Kyrgyzstan - Hiking in the Tien Shan and cultural discovery

Best travel season:

July to Mid-September

Trip duration:

11 days

From/To :

Bishkek

Accommodation:

Hotel / Homestay / Yurt

Accommodation

Hotel / Homestay / Yurt

Difficulty :

Easy

Difficulty

Easy

See our detailed Travel Notes (PDF Download)

Group size :

8 to 12 travellers

Group size

8 to 12 travellers

Tour leader:

English-speaking tourist guide

Price :

€ 1.340,- land only

Hike Kyrgyzstan and discover Kyrgyz nomadic culture

Hike in the north and east of Kyrgyzstan and get to know its culture.

Discover the culture and lifestyle of the hospitable Central Asian nomads.

Visit traditional yurt camps and spend the night in the cosy felt tents.

Observe everyday life on the lush summer pastures, taste the traditional drink Kymyz and seize the opportunity to ride Kyrgyz horses (optional) in the wide landscape of the Tien-Shan.

Go hiking almost every day and enjoy the diversity of the High Tien Shan mountains’ pristine nature.

Spend some time lakeside: at the high mountain lake Son Kul and at the large Issyk-Kul, which we will circumnavigate in the course of the journey.

Enjoy time in the city of Bishkek and haggle at the lively and colourful Osh-Bazaar.

Detailed itinerary

DAY

1

Individual arrival in Bishkek and drive to Suusamyr valley

Early morning arrival at Bishkek airport. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel, where a room will be waiting for you. You can catch up on a few hours of sleep before meeting your Tourguide. Afterwards visit the huge and lively Osh Bazaar in the western part of the city.
After lunch we’ll travel south into the Tien-Shan Mountains. The remote and rarely visited Suusamyr valley is a popular summer pasture with Kyrgyz nomads. We’ll have the opportunity to see how kumis is made, the Kyrgyz national drink from fermented mare‘s milk, and taste it, too.

Drive:	160 km
Accommodation:	Hotel, Suusamyr Valley
Meals:	B L D

DAY

2

Drive to Kochkor, hike in the Kokomeren gorge

Today’s first stop is the local museum in Kojomkul, dedicated to the "giant" of the same name. He lived in Kojomkul at the beginning of the 20th century and is described as the perfect specimen of an exemplary Kyrgyz. After the visit, we’ll continue to the gorge of the Kokomeren River for a leisurely hike and a picnic. We’ll also meet Kyrgyz nomads who spend their summers in yurts on the high alpine pastures while their cattle graze on the lush meadows.
After a scenic drive through a uniquely beautiful landscape, we’ll reach the small town of Kochkor (approx. 1800 m) where we’ll stay overnight with Kyrgyz families and enjoy traditional "Besh Parmak" for dinner.

Drive:	250 km
Walking Time:	2 h
Accommodation:	Homestay, Kochkor
Meals:	B L D

DAY

3

Drive to Son Kul

During this morning’s visit to a cooperative of women producing "Shyrdak" and "Ala Kiyiz", the traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets, we’ll watch the entire process of felt carpet making: from raw wool to felt and on to colourful carpets. On the road again, we’ll travel through Dolon Pass in order to reach the beautiful mountain lake Son Kul. The lake is located at about 3000 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountain ranges of up to 4000 meters - a stunningly unique place. Numerous Kyrgyz families, together with their horses and herds of sheep and goats, call this place their home during the summer months. Just like the Kyrgyz shepherds, we’ll spend the night in a yurt, the traditional Central Asian Nomad’s tent.

Drive:	130 km
Accommodation:	Yurt camp, Son-Kul
Meals:	B L D

DAY

4

Son-Kul - the nomads’ blue gem

Free day to explore this magnificent area. The choices range from walks and hikes in the rambling hills surrounding our yurt camp to a ride on the tame, rather small Kyrgyz horses or - for the hardy - even swimming in the fresh clear waters of the Son Kul. The very picturesque Son Kul region is an excellent place for going wild with your camera. One of the many eye-catchers are the indescribable Edelweiss meadows, which we’ll explore on our hikes. We’ll also have the opportunity to visit one of the many nomad camps, watch their daily work and, of course, taste the local kumis, which is exceptionally tasty around Son Kul. The Kyrgyz nomads are usually very hospitable and look forward to every guest they can entertain. We’ll spend another night in our beautiful yurt camp.

Accommodation:	Yurt camp, Son-Kul
Meals:	B L D

DAY

5

Drive to Issyk Kul

After breakfast, we’ll take off to the northern shore of Issyk Kul, travelling via Kochkor. En route, we‘ll have lunch at a Kyrgyz family’s home in the harbour town of Balykchi at the western end of the big lake. As soon as we arrive in Cholpon Ata, we’ll visit a vast open-air museum boasting numerous petroglyphs (rock paintings) - they’re more than 2000 years old! Issyk Kul is the second largest mountain lake in the world, situated at at 1600 m and surrounded by over 4000 m high mountain ranges topped by glaciers. We’ll spend the night in a hotel directly at the lake. In the late afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to swim in the warm lake. The lake, fed by hot springs, is a popular summer holiday destination for Kyrgyz, Russian and Kazakh holidaymakers.

Drive:	260 km
Accommodation:	Hotel, Cholpon Ata
Meals:	B L D

DAY

6

Drive to Karakol and hike in the Semenovka gorge

We’ll continue our trip to the east along the northern shore, soon reaching Semenovka gorge. After exploring the gorge on a 2- to 3-hour hike, we’ll have lunch near a nomad camp. After lunch, we’ll travel on to Karakol at the eastern end of Issyk Kul. The city, founded by Russian settlers in the 19th century, is the regional administrative centre.
In Karakol we’ll visit the famous wooden Russian Orthodox Trinity Church and a traditional Dungan mosque. For dinner, we’ll be welcomed by a Uyghur family. The Uyghurs are a Muslim ethnic group from nearby Chinese Xinjiang, relatively numerous in the eastern areas of multi-ethnic Kyrgyzstan.

Drive:	170 km
Walking Time:	2 - 3 h
Accommodation:	Hotel, Karakol
Meals:	B L D

DAY

7

Hike in the Ak-Suu Nature Park and visit to a horse breeding farm

A short 1,5-hour hike will take us into the nearby nature park of Ak Suu, past diverse types of forest, boasting many different tree species that were planted here in Soviet times. Before lunch, we’ll get on our minibus again and go to a horse breeding farm in the small village of Tepke. The robust, rather small but tenacious Kyrgyz horses are bred at this farm. At a demonstration, we’ll watch these wonderful animals and their skilled riders in action. We’ll return to Karakol, enjoying a typical dinner with a local Russian family. Again, we’ll spend the night in our hotel in Karakol.

Drive:	60 km
Walking Time:	1,5 - 2 h
Accommodation:	Hotel, Karakol
Meals:	B L D

DAY

8

Hikes in the Jety Oguz gorge

After a short drive along the southern shore of Issyk Kul, we‘ll reach the picturesque Jety Oguz gorge. At the entrance of the gorge, we’ll hike to a vantage point offering a wonderful view of the famous sandstone formation of the "Seven Bulls" and the "Broken Heart". Many Kyrgyz myths and legends feature these two huge and picturesque sandstone formations at the entrance of the beautiful valley of Jety Oguz. Further along the raging Jety Oguz stream and into the High Tien Shan, we’ll reach the yurt camp for our next overnight stay, situated on a picturesque mountain pasture surrounded by Tien Shan spruces.
After lunch, the afternoon is at your disposal. You can go on scenic hikes along the Jety Oguz gorge or, if you wish, you can get yourself a horse for a few hours and explore the alpine pastures and the valley on horseback on a guided riding excursion.

Drive:	50 km
Walking Time:	1 h
Accommodation:	Yurt, Jety Oguz Valley
Meals:	B L D

DAY

9

Eagle hunt and drive to Chon Kemin Nature Park

Continuing along the southern shore of the Issyk Kul, we’ll have the opportunity to observe the traditional Central Asian nomadic art of eagle hunting in a small village. Lunch break will be spent at a yurt camp and you’ll have another opportunity to dive into the clear waters of lake Issyk Kul.
The afternoon brings our circumnavigation of Issyk Kul to an end and we’ll head to Chon Kemin Nature Park (1600 m). In the late afternoon, we’ll attend a demonstration of the traditional Kyrgyz horse-riding game "Ulak Tartysh". Dinner with a Kyrgyz family and overnight in a beautiful guesthouse.

Drive:	250 km
Accommodation:	Guesthouse, Chon Kemin
Meals:	B L D

DAY

10

Travel to Bishkek and city tour

After breakfast, we’ll travel west along the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to the city of Tokmok. We’ll visit the 11th century minaret of Burana as well as the excavations of the former city of Balasagun, one of the formerly important cities on the Silk Road.
We’ll reach Bishkek in the afternoon and have a city tour including the most interesting sights. Dinner with a folklore performance wraps up the tour.

Drive:	170 km
Accommodation:	Hotel, Bishkek
Meals:	B L D

DAY

11

Flight home or onward journey

Depending on your flight home, transfer to the airport.

Meals:

B

B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Difficulty rating - altitude acclimatisation - preparation

Overall Difficulty

Easy

Technical difficulty

Easy

No alpine difficulties, solid sure-footedness is required. We mostly hike on good, wide trails without technical difficulties. The terrain is mostly hilly. Hardly any steep passages need to be tackled.

Fitness and stamina

Easy

Ascents and descents between 150 m and 300 m per day. The distances are 8 km to 10 km per day. The leisurely hikes complement our cultural programme.

Altitude acclimatisation

In the course of this tour, we’ll spend some time at altitudes of about 3000 m. Since we’ll mainly do sightseeing and only moderate hikes, the altitude is usually no problem.

Please help your body in this important process by:

• starting the journey in good health and well-rested,
• avoiding any unnecessary efforts during the first days of the trek,
• walking relatively slowly, especially when ascending,
• drinking lots of liquids (water),
• trusting and following the instructions and advice of your guide.

Requirements and preparation

This tour is ideal for culture lovers who are at the same time interested in getting to know the people of Kyrgyzstan and their nomadic culture. Since our cultural program is complemented by short hikes that allow you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscape, you should also be fond of some walking. The overnight stays in yurts and the open-air picnics also give you an opportunity to experience nature in combination with culture. Be prepared to make do without the usual western comforts – we will be spending the nights in cosy but basic homestays run by local families and in yurts. Sanitary facilities do not always meet western standards.

08.07. - 18.07.2020

Available

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PLEASE NOTE: Prices quoted are land only and do not include international flights. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until the departure is showing 'Guaranteed' or 'Almost full'.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's included

English speaking Kyrgyz tourist guide
3 nights in a quiet 3* hotel in Bishkek - twin-share room including breakfast
Comfortable 2* to 3* hotel in Cholpon-Ata and Karakol
Comfortable homestays an guesthouses in Kochkor and Chon-Kemin
3 nights in traditional yurts
Full board during the trip according to detailed itinerary
All transports and transfers according to the itinerary - including airport transfers

What's not included

International flight to Kyrgyzstan
Travel insurance - you can take out travel insurance and/or trip cancelation/ interruption insurance through TTM.
Horseback riding
Beverages
Tips
Personal expenses
Single room supplement (except for yurt nights): € 180,- - if available a room can be shared with another solo traveller of the same sex. Please let us know your preferences at the time of booking. Please note: In the yurt camp, about 4 travellers share a yurt, single yurts are not available. Single rooms are available in most family guesthouses but in exceptionial cases it may be necessary to share a room.
Costs incurred for itinerary changes due to clients' actions/decisions
All other costs not mentioned under "What's included"

Hiking and Kyrgyzstan discovery

Hike Kyrgyzstan and discover Kyrgyz nomadic culture

Detailed itinerary

Individual arrival in Bishkek and drive to Suusamyr valley

Drive to Kochkor, hike in the Kokomeren gorge

Drive to Son Kul

Son-Kul - the nomads’ blue gem

Drive to Issyk Kul

Drive to Karakol and hike in the Semenovka gorge

Hike in the Ak-Suu Nature Park and visit to a horse breeding farm

Hikes in the Jety Oguz gorge

Eagle hunt and drive to Chon Kemin Nature Park

Travel to Bishkek and city tour

Flight home or onward journey

Difficulty rating - altitude acclimatisation - preparation

Overall Difficulty

Technical difficulty

Fitness and stamina

Altitude acclimatisation

Requirements and preparation

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's included

What's not included

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