Walnut Harvest Tour from Osh to Bishkek
Autumn Walnut Harvest Tour in Kyrgyzstan
TOUR DETAILS
-
Period
October - November (Can be organized all year round without walnut harvest) -
Tour length
7 days -
Starting and Ending points
Osh / Bishkek -
Price from
952 $ / person
Arslanbob Tour Highlights
Every year from September to October, Arslanbob residents leave their homes and head up to the largest natural-grown walnut forest in the world to harvest the ripe walnuts. For the next two months, most Arslanbob resident families live in modest tents, mud huts and towed wagons, like their families have done for hundreds of years, to collect and clean the precious walnuts.
During this trip, you can learn about walnut harvesting, cleaning methods, and walnut oil production. In addition to the walnut forest, you observe diverse scenery and nature of Southern Kyrgyzstan, from the low altitude Fergana Valley to the high alpine valleys and huge Chon Alay mountain range.
This tour can be also organized starting in Bishkek and ending in Osh and also with the return trip included.
TOUR ITINERARY
We will pick you up from the Osh airport and drive you to your hotel in Osh. You can rest and have some free time exploring the town, for example the Sulaiman Too mountain and the local bazar along the river. Dinner at 19:00
Breakfast at 7:30. At 8 in the morning we depart to Sary Mogul. Sary Mogul is located at 3 200 meters above sea level and surrounded by towering snow-capped Pamir Alay mountains in the distance. Along the way, you can see multi colored alpine meadows and gorges.
We will stop for the lunch on the way. Dinner at 19:30 and overnight at the Sary Mogul guest house.
Breakfast at 7.30. In the morning, right from the homestay yard, you can observe Peak Lenin 7134 meters above sea level, if the sky is clear.
Today you will visit the stunning lakes of Tulpar Kol. You can have a light hike around the lakes and even see the Lenin peak base camps on the other side of a gorge.
Lunch break and free time till 17:00 and back to the guest house and had dinner at 19:00.
Breakfast at the same and we will start the long journey to the world’s largest natural walnut forest called Aralanbob. On the way, we will stop to have lunch. Upon arrival, we will change our car to the local Soviet jeep to visit remarkable forest full of walnut and fruit trees. In the evening we will return to the local guesthouse to have a delicious dinner with our host family.
Breakfast at 8:00. The day will start with sightseeing: visiting small and big Arslanbob’s waterfalls. Then we will meet with locals to see how they harvested walnuts and learn about the walnut harvest processes. Lunch will be prepared in the forest by the locals. In the evening, we arrive back to the guest house to have dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at 7:00 and preparing for departure to Toktogul town. Along the way, you will enjoy unrepeatable agricultural fields and colorful hills gone mountains. Accommodation in Toktogul guest house and dinner at 19:30.
Breakfast at 7:30. From Toktogul we will continue the journey to Bishkek through the Suusamur valley. You will enjoy picturesque views of the high mountains and alpine meadows. We will stop on the way to have a lunch.
Check-in to the hotel in Bishkek. Free time, you can see for example the Osh bazaar, which is a good place to buy some authentic souvenirs. Farewell dinner at 19:00.
Breakfast in the morning and departure to Manas airport.
TOUR INFORMATION
INCLUDED
- Accommodation
- 3 meals per day
- Transportation
- Guide Service
- Folklore show
NOT INCLUDED
- Personal expenses
Price per person
1 pax | 1824 $ |
2 pax | 1140 $ |
3 pax | 952 $ |
Please contact us for the prices for more participants!
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Rain clothes
- Sunscreen
- Cap for the sun and sun glasses
- Personal medications
Please note that it is also possible to organize this tour starting from Bishkek (car transport through Suusamur Valley) and to have a flight back to Bishkek at the end of the tour! It is also possible to fly both ways to save time! If these options are not ideal for you, please contact us for further information and amendments! This tour can also be organized outside the walnut harvesting season from May to September with a shorter stay in Arslanbob.
- This tour requires normal physical condition. There will be some walking in easy and moderate terrains. The pace of this tour is relaxing. There is plenty of time to focus on what you are interested and even to make some extra stops on the way.
CHECK VISA POLICY
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan
BOOK YOUR 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 the tour operators.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Money & costs
Safety
Entry & exit
Best time to go
Health
Money & costs
Money & costs
The official currency 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 the convenience of utilizing debit or credit cards extends to major hotels, restaurants, expansive supermarkets, and selected museums in Bishkek and Osh and rarely even in taxis. However, outside these two prominent cities and Northern Shore of Issyk Kul, 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.