The Land of Nomads: Kyrgyzstan
Fixed Departure Tour
Countries: Kyrgyzstan
Tour duration: 10 days
Travel season: May - October
Kyrgyzstan is considered to be one of the last countries in the world with an authentic taste of nomadic life. Through centuries Kyrgyz people have been carrying traditional lifestyle based on their cattle breeding and ethnographical roots. Their life is strongly interwoven with legends and national heroes of the past. Most of semi-nomadic families still follow a tenor of life established by their ancestors. Supplemented with amazing mountain landscapes, friendliness of people and bright colors of traditional Asia this trip will immerse you in the outstanding environment of the nomad’s land.
Maximum number of participants per departure: 10
Retail price per person (or contact for corporate quotes):
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4-6 pax: 1216 USD (minimum number of participants - 4)
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6-8 pax: 952 USD
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8-10 pax: 820 USD
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over 10 pax: contact for group price
Single room supplement: 110 USD
Dates of group departures 2025 & availability:
28.05.2025 - 05.06.2025
25.06.2025 - 03.07.2025
20.08.2025 - 28.08.2025
Carbon level per person
* based on 8 pax
60 kg CO2
0 kg CO2
Hotel List
Services included :
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All transfers and excursions according to the program;
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Transport: air-conditioned minivan or minibus;
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Accommodation in DBL/TWN rooms, homestays;
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Meals: breakfasts;
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Entrance and environmental fees;
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English speaking guide.
Services not included:
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Photo and video fees in museums;
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Alcoholic drinks;
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Lunches and dinners;
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Single room supplement;
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Additional overnight stays in cases of early arrival or late departure
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Medical expenses and insurance;
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International flights;
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Souvenir products.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek
Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel for a rest. Bishkek is a capital and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of magnificent Kyrgyz Ala-Tau mountain range. Bishkek is a city of many green parks and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks and thousands of smaller privately built houses. It is laid out on a grid pattern, with most streets flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels that water the innumerable trees which provide shade in the hot summers. The city is believed to be the greenest in Central Asia with more trees per head of population than any other. Our sightseeing tour includes: blooming Osh Bazaar, Historical Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Ala-Too square, the main square of the country. The square serves as a place for state events and celebrations and includes many monuments, open-air picture gallery, famous Oak Park, marble government buildings and theaters.
Day 2. Cholpon-Ata
On the way to the second largest mountainous lake in the world we make a stop at Karakhanid’s minaret of the 12 century - Burana tower.
In Cholpon-Ata we visit the petroglyphs ‐ a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 42 hectares and contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall, balbals) and petroglyphs (dating from the II millennium BC thru the Middle Ages and up to the VI century AD). The stones have plaques giving some information (a short description and a date), and there are several routes marked with arrows around the “stone garden.”
Also visit Cholpon‐Alta Museum of History. It exhibits a wide collection of national embroidery.
Day 3. Karakol
In the morning we visit an astonishing cultural center Rukh Ordo named after Chyngiz Aitmatov, combining the history and spiritual heritage of various cultures and nationalities of the world. Rukh Ordo is famous not only for its unusual architectural monuments, but also for the most beautiful pier on the shore of the lake.
Transfer to Karakol along beautiful landscapes of the lake and mountains. Excursion to Semenov gorge with amazing view of the lake from the top. The atmosphere of Karakol town will bring you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. Karakol in previous times had another name – Prjevalsk, in honor of the famous Russian explorer of Asia – Nikolai Prjevalski, whose grave is situated at the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Visiting of Prjevalsk Museum. The town was founded in 1869 and constructed in an old Russian style with many buildings from Tsar time.
Day 4. Son-Kul Lake
On the way we visit Jety-Oguz gorge with famous “7 bulls” and “Broken Heart” rocks and canyon "Skazka" (Fairy tale).
Then we head towards the center of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts – Kochkor. You will visit a local workshop and participate in the manufacturing of national carpets.
Afterwards we proceed to alpine Son-Kul Lake over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3300 m). It is the second largest lake after Issyk-Kul Lake and the largest fresh water lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is surrounded by broad summer pastures dotted with yurts, grazing cattle and mountains. These lands are used by shepherds of the neighboring regions as summer pastures for their flocks. Shepherds drive the livestock up in the mountains; set a yurt camp where they live during summer months. Here you will get familiar with traditional lifestyle of Kyrgyz nomads.
Day 5. Son-Kul Lake
Relaxing day at the lake. You can enjoy horseback riding, take an easy hike to the mountains to observe an amazing panorama of Son-Kul Lake and mountains, play with children or participate in cooking of national meals.
Day 6. Arslanbob
The road to Jalal Abad goes over picturesque Moldo Ashuu (3439m) and Kok Art (3200m) passes. On the way you will see colorful landscapes of Naryn river basin. The river is the largest in Kyrgyzstan, flowing further in Uzbekistan as Syr Darya and feeds Aral Sea.
Day 7. Arslanbob
Arslanbob is a mountain village with the largest naturally grown walnut forest in the world. This morning we take a hike to the local waterfall which is venerated as a holy place among people. During the hike you will see a prayer “cave of forty angels”. The fairy-tale walnut forest will open a scenic view of entire valley. The area is a year-round destination for hiking, backcountry skiing and horseback riding. Arslanbob is just a wonderful place to be, to sit on the doorstep and watch time pass by with a pot of tea.
Day 8. Chichkan Gorge
Today we head towards Chichkan gorge along spectacular Bishkek – Osh highway via Toktogul water reservoir with a cascade of hydroelectric power stations between Tien-Shan mountain ranges.
Day 9. Return to Bishkek
The road to Bishkek goes over sky-high Ala-Bel (3120 m) and Tuya-Ashuu (3050 m) passes and along picturesque Suusamyr valley, in summer dotted with hundreds yurts. The valley is a mountain summer pasture for countless herds of cattle. Here local people produce Kyrgyz national drink – Kymus (fermented mare’s milk), sour cheese and butter that they sell along the road.
Trip Notes
Accommodation
In the programs of guaranteed tours, as a rule, we use 3 * level and less often 4 * Hotels, as well as proven guest houses and yurt camps, which combine modern comfort with a national atmosphere.
Accommodation in yurt camps does not imply single accommodation. As a rule, 4 clients are accommodated in one yurt.
Yurts are decorated in national style with many carpets and have comfortable beds. In the yurts there is electricity through generators, drinking water is taken from the well, shared shower or small sauna are available. Shared toilets and sinks are outside.
Overnight in a yurt is a great experience to get acquainted with a quiet life of local semi-nomadic families and participate in their daily activities.
At cold night the yurts are heated by wood/dung stoves. The lake is located at the altitude of 3000m and even in summer night temperatures may reach 0C. Daytime is usually warm.
Meals
Local cafes and restaurants offer a wide variety of National, European and Russian cuisine. There is always a choice of 1-2 vegetarian dishes.
Transport
The following vehicles will be used (depending on the number of people in the group)
Kyrgyzstan: 4 pax: Mitsubishi Delica van; 5 pax and >: Mercedes Sprinter Minibus; 10 pax and >: 2 Mercedes Sprinter Minibuses
Payment
For each reservation, we charge a prepayment of 100 USD (or the equivalent in other currencies) to the account via SWIFT transfer or a bank card. The final invoice is paid no later than five days prior to the planned arrival via SWIFT transfer. Payment instructions will be sent after pre-booking
Cancellation policy
Cancellations up to five days prior to planned arrival are subject to full refund. Cancellations made less than five days prior to the start of the tour are non-refundable.