Itinerary
- Day 1
Germany to Istanbul to Bishkek
You'll depart from Germany and link up with your small group at Istanbul airport. The evening flight gets you heading toward Bishkek, so you'll spend the night traveling.
- Day 2
Bishkek
Landing early morning in Bishkek, your tour guide meets you at the airport and you head to your hotel to settle in. After freshening up, you'll walk through Ala Too Square and see the Manas Monument, then check out a museum before spending time in the city's landscaped parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Ala Too Square
- Visit Manas Monument
- Museum visit
- Stroll through parks in Bishkek
Landmarks/POIs Ala Too Square Manas Monument 
- Day 3
Ala Artscha National Park
Following breakfast, you're off to Ala Artscha National Park for a hike where peaks covered in snow rise to 5,000 meters. You'll walk across flower meadows, pass through juniper bushes, reach some viewpoints, and hear the birds around you. By afternoon you're back in Bishkek, and then you explore the Osh Bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hiking in Ala Artscha National Park
- Explore Osh Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Ala Artscha National Park Osh Bazaar 
- Day 4
Bishkek to Lake Issyk Kul
The drive to Lake Issyk Kul takes you through Luxembourg and Tokmok. You'll climb the spiral staircase at Burana Tower for mountain views and learn about the Silk Road there. From there, head to Cholpon Ata to see rock paintings, then sail across the clear waters of Lake Issyk Kul.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Luxembourg village
- Climb Burana Tower
- View mountain panorama from Burana Tower
- Visit Cholpon Ata rock paintings
Optional Activities
- Sail across Lake Issyk Kul
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Cholpon Ata Lake Issyk Kul 
- Day 5
Lake Issyk Kul to Karakol
Morning means swimming in Lake Issyk Kul to understand why locals call it the 'warm lake,' and you'll stroll along the beach before traveling to Karakol. This small colonial town has Russian architecture and the wooden Holy Trinity Church. You'll visit a Dungan family home and prepare traditional dishes together, learning about Chinese Muslim culture in Kyrgyzstan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional meal with Dungan family)
Included Activities
- Swim in Lake Issyk Kul
- Beach stroll at Lake Issyk Kul
- Explore Karakol
- Visit Holy Trinity Church
- Visit Chinese Mosque
- Visit Dungan family home
- Cook with local Dungan family
Landmarks/POIs Holy Trinity Church Chinese Mosque - Day 6
Dzhety Oguz - Flower Valley
You're driving to the copper-red rocks of Dzhety Oguz where you'll hear Kyrgyz legends about the area. Moving into the flower valley, you'll hike through the gorge and cross mountain streams surrounded by natural beauty. Late afternoon brings you back to Karakol.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dzhety Oguz rock formations
- Hike through flower valley
- Hike through gorge
- Cross mountain streams
Landmarks/POIs Dzhety Oguz - Day 7
Karakol to Son Kul Lake
Heading to Son Kul Lake includes a stop for swimming in 'the pearl of the Tian Shan' if weather cooperates. By midday you're in Kochkor for a traditional meal and a lesson on how felt carpets get made. You'll work hands-on in the felt-making process, then continue into the mountains toward your yurt camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sumptuous meal in Kochkor), Dinner (Traditional meal)
Included Activities
- Swim in lake (weather permitting)
- Visit Kochkor
- Learn felt carpet making
- Participate in felt carpet making
Landmarks/POIs Son Kul Lake Kochkor 
- Day 8
Son Kul Lake
The day is yours to spend around Son Kul Lake however you'd like. Take walks, hike, swim, or just sit and relax in the quiet nomadic setting. Horse riding and yurt building are available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional meal)
Included Activities
- Enjoy Son Kul Lake landscape
- Walking and hiking around Son Kul Lake
- Swimming in Son Kul Lake
Optional Activities
- Horse riding
- Help build yurts
Landmarks/POIs Son Kul Lake - Day 9
Son Kul Lake to Kyzyl-Oi
Leaving the yurt camp, you'll cross the Kara Ketsche Pass deeper into the central Tian Shan. Reaching Kyzyl-Oi by midday, local families welcome you with hospitality and plenty of food. A walk through the village helps with digestion, then everyone gathers in a yurt for a traditional evening meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal with local families), Dinner (Traditional meal in yurt)
Included Activities
- Cross Kara Ketsche Pass
- Visit Kyzyl-Oi village
- Walk through village
- Traditional meal in yurt
Landmarks/POIs Kara Ketsche Pass - Day 10
Kyzyl-Oi to Bishkek
Driving through high valleys and gorges with great views, you pass small villages along the route. Early afternoon brings you back to Bishkek with time to pick up souvenirs before your farewell dinner where you'll talk about the impressions from the last few days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner reviewing tour impressions)
Included Activities
- Drive through high valleys and gorges
- Pass through villages
- Shopping for souvenirs in Bishkek
- Day 11
Bishkek to Germany
You head to Bishkek airport for your flight back to Germany via Istanbul. If you're interested, there's an option to extend your trip and visit Kazakhstan instead of heading home.
Optional Activities
- Extend trip to visit Kazakhstan
