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Nomad’s Trail

Private tour
Itinerary
Prices
Map
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Eagle Hunting Show
Yurt camp in Son-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
Djety-Oguz Red Rocks
Yurt Building Show
Somg-Kol lake Trekking Tour
Shyrdak Felt Show
Ancient Burana Tower in Kyrgyzstan, a historical minaret against a blue sky with clouds
Horseback riding in Chon Kemin valley
Dungan Mosque in Karakol
Eagle Hunting Kyrgyzstan
An ancient petroglyph carved on a stone in the open air museum at Cholpon-Ata, Issyk Kul.
Hot Springs Aksuu Kench
Issyk Kul lake
Ala Archa National Park View
Chon-Kemin valley
Yurt Camp in IssykKul
Mars Canyon
Scenic road of Ala-Archa National Park surrounded by autumn-colored trees
Shatyly Panorama in Issyk Kul
Price
from $945
Availability
June-September
Duration
10 days
Difficulty
Easy
Easy level of difficulty tour. You might experience some long drives. You'll be staying in hotels, guest houses, and yurts. Expect light mountain hikes lasting up to 1-2 hours, horseback riding.
Tour type

Overview

Dive into Kyrgyzstan’s cultural and natural wonders. Start from Manas International Airport to Bishkek, visit Ala-Archa National Park, historic sites, and try local foods. See Burana Tower and stay in Chon-Kemin valley. Explore Ruh-Ordo museum, Karakol, and crafts in Tepke village. Experience Enylchek Ghost Town, Mars Canyon, and build a yurt in Kyzyl-Tuu. Marvel at Son-Kul lake and finish with a celebratory dinner in Bishkek. Enjoy a mix of history, culture, and nature on this journey.

Highlights

  • Visit Mars canyon, famous Son-Kul lake, best panoramic view in Issyk-kul lake
  • Light hiking during the trip
  • Eagle hunting show
  • Yurt show
  • Shyrdak carpets(felt) show
  • Stay in yurts
  • Visit museums
  • Horse riding during the trip

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport Manas - Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek city

When you arrive at Manas International Airport, a local guide and driver will meet you and take you straight to a hotel in Bishkek city. If you arrive early, we’ll spend the day at Ala-Archa National Park. It’s a perfect place for picnics, walks, and rock climbing with 20 glaciers nearby. You can take an easy walk along the river or go up the mountains for a beautiful view of the valley.

Then, we’ll return to Bishkek for lunch at a café. If there’s enough time after lunch, we’ll go on a tour around Bishkek, visiting landmarks like the statues of Manas, Kurmanjan Datka, and Lenin, Oak Park, the Opera and Ballet Theater, Victory Square, and important government buildings like the Parliament and the White House.

We’ll end our day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Total drive: 80 km /  2 hours
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2. Bishkek city – Burana tower - Chon-Kemin valley

After breakfast, we’ll head out to visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun built by the Karakhanids in 10h century. Alongside the tower, you’ll see grave markers, ancient earthworks, and remnants of a castle and mausoleums. You can explore a small museum and view Balbals, ancient stone markers.

Next, we’ll journey to the Chon-Kemin valley for lunch at a guesthouse. Then, we’ll go horseback riding to enjoy the tranquility of the area.

Dinner and stay overnight in a guesthouse with a local family.

Total Drive: 160 km / 2.5 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 3. Chon Kemin valley  - Open-Air Petroglyphs Museum - Karakol city

Today, we’ll start our journey towards Karakol city. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at the Open Air Petroglyphs Museum in Cholpon Ata. These ancient rock carvings were made between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD. There we can see a stunning view of the lake.

For dinner, we’ll dine at ethno-restaurant, designed in a traditional national style. We’ll stay overnight in Karakol.

Total Drive: 300 km / 4.5 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 4. Karakol city - Tepke village - Karakol city

On this day, we’ll embark on a tour of Karakol city. Our itinerary includes visits to the memorial dedicated to explorer Prjevalsky, a Dungan mosque, and a Russian Orthodox church.

For lunch, we’ll have the opportunity to savor Ashlan-Fu, a deliciously spicy Dungan cold noodle soup accompanied by hotcakes, renowned for its excellent preparation in Karakol.

Following lunch, we’ll head to the Reina Kench horse breeding farm, a charming location offering magnificent views of the Teskey Ala-Too ridge, fresh air, and warm hospitality from the local family. Here, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the farm and its surroundings before returning to Karakol.

Dinner at a local restaurant and another overnight stay at the hotel.

Total drive: 34 km / 50 min
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 5. Karakol city - Enylchek Ghost Town - Karakol city

Today, we’ll set off early in the morning towards the Sary-Jaz valley, crossing over the Chon-Ashuu Pass. This pass is really high, about 3822 meters, and offers breathtaking views.

Next, we’ll visit Enilchek, a place that intrigues many because it was once a thriving city with large factories processing metals, but now it’s deserted. We’ll take a look at the old mining site there.

Afterwards, we’ll unwind at the Kara-Tash hot springs. These springs bubble up beneath a large black stone, creating a pool that’s around 4 meters wide, 50 meters long, and between 1.7 and 2 meters deep. The water temperature is quite warm, about 55 degrees Celsius.

Following our time at the hot springs, we’ll return to Karakol city. We’ll have our dinner there and spend the night.

Total drive: 300 km / 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 6. Karakol city - Mars canyon– Bokonbaevo village

After breakfast, we’re going to Bokonbaevo. We’ll check out Mars Canyon and meet a local eagle hunter. He’ll show us how he hunts with his two eagles.

Next, we’ll head to Boz-Salkyn gorge and hike up to the Shatyly viewpoint to catch a sunset and enjoy a fantastic view of Issyk-Kul lake. The hike up will take around 1 to 1.5 hours. Once we’ve taken in the views, we’ll go back to Bokonbaev village. We’ll have dinner and either stay in a yurt camp or a guesthouse.

Total drive: 130 km / 2.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Guesthouse/Yurt camp

Day 7: Bokonbaevo village – Son-Kul lake

After breakfast, we’re heading to Kyzyl-Tuu village for a special Yurt show. A local family will demonstrate how they make yurts in the traditional way, using only their hands and simple tools. You’ll even get a chance to help them build one.

Then, we’ll have lunch in Kochkor village before driving to Son-Kul lake. This lake is really high up, at an altitude of 3016 meters, and we’ll pass through the Kalmak-Ashu pass at 3433 meters to get there.

Son-Kul is the second biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan, after Issyk Kul Lake, and it’s the biggest lake with fresh water. It’s encircled by wide grasslands and stunning mountains, making it a perfect spot to encounter some of the remaining nomadic people. We’ll stay overnight and have dinner at a yurt camp.

Total drive: 230 km / 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Yurt camp

Day 8. Son-Kul lake - Kochkor village

Breakfast will be at the yurt camp. We’ll spend the morning at Son-Kul lake, where you can try horse riding or just relax and enjoy the area. We’ll have lunch back at the yurt camp, and then we’ll leave for Kochkor. We’ll pass through the beautiful 33 parrots and Dolon passes on our way. We’ll have dinner and stay overnight in a guesthouse.

Total drive: 110 km / 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Guesthouse

Day 9. Kochkor village – Bishkek city

Today, we’ll go to the Altyn-Kol felt makers community. Here, local craftswomen will show you how to make Shyrdak carpets from felt.

You’ll also have the chance to buy local souvenirs directly from the makers. Then, we’ll head to Bishkek, traveling through the Boom valley which has stunning views. In Bishkek, we’ll enjoy a festive dinner at the traditional Supara restaurant, complete with a folklore show.

Total drive: 200 km / 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accomodation: Hotel

Day 10: Bishkek city - Airport Manas

We’ll meet at the hotel and then head to Manas airport. We’ll say our goodbyes until the next time we meet.

Total drive: 30 km / 45 min

Meals: Breakfast

Prices

Number of people 2 3 4 5 10
Price per person (USD) 1660 1395 1110 1040 945

To get prices for other group sizes, please Request the Tour or Get in Touch with Us.

Included / Excluded

  • Accommodation – as per program
  • English speaking driver/guide
  • Meals – as per program
  • Entrance fees
  • Transport services during all the tour
  • Eagle hunting show
  • Drinking water
  • Border permits
  • All activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Single room supplement*
  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • International airfares
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for driver and guide(optional)

*Except the yurt camps

Map

Map showing the 10-day Nomad's Trail cultural tour in Kyrgyzstan, with stops at Bishkek, Ala-Archa, Son-Kul Lake, Karakol and other.

Gallery

Additional info

Clothes & Equipment

You can bring everything you need. Remember that in the summer, Bishkek can get as hot as 40 degrees Celsius, and it can be as cold as minus 5 degrees Celsius in the mountains. Be ready for sudden changes in the weather.

Recommended:

  • Rain-coat
  • Waterproof pants
  • Sweater/fleece
  • Wind-stopper
  • Enough t-shirts and other underwear (think of taking smth with long sleeves to avoid sunburns)
  • Power bank (to charge devices)
  • Hat (remember – the sun can be violent)
  • Sun-screen cream (30 or higher)
  • Insect repellent (skin + clothes)
  • Good, waterproof trekking boots for easy hikes in the mountains.
  • Walking shoes (don’t need heavy ones) for the city walks
  • Personal first aid kit (most likely problems: blisters, sunburns, allergy, diarrhoea, sore muscles after hikes. Take painkillers, anti-histaminic, antibiotics of general action, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions).
  • Personal hygiene kit (disinfection gel is highly recommended) + some toilet paper.
  • A small towel
  • Swimming suit (for Issyk-Kul)
  • Sunglasses
  • A smaller backpack, except for your normal suitcase.
  • Flash light (torch)
  • Walking poles if needed
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