Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Culture and Adventure in Kyrgyzstan Hiking, Lakes, Mountains & Cities
Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek – Karakol – Song-Kul – Ala-Kul – Altyn-Arashyn – Cholpon-Ata
Kick off your two-week adventure in the bustling capital of Bishkek before heading southeast to delve into the vibrant green countryside. When you’re not racking up steep step counts, you can cosy up in a traditional nomadic yurt, try your hard (well, arm) at holding a hunting eagle, snap some pictures of the iconic horse-riding games and dine with the locals.
By the end of the trip, you’ll have skirted Asia’s second-largest lake, sampled an array of classic Kyrgyz dishes and soothed tired muscles in high-altitude thermal baths. There’s also plenty to see in the cities, such as ancient rock art and bustling bazaars bursting with sights and smells. All that and more is just a (connecting) plane ride away. So, what are you waiting for?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready – your adventure to Kyrgyzstan kicks off with a four-hour flight to Istanbul. From here, you'll catch a connecting five-hour flight to Bishkek, in the far north, arriving the following morning.
After landing, meet your private driver for a transfer to your centrally located hotel. Pause to rest and relax before joining forces with your private driver-guide for an afternoon tour of the city.
While you’re out and about, don’t miss a visit to the Osh and Dordoi bazaars. Osh is a bustling fruit and vegetable market that's liveliest on weekends, while Dordoi is the largest market in the country with 15,000 traders. Be sure to stock up on vodka in a beautifully designed bottle while you’re here.
Come evening, head to a traditional restaurant to sample some delicious manti (dumplings), shashlik (kebabs) or laghman (noodles with a spicy meat sauce) for dinner tonight. Then it’s time for bed and a good night’s sleep before the first full day of your trip tomorrow.
This morning, you’ll be met by your private driver-guide and transferred six hours south to Song-Kul, a high-altitude alpine lake. Though long, the drive is worth it for the epic scenery en route, especially during the tail end of the journey.
Stop around lunchtime for a light meal at a local family’s house in Kochkor before making the final ascent to Song-Kul. This is one of the most scenic and beautiful roads in the world, so don’t forget to look out the window on your way up.
Follow this beautiful journey with a beautiful destination. We’re talking about Song-Kul itself, a sky blue lake surrounded by meadows and mountains. After checking in to your next accommodation – a cosy tented camp – unpack your bags before venturing out on a sunset walk to watch nomads herding horses near the lake.
End the day with supper in the communal dining tent – the food here is hearty, wholesome and delicious.
Today, it’s time to step into nomadic life. The Kyrgyz people still honour tradition by living out of yurts and after breakfast, you’ll learn how these nomadic homes are set up before having a go at constructing one yourself.
Then, pack a picnic lunch and head out on a hike to the nearby mountains, a trip which usually takes three to four hours in total. Along the way, soak in the stunning panoramic views of Song-Kul Lake and the surrounding mountains – off-the-beaten-track beauty at its finest.
This afternoon, return to camp to watch traditional horse riding games. Culturally significant for Kyrgyz people, these games were introduced as a way to teach children how to ride horses (with some starting as young as three years old). Now, they’re simply a form of high-energy entertainment – and a thrilling way to end the day.
Another breathtaking destination awaits today. Tuck into a tasty breakfast before loading up the car for your six-hour private transfer to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan’s fourth-largest city.
Along the way, journey to the curiously named 33 Parrots Waterfall (it’s thought the name refers to the number of bends on the mountain road leading to it). If you fancy stretching your legs, you can opt to take a hike to this waterfall, which is formed by the only river flowing out of Song-Kul. You could also stop at Skazka Canyon, a scenic spot backdropped by the world’s second-largest saltwater lake: Issyk Kul.
Then, before arriving in Karakol, make a final stop in Bokonbaevo village to meet a hunter and his eagle. After watching a demonstration, there’ll be time to learn about the tradition of eagle hunting and hold the bird. Cameras at the ready...
Arrive at your next hotel this afternoon, ready to check in and sit down to a delicious dinner before hitting the hay.
The name of the game today: mountaintop hikes. Grab your bags and buckle up for the 25-minute drive south to Karakol Gorge in Karakol National Park, where you'll spend the night at a comfortable camp.
After meeting the staff, sit down to a three-course meal prepared by the local women who look after the camp. Stomachs full and curiosity piqued, set off on a hike through the Tien Shan Mountains.
Along the way, look out for a range of fauna, including dog rose, honeysuckle, black barberries, mountain ash and blackcurrent – plus plenty of mushrooms, too. Then, scale the highest peak of the Terskey Ala-too mountains (Karakol peak) for incredible views.
Sporting some seriously steep step counts, return to camp to revive tired legs in the sauna. After this, you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing at over 8,000ft – now that’s what we call ending the day on a high note.
Wake up to views over the mountains this morning before fuelling up on a hearty breakfast and starting your descent. Picnic lunches packed, hike for just over half a mile along the gorge to cross the river and head into the forest.
The trail turns into a winding path before arriving at the Sirota Mountain Hut, which was built by a local alpinist during the Soviet era. The structure includes a wood-carved table, benches and a fireplace. There are also various animals and idols carved into the outer walls. Needless to say, it’s the perfect place to pause for lunch.
Afterwards, continue climbing, leaving the forest to follow along the river and eventually reaching a beautiful waterfall that flows from Ala-Kul Lake. You’ll arrive at camp late this afternoon, just in time to freshen up before dinner in the communal dining tent – time to meet some fellow hikers.
Another day, another seriously scenic hike. Bid your camp a fond farewell this morning before taking a closer look at Ala-Kul, meaning ‘colourful lake’.
Stretching over 1.7 miles wide, the water here changes colour from green to turquoise, grey or even black, and sometimes it perfectly mirrors the clouds. Ascend through the Tien Shan Mountains to be rewarded with wonderful views over the lake.
From the lake’s edge, begin the one-and-a-half-hour walk towards the pass before descending along a scree slope. Cross a picturesque valley where cattle and sheep graze and briefly head into the forest, before dropping into the Altyn-Arashan Valley.
This afternoon, drop your bags at your next camp and settle in before relieving aching limbs at the nearby hot springs. Post-soak, return to camp for dinner and an early night.
Wake up bright and early this morning to make the most of your time in Altyn-Arashan. Famous for its hot springs and natural beauty, this picturesque location is ideal for a mid-morning hike.
Afterwards, meet your private driver for a one-hour transfer back to Karakol. This time, you’ll trade a car for an ancient Russian military truck to roll back into the city. When you arrive, refuel with a lovely lunch in a local restaurant.
Hunger sated, check in for an overnight stay before an afternoon of sightseeing. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll visit the Dungan Mosque (Dungan are an ethnic minority of Chinese Muslims), and the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church, which was built without a single nail.
Dinner tonight will be eaten with a local Dungan family. Afterwards, you can have a go at making laghman, a traditional – and delicious – noodle dish.
After a hearty breakfast, meet your driver and continue your journey north to the resort town of Cholpon Ata. The drive takes around two-and-a-half hours but if you fancy breaking up the journey, you can stop off for a swim in Issk-Kul Lake en route.
When you arrive, hit the ground running with a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum. This open-air site, scattered across a rocky hillside, is home to thousands of ancient rock carvings, some dating back to the Sak-Usun period. See engravings of hunting scenes, ancient chariots and celestial symbols, while also enjoying views over the lake.
As evening approaches, check into a hotel on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake for one night. Bags dropped and sides of the bed divvied up, sit down to dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Rise and shine – today is your last full day in Kyrgyzstan and there’s not a moment to lose. After breakfast, check out and meet your driver for the six-hour journey back to Bishkek.
Along the way, stop off to visit the UNESCO-listed Burana Tower. The surrounding village was of great importance during the Silk Road era, but now, all that remains is the tower and a few Turkish bulbuls (grave markers) – eerie.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant then continue the journey back to the capital. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore Bishkek's grandiose architecture, which includes Victory Square, Revolution Militants Square and the Statue of Manas, a national hero.
Camera rolls fit to burst, dine in style tonight by reaching out to our local Concierge to nab you a table at the swankiest spot in town. Everyone say ura (cheers)!
Sadly, your Kyrgyzstan adventure comes to an end today. Enjoy a slow start this morning before checking out and loading up the car for your private transfer back to the airport in Bishkek.
Your return flight connects through Istanbul and takes just under 12 hours. Thanks to the time difference, you’ll land before the sun sets on your Kyrgyzstan adventure – already raring to go with plans for the next one.
Why visit Kyrgyzstan with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Kyrgyzstan
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
