6 Days Best Kyrgyzstan Tour: Nomadic Culture & Issyk-Kul Lake Beauty

Dear friends, welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Often called the "Switzerland of Central Asia," Kyrgyzstan is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and nomadic culture. Bishkek, the capital, is filled with Soviet-era charm and lush greenery.

Upon landing at Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek, your local driver will be waiting to transfer you to your downtown hotel. (Tip: the airport is about 32 km northwest of Bishkek, 40min to 1-hour drive). The rest of the day is free for you to explore the capital city on your own.

Free Time Ideas for your OWN EXPLORATION:

1. Visit Russian Orthodox Church (also called Holy Resurrection Cathedral). This is the largest Russian Orthodox church in Kyrgyzstan. The cathedral features sky-blue, onion-shaped domes and an intricately detailed, three-level iconostasis decorated with icons of saints and angels.
2. Choose a local restaurant to try traditional Kyrgyz dishes such as beshbarmak (the national dish), plov (pilaf), laghman (thick noodles with meat and vegetables), or various kinds of shashlik (meat skewers).
3. When night falls, take a walk along Chui Avenue. This main thoroughfare is lined with magnificent Soviet-era buildings and has a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers.

After breakfast, you will have time to explore the city highlights of Bishkek. Begin at the city's main square - Ala-Too Square. See the imposing statue of Manas, the legendary national hero, as well as the Government House and the national flagpole. At certain times, you may also witness military changing-of-the-guard ceremony.

From the square, walk to beautiful Oak Park, a quiet retreat in the city center with centuries-old oak trees and a collection of sculptures.

And then, move to Osh Bazaar. Experience local life and browse everything from fresh produce, spices, and dried fruits to traditional clothing, handicrafts, and carpets.

This afternoon, you'll drive to Ala-Archa National Park (30 km, 40 minutes to an hour), located southwest of Bishkek. Known as Bishkek's "backyard park," this alpine park in the Tian Shan Mountains offers scenery reminiscent of Switzerland. Majestic snow-capped peaks, blue skies, dense pine forests, alpine meadows, and picturesque river valleys. It's great for light hiking. You can follow the river to enjoy a memorable time here. Keep an eye out for animals like squirrels, red deer, wild goats, or even snow leopard (rare to see)! (Route Tip: There are three hiking routes to choose, we suggest you the easy one follow the riverbank for scenic views).

After the hike, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Bishkek.

After breakfast, your journey will take you east from Bishkek towards Issyk-Kul, the world's second-largest high-altitude lake.

En route, you'll visit the Burana Tower. This historic site, originally built in the 11th century, was once part of Balasagun, the ancient capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate. You can climb to the top of the tower to get a spectacular view of the surrounding ruins and the distant snow-capped mountains. On the ground, you can walk among the Balbals, stone figures that are medieval Turkic nomadic gravestones, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's ancient past.

Afterward, continue your drive to Cholpon-Ata (3-hour drive), on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. You'll check in to your hotel, and the rest of the day will be yours to relax and enjoy the beautiful lake.

Issyk-Kul is the "Pearl of Central Asia"! The lake's name means "warm lake" in Kyrgyz, as its saltwater composition keeps it from freezing even at an altitude of 1,607 meters. Its crystal-clear waters give you the feeling of being on the seashore.

Ideas for Free Time at Issyk-Kul Lake:

(1) Relax or Swim: Head to the golden sandy beaches to sunbathe or swim in the warm, clear water. (2) Take a Boat Trip: Go to the pier and take a boat out onto the lake to admire the magnificent views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. After that, you'll visit the Petroglyphs Museum. This open-air museum (42 hectares) is set on vast land with the majestic Tianshan Mountain range as backdrop. Here, you'll find ancient petroglyphs carved on massive black basalt stones, which are dated from the 2nd millennium BC until the 4th century AD. These carvings depict animals like wolves and snow leopards, as well as hunting and sacrificial scenes.

After that, you will be transferred to Karakol. It is about 145km, with 3-3.5 hours’ drive. Karakol is the administrative center of the Issyk-Kul region. The city also served as a military outpost during the 19th-century Russian Empire.

Upon arrival, you will spend some time exploring Karakol. You'll head to the Dungan Mosque. Built in 1904, this mosque was constructed entirely of wood, without a single nail. Instead of a minaret, it features a pagoda-like wooden tower. Its unique architecture is a stunning blend of Central Asian Islamic and traditional Chinese temple styles, with a vibrant green, blue, and yellow exterior. Its roof features Chinese-style glazed tiles and intricate wood carvings, while its interior layout fully complies with Islamic traditions.

Later, you'll visit the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. This church is also a wooden structure, with a cruciform shape and five golden onion-shaped domes - a typical style for Russian Orthodox church. The interior is beautifully decorated, preserving many valuable religious frescoes and icons that depict stories of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.

After the tour, get back to your hotel in Karakol for a good rest.

After breakfast, you'll depart from Karakol and drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge. This gorge, which means "Seven Bulls" in Kyrgyz, is famous for its unique red rock formations, lush valleys, and romantic legends. You'll marvel at the iconic Seven Bulls landmark, where seven giant red rocks stand side-by-side, resembling seven bulls. This is the first and most important photo spot in the gorge. Next to it, an isolated red rock shaped like a Broken Heart is another popular sight. As you venture deeper into the gorge, you'll discover more abundant and pristine natural beauty.

Later, you will be transferred to Bokonbayevo (about 2 hours’ drive). This village is famous for its authentic nomadic culture and is one of the centers of eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan. You can watch how hunters work with a golden eagle to demonstrate ancient hunting techniques - one of the oldest traditions of the Kyrgyz nomads.

After that, you'll head to Kyzyl-Tuu village, also located on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. This village is famous for its traditional yurt-making skills, which have been passed down from generation to generation. Considered a living museum for this craft, Kyzyl-Tuu's artisans have mastered all the ancient techniques, from building the wooden frame to making the felt. You'll have a chance to watch yurt-making demonstration and see how they transform a pile of wooden frames and felt into a functional and sturdy traditional home.

Stay overnight at Kyzyl-Tuu village.

After breakfast, you will leave Kyzyl-Tuu Village and head back to Bishkek. It is about 4 hours’ drive. Enjoy primitive mountain scenery along the way.

When arrive in Bishkek, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home. Your 6-day Kyrgyzstan tour concludes here. (Tip: Please inform us of your flight details so we can arrange your airport transfer accordingly.)

Optional Extension:

Kyrgyzstan is part of a larger Central Asia tour. You can also cover other highlights in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. We can tailor Central Asia tour based on your preferred duration and interests.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Kyrgyzstan tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!