Chong Kemin National Park and nomads of the Song Kul's lake

Early arrival in Bishkek where everyone will be picked up at the airport by our driver. Short transfer to your hotel in Bishkek city centre and resting time in the morning. Around midday, meeting at the reception desk with your guide for the general briefing, before enjoying a tasty Kyrgyz lunch. Then we stop at Ala Too Square where you will start a walking tour of Bishkek. You will be able to visit countless parks, the Osh Bazar and get to know your guide. Tonight, everyone will get to know each other at a welcome dinner with a mix of the best local dishes and drinks.

Option: visit the Frunze museum

In the morning, depart from Bishkek toward the scenic Issyk-Ata Valley, known for its natural hot springs and peaceful mountain setting. Take time to explore the gorge and enjoy the atmosphere of this historic spa area.

Continue to the archaeological site of Balasagun to visit the famous Burana Tower, a minaret dating from the 11th century and one of the most important Silk Road monuments in northern Kyrgyzstan. Walk among the ancient remains and petroglyphs scattered across the site.

In the afternoon, drive to Chong Kemin National Park, a beautiful protected valley of forests, rivers, and alpine pastures. On arrival, visit the Chabdan Batyr memorial park, dedicated to the Kyrgyz national hero and military leader.

In the evening, enjoy a cultural program organized by the regional ecotourism association in the village of Karol-Döbö, offering a warm introduction to local traditions and rural life.

In the morning, after a short transfer by vehicle along the river canyon Chong Kemin, you will hike to lake Kongur at 2500m. alt. Slopes of this area are covered by fir forests. This mountainous lake has a unique trapezoidal shape. On the shore of the lake, we set up the camp and enjoy the wonderful sceneries around us. Dinner and overnight stay in a tent. (part of a minimum 2 days trekking program to Issyk Kul lake)

In the morning, we pass the pass at 3350m. alt. and we go down with a magnificent view of Lake Issyk Kul and the chain of Terskey Alatoo rising to over 5200 meters. By late afternoon, we reach our vehicle and we go along the north shore of Issyk Koel, "warm lake", the second largest alpine lake after Titicaca is the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. We stop in Tamchy, to spend the night. Free time for swimming. Overnight in guesthouse or homestay.

Begin your journey by driving to lake Song-Kul via Kyzart pass, passing through Kyzart village. After lunch, we will reach Kilemche valley and proceed to the lake via Tuz Ashuu pass. Enjoy a walk down to the lake's shore before spending the night in a traditional yurt. Optional activities include horseback riding or hiking (4-5 hours) from Kilemche to Tuz Ashuu yurt camp.

After breakfast riding to Tulpar Tash on the our beautiful lake Son Kul, situated at 3016m above sea level. End of the afternoon, we arrive to yurt camp and spend the night and dinner in yurt.   

In the morning we drive towards the pass Kara Ketche, we stop to walk in the direction of the pass and back down to the coal mine, we take our vehicle to go down even lower. Picnic. In the afternoon, we reach the main road of Djumgal Valley. Then we drive to the small village of Kyzyl Korgon. Free time for hiking. Overnight in tents.

In the morning, departure towards Bishkek through stunning mountain landscapes. We first follow the Kekemeren River, flowing through a colorful canyon. As we exit the canyon, we reach the high valley of Suusamyr, where we stop in the village of Kojomkul, named after a legendary Kyrgyz hero. 

We then pass through the main villages of this vast valley, located at over 2,500 meters above sea level. We cross the Too-Ashuu tunnel, which cuts through the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range, before descending into the Chuy Valley. Arrival in Bishkek, transfer to the hotel, and free time for last shopping or personal exploration of the capital.

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.