Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Bishkek
Your flight departs for Bishkek today, taking you to Kyrgyzstan's capital. It's the start of your mountain adventure, so settle in for the journey ahead.
Landmarks Bishkek 
- Day 2
Bishkek
You'll arrive early morning in Bishkek where your guide meets you. After checking into your hotel, head out mid-morning to see the National Museum and walk through Osh Bazaar with all its colorful spices and local goods. By evening, you'll have a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum
- Stroll through Osh Bazaar
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks National Museum of Kyrgyzstan Osh Bazaar - Day 3
Ala Archa National Park
Today takes you to Ala Archa National Park where you get to choose your own path. Either go for a challenging three to four hour climb to Ratzek hut at 3,200 m/10,500 ft to see Ak-Say glacier, or take a more relaxed walk to a waterfall with another guide. Pick whichever appeals to you once you get there.
Included Activities
- Ala Archa National Park day tour (choice of challenging mountain ascent to Ratzek hut or leisurely waterfall walk)
Landmarks Ala Archa National Park Ratzek hut Ak-Say glacier 
- Day 4
Bishkek to Lake Song Kul
You leave Bishkek behind and drive into the mountain landscape of Kyrgyzstan. First stop is Burana Tower, a historic minaret from the Silk Road era. From there, continue deeper into the mountains for about six hours until you reach Lake Song Kul at 3,000 m/9,843 ft. You'll sleep in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt at the yurt camp.
Included Activities
- Visit Burana Tower
Landmarks Burana Tower Lake Song Kul 
- Day 5
Lake Song Kul
Spend this day around Lake Song Kul learning about the nomadic lifestyle. Kyrgyz shepherds use their summer pastures (jailoos) here, and the area inspired stories by famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov. Walk along the lake shore and connect with the local shepherds and their families.
Included Activities
- Walks along Lake Song Kul
- Encounters with Kyrgyz nomads
Landmarks Lake Song Kul 
- Day 6
Lake Song Kul to Tamga
Drive eastward along Lake Issyk Kul past poplar, apricot and apple tree avenues heading toward Tamga village. The afternoon is yours to use however you like. Go for a walk through the village, swim in Issyk Kul, or tackle a roughly three hour hike up to Tamga Tash stone formation if you're feeling active.
Optional Activities
- Walk through Tamga village
- Swim in Issyk Kul
- Three-hour hike to Tamga Tash stone formation
Landmarks Lake Issyk Kul Tamga Tash 
- Day 7
Tamga to Terskey Alatau
Your trekking starts today through the best part of the Terskey Alatau mountain range. Carry only a daypack as you hike through a nice valley, past a waterfall, heading toward Öguz Bashi at 5,168 m/16,955 ft. End the day at your yurt camp in the mountains.
Included Activities
- Trek through Terskey Alatau mountain range valley with waterfall views
Landmarks Terskey Alatau Öguz Bashi 
- Day 8
Jety-Öguz Valley Trek
Check out the upper valley with its dramatic fiery red Jety-Öguz rocks. The climb gets you views like an amphitheater with Pik Baytor at 4,700 m/15,420 ft and Pik Aylanma at 4,800 m/15,748 ft in sight. From here you'll see Issyk Kul spread out far below you.
Included Activities
- Trek through Jety-Öguz valley with red rock formations
- Panoramic views of Pik Baytor and Pik Aylanma
Landmarks Jety-Öguz rocks Pik Baytor Pik Aylanma - Day 9
Telety River Trek
Starting now, porters carry your luggage so you travel lighter with just a daypack. Climb along the Telety River and set up camp on a green meadow around 3,050 m/10,007 ft near a waterfall. The terrain gets more challenging as you move higher.
Included Activities
- Trek along Telety River to camp below Telety Pass
Landmarks Telety River Telety Pass - Day 10
Telety Pass to Karakol Valley
This is a moderate climbing day across mountain meadows and through rocky scree to reach Telety Pass at 3,780 m/12,402 ft. From the pass, descend into Karakol River valley and camp on the riverbank at 2,500 m/8,202 ft. Plan on about 1.5 hours of climbing from your overnight spot to the pass.
Included Activities
- Trek across mountain meadows to Telety Pass
- Descent into Karakol River valley
Landmarks Telety Pass Karakol River - Day 11
Karakol Valley Rest Day
After several hard trekking days, you can choose to rest and relax in the mountains or join a short circular hike if you want to keep moving. In the evening, there's a Russian sauna (banya) available to refresh yourself and relax your muscles.
Optional Activities
- Short circular hike
- Russian sauna (banya)
Landmarks Karakol River Valley - Day 12
Ala-Kul Lake Trek
Climb 900 m/2,953 ft alongside crystal clear mountain streams heading to the natural dam of Lake Alakul. Camp sits above the lake shore at 3,560 m/11,677 ft with romantic views of the alpine lake. The afternoon is yours to soak in the scenery here.
Included Activities
- Trek along mountain streams to Lake Alakul
Landmarks Lake Alakul - Day 13
Alakul Pass to Arashan Valley
Alakul Pass at 3,880 m/12,730 ft is the scenic high point of your trek. From the pass you get wide views of the lake and surrounding 5,000 m/16,404 ft peaks. Afterward, drop down into Arashan Valley where you'll camp at 2,600 m/8,530 ft.
Included Activities
- Trek across Alakul Pass with panoramic views
- Descent into Arashan Valley
Landmarks Alakul Pass Arashan Valley - Day 14
Arashan Valley
Two scenic hike options are available today. Go up Arashan River across flowering edelweiss meadows with Pik Palatka at 4,800 m/15,748 ft towering over Geldike Valley and steep Pik Aksu at 5,020 m/16,470 ft nearby, or climb the technically easy summit of Chon-Kyzyl-Tash at roughly 3,700 m/12,139 ft. Decide with your guide what works for you.
Optional Activities
- Scenic hike up Arashan River across edelweiss meadows with views of Pik Palatka and Pik Aksu
- Ascent to Chon-Kyzyl-Tash summit (approximately 3700 m)
Landmarks Arashan River Pik Palatka Pik Aksu Chon-Kyzyl-Tash - Day 15
Arashan Valley to Karakol to Lake Issyk Kul
A four hour hike takes you to Aksu where vehicles pick you up. Then drive to the town of Karakol with time to walk through the bazaar and see the old wooden church. From there, head toward the northern shore of Issyk Kul where you'll stay at a hotel right on the lake.
Included Activities
- Four-hour hike to Aksu
- Bazaar stroll in Karakol
- Visit old wooden church in Karakol
Landmarks Karakol Lake Issyk Kul 
- Day 16
Lake Issyk Kul
After your mountain trekking days, enjoy time by beautiful Issyk Kul Lake. Swim in the water, take walks along the shore, relax, or just unwind by the water without any plans.
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Issyk Kul
- Walking along the lake shore
Landmarks Lake Issyk Kul - Day 17
Lake Issyk Kul to Bishkek
Early risers can get one last swim in Issyk Kul before driving back to Bishkek. Spend time at the bazaar for last minute shopping, then gather for a traditional farewell dinner. You'll stay at the hotel one final night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Early morning swim in Issyk Kul
- Last-minute bazaar shopping in Bishkek
Landmarks Lake Issyk Kul Bishkek - Day 18
Departure from Bishkek
Head to the airport today with your memories from the Kyrgyzstan adventure. Your return flight takes you home with plenty to reflect on from the mountains, lakes, and people you encountered.
Landmarks Bishkek Frankfurt
