A Week of Wonders in Kyrgyzstan (sold out)

Group tour

Price

$750

Availability

Sold Out

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Easy

Tour type

Group tour

Overview

Embark on a 7-day journey across Kyrgyzstan’s stunning landscapes. Begin in Bishkek with a trip to Ala Archa National Park, then explore Burana Tower and Chon-Kemin valley. Enjoy horseback riding, hiking in Ak-Sai canyons, and savor traditional food in Karakol. Try kayaking on Issyk Kul Lake, admire Djety-Oguz Red Rocks, and unwind in hot springs. Don’t forget to capture memories at Kok-Moynok canyon before wrapping up the adventure back in Bishkek. This tour guarantees a mix of nature, culture, and relaxation for a memorable Kyrgyzstan experience.

Highlights

Visit canyons
Horse riding during the trip
Kayaking and hiking during the trip
See eagle hunting show
Visit best panoramic view in Issyk-kul lake
Stay in traditional yurts
Visit National park and waterfall
Try different traditional cuisines

Itinerary

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

We’ll come to get you at 9:00 am from wherever you’re staying in Bishkek, whether it’s a hotel or a guest house. Today’s plan is to visit Ala Archa National Park, a lovely spot famous for picnics and leisurely walks, surrounded by 20 glaciers. You can enjoy a peaceful walk along the river or opt for a hike up the mountains to see the stunning valley view.

After our time at Ala Archa, we’ll head back to Bishkek for lunch. Following lunch, we’ll explore Bishkek, visiting landmarks like the Manas, Kurmanjan Datka, and Lenin statues, Oak Park, the Opera and Ballet Theater, Victory Square, and important government buildings such as the Parliament and the White House.

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

Total Drive: 80 km / 2 hours
Meal: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2. Bishkek city - Burana Tower - Chon-Kemin valley

After having breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start our journey to visit the Burana Tower. This tower, along with grave markers, ancient earthworks, and the remains of a castle and three mausoleums, are all that’s left of the ancient city of Balasagun, founded by the Karakhanids between the late 11th and 13th centuries.

You’ll have the chance to explore a small museum there, displaying artifacts found in the area and offering insights into the ancient city. Additionally, you’ll see Balbals, ancient stone markers used for graves.

After that, we’ll travel to the Chon-Kemin valley, where we’ll enjoy lunch at a guesthouse. Later, we’ll go horseback riding and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. To end our day, we’ll have 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 - Ak-Sai canyons - Bokonbaevo village

Today, following breakfast, we’ll drive towards Bokonbaevo. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at Ak-Sai canyons and hike for about 30-60 minutes to a spot with breathtaking views of Issyk Kul Lake and the canyons. We’ll capture some photos and soak in the natural beauty.

If time permits, we’ll then head to the Boz-Salkyn gorge for a hike up to the Shatyly viewpoint. Here, we’ll witness a stunning sunset over Issyk-Kul lake, with the hike lasting around 1 to 1.5 hours. Once we’re done, we’ll return to Bokonbaev village for dinner and spend the night in a yurt camp or a guesthouse.

Total Drive: 170 km / 3 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse or Yurt camp

Day 4. Bokonbaevo village - Mars Canyon - Fairy Tale Canyon - Barskoon waterfalls - Karakol town

After breakfast, we’ll visit Mars Canyon to explore the area and meet a local eagle hunter who will demonstrate how he hunts with his two eagles. Later, we’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby café.

Afterward, we’ll visit Fairy Tale Canyon, where you can take a short hike to a panoramic viewpoint and capture photos.

Following that, we’ll journey to Barskoon waterfalls for a brief hike to one of the waterfalls, take some photos, and then proceed to Karakol city. In Karakol, we’ll dine at a traditional restaurant and spend the night there.

Total Drive: 130 km / 2 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse

Day 5. Karakol - Karakol gorge - Karakol

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin our trip to the Karakol gorge. Once we arrive, we have an enjoyable activity planned: horseback riding around the area. The views from these spots are truly breathtaking, and you’ll be amazed by what you see. If horseback riding isn’t your preference, don’t worry—we can take a walk to explore these places instead.

Later, we’ll come back to Karakol for lunch. Then, we’ll tour Karakol, visiting places like explorer Prjevalsky’s memorial, a Dungan mosque, and a Russian Orthodox church.

Total Drive: 45 km / 30 minutes

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse

Day 6. Karakol - Kayaking - Djety-Oguz Red Rocks - Karakol

After breakfast, we’ll head to Issyk Kul lake for kayaking, enjoying about 1-1.5 hours on the water surrounded by beautiful nature.

Later, we’ll return to Karakol for lunch. Then, we’ll venture out to the Djety-Oguz valley, only a 30-minute drive from Karakol. Upon arrival, we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Seven Bulls Rocks and the Broken Heart formation. We’ll capture some photos and take a short walk near the Red Rocks.

Total Drive: 80 km / 1.5 hour

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse

Day 7. Karakol town - Hot Springs - Kok-Moynok canyon - Bishkek city

After breakfast, we’ll begin our trip to Bishkek. On the way, we’ll make a stop at hot springs to soak in the healing thermal mineral waters and unwind amidst the picturesque surroundings.

Next, we’ll visit Kok-Moynok Canyon to capture stunning photos and go for a brief hike.

Upon reaching Bishkek, we’ll enjoy our last dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Finally, we’ll bid farewell, hoping for a reunion in the future!

Total Drive: 400 km / 6 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Prices & Dates (2024)

Price per person

Jun 3 – Jun 9

Sold out

$750

Jul 10 – Jul 16

Sold out

$750

Aug 12 – Aug 18

Sold out

$750

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
All activities

Single supplement
Personal expenses
Alcohol and soft drinks
International airfares
Tips for driver and guide

Map

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