Valley, reached over the Taldyk Pass (3,615 m), and a hike to the Travellers’ Pass (4,128 m) with great views of the peak and its glacier, before you fly back from Osh to Bishkek.
Difficulty: Moderate Six trekking days of 8–17 km (2–7 hours) on shepherd trails with pack horses, over passes of 2,906 m and 3,186 m with daily ascents and descents of up to about 1,200 m, and five nights in tents. A day hike from Lenin Peak base camp (3,600 m) to the Travellers’ Pass (4,128 m) and drives of up to 320–350 km a day. Recommended for people in good physical condition.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Bishkek early in the morning, where your guide and driver meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel to rest. Later, explore the colorful Osh Bazaar. After lunch, a city tour takes you to the main Ala-Too Square, through Oak Park with its open-air gallery of sculptures, to the Manas monument and along the Youth Alley next to the Philharmonic Hall. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Walking: about 3 km during the city tour, around 2 hours, no change in altitude (Bishkek 800 m).
Bishkek, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Ala Too Square, Bishkek Oak Park
- Manas International Airport → Bishkek
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive about 5 hours towards the Toktogul Reservoir and the Kyrgyz village of Nichkesai. The road crosses the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,580 m) and leads through the beautiful Suusamyr Valley and, after the Ala-Bel Pass, down the Chychkan Gorge. Picnic lunch on the way. In the village you stay at a yurt camp run by a local Kyrgyz family. Take a walk around the village before dinner with the family and a night in the yurts. Drive: 350 km. Walking: 2–3 km in the village, about 1 hour. Altitude: from 800 m in Bishkek to 1,455 m in Nichkesai.
Suusamyr Valley, Chychkan Gorge, Toktogul Reservoir
- Bishkek → Nichkesai (350 km)
Overnight: Nichkesai (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the start of the trek at Taktalyk village. The road is only 20 km long, but depending on its condition the drive takes 40 minutes to 1 hour. Meet the horsemen and the pack horses that carry the luggage, and trek up the valley. The path climbs slowly to a pass of 2,906 m, then descends to Kara-Suu Lake, which is rich in trout and other fish. Dinner and overnight in a tent camp by the lake. Trek: 11 km, +1,157 m / −919 m, about 5 hours; from 1,835 m at Taktalyk over the 2,906 m pass to the camp at 2,074 m.
Taktalyk, Kara-Suu Lake
- Nichkesai → Taktalyk (20 km)
- Taktalyk → Kara-Suu Lake (11 km)
Overnight: Kara-Suu Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, trek up the valley with Kara-Suu Lake on your left. The path rises gently all the way to the beginning of Kapka-Tash Lake, then descends to the shore of this mountain lake. Overnight in tents by the lake. Trek: 13 km, +286 m / −49 m, about 5 hours; highest point 2,360 m, camp at 2,311 m.
Kara-Suu Lake
- Kara-Suu Lake → Kapka-Tash Lake (13 km)
Overnight: Kapka-Tash Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day by hiking up the valley for about 3 hours to the foot of the pass, where you stop for a lunch box. After lunch, cross the Belmonchok Pass (3,186 m), which offers fine views of the valleys on both sides. Descend into the Otuz-Art Valley, whose mountains are made of red cliffs and red sand. The valley attracts beekeepers, and you may meet them on the way. Overnight in tents by the river. Trek: 13 km, +958 m / −1,017 m, about 6–7 hours; from 2,311 m at Kapka-Tash Lake over the 3,186 m pass to the camp at 2,162 m.
- Kapka-Tash Lake → Otuz-Art Valley (13 km)
Overnight: Otuz-Art Valley (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, trek past old orchards along the valley. Today the path goes up and down many times over small hills and passes – which is why the valley is called Otuz-Art, “Thirty Passes”. Red rocks accompany you all day. On the way you meet local shepherds and beekeepers and can taste fresh honey from a wild bee farm. Dinner and overnight in a tent camp by the river. Trek: 15–16 km, +509 m / −1,169 m, about 5–6 hours; from 2,162 m to the camp at 1,501 m.
- Otuz-Art Valley → Otuz-Art Valley (16 km)
Overnight: Otuz-Art Valley (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, trek down the valley to the junction of the rivers, then climb again to a pass and descend to the village of Kyzyl-Unkur. Walk about 1 km along the asphalt road through the village, cross the river by the bridge and climb again through the walnut forest to a place called Dashman. Overnight in tents in the forest. Trek: 17 km, +669 m / −489 m, about 6–7 hours; from 1,501 m to the forest camp at 1,679 m.
Kyzyl-Unkur, Dashman
- Otuz-Art Valley → Dashman (17 km)
Overnight: Dashman (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, trek for about 3 hours down to Gumkhana village near Arslanbob, where the trek ends. The whole route today leads through the largest walnut forest in the world. Say goodbye to the horsemen and the local guide and meet your driver. Lunch, dinner and overnight with a local family in their guesthouse. Trek: 8 km, +109 m / −460 m, about 2–3 hours; from 1,679 m to 1,329 m in Gumkhana.
Arslanbob
- Dashman → Arslanbob (8 km)
Overnight: Arslanbob (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Osh, the second largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country, it is often called the “capital of the south”. On the way, visit the 11th-century mausoleums of Uzgen, remains of the Karakhanid Empire. On arrival in Osh, check in at the hotel to rest and recover. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Drive: about 210 km, 3–4 hours; from 1,329 m to 700 m in Osh.
Uzgen, Osh
- Arslanbob → Osh (210 km)
Overnight: Osh (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive towards the base camp of Lenin Peak. After lunch, continue along the mountain road over the Taldyk Pass (3,615 m) to the base camp at the foot of Lenin Peak. Enjoy the view of the great glacier and the mountains around. Dinner and overnight in a tent camp at 3,600 m. Drive: about 320 km, 6–8 hours; from 700 m in Osh over the 3,615 m Taldyk Pass to 3,600 m.
Alai Valley, Lenin peak, Achyk-Tash Base Camp
- Osh → Achyk-Tash Base Camp (320 km)
Overnight: Achyk-Tash Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the camp, set off on a hike from the base camp towards Lenin Peak, up to the Travellers’ Pass (Puteshestvennikov Pass, 4,128 m). Have your lunch box at the pass with a great view of Lenin Peak and its glacier, then return to the base camp for dinner and the night. Hike: about 6–7 hours, from 3,600 m up to 4,128 m and back.
Achyk-Tash Base Camp, Lenin peak, Travellers' Pass
- Achyk-Tash Base Camp → Travellers' Pass
- Travellers' Pass → Achyk-Tash Base Camp
Overnight: Achyk-Tash Base Camp (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the camp, drive back to Osh over the Chiirchik Pass. Lunch in Osh, then transfer to the airport for the flight to Bishkek at around 16:00. Transfer from the airport to the hotel, dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Drive: about 320 km, 6–7 hours, from 3,600 m to Osh; flight from Osh to Bishkek (800 m).
Osh, Bishkek
- Achyk-Tash Base Camp → Osh (320 km)
- Osh → Bishkek
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Bishkek → Manas International Airport
Meals: Breakfast
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
- Transport for all transfers and excursions
- Double rooms in the hotels in Bishkek and Osh
- Yurt in the yurt camp in Nichkesai (4 people per yurt)
- Double tents at Lenin Peak base camp
- Three meals a day and mineral water during the tour
- English-speaking tour guide
- Assistant guide on the trek (days 3–8)
- Double tents, mats and kitchen equipment for the trek
- Trek staff (horsemen, cook)
- Pack horses for the luggage on the trek (days 3–8)
- Entrance fees to museums
- Border permit for the Lenin Peak area
Not included
- International flights
- Kyrgyz visa fees
- Single room in the hotels and single tent (single supplement 131 USD per person)
- Extra pack horse on the trek (200 USD per horse)
- Horses for luggage at Lenin Peak base camp
- Riding horses
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Porter service at the airports and hotels
- Porter service at Lenin Peak base camp
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
Bishkek
B Hotel or similar
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Night 2
Nichkesai
Yurt camp in Nichkesai or similar
-
Night 3
Kara-Suu Lake
Tent camp at Kara-Suu Lake (2,074 m) or similar
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Night 4
Kapka-Tash Lake
Tent camp at Kapka-Tash Lake (2,311 m) or similar
-
Night 5
Otuz-Art Valley
Tent camp in the Otuz-Art Valley (2,162 m) or similar
-
Night 6
Otuz-Art Valley
Tent camp in the lower Otuz-Art Valley (1,501 m) or similar
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Night 7
Dashman
Tent camp in the Dashman walnut forest (1,679 m) or similar
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Night 8
Arslanbob
Guesthouse in Arslanbob or similar
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Night 9
Osh
Sunrise Hotel or similar
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Nights 10–11
Achyk-Tash Base Camp
Achyk-Tash Base Camp tents or similar
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Night 12
Bishkek
B Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Group size: 2–15 travelers; the price per person depends on the size of the group.
- Fitness: The tour is graded medium and recommended for people in good physical condition. The passes are easy to walk, without difficult rocky sections, and most of the trek follows shepherd trails. Expect about 5–6 hours of hiking a day with 400–800 m of ascent and descent; most trekking days are above 1,500 m.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures on the trek are around 20–25°C, but nights can be cold, sometimes down to 0°C.
- Luggage on the trek (days 3–8): Pack the things you need for the trek separately; the rest of your luggage stays in the car and is brought to the meeting point at the end of the trek. Horses carry the trek luggage and the food, limited to 15 kg per person. An extra pack horse costs 200 USD.
- Tents and camp: We provide double tents (igloo or V-shaped, by Red Fox, Salewa or Quechua); a single tent is available with the single supplement. The camp has a large dining tent for up to 12 people, trekking tables and chairs, and a toilet tent.
- Longer trek: Around Nichkesai village and the lakes the trekking program can be extended or combined with round trips – ask us.
Food on the trek
- Breakfast: a warm breakfast, for example milk rice or fried eggs, with cheese, honey, bread, butter and hot coffee or tea
- Lunch: lunch boxes with salads, sandwiches, dried fruit, fresh fruit and natural juice
- Snack on arrival at the camp: cookies with hot coffee, tea or compote
- Dinner: soup, a main course, cheese, honey, bread and hot coffee or tea
What to bring
- Down jacket and a warm sweater
- Warm sleeping bag and an inflatable trekking mat
- Rain gear (waterproof trousers should open at the bottom of the leg, so you can put them on and take them off without removing your boots)
- Waterproof trekking boots and 2–3 pairs of warm socks
- Gloves
- Sunglasses, sun cream with high UV protection and lip balm with UV protection
- Backpack of about 30 liters
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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