Traditions of Nomads

Private tour

Price

from $635

Availability

All year around

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Easy

Tour type

Cultural

Overview

Experience Kyrgyzstan’s rich culture in 6 days. Begin in Bishkek with Ala Archa National Park and the National History Museum. Visit Burana Tower, Chon-Kemin valley, and Ak-Sai canyons for history and nature. Enjoy an eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo village and stay in yurts for an authentic experience. Marvel at Mars Canyon, Fairy Tale Canyon, and Barskoon waterfalls. Discover Djety-Oguz Red Rocks and Karakol’s landmarks. Explore Ruh Ordo Museum and Kok-Moynok canyon. Conclude with a farewell dinner in Bishkek.

Highlights

Visit canyons
See eagle hunting show
Hiking during the trip
Horseback riding during the trip
Stay in traditional yurts
Visit museums
Visit waterfall and National Parks

Itinerary

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

When you arrive at Manas International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a local guide and driver who will take you to Bishkek city, where you’ll check into a hotel right away.

Today, we’re going to Ala Archa National Park, known for picnics and relaxed walks, with 20 glaciers all around. You can stroll calmly by the river or choose to hike up the mountains for an amazing view of the valley.

Then, we’ll return to Bishkek and visit the National History Museum, which houses thousands of exhibits showcasing the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people from ancient times to the 20th century. If time allows, we’ll also do a quick city tour. Our day will conclude 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 breakfast at the hotel, we’ll embark on our journey to visit the Burana Tower. This tower, along with grave markers, ancient earthworks, and remnants of a castle and three mausoleums, are all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, established by the Karakhanids between the late 11th and 13th centuries.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore a small museum there, showcasing artifacts discovered in the area and providing insights into the ancient city. Additionally, you’ll see Balbals, ancient stone markers used for graves.

Following that, we’ll head to the Chon-Kemin valley, where we’ll enjoy lunch at a guesthouse. Later, we’ll engage in horseback riding and savor the tranquil surroundings. To conclude our day, we’ll have dinner and spend the night 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, after breakfast, we’ll drive towards Bokonbaevo. On the way, we’ll 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 take some photos and enjoy the natural beauty.

If we have enough time, we’ll then proceed 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. Afterward, we’ll return to Bokonbaev village for dinner and spend the night in a yurt camp.

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

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

After breakfast, we’ll head to Mars Canyon to explore the area and meet a local eagle hunter who will show us how he hunts with his two eagles. Next, we’ll visit Fairy Tale Canyon, where you can take a short hike to a panoramic viewpoint and snap some photos.

After that, we’ll travel to Barskoon waterfalls for a quick hike to one of the waterfalls, take some photos, and then continue on to Karakol city. In Karakol, we’ll have dinner at a traditional restaurant and stay overnight.

Total Drive: 130 km / 2 hours

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

Day 5. Karakol - Djety-Oguz Red Rocks - Karakol

After breakfast, we’ll head to the Djety-Oguz valley. Upon reaching there, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Seven Bulls Rocks and the Broken Heart formation. We’ll take some photos and go for a short walk near the Red Rocks.

Later, we’ll return to Karakol and begin a city tour, visiting attractions such as explorer Prjevalsky’s memorial, a Dungan mosque, and a Russian Orthodox church.

Following the tour, we’ll visit a Dungan family for a traditional food showcase and dinner. The Dungans are Chinese Muslims who migrated from China in the 1800s. We’ll spend the night in Karakol.

Total Drive: 80 km / 1.5 hour

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

Day 6. Karakol town - Ruh Ordom Museum - Kok-Moynok canyon - Bishkek city

After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to Bishkek. On the way, we’ll stop to explore the unique and expansive open-air museum known as “Rukh Ordo.” This museum is not just a typical park or museum; it’s a special place that celebrates the religions and cultures of different nations and time periods.

Next, we’ll visit Kok-Moynok Canyon to take beautiful photos and go for a short hike. Upon arriving in Bishkek, we’ll have our dinner at a traditional local restaurant and stay overnight.

Total Drive: 400 km / 6 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7. Bishkek city - Airport

After breakfast, we’ll gather at the hotel and visit a souvenir shop to pick up some Kyrgyz traditional keepsakes. Then, we’ll head to the airport. It’s time to say goodbye, and we hope to see you again soon!

Total Drive: 40 km / 1 hour
Meal: Breakfast

Prices

Number of people	2	3	4	5	10
Price per person (USD)	1125	945	750	700	635

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
Drinking water
All activities
Tickets

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

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