Kyrgyzstan is home to the magnificent Tien Chan mountain range, which offers many trails for lovers of trekking. Hiking through the valleys, forests and mountain trails is a great way to spend a vacation and explore the natural beauty of the country.

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Kyrgyzstan is home to the magnificent Tien Chan mountain range, which offers many trails for lovers of trekking. Hiking through the valleys, forests and mountain trails is a great way to spend a vacation and explore the natural beauty of the country.


 

Emir
Trip offered by Emir - Travel Land Spoken languages: Italian, English, French, Russian Travel expert in Kyrgyzstan

Trip summary

  • Travel style Group departure
  • Departure Bishkek
  • End Bishkek
  • Countries
    • Kyrgyzstan
  • City
    • Bishkek
    • Chong-Kemin
    • Toru Aigyr
    • Lake Kol Kogur
    • Kyzyl Aska
    • Cholpon Ata
    • Karakol
    • Tamga
    • Kochkor
    • Kol Ukok
    • Kyzart
    • Kilemche
    • Son Kul
  • Theme Adventure and trekking
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Airport – Bishkek (30 km, 40 min)
    Day 1 Transfer by auto

    Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to hotel situated in the capital (early check-in at hotel after 06:00).

    We start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala- Too Square. After we can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys.

    After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market Osh bazar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people, and a great variety of goods and colors.

    In the evening, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

    Meals included: breakfast (it is served at hotel until 10:00)

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

     

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • 2
    Bishkek – Burana – Iskra village - Chon Kemin (200 km, 3h)
    Day 2 Transfer by auto

    Breakfast in the hotel.

    Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient town Balasagyn founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

    Lunch in Iskra village with a Doungan family, the Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine.

    Then we head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people.

    Dinner in the guesthouse.

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)

    Option: horseback riding (20 USD /person horse rental + 35 USD local horse guide service). Must be booked ai advance. Possible to pay on the spot. 

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
    • Chong-Kemin
  • 3
    Chon Kemin – Toru Aigyr (Trek)
    Day 3

    After breakfast, transfer to the starting point near the Chon Kemin River. From here we start our 4-days trek to the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake.

    The luggage is carried by the horses (You only take the necessary things for 4 days of the trek and the rest of the luggage you leave in the vehicle with your driver).

    The slopes of the mountains are covered with fir trees. We have a picnic on the way. After we continue our trek through the forest to the pastures of Toru Aigyr. We set up our tents there. Dinner and overnight in a tent.

    Trek: 10 km, +750m, 4h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Tent

    Visited places:
    • Chong-Kemin
    • Toru Aigyr
  • 4
    Toru Aigyr – Kol Kogur Lake (Trek)
    Day 4

    After breakfast, we start hiking towards Kol Kogur Lake at 2,500 meters. The lake is located on the northern slope of the Kungey Ala-Too mountains in a picturesque wooded area. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Northern Tien Chan. The lake has a trapezoidal shape.

    On the shore of the lake, we set up tents, and we enjoy the magnificent landscapes around us. Dinner and overnight in a tent.

    Trek: 11 km, +300m, -320m, 5h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Tent

    Visited places:
    • Toru Aigyr
    • Lake Kol Kogur
  • 5
    Kol Kogur Lake – Kyzyl Aska (Trek)
    Day 5

    After breakfast, we go towards the pastures of Kyzyl Aska.

    We cross the 3347-meter-high pass. Coming down from the mountain pass, we set up our tents not far from the river.

    Dinner and overnight in tents.

    Trek: 14 km, + 880m, -800m, 5-6h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Tent

    Visited places:
    • Lake Kol Kogur
    • Kyzyl Aska
  • 6
    Kyzyl Aska – Сholpon Ata /Issyk Kul (Trek)
    Day 6 Transfer by auto

    Today is the last day of the trek. From Kyzyl Aska we follow our path.

    We go to Achyk Tash, where our driver picks us up and brings us to the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of the Kyrgyz land. Issyk Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca. Its name means "hot lake" in Kyrgyz language.

    When you arrive to hotel, you take a shower and have a rest. If you want, you can swim in the lake and have a little rest on the beach.

    Dinner at the restaurant.

    Trek: 11 km, -500m, 3-4h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Resort Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Kyzyl Aska
    • Cholpon Ata
  • 7
    Cholpon Ata – gorges Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe – Karakol (160 km, 3h)
    Day 7 Transfer by auto

    After breakfast, we visit the Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe Gorge. These places are some of the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kul region.  You can go for a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and spend some pleasant time in this beautiful place.

    Picnic in the gorge or lunch in the cafe on the road.

    As we arrive in Karakol, we visit its famous sights such as the Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque.

    You have dinner in the local restaurant. After dinner, you have a rest in the hotel.

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Cholpon Ata
    • Karakol
  • 8
    Karakol – Jety Oguz – Barskoon – Tamga (135 km, 2-3h)
    Day 8 Transfer by auto

    After breakfast, we depart to the gorge of Jety Oguz.

    The red rock Broken Heart located at the entrance of the mountain gorge creates a romantic ambiance in this beautiful place. You have time to walk here and enjoy the marvelous views on the rocks of Jety Oguz. Picnic or lunch in the yurt.

    Then we go to the Barskoon gorge. The gorge is famous for its waterfalls. One of the best known is The Tears of a Leopard. Here you find the monument for the first cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin, who liked this place very much and was having a rest in the nearby military sanatorium of Tamga.

    Dinner in the guesthouse with a Russian family.

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation:  Guesthouse (U Pavla Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Karakol
    • Tamga
  • 9
    Tamga – Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu – Kochkor (170 km, 3h)
    Day 9 Transfer by auto

    Breakfast in the guesthouse. Then we go towards Kochkor by the south shore of the lake.

    Along the way, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.

    In Bokonbaevo we meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey (option). Eagle hunting is one of the ancient traditions of nomads.

    Upon arrival in Kochkor, you can walk in the village. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Tamga
    • Kochkor
  • 10
    Kochkor – Kol Ukok (Trek)
    Day 10

    Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village (15 minutes). From here you start the horse trek towards Ters Tor pastures, famous for their pure air and crystalline waters. Picnic on the way.

    Arrival in the shepherds' yurt in Kol Ukok. You can walk around and take nice photos of the lake and surrounding mountains.

    Dinner in the yurt.

    Horse riding: 15 km, +1000m, 5h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Yurt camp*

    *Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.

    Visited places:
    • Kochkor
    • Kol Ukok
  • 11
    Kol Ukok – Kochkor (trek) / Kyzart (70 km, 1h)
    Day 11

    After the breakfast in yurt we return on horseback by the same path to the starting point of our trek where the driver is waiting for us.

    Lunch in Kochkor in the local restaurant or guesthouse. Transfer by car to Kyzart village (1 hour). On arrival you can rest and take a shower / sauna.

    Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

    Horse riding: 15km, - 1000m, 4h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Kol Ukok
    • Kyzart
  • 12
    Kyzart – Kilemche (Trek)
    Day 12

    Breakfast at the guest house. Transfer to the starting point.

    The 2-day horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. We will ride down through the Kilemche valley. The valley’s name means in Kyrgyz language "like a carpet", and this carpet is presented by the variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering all the nearby slopes.

    Picnic on the way is planned.

    We arrive at the shepherds' yurt camp where we spend the night. Dinner in the yurt.

    Horse riding: 17 km, + - 200m, 4-5h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Yurt camp*

    *Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.

    Visited places:
    • Kyzart
    • Kilemche
  • 13
    Kilemche – Son Kul (Trek)
    Day 13

    After breakfast, we continue our trek.

    Hiking offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places. Today, we overcome the pass of Tuz Ashu (3400 m).

    From the pass the lake Son Kul seems very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears in front of us in all its grandeur and beauty.

    Upon arrival at the yurt camp, you enjoy the hospitality of nomads, and you discover their lifestyle. Dinner and overnight in the yurts.

    Trek: 5-6h, 14 km, +800 m, - 400 m

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Yurt camp*
    * To note: 4-6 people per a yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.

    Visited places:
    • Kilemche
    • Son Kul
  • 14
    Son Kul – Bishkek (315 km, 5-6h)
    Day 14 Transfer by auto

    We return to the capital after breakfast in the yurt.

    We will return to civilization by descending from the Kalmak Ashu pass at the altitude of 3,400 meters and passing through Boom Gorge again.

    Lunch in the restaurant in Kochkor.

    When we arrive in Bishkek, we will have time to visit the Osh bazaar to buy gifts or souvenirs.

    Farewell dinner in the traditional restaurant.

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Son Kul
    • Bishkek
  • 15
    Bishkek – Airport - Departure (30 km, 40 min)
    Day 15 Transfer by auto

    Transfer to the airport. Departure.

    Meals included: breakfast

     

     

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Group transfers in air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle: Minibus type Mercedes Benz Sprinter 
    • Group airport transfer from 3 people (day 1 & 15)
    • Experienced driver
    • English-speaking guide throughout the trip
    • Accommodation mentioned in the program
    • Early check-in on day 1 after 06:00 
    • Full board
    • Visits mentioned in the program
    • Tents during the 4-day trek from Chon
      Kemin to Tamchy (2pax per tent)
    • Horses for carrying luggage during the treks (days 3, 4, 5, 6)
    • Yurt production
    • Eagle hunting
    Price does not include
    • International flights
    • Personal expenses 
    • Private airport transfer – 20 USD one way
    • Single room supplement – 335 USD
    • Insurance
    • Tips for guide, driver etc.
    • Optional activities
    • Late check out*
    • Porters during the 2-day trek to Kol-Ukok and 2-day trek to Son-Kul 
    • Porters for baggage in hotels and airport
    • Alcohol
    • Sleeping bags and mats
    • Services not mentioned as included