12-Day Grand Nomadic Journey

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan!

Upon arrival at Manas International Airport, you will meet your guide and transfer to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

After checking into the hotel and having some time to rest, we begin an easy introduction to the city.

Our sightseeing walk takes us through the heart of Bishkek, including Ala-Too Square, Oak Park and some of the city's main historical landmarks. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to Kyrgyzstan's modern history and everyday life in the capital.

Depending on your arrival time, we may also visit Osh Bazaar, one of Bishkek's most colorful markets and a great place to experience local food, spices, dried fruits and daily life.

The evening is free to relax and prepare for tomorrow's journey into the mountains.

Driving: Airport → Bishkek — approx. 35 km / 45–60 min
Activity: Easy city walk
Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek
Meals: According to arrival time

After breakfast, we leave Bishkek and begin our journey into the mountainous interior of Kyrgyzstan.

The road climbs through the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range toward Too-Ashuu Pass. After crossing the mountains, the landscape suddenly opens into the vast Suusamyr Valley — a high-altitude pasture surrounded by mountain ranges.

We continue through the valley before turning toward the Kokomeren River.

From here, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the road follows the river between dry mountains, rocky cliffs and isolated settlements.

By afternoon, we arrive in Kyzyl-Oi, a traditional village situated in the Kokomeren Valley.

We check into a family-run guest house and have time to walk through the village, experience its quiet rural atmosphere and learn about everyday life away from Kyrgyzstan's main cities.

Dinner and overnight in Kyzyl-Oi.

Driving: Approx. 200 km / 4–5 hrs
Highest point: Too-Ashuu Pass — approx. 3,180 m
Activity: Scenic driving & easy village walk
Accommodation: Family Guest House in Kyzyl-Oi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we leave Kyzyl-Oi and continue deeper into the mountains toward Son-Kul.

Today's journey takes us through remote valleys and changing mountain landscapes, passing the Ak-Kol area as we gradually climb toward the high-altitude pastures of central Kyrgyzstan.

Eventually, the mountains open onto the enormous natural basin surrounding Son-Kul.

Located at 3,016 m above sea level, Son-Kul is one of Kyrgyzstan's most important summer pasture areas. During the warmer months, shepherding families bring their horses, sheep and cattle to the highlands, continuing the seasonal tradition of moving livestock to the jailoo.

After arriving at our yurt camp, we have time to explore the lakeshore, walk through the surrounding pastures and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the highlands.

Depending on the season and local conditions, there may also be an opportunity for horseback riding around the lake.

In the evening, we enjoy dinner at the yurt camp and spend the night in a traditional felt yurt.

Altitude: Son-Kul — 3,016 m
Activity: Scenic mountain driving, easy walks & optional horseback riding
Accommodation: Traditional Yurt Camp at Son-Kul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at Son-Kul, we leave the lake and continue south through the remote mountain landscapes of the Naryn region.

Today's route takes us across the impressive Moldo-Ashuu Pass and continues through the mountains toward Mels Pass. This scenic route reveals a less-visited side of Kyrgyzstan, with high mountain roads, wide-open pastures and panoramic views across the surrounding ranges and valleys.

Along the way, we make several stops for photographs and viewpoints before continuing toward the At-Bashy region.

By afternoon, we reach Tash-Rabat, hidden in a narrow valley among the mountains.

Tash-Rabat is one of Kyrgyzstan's most remarkable historical monuments. Built of stone and containing a network of chambers beneath its domed roof, the structure is generally associated with the medieval caravan routes that crossed the Tien Shan.

We explore the interior of the monument and learn about the role this region played in the movement of travelers and trade across Central Asia.

Tonight we stay near Tash-Rabat, surrounded by the quiet mountain landscape that once formed part of the wider network of Silk Road routes.

Route: Son-Kul → Moldo-Ashuu Pass → Mels Pass → Tash-Rabat
Activity: Scenic mountain driving & historical visit
Accommodation: Yurt Camp / Guest House near Tash-Rabat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast near Tash-Rabat, we leave the historic caravan routes behind and continue deeper into the remote highlands of southern Kyrgyzstan.

Today's journey takes us toward the Ak-Say Valley, one of the most isolated regions of the country, close to the Chinese border.

As we travel farther from the main roads, settlements become increasingly rare and the landscape opens into vast high-altitude valleys surrounded by distant mountain ranges.

We make several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and experience the scale and isolation of this remarkable region.

By afternoon, we reach Kok-Kiya, our base for tomorrow's journey to Kel-Suu Lake.

After checking into our accommodation, the remainder of the day is relatively relaxed. We have time to explore the surroundings, enjoy dinner and prepare for tomorrow's horseback adventure.

Activity: Scenic high-altitude driving & short walks
Accommodation: Mountain Guest House / Yurt in Kok-Kiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we explore one of the most remote natural highlights of Kyrgyzstan — Kel-Suu Lake.

After breakfast, we set out on horseback from the Kok-Kiya area, accompanied by local horsemen.

The trail crosses the wide high-altitude valley before entering increasingly dramatic mountain terrain. Surrounded by steep rocky peaks and almost no signs of permanent settlement, this is one of the most remote experiences of our journey.

Kel-Suu lies at approximately 3,500 m above sea level, hidden between towering cliffs close to the Chinese border.

Once at the lake, we have time to walk along the shore, enjoy the scenery and take photographs.

Depending on the season, water level and weather conditions, an optional boat trip deeper into the lake may also be available.

We then ride back to Kok-Kiya and return to our guest house, where a hot lunch will be waiting for us.

After lunch, we leave the remote border region and drive north toward Naryn.

By evening, we arrive in the city and check into our hotel for a comfortable night after several days in the high mountains.

Horse riding: Approx. 3–4 hrs total
Altitude: Kel-Suu — approx. 3,500 m
Activity: Moderate horseback riding & walking
Accommodation: Hotel in Naryn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Naryn and begin our journey toward Issyk-Kul.

Our route takes us through the mountain landscapes of central Kyrgyzstan toward Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, where the scenery begins to change as we approach the Issyk-Kul basin.

We continue toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul and visit the Ak-Say Canyons.

Here we take an easy walk through a maze of sculpted clay formations and reach panoramic viewpoints overlooking the blue waters of the lake.

Later, we meet a traditional Kyrgyz eagle hunter, or berkutchi.

During a private demonstration, we learn about the centuries-old tradition of hunting with golden eagles, how the birds are trained and cared for, and the role this practice has played in Kyrgyz nomadic culture.

We then continue to Bokonbaevo, a small town on the quieter southern shore of Issyk-Kul.

After several nights in remote high-altitude regions, tonight we return to the comfort and hospitality of a family-run guest house.

Activity: Easy–moderate canyon walk & cultural experience
Accommodation: Family Guest House in Bokonbaevo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we continue east along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul for one of the most scenic days of the journey.

Our first stop is Skazka, or “Fairy Tale” Canyon, where we take an easy walk among colorful sandstone formations shaped by wind and erosion.

We then continue toward Barskoon Gorge.

From here, our 4×4 climbs high into the Tien Shan. Forests and mountain rivers gradually give way to an open high-altitude landscape as we approach the Arabel Plateau.

At approximately 3,800–3,900 m above sea level, Arabel is the highest point of our journey and offers a dramatic landscape of high mountains, glaciers and alpine terrain.

After descending through Barskoon Gorge, we continue toward Jeti-Oguz.

Here we stop to see the famous red sandstone formations known as the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart and take a short walk through the surrounding landscape.

By evening, we arrive in Karakol and check into our hotel.

Tonight, we experience another side of Kyrgyzstan's cultural diversity with dinner hosted by a local Dungan family.

Highest point: Arabel Plateau — approx. 3,800–3,900 m
Activity: Easy–moderate walks & 4×4 mountain driving
Driving: Full sightseeing day
Accommodation: Hotel in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dungan Family Dinner

After breakfast, we drive from Karakol to the village of Ak-Suu, where we change to a local 4×4 vehicle specially suited to the rugged mountain road ahead.

The journey to Altyn-Arashan is an adventure in itself. The road follows a narrow gorge alongside the mountain river, climbing through forests and rocky terrain toward the high alpine valley.

Eventually, we reach Altyn-Arashan at approximately 2,600 m above sea level.

Surrounded by forests, alpine meadows and the high peaks of the Tien Shan, the valley is famous for its natural hot springs.

We have time to explore the area on foot, enjoy lunch in the valley and relax in the thermal pools.

In the afternoon, we descend by 4×4 to Ak-Suu and return to Karakol.

The evening is free to rest or explore the town independently.

Altitude: Altyn-Arashan — approx. 2,600 m
Activity: 4×4 mountain driving, easy–moderate walking & hot springs
Accommodation: Hotel in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we leave Karakol and begin our journey west along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.

Our first major stops are Semenov and Grigoriev Gorges, two neighboring mountain valleys known for their forests, rivers, alpine meadows and views of the northern Tien Shan.

Depending on road and weather conditions, we explore the gorges by 4×4, stopping for short walks and panoramic views along the way.

We then continue west around Issyk-Kul toward Kok-Moinok.

Here the landscape changes dramatically once again. We take an easy walk through dry clay formations and narrow canyon passages — a striking contrast to the green mountain valleys visited earlier in the day.

In the afternoon, we leave the Issyk-Kul region and continue toward Chon-Kemin National Park.

By evening, we arrive at our family-run guest house, where we enjoy dinner and a quiet night surrounded by the mountains.

Activity: Easy walks & scenic driving
Accommodation: Family Guest House in Chon-Kemin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we leave Chon-Kemin and begin our journey back toward Bishkek.

Before returning to the capital, there is one final adventure waiting for us — rafting on the Chu River.

After a safety briefing and preparation with professional rafting instructors, we take to the river for an exciting but accessible rafting experience surrounded by the mountain landscapes of Boom Gorge.

No previous rafting experience is required. All necessary equipment is provided, and the activity is accompanied by experienced instructors.

Guests who prefer not to participate in rafting can relax nearby and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

After the rafting experience, we continue to Bishkek.

Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have some time to rest.

In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner and look back on our journey — from the high pastures of Son-Kul and the Silk Road history of Tash-Rabat to remote Kel-Suu and the landscapes of Issyk-Kul.

Activity: Rafting & scenic driving
Rafting: Beginner-friendly, subject to river and weather conditions
Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, your 12-day journey through Kyrgyzstan comes to an end.

At the appropriate time, we provide a private transfer to Manas International Airport according to your flight schedule.

You leave Kyrgyzstan having experienced much more than its landscapes — from nomadic traditions and Silk Road history to remote mountain communities, high-altitude lakes and the cultural diversity of Issyk-Kul.

Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope Kyrgyzstan remains part of your travel memories for many years to come.

Transfer: Hotel → Manas International Airport
Meals: Breakfast