Discovery

From Ferghana valley to the pearl of Tian Shan

Exploring Kyrgyzia from the Ferghana to the lake Issyk Kul

Duration
10 days
Travel window
Start day
1
Start month
January
End day
31
End month
December
Countries
Kyrgyzstan
Route overview
  1. 01 CBT Arslanbob
  2. 02 Toktogul water reservoir
  3. 03 Osh
  4. 04 Kyzyl Oy
  5. 05 Kochkor
  6. 06 Karakol
  7. 07 Jalal-Abad
  8. 08 Burana Tower
  9. 09 Bishkek
  10. 10 Arslanbob village

Sustainability

Road travel metric

163.5 km/day · 1 635 km total

Discover the journey
Kyzyl Oy
Private field journal 10 chapters

The story

The journey

A Cultural tour for nature lovers

On this tour you will discover the traditions and culture of the Kyrgyz people. Evenings spent in guest houses will show you how the nomads have preserved their tradition of hospitality. 

Route map

The route

Day by day

The journey, day by day

10 chapters

Day 01 Arrival at the airport Osh early in the morning
Day 01

Arrival at the airport Osh early in the morning

Osh International Airport Osh

Arrival at the airport Osh early in the morning. Meeting by our English speaking guide. Transfer to the guesthouse. Visit of several monuments of the capital of south Kyrgyzstan: Salomon sacred mountain wich is World heritage Site, supported by UNESCO, square of Alymbek Datka, and largest and most crowded outdoor market in all of Central Asia. Overnight in the guest house in Osh.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Osh International airport
Day 02 Day visit of cities of Osh, Uzgen, Jalal Abad and transfer to Arslanbob
Day 02

Day visit of cities of Osh, Uzgen, Jalal Abad and transfer to Arslanbob

Osh Arslanbob village

Morning transfer to Jalal Abad. Visit the mausoleums and Minaret Uzgen on road. After lunch, transfer to the village of Arslanbob. The road follows first the border with Uzbekistan and the Arslanbob mountains. The village Arslanbob has a typical architecture and the center of the largest walnut forest in the world. It is said that Alexander the Great came to have a rest there with his army and would have brought Macedonia to Arslanbob nuts. Possibility to walk to a sacred waterfall or discover kyrgyz cuisine. Overnight in guest house.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Osh International Airport
Day 03 Walk around Arslanbob and transfer to Toktogul
Day 03

Walk around Arslanbob and transfer to Toktogul

Arslanbob village Toktogul

In the morning we walk to the waterfall and forests. Lunch in Arslanbob. Then drive to Toktogul lake. We drive through canyon of the Naryn River and barages. Taking several pictures at the edge of the cliffs and the lake stops. Then we go round the artificial lake of Toktogul. Arrival in the gorge of the Chychkhan river. Overnight in the guesthouse.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CBT Arslanbob
Day 04 From Toktogul, road to the village of Kyzyl Oï by the Suusamyr valley
Day 04

From Toktogul, road to the village of Kyzyl Oï by the Suusamyr valley

Toktogul Kyzyl Oy

We drive to Chichkhan Canyon, famous for its honey and trout. Then we leave the canyon to lead the Ala Bel Pass (3175m alt.) We open amazing view of the upper valley of Sussamyr. Driving to this valley will take us to the village of Kojomkul, where we visit the small museum dedicated to local hero who wore stones over 600kg. At noon, we descend the canyon Koekoemeren river that leads to the peaceful village of Kyzyl Oi where we share a meal with our host. In the afternoon, we walk the "red hollow", this little dry with red ocher cliffs valley leaves no doubt that lies above one of the finest pastures Tian Chan. Overnight in homestay.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Yurt camp at Suusamyr valley for ski-touring
Day 05 Road to Kochkor throught the Jumgal valley
Day 05

Road to Kochkor throught the Jumgal valley

Kyzyl Oy Kochkor

After our breakfast, we continue down the canyon that offers scenery more amazing. At the intersection with Jumgal river, we ascend the river to these new sources. Stop for lunch at the inhabitant in the village of Djumgal. We discover life "sedimentary!” The nomadic Kyrgyz. After lunch, we go back neck Kyzart (2664m. alt.) And descend to the small village of Epkin, where you will discover the way how to make shirdak, the traditional kyrgyz carpet. Arrival in Kochkor, installation in a homestay. Visit of the town. Dinner and overnight in a homestay.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jumgal valley
Day 06 Visit of Kochkor, then transfer to Barskoon
Day 06

Visit of Kochkor, then transfer to Barskoon

Kochkor Barskoon

Morning tour of the city: local crafts bazaar and transfer Barskoon the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul, the second altitude lake after Lake Titicaca, on the called " the pearl of Kyrgyzstan " a sandy shore, huge and deep , without flow. We drive to the village of Kyzyl Tuu for lunch at our host, manufacturer yurt. Then we drive to Bokonbaeva where we visit two eagles and hawks breeders, ancestral tradition received from father to son. Then after getting acquainted with the raptors, we continue our journey to Barskoon to spend the night in a charming guesthouse.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bokonbaeva beach
Day 07 Excursion to waterfalls of Barskoon - Arrival in Karakol
Day 07

Excursion to waterfalls of Barskoon - Arrival in Karakol

Barskoon Karakol

The morning excursion to the frozen (if winter) waterfalls of Barskoon valley, then we drive to valley Jeti Oguz, reflecting means the "Seven Bulls " and the famous red canyons where we take our picnic outdoors and take a short walk from 2 pm the bottom of the valley. Arrival in Karakol, diner in the local restaurant, in town. Overnight in guesthouse .

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Frozen waterfall of Barskoon
Day 08 Day visit of Karakol city
Day 08

Day visit of Karakol city

Karakol Karakol

This day is dedicated to visiting the town of Karakol built at the foot of mountains. (Centennial Orthodox Cathedral and Mosque, Zoo, bazaar, museum and memorial Przewalski). In the middle of the afternoon, we return to the guesthouse to take a bath in the Russian (type sauna). Overnight in guest house. Opportunity to ski in the ski resort of Karakol in winter season. ( www.ski-karakol.com )

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dungan Mosque
Day 09 Drive to Bishkek with visit of petroglyphs of Cholpon Ata and the Burana's tower
Day 09

Drive to Bishkek with visit of petroglyphs of Cholpon Ata and the Burana's tower

Karakol Bishkek

Transfer to Bishkek by the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Wake up at 5am, breakfast, then visit the bazaar animals. Then we drive to the Cholpon Ata city, we visit a museum of petroglyphs outdoor and descend slowly to the Boom gorge where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Burana Tower dating from the 11th century, the ancient capital of Central Asia. Arrival in Bishkek, dinner and overnight in guest house.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Issyk Kul
Day 10 Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
Day 10

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

Photography

Osh city
Arslanbob waterfall
Kyzyl Oy
Karakol
Issyk Kul

Further reading

More from this journey

Practical information

Prepare for the journey

Reviews of Nomad's Land

Travelers, in their own words

Published reviews of our team and service.

“One word: THANK YOU! Two fabulous weeks experiencing nomadic life up close. Bakyt, without you, the journey would not have been the same. Thank you for your kindness and energy! Thanks to Youri, our amazing driver! In short, highly recommend this agency 100%.”

Laure Facebook

“"Visit to Kyrgyzstan = Nomad’s Land" Our stay in the country boils down to this. An unforgettable experience! The whole team is very competent and responsive. The country is amazing. We did 17 days and visited incredible and untouched corners. I recommend the nights with nomadic shepherds. Magical moments!”

Yann Décaillet

“An attention and a treatment of 10. Highly recommended. Kyrgyzstan, an unforgettable experience. I will return if you do !!!”

David Suarez Garcia

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