Discover kyrgyz life and nature in 9 days
Itinerary for 9 days
1 Day
Bishkek – Chon-Kemin Guest House (152 km, ~3 hours).
Meet your guide at the hotel.
Drive to Ala-Archa National Park (25 km). Explore the area.
Local Family House (near Ala-Archa)
Travel about 30 minutes to a local home where lunch will be prepared.
Before eating, enjoy a demonstration and short lesson on cooking the traditional Kyrgyz dish besh barmak (made with horse meat).
Continue to Chon-Kemin (2–3 hours).
Dinner and overnight at a cozy guesthouse, with private toilet and shower in each room.
Departure towards Chon-Kemin - Karakol, 280 kilometers, 4-5 hours of travel.
2 Day
Departure towards Chon-Kemin - Karakol, 280 kilometers, 4-5 hours of travel.
Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse.
Chon-Kemin → Semenovka Valley
Travel to the relict Semenovka Valley (200 km).
Take a leisurely walk surrounded by beautiful nature—lush green landscapes, flowing rivers, fragrant mountain forests, and the traditional atmosphere of yurt camps.
Along the way, it is possible to stop for a lunch featuring fresh trout.
Semenovka Valley → Karakol
Continue to Karakol (101 km) and check into your hotel.
Karakol
Have dinner at a local café.
End the day with a comfortable overnight stay in a Karakol hotel, with a private toilet and shower in each room.
3 Day
Karakol → Altyn-Arashan
Travel to Altyn-Arashan (approximately 3 hours of driving one way).
Switch to a UAZ vehicle due to the very bumpy road, and pass through Ak-Suu village on the way.
Alternatively, it is possible to do a trek to Altyn-Arashan instead of driving.
Altyn-Arashan
Explore the area and enjoy the natural hot springs, which can reach temperatures of up to 50°C.
Return to Karakol
After the visit, travel back to Karakol.
4 Day
Karakol - south shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 180 km, 3-4 hours of driving.
Enjoy breakfast at the guest house.
Guest House → Karakol (Southern Shore of Issyk-Kul)
Depart toward Karakol along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul (180 km, 3–4 hours).
On the way visit:
Djety-Oguz Gorge
Visit the famous Djety Oguz Gorge and enjoy its scenic landscapes.
Barskoon Gorge
Arrive at the mysterious Barskoon Gorge.
Take a walk through the forest filled with sprawling Tien Shan spruce trees and visit two waterfalls known for their thundering water and rainbow mist.
“Fairy Tale” Canyon (Skazka Canyon)
Explore the Fairy Tale Canyon and wander among its unique peaks, colorful formations, and narrow winding paths.
Arrive Tong
Check into a cozy hotel in Bokonbayevo for rest and relaxation.
Spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
5 Day
South shore of lake– Kyzart-Kilemche (197 km 3-4 hours of driving)
Enjoy a journey toward Kilemche today. Begin a tour with an eagle hunting show, witnessing the traditional skill of berkutchi.
Drive to Kyzart (197 km).
Have lunch in Kyzart, and afterward begin your horseback riding tour.
Kyzart → Kilemche Jailoo
• Route: Ride through green foothills and scenic valleys on the way to Kilemche.
• Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp at Kilemche.
• Meals: Lunch and dinner included.
• Horse riding time: 4–4.5 hours (21 km).
6 Day
Kilemche → Song-Kul Lake horseback riding
Ride over the Tuz-Ashuu Pass (3,400 m) toward Song-Kul.
Enjoy stunning mountain views as you make your way to the high-altitude lake.
Activities: Spend time by the lake, learn about nomadic life, and taste traditional kumis.
Overnight: Yurt camp near the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Horse riding time: 4–5 hours.
7 Day
Son-Kul lake - Kek-Kiya (5-6 hours journey)
Depart from Son-Kul toward Kek-Kiya, a journey of approximately 5–6 hours.
Enjoy breakfast before driving to the yurt camp.
Take in the beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes upon arrival.
In the evening, there is an excellent opportunity for photography—capture the sunset, mountains, and river.
In clear weather, you can also take stunning night photos of the star-filled sky and the Milky Way.
Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp or guest house.
8 Day
Kek-Kiya - Kol-Suu lake - Naryn
After an early breakfast, begin your excursion to the stunning turquoise Lake Kol-Suu. The lake is spectacularly set within a deep glacial canyon surrounded by towering peaks.
Enjoy a trek to the lake (2–3 hours one way), taking in the dramatic landscapes along the route.
Return to the yurt camp for a late lunch. Afterward, depart and drive toward Naryn (3 hours of drive).
9 Day
Naryn-Bishkek (322 km, 5 hours of driving)
Depart from Naryn toward Bishkek, approximately 5 hours of travel.
Upon arrival in Bishkek, there is an option to take a city tour and explore the capital’s main attractions.
Possible to do rafting for extra fee.
After the tour, transfer to your hotel for rest and overnight stay.
Bishkek – Chon-Kemin Guest House (152 km, ~3 hours).
Meet your guide at the hotel.
Drive to Ala-Archa National Park (25 km). Explore the area.
Local Family House (near Ala-Archa)
Travel about 30 minutes to a local home where lunch will be prepared.
Before eating, enjoy a demonstration and short lesson on cooking the traditional Kyrgyz dish besh barmak (made with horse meat).
Continue to Chon-Kemin (2–3 hours).
Dinner and overnight at a cozy guesthouse, with private toilet and shower in each room.
Departure towards Chon-Kemin - Karakol, 280 kilometers, 4-5 hours of travel.
2 Day
Departure towards Chon-Kemin - Karakol, 280 kilometers, 4-5 hours of travel.
Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse.
Chon-Kemin → Semenovka Valley
Travel to the relict Semenovka Valley (200 km).
Take a leisurely walk surrounded by beautiful nature—lush green landscapes, flowing rivers, fragrant mountain forests, and the traditional atmosphere of yurt camps.
Along the way, it is possible to stop for a lunch featuring fresh trout.
Semenovka Valley → Karakol
Continue to Karakol (101 km) and check into your hotel.
Karakol
Have dinner at a local café.
End the day with a comfortable overnight stay in a Karakol hotel, with a private toilet and shower in each room.
3 Day
Karakol → Altyn-Arashan
Travel to Altyn-Arashan (approximately 3 hours of driving one way).
Switch to a UAZ vehicle due to the very bumpy road, and pass through Ak-Suu village on the way.
Alternatively, it is possible to do a trek to Altyn-Arashan instead of driving.
Altyn-Arashan
Explore the area and enjoy the natural hot springs, which can reach temperatures of up to 50°C.
Return to Karakol
After the visit, travel back to Karakol.
4 Day
Karakol - south shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 180 km, 3-4 hours of driving.
Enjoy breakfast at the guest house.
Guest House → Karakol (Southern Shore of Issyk-Kul)
Depart toward Karakol along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul (180 km, 3–4 hours).
On the way visit:
Djety-Oguz Gorge
Visit the famous Djety Oguz Gorge and enjoy its scenic landscapes.
Barskoon Gorge
Arrive at the mysterious Barskoon Gorge.
Take a walk through the forest filled with sprawling Tien Shan spruce trees and visit two waterfalls known for their thundering water and rainbow mist.
“Fairy Tale” Canyon (Skazka Canyon)
Explore the Fairy Tale Canyon and wander among its unique peaks, colorful formations, and narrow winding paths.
Arrive Tong
Check into a cozy hotel in Bokonbayevo for rest and relaxation.
Spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
5 Day
South shore of lake– Kyzart-Kilemche (197 km 3-4 hours of driving)
Enjoy a journey toward Kilemche today. Begin a tour with an eagle hunting show, witnessing the traditional skill of berkutchi.
Drive to Kyzart (197 km).
Have lunch in Kyzart, and afterward begin your horseback riding tour.
Kyzart → Kilemche Jailoo
• Route: Ride through green foothills and scenic valleys on the way to Kilemche.
• Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp at Kilemche.
• Meals: Lunch and dinner included.
• Horse riding time: 4–4.5 hours (21 km).
6 Day
Kilemche → Song-Kul Lake horseback riding
Ride over the Tuz-Ashuu Pass (3,400 m) toward Song-Kul.
Enjoy stunning mountain views as you make your way to the high-altitude lake.
Activities: Spend time by the lake, learn about nomadic life, and taste traditional kumis.
Overnight: Yurt camp near the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Horse riding time: 4–5 hours.
7 Day
Son-Kul lake - Kek-Kiya (5-6 hours journey)
Depart from Son-Kul toward Kek-Kiya, a journey of approximately 5–6 hours.
Enjoy breakfast before driving to the yurt camp.
Take in the beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes upon arrival.
In the evening, there is an excellent opportunity for photography—capture the sunset, mountains, and river.
In clear weather, you can also take stunning night photos of the star-filled sky and the Milky Way.
Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp or guest house.
8 Day
Kek-Kiya - Kol-Suu lake - Naryn
After an early breakfast, begin your excursion to the stunning turquoise Lake Kol-Suu. The lake is spectacularly set within a deep glacial canyon surrounded by towering peaks.
Enjoy a trek to the lake (2–3 hours one way), taking in the dramatic landscapes along the route.
Return to the yurt camp for a late lunch. Afterward, depart and drive toward Naryn (3 hours of drive).
9 Day
Naryn-Bishkek (322 km, 5 hours of driving)
Depart from Naryn toward Bishkek, approximately 5 hours of travel.
Upon arrival in Bishkek, there is an option to take a city tour and explore the capital’s main attractions.
Possible to do rafting for extra fee.
After the tour, transfer to your hotel for rest and overnight stay.
Price per person in USD ($)
6 persons
________________
1950 USD per person
7 persons
________________
1870 USD per person
8 persons
________________
1790 USD per person
- Transportation 16 seats minibus
- Accommodation for 8 nights on half twin room basis with breakfast
- English speaking guide
- Admission fee
- Entrance fee
- Horseback riding for 2 days
- Horse guide
- Cooking master class
- UAZ to Altyn-Arashan
- Border permit to Kel-Suu lake
- Accommodation in Bishkek 2 nights
- Meals
- Rafting
- Airfares
- Train fares
- alcohol/soft drinks
- tips and gratuities
- porterages
- visa fees
- any personal expenses, any services not included in the above program
20% of the tour price is non-refundable once the booking is confirmed.
- Tour payment can be made by transfer to bank account of company or through the link with a credit card
- Prepayment should be 20% from total cost of a tour
- Prepayment is not refundable
- If a place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During major events, accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category
- Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to changes without prior notice.
- Hotel accommodation is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation received from client. If mentioned hotels are not available, we will substitute them with other hotels of similar class.
- Domestic flights are subject to change in timing and availability. If mentioned flight is not available, it will be changed to convenient one depending on tour program
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.
- Travel insurance is required for this tour. You are free to choose any insurance company.
- We are happy to suggest flights to get to Kyrgyzstan and back home: please get in touch with us.
The meeting place is discussed individually with each client. Usually our guide picks up the guest at the hotel
Yes! The only thing to keep in mind is that weather, traffic, or other circumstances might cause some adjustments. We may swap the order of the days or change the sequence of locations as we go. But don’t worry — we’ll still visit everything on the itinerary (and maybe even add a little extra!), just in a different order.