Discovery · Family

Blue jewels of Kyrgyzstan

Rivers and lakes of Kyrgyzstan

Duration
7 days
Discover the journey
Tash Doeboe (Song Kul)
Private field journal 7 chapters

The story

The journey

The best way to see the heart of Kyrgyzstan

In one week, you will discover the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan, the heart of Tien Shan, including Chong Kemin National Park, Issyk Kul Lake, the 2nd largest mountain lake in the world, and the mythical Song Kul Lake, great summer meeting of Kyrgyz nomads.

Route map

The route

Day by day

The journey, day by day

7 chapters

Day 01 Meeting at Bishkek's airport, visit of the capital and Burana tower, then drive to Chong Kemin National park
Day 02 Drive to Tamchy with walk in the red canyon of Kyzyl Terek
Day 02

Drive to Tamchy with walk in the red canyon of Kyzyl Terek

Chong Kemin Tamchy

In the morning transfer to Issyk Kul lake, on the way visit of Kyzyl Terek red canyon (1470 m. alt.), a red canyon similar to the Creek canyon, but smaller. Picnic in the canyon. We continue our road to the lake Issyk Kul (1606 m. alt.), second biggest mountain lake of the world. Arrival in Tamchy village, visit of eagle-man. Then meeting with our local family. Dinner and night in homestay. Musical evening.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay Guesthouse Bilim

Konorchek Kyzyl Terek canyon
Day 03 After a swim in Issyk Kul lake, drive to Kochkor
Day 03

After a swim in Issyk Kul lake, drive to Kochkor

Tamchy Kochkor

Free morning on Tamchy beach, then drive to Kochkor along Issyk Kul lake and Orto Tokoy dam lake. Arrival in Kochkor, visit of the village and a craft center. Night at the inhabitant.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tamchy
Day 04 Drive to Song Kul's lake (Tash Doeboe) through the Kalmak Ashuu pass with a walk
Day 04

Drive to Song Kul's lake (Tash Doeboe) through the Kalmak Ashuu pass with a walk

Kochkor Tash Doeboe (Song Kul)

In the morning we continue our journey that will climb to the pass of Kalmak Ashu (3470m. Alt.). From the pass we walk to a peak or to the lake, and then we drive around the lake to join a jailoo (alpine) along the south shore of the lake. Traditional meal and overnight in yurts. (3090m. Alt.)

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Kalmak Ashuu pass - 11th of June
Day 05 Discovery's day at Lake Song Kul
Day 05

Discovery's day at Lake Song Kul

Tash Doeboe (Song Kul) Tash Doeboe (Song Kul)

The whole day is at our disposal to enjoy the silence and to discover the daily life of nomadic yurt. (options: demonstration nomadic games; hunt petroglyphs, walk or riding to the lake; discovery of nomadic lifestyle; Kyrgyz cooking classes.) Dinner and overnight in yurt.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Petroglyph ibex
Day 06 Drive to Bishkek through Karakitchi pass and Kekemeren valley
Day 06

Drive to Bishkek through Karakitchi pass and Kekemeren valley

Tash Doeboe (Song Kul) Bishkek

In the morning, drive to Kyzyl Oy village where we will have lunch, through the Karakitchi pass 3350 m. Then we drive to the high valley of Suusamyr, visit of the Kojumkul village, name of a Kyrgyz hero of the last century. After, the road cross by a tunnel the mountains of the Kyrgyz Alatoo, and down to Bishkek. Dinner in local restaurant. Night in guesthouse.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tash Doeboe (Song Kul)
Day 07 Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
Day 07

Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Bishkek Manas International Airport

Depending on your flight time, your guide will join you to the airport and help you check in for your flight.  If your flight is later in the day your guide will show you more places in Bishkek before your flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and we hope you come back again to explore other counties in Central Asia with us. 

Manas International Airport

Further reading

More from this journey

Practical information

Prepare for the journey

  • All transportation in a private vehicle
  • All airport transfers
  • Accommodation as described in the program
  • Meals (3 per day)
  • Bottled water & tea
  • English-speaking guide
  • All the activities listed in the program
  • Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
  • Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
  • Domestic flights mentioned in the program
  • A contribution to our sustainable development projects
  • Organisation of the trip & local taxes

Reviews of Nomad's Land

Travelers, in their own words

Published reviews of our team and service.

Nous tenions à vous remercier pour l’organisation de notre voyage au Kirghizistan. Ce pays est magnifique avec des personnes très accueillantes. Grâce à l’énergie positive de notre guide Baktygul, nous avons pu entrer en contact avec la population locale, aidée par quelques vodka bien sûr.

Hélène and Stan B.
Nomad's Land
Read the complete review

Nomadsland organized a 5 days 4 nights winter tour from Bishkek to Issyk Kol lake via Chom Keming (horse riding), Jyrgalan (snow shoeing), Karakol (museums) and Bokanbaevo (fairy canyon, 7 bulls, eagle hunting), then back to Bishkek. Nikita, our guide, picked us up from the airport and drove us round the snowy roads in his excellent v8 4wd.

Nick Read the complete review

4 Day Hike through Archa Tor pass It’s my first trip to Kyrgyzstan! My wife and I are independent travelers and prefer the solitude of traveling without guide or porters. I found Aibek Nomad's Land online as we were on a short 5 day trip, 3 or which were full day hikes so transport to and from the exact start and end points were essential.

Marc James Read the complete review

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