9 Days Kyrgyzstan Discovery Tour: Authentic Nomadic Life, Diverse Nature & Ancient Ruins

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.) After checking in, you'll have time to rest and refresh.

This afternoon, enjoy a half-day Bishkek city tour. Highlights include:

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.

Located near the park, visit State Historical Museum. this museum offers an excellent introduction to Kyrgyzstan's rich history and culture. Inside, you'll find over 80,000 artifacts and gain insight into the lives of ancient nomadic peoples. Exhibits include a full-scale Kyrgyz yurt and various handicrafts made from felt, leather, wood, and wool. You can also admire intricate traditional clothing, embroidery, and horse gear, and learn about the country's history during the Russian Empire and Soviet periods.

Osh Bazaar is yourlast stop. Experience local life and browse everything from fresh produce, spices, and dried fruits to traditional clothing, handicrafts, and carpets.

Transfer back to your hotel.

Free time ideas for your OWN EXPLORATION:

1. 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.
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).

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.

Later, you'll head towards the Grigoriev and Semienov gorges to enjoy their natural beauty. They are the two most famous gorges on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.

Grigoriev Gorge is larger in scale and known for its dense spruce forests. Deep in the gorge, you'll find a vast alpine pasture where you can take photos from various viewpoints along the winding road. If you enjoy hiking, you can take a short trek by the lake or in the pasture.

Semienov Gorge is more tranquil than Grigoriev Gorge, with a wider valley. A clear, rushing river flows through it, and the slopes are covered with grass and low shrubs, making it perfect for a leisurely walk.

Afterward, you'll drive about 2.5 hours to Karakol, 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'll check in to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, you'll first explore the highlights of 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 that, 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.

After the tour, you'll drive for another 1.5 hours (75 km) to Tamga. You'll stay overnight here.

After breakfast, you'll drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake to Skazka Canyon. Known as "Fairytale" in Kyrgyz, the canyon is famous for its unique and otherworldly red rock formations. As you walk through the gorge, you'll discover that the rocks have taken on bizarre shapes. Some look like animals such as camels, snakes, or sleeping giants, while others resemble castles and pagodas. Each rock seems to tell an ancient story, which is how the canyon got its name.

You can admire and touch these strange rocks up close and take amazing photos here. If your energy permits, you can climb a small hill for panoramic views, where you'll see the canyon's maze-like landscape with Issyk-Kul Lake in the distance.

Later, you'll drive west (30 minutes) to Bokonbayevo. 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.

After the tour, you'll be transferred to Kochkor (1.5-2 hours’ drive). This town is the most common starting point for trips to Son-Kul Lake.You'll stay overnight in Kochkor.

After breakfast, you'll drive for about 4 hours to Tash Rabat, a historic caravanserai. On the way, you'll cross the Dolon Pass (3,030 m). You'll stop in the city of Naryn for lunch before continuing your journey. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your yurt camp.

Tash Rabat (altitude: 3200 meters), which means "Stone Inn" in the Turkic language, is one of the most well-preserved and mysterious historical monuments in Central Asia. This 15th-century caravanserai, located in a remote and peaceful valley, was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road.

Built entirely of stone with thick walls, the structure resembles a fortress. You can walk inside to get a feel for what it was like for merchants who once sought shelter here. A circular opening at the top of the central hall provides light and ventilation.

Tonight, you'll stay in a yurt on the green pastures with a clear river running through the valley. Have a good night.

After breakfast, you'll leave Tash Rabat and drive to Son-Kul Lake via beautiful mountain road.

Today, you'll cross the Moldo Ashu mountain pass (3,400 m). From the pass, Son-Kul Lake seems very small, but as you descend, it reveals itself as a large and gorgeous body of water. This vast alpine lake, situated at 3,016 meters above sea level, is surrounded by pristine pastures and is a perfect site for eco-tourism. Here, you'll experience a blend of magnificent natural scenery and authentic nomadic culture.

Upon arrival at a yurt camp, you'll get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle, and their customs. When night falls, you can enjoy beautiful sunset, where the lake takes on golden hue, creating a breathtaking view with the surrounding snow-capped mountains and pastures. At night, you can lie in a cozy yurt and admire sky full of stars.

Optional Horse Riding Experience: Ride a horse freely across the vast grasslands and rolling hills along the lake to take in the magnificent panoramic views.

Wake up to fresh air and enjoy the sunrise over the lake this morning. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to Son-Kul Lake and begin your drive back to Bishkek.

You'll return to civilization by descending from the Kalmak Ashu pass (3,400 m) and passing through the Boom Gorge, where you can view towering rocky mountains and steep cliffs.

Upon arrival in Bishkek, you'll have some free time to visit a local market to buy souvenirs. Enjoy a good night here.

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Bishkek. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home. Your 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!