Southern Kyrgyzstan Tour

7 days Osh → Bishkek, Osh

Best Time May–Oct

Tour Style Private tour

Tour Type Culture, Hiking, Nature

Difficulty Moderate

Choose dates From $826 per person≈ $118 / day

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.

Osh – Sulaiman-Too with its cave museum and the ancient bazaar
Tulpar-Kul lakes – yurt camp under Lenin Peak in the Alay Valley
Lenin Peak base camp – hike to a waterfall in the highest valley of the Alay region
Arslanbob – the world's largest natural walnut forest and two waterfalls by Soviet jeep
Sary-Chelek – trekking (or horse riding) to the lakes of the nature reserve

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).

Tulpar Kol lakes in Alay valley, Kyrgyzstan

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

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

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

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.