Winter
Rivers of Tien Shan
Uncover the hidden gems of Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan range with our exclusive winter tour
- Duration
- 11 days
- Countries
- Kyrgyzstan
- Activities
- Hiking
The story
The journey
This program has been specially designed for nature lovers seeking adventure from autumn to spring. Hiking, discoveries, homestays, lakes, and mountains, a complete immersion in Kyrgyz life.
Route map
The route
Day by day
The journey, day by day
11 chapters
Day 01 Meeting at Bishkek's airport, visit of the capital and Burana tower, then drive to Chong Kemin National park
Meeting at Bishkek's airport, visit of the capital and Burana tower, then drive to Chong Kemin National park
Manas International Airport Chong Kemin
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 02 Skiing or snowshoeing in Chong Kemin before heading to Karakol
Skiing or snowshoeing in Chong Kemin before heading to Karakol
Short ski radial exit output in the morning on Kungey Ala Too, lunch at Chong Kemin, then transfer to Karakol by the North shore of the Issyk Kul lake.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03 Drive and walk to Altyn Arashan valley
Drive and walk to Altyn Arashan valley
Karakol Altyn Arashan hot water springs
Half an hour transfer by vehicle to the alpine valley of Altyn Arashan. Then walk up to the hot springs where we will spend the night (4-5 hours walking, free time, swimming in the radon source) at 2600 m altitude. Overnight and meals in a shelter's home.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04 Hiking down to Ak-Suu, then drive to Karakol
Hiking down to Ak-Suu, then drive to Karakol
Altyn Arashan hot water springs Karakol
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05 Drive to Chong Kyzyl-Suu valley including visit of Jeti Oguz rocks
Drive to Chong Kyzyl-Suu valley including visit of Jeti Oguz rocks
Karakol Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station
In the morning we take the road along the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, then we assemble the Jeti Oguz valley, topped by the huge massif Oguz Bashi, which rises to over 5000 meters. Walk through the sanatorium park and around the red ocher cliffs. At noon we stop at the village of Kyzyl Suu to have our meals in a Kyrgyz family, who works at the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu. The village of Kyzyl Suu was one of the last supply sites before attacking the long way through the Tien Shan to reach China. In the afternoon, we take the mountain road and we drive into the gorge of Chong Kyzyl Suu. As you wish, we spend free time swimming in the warm waters of Jeli Suu, or for walking at the foot of majestic mountains. Installation at the shelter, part of the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu located at 2550 m. altitude. Meals and overnight at the shelter.
Options: visit the Ethnographic Museum of Orgochor; visit the village of Pakrovka (bazaar, church, beaches); visits to archaeological sites dating from the 8th century BC; Horse ride.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06 Exploring the Kashkator canyon
Exploring the Kashkator canyon
Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07 Visit of a falconer and transfer to Kochkor village
Visit of a falconer and transfer to Kochkor village
Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station Kochkor
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08 From Kochkor, transfer to Kilemche valley, and hiking to upper winter farms
From Kochkor, transfer to Kilemche valley, and hiking to upper winter farms
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09 Day hiking in the Kilemche valley
Day hiking in the Kilemche valley
Kilemche Jailoo Kilemche Jailoo
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Hiking down till the village of Kyzart, then drive to Bishkek
Hiking down till the village of Kyzart, then drive to Bishkek
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
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.
Photography
Along the way
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 (when possible) & tea
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen
- Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)
- 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
- International flights
- International banking fees (PayPal, ...)
- Travel & repatriation insurance
- Visas / LOI (if applicable)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)
- Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)
- Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)
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.
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.
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.
Private travel, made personal
Plan this private tour
Tell us your dates, group and travel preferences. Our team will shape the details with you.
Your quotation depends on dates, party size, transport, guide needs and overnight arrangements. Agree inclusions and requested changes with the team. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.