Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll get picked up at Bishkek airport and head to your hotel to settle in. After that, start exploring the city by walking through the Old Square, then move on to Oak Park and check out the Art Salon. Swing by Ala-Too Square to learn about the national hero Manas, and finish with a look at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Included Activities
- City tour of Bishkek
- Visit Old Square
- Explore Oak Park (Dubovy Park)
- Visit Art Salon with rotating local artist exhibitions
- Visit Ala-Too Square
- View National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Abdylas Maldybayev
Landmarks/POIs Old Square Oak Park (Dubovy Park) Ala-Too Square National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Abdylas Maldybayev - Day 2
Bishkek to Cholpon Ata
Following breakfast, drive to Burana Tower, which is the only remaining piece of the ancient Kara-Khanid Khanate capital. The route takes you through Chuy Valley and Boom Gorge to Konorchek Canyon with its striking red sandstone. You'll stop at the Nomad Museum to see traditional items, then continue to Cholpon Ata resort on Issyk-Kul Lake's northern shore. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to use however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Burana Tower
- Drive through Chuy Valley and Boom Gorge
- Visit Konorchek Canyon
- Visit Nomad Museum
Optional Activities
- Various activities at Cholpon Ata resort (at own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Chuy Valley Boom Gorge Konorchek Canyon Nomad Museum Issyk-Kul Lake - Day 3
Cholpon Ata to Karakol
You'll drive for about 3 hours to reach Karakol, the largest city east of Issyk-Kul Lake, and stop at the Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum along the way. Check in at your hotel and the day is open for you to plan. This city has an interesting background as a Russian military outpost from the late 1800s that drew settlers from various countries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum
Landmarks/POIs Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum - Day 4
Karakol to Skazka Canyon
If it's Sunday, wake up early and visit the Animal Market just outside Karakol. Tour the Holy Trinity Cathedral, an Orthodox church with ties to soldiers stationed here, and the Dungan Mosque built by Chinese Muslim settlers. From there, drive to Jeti-Oguz Canyon where the red sandstone formations inspired Kyrgyz art and music. Then head along the southern bank of Issyk-Kul Lake to Skazka Canyon, check in, and walk through the canyon with your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Animal Market (if Sunday)
- Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Jeti-Oguz Canyon
- Explore Skazka Canyon on foot
Landmarks/POIs Animal Market Holy Trinity Cathedral Dungan Mosque Jeti-Oguz Canyon Skazka Canyon (Canyon Fairy Tale) Issyk-Kul Lake - Day 5
Skazka Canyon to Song Kol Lake
After breakfast, head to Bokonbayevo to see a golden eagle hunting show, a 12-century-old tradition that reflects Kyrgyz values. Then drive for about 5 hours through Kalmak Ashuu Pass at 3,447 meters/11,309 feet to Song Kol Lake, sitting at 3,016 meters/9,895 feet. You'll see views of green western grasslands and eastern canyons before reaching your yurt camp on the southern bank.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Watch golden eagle hunting show at Bokonbayevo
- Drive through Kalmak Ashuu Pass
- Visit Song Kol Lake
Landmarks/POIs Kalmak Ashuu Pass Song Kol Lake - Day 6
Song Kol Lake
Take a relaxed day at Song Kol Lake while living alongside nomadic traditions. Watch locals manage their flocks in the green pastures and see them prepare breakfast by milking horses. Stop at a nomad family's yurt and check out the setup with the central stove. Later, walk along the lake's edge and watch horses come down to drink. After dinner, sit by the campfire with other travelers and share stories under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Experience nomadic daily activities with local herders
- Visit nomad family yurt
- Walk along Song Kol Lake shoreline
- Campfire gathering with other travelers
Landmarks/POIs Song Kol Lake - Day 7
Song Kol Lake to Naryn
Following breakfast, drive for 4 hours through Moldo-Ashu Pass at 3,346 meters/10,977 feet to reach Naryn. Check out the Historical Museum of Ethnography which has yurts of different sizes, wooden items, and handmade carpets. Walk to Central Square where a Tunduk yurt roof statue now stands instead of the old Lenin monument. Stop by the Blue Mosque, where the domes look like traditional yurts and the outside walls feature Oymo nomadic embroidery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Moldo-Ashu Pass
- Visit Historical Museum of Ethnography
- Visit Central Square
- Visit Blue Mosque (Azreti Ali Mosque)
Landmarks/POIs Moldo-Ashu Pass Historical Museum of Ethnography Central Square Blue Mosque (Azreti Ali Mosque) - Day 8
Naryn to Tash Rabat and Return
Start the day with a 2.5-hour drive to Tash Rabat and stop at Koshoy Korgon Ruins, a 7th-century Turkish fortress built along the ancient Silk Road. Arrive at Tash Rabat Caravanserai, a partly underground 15th-century stone building. Take the left trail to a viewpoint where you can see the caravanserai and yurt camps in the valley below. Head back to your Naryn hotel in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Koshoy Korgon Ruins
- Visit Tash Rabat Caravanserai
- Walk to viewpoint at Tash Rabat
Landmarks/POIs Koshoy Korgon Ruins Tash Rabat Caravanserai - Day 9
Naryn to Kochkor
Drive for about 1.5 hours to Kochkor with a stop at Chon Tuz Salt Mine, which has a small health facility inside since the mineral salt helps with breathing issues. Once in Kochkor Village, visit the Altyn Kol Workshop, an organization that helps unemployed local women while keeping traditional felt-making alive. Felt covers yurts and is made into clothing, toys, and rugs. Check in at your local hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chon Tuz Salt Mine
- Visit Altyn Kol Workshop for felt-making demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Chon Tuz Salt Mine Altyn Kol Workshop - Day 10
Kochkor to Bishkek
Drive for 3 hours back to Bishkek and arrive in the early afternoon. Your guide and driver will take you to your hotel, or you can spend the rest of the day checking out the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Free time for independent exploration in Bishkek
- Day 11
Bishkek Departure
Your Kyrgyzstan tour finishes today. Your guide and driver will get you to the airport based on your flight time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
