Southern Kyrgyzstan Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Southern Kyrgyzstan Tour Highlights
This 7-day private tour introduces you to the natural beauty of South Kyrgyzstan. The region stretches around the Fergana Valley, which is mostly Uzbek territory, so the culture in Southern Kyrgyzstan is somewhat different from the other regions that are separated from it by mountains.
You will see very different scenery, from lowland cities like Osh to the high alpine valleys and huge mountains of Alay. Lush nut and fruit forests and the turquoise lakes and waterfalls of Arslanbob and Sary Chelek are the highlights of the tour.
Difficulty: Moderate Normal physical condition is enough. Some walking on easy and moderate terrain, with day hikes of average level near Lenin Peak base camp (Alay Valley, high altitude), in Arslanbob and at Sary-Chelek; long driving days (up to 5–8 hours).
Tour Itinerary
Our journey starts in Osh, the oldest city in the region and one of the strategic points of the Silk Road in its heyday. In Osh we visit the main heritage site, Sulaiman-Too, with its unusual cave museum and places that are sacred for local people. In the afternoon we visit the central bazaar, which is more than 3000 years old, with unique masters of hand-made iron goods (blacksmiths). In the evening we have a welcome dinner in a famous local, Eastern-style restaurant.
Osh, Sulaiman Too
Overnight: Osh (Hotel)
Meals: Dinner
On the second day we start exploring the most beautiful natural sights of Southern Kyrgyzstan. Our destination is the Tulpar-Kul group of lakes, located under Lenin Peak, which is more than 7 km high. On the way we make several stops to see the colourful mountains along the famous Pamir Highway. The main highlights are Uch-Tobo village with its high triple mountain and the Taldyk Pass at about 3000 m above sea level. In the evening we arrive at the yurt camp and enjoy the sunset after the long drive. Distance: 240 km (5–6 hours of driving)
Alai Valley, Tulpar-Kol Lake
- Osh → Tulpar-Kol Lake (240 km)
Overnight: Tulpar-Kol Lake (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we start hiking in the highest valley of the Alay region. During the hike we visit the first base camp of Lenin Peak, a famous destination for alpinists from all over the world. The final point of the hike is a waterfall. After lunch in the yurt camp we drive back to Osh. Distance: 240 km (5–6 hours of driving) Level of hike: average
Lenin peak
- Tulpar-Kol Lake → Lenin peak
- Tulpar-Kol Lake → Osh (240 km)
Overnight: Osh (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning we head to Jalal-Abad province, where we explore Arslanbob, the largest natural walnut forest in the world. On arrival in the village we take Soviet UAZ jeeps to discover two waterfalls and the amazing forest full of walnut and fruit trees. Riding in these old cars is an unusual and somewhat extreme experience. In the evening we stay in a local guest house and have a delicious dinner prepared by our host family. Distance: 170 km (3–4 hours of driving) Level of hike: average
Arslanbob
- Osh → Arslanbob (170 km)
Overnight: Arslanbob (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning we drive towards Sary-Chelek and the village of Arkyt. After about 5 hours of driving we have free time in the village to walk around or relax by the riverside. This flexible day is a preparation for the next day. Distance: 220 km (4–5 hours of driving)
- Arslanbob → Sary Chelek (220 km)
Overnight: Sary Chelek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Early in the morning we drive to the Sary-Chelek nature reserve, where we start trekking to the beautiful lakes around the main lake. On the way you will see scenery that is unusual for other parts of Kyrgyzstan. At the last lake we can have a small picnic and a swim. Bring a smartphone or camera to capture the amazing views. Towards evening we return to the hotel. If you prefer, horseback riding to the lakes can be arranged instead of trekking. Distance: 20 km (1 hour of driving) Level of hike: average
Sary Chelek
- Sary Chelek → Sary Chelek
Overnight: Sary Chelek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Osh or Bishkek, depending on your choice. End of the tour. Distance: 300 km to Osh (4–5 hours) or 520 km to Bishkek (7–8 hours)
- Sary Chelek → Osh (300 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $2,240 |
| 2 travelers | $1,323 |
| 3 travelers | $971 |
| 4 travelers | $826 |
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
- Transportation
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Guide service
- Breakfast daily; dinner daily except in Osh (welcome dinner on day 1 included)
- One lunch box for the hike in Sary-Chelek
- Drinking water
- UAZ special car (Soviet jeep) in Arslanbob
- Entrance costs
- Welcome gift
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees (if required)
- Travel insurance
- Transfer to Bishkek at the end of the tour (on request, extra cost)
- Dinners in Osh (except the welcome dinner)
- Lunches not mentioned in the program
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Tips for guide and driver
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Osh
Hotel in Osh or similar
-
Night 2
Tulpar-Kol Lake
Yurt camp at Tulpar-Kul or similar
-
Night 3
Osh
Hotel in Osh or similar
-
Night 4
Arslanbob
Local guest house in Arslanbob or similar
-
Nights 5–6
Sary Chelek
Hotel in Arkyt or similar
Good to know
It is also possible to organize this tour starting from Bishkek (car transport through the Suusamyr Valley) and to fly back to Bishkek at the end of the tour. If this suits you, please ask us for further information.
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 this one.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Rain clothes
- Sunscreen
- Cap for the sun and sunglasses
- Personal medications
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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