Nine Days in Stunning Kyrgyzstan - Only Nine Places Available

Details

Kyrgyzstan Tour - Bishkek, Karkyra, Lake Issyk Kul
2-10 June 2026
Kyrgyzstan is famous for snowy peaks, high alpine meadows, broad grasslands filled with the fragrances of plants and flowers, clear mountain rivers, and serene mirrored lakes scattered among the tall peaks. This tour to Kyrgyzstan introduces you to these wild natural spots, as well as the ancient history of the Silk Road. From a luxury yurt camp in beautiful surroundings to watching locals play horse sports or hunt with eagles and to the towns and villages with their exotic bazaars, this will be a unique, off-the-beaten-track experience.
Itinerary
Day One - Bishkek
Arrivals in Bishkek. Transfers from airport to hotel.
14.00 Optional Bishkek City Sightseeing Tour including:
A visit to the main Ala Too Square (formerly Lenin Square) and its monuments to Kurmanzhan Datka (The Queen of the South) and Manas (a 10th century legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people).Then we see the Old Square and see Bishkek’s huge Lenin statue - the only major statue of Lenin remaining in Central Asia. Here are the main governmental buildings and Parliament House, the Old Square and Parliament House.We visit colorful Osh Bazaar for shopping.The tour finishes at Victory Square which is dedicated to victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.Day Two - Bishkek - Chon Kemin Vally
After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive one hour to see the Burana Tower near Tokmok town. This UNESCO-listed large minaret is all that remains of the ancient 9th century city of Balasagun. It is one of the oldest architectural structures in Central Asia and was used as the template for other minarets.
We then visit Don Aryk Village where we will watch horseback riding games at the local hippodrome.
A local family will provide us with lunch.
We will stay in a guest house in the Chon Kemin Valley.
Those who are interested can also learn how to set up a yurt with locals.
Dinner in the guest house
Day Three - Chon Kemin Valley - Lake Issyk Kul
After breakfast in our guest house we drive to Lake Issyk Kul via the Boom gorge.
Sites we will visit include petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) and an open air museum.
Lake Issyk Kul is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world and due to its incredible transparency, it is second only to Lake Baikal.
Accommodation will be a hotel in the resort area on the shore of Lake Issyk Kul. We will have free time to explore this area.
Day Four - Cholpon Ata Town - Karkyra Valley (Luxury Yurt Camp)
Breakfast in our hotel.
After driving along the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake, we reach the beautiful area near the border with Kazakhstan - Karkyra.
We will stay in a luxury yurt camp with en-suite facilities where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery and have time to walk along the canyon or hike up the closest hill for panoramic views. For those who ride, horses are available (extra cost).
Lunch and dinner will be provided in the yurt camp.Day Five - Karkyra Valley - Karakol Town
Breakfast at the yurt camp.
On the way to Karakol Town, we will stop at the Tepke Horse Farm where Kyrgyz racing horses are bred. Horses are an extremely important part of Kyrgyz culture and life. The farm has beautiful views and gardens. They will serve us a delicious lunch here.
We visit Dungan Mosque which was constructed in the shape of a pagoda and built entirely without nails. The Dungans, Chinese Muslims who fled warfare in China in the 1880s, built the colourful mosque with a pagoda instead of a minaret.
Next is the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church whose story goes back to 1869 when Karakol was basically a garrison town established as an outpost on the edges of the Tsarist Russian Empire and a church was needed to serve the Cossacks and other troops.
Dinner will be in the village of Yrdyk where a local Dungan (Chinese Muslims who emigrated to Central Asia over 100 years ago) family will teach us how to make Dungan specialities. We will eat with the family.
Accommodation in a hotel in Karakol.Day Six - Full Day in Karakol Town
After breakfast, there is an optional early morning visit to the Karakol Animal Market (every Sunday, ends at 10am). Karakol is the gathering point for nomads in the surrounding valleys, especially for the popular animal market. There are sections for horses, cattle and sheep and you may even see the occasional donkey or even camel.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
Visit Slavic market and “One Village One Product” factory where they produce local felt products.
Free time to walk around Karakol and see the Tsar Russia legacy and visit the local bazaar.
In the evening we will have dinner with a Cossack family. They will show us their traditional costumes, taste their homemade drinks (!), show us how to bake black the bread and prepare a unique meal for us.
Day Seven - Karakol Town - Djety Oguz, Barskoon and Skazka Gorges - Kadji Say Village
Breakfast at the hotel.
A stunning drive will take us through changing landscapes and we will see the famous “Broken Heart Rock” and “Seven Bulls Rocks”. Next we will visit the lovely waterfalls of the Barskoon gorge and after a beautiful panorama of Issyk Kul.
In the evening we will arrive at Kadji Say Village where we will stay at a unique hotel and will have dinner there.
Day Eight - Kadji Village - Bishkek City
Breakfast at the hotel.
We drive to Bokonbaevo Village where we visit a local woman’s cooperative who produce some of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular presents and souvenirs. The Kyrgyz rugs here are beautiful and not difficult to transport.
Nearby we also have the opportunity to watch an eagle-hunting demonstration.
We arrive in in Bishkek and check into our hotel. Free time and an optional farewell dinner in Bishkek.Day Nine - Bishkek
Breakfast in the hotel followed by airport transfers
This tour is limited to nine people and transportation will be provided in a Mercedes Sprinter.
Price - GBP £1780 per person. Single supplement GBP £195Bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Lip balm and moisturiser (it is a very dry climate)
Sun screen
A coat or jacket - we will be in the mountains on some days
Cash - many places do not take credit cards.Included:
Accommodation in hotels, guest houses and a yurt (with en-suite)
All ground transportation by comfortable air-conditioned minibus
9 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 5 x dinner
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Eagle hunting demonstration and horseback riding games (as spectators)
Entrance tickets to the monuments and museums on all tours
Bottled water provided daily (one bottle per person per day)
The price does not include:
Visa cost (no visa required for EU, UK, Canada, Australia)
International flights
Lunches and dinners that are not included or are optional in the schedule
Optional horseback riding
Any additional transportation to anywhere not listed in the schedule
Any charges at monuments and museums for using video or cameras
Hard drinks
Porter service if required
Tipping for drivers and guides
International arrival/departure transfers can be arranged for approx £25 each way.