Wild tulips
15-day tour, in small groups, since 2012
Kyrgyzstan, motherland of the tulip. What better place to see the original tulip.
As well as tulips, our countryside will be full of all the spring flowers – a true delight
This tour will also give you the chance to experience our hospitality, to enjoy our local culture and to find out a little of our history
About tour
Legend has it that a long time ago a Seljuk nomad discovered the tulip whilst he was searching for a lost goat somewhere in the Tien-Shan Mountains close to the Chinese border in an area that is now known as Kyrgyzstan. And still today there are many different kinds of wild tulips growing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. In early spring they can be found on several mountain slopes.
In 2024 Ecotour will host its 8th TULIP EXPEDITION designed specifically to search out this beautiful flower in its original habitat. Transportation will be by minibus but hiking will also be part of the programme. Luxury should not be expected.
Accommodation in Bishkek is in the Umai Hotel, about a 15-minute walk from the civic center. The first days in Bishkek will be spent visiting some area’s near Bishkek and the Alamedin Gorge, and will include some hiking. Next is a valley close to Lake Issyk-Kul. 2 nights stay In the valley in a B&B in a small village. The trip continues to Lake Issyk-Kul (1.600 m). Staying in a guesthouse, day trips will be made into different valleys. In these valleys not only tulips but a wide variety of spring flowers can be found. The next day is a long drive, with some stops on the way, to Talas in the far west part of the country.
There will be an experienced English-speaking guide/interpreter during the whole of the trip.
More detailed description on request
Day By Day Programme
Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations
| Day 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Manas Airport where you will be met and taken to the Umai Hotel. After a light lunch we will do some sightseeing in Bishkek. Stay in the Umai Hotel. |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Alamedin Gorge. A narrow gorge to the south of Bishkek and hopefully you first opportunity to discover a tulip. Stay in the Umai Hotel. |
| Day 4 | Today a trip in the Bishkek area to the Ata Beit memorial complex and the Chunkurchak Valley, botanize around there. We should see the endemic tulips of Kyrgyzstan: T.Zenaedae and T. Dasystemon. Stay in the Umai Hotel. |
| Day 5 | By minibus to the Chon-Kemin Valley, a National Park along the border with Kazakhstan. En route we will visit the Burana Tower. Overnight in B&B. |
| Day 6 | Day in the Chon-Kemin Valley to botanize in the mountains to see T. Heterophylla and other specific spring flowers. Overnight in B&B. |
| Day 7 | From Kemin to Semyonovka on the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul. There will be stops on the way, including a semi-desert where we can botanize. Stay in a guesthouse in Oruktu, a small village at the lake with a hot open-air spa with a local family |
| Day 8 | Next day to Karakol, hike in Karakol National Park, stay in hotel in Karakol. |
| Day 9 | Along the south shore to Kochkor. Visit a valley with hot spa and meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and other birds of prey. Stay in B&B in Kochkor. |
| Day 10 | From Kochkor to Kyzyl-Oi in the Suusamyr Valley. Stops on the way for botanizing. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 11 | From Kyzyl-Oi through an alpine landscape to the Otmok Pass (3.320 m) and descend into the Talas Oblast (province). Stay in B&B. |
| Day 12 | Day trip to State Reserve, south of Talas town which has a rich vegetation. Here the endemic Tulipa talassica Lazkov was found named after the Kyrgyz botanist Georgy Lazkov. In the evening back to the guesthouse. |
| Day 13 | Back to Bishkek through the Too-Ashuu tunnel – some stops on the way, Stay in hotel Umai. |
| Day 14 | Daytrip to Ala Archa National park, about 40 km from Bishkek, stay in hotel Umai. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Manas Airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program.
We ask for your understanding.
Tour specifics
Our tours can be organized for individual travelers or groups of up to 10 people (and sometimes more) and for families with (young) children. For the majority of our tours you can specify the start date and length of the tour.
| Date | |
| April 14 | April 28 |
| Group | |
| 4 – 10 persons | |
| For 4-5 persons | |
| Price (with a guide-interpreter) | € 1.570 p.p. |
| Price (without a guide-interpreter) | € 1.150 p.p. |
| For 6 and more persons | |
| Price (with a guide-interpreter) | € 1.295 p.p. |
| Price (without a guide-interpreter) | € 1.090 p.p. |
For bookings of 4, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. In case there are less participants than required, if you pay an additional fee, the trip will go on as planned.
Terms of payment
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of euros 250 per person. The outstanding balance must be paid either 8 weeks before departure or in cash upon arrival. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
• Transportation by minibus
• Transfer from and to the airport
• All meals, breakfast, lunch and supper
• Stay in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and homestay
• Programme as described
• English/German (as required) speaking guide/interpreter
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance charges if applicable
• Tips
• Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
• Activities not mentioned in the programme
If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you cancellation fee.
If Ecotour cancels the tour, of course you will get back the full amount you paid.
If you cancel your trip, depending on the time your message reaches us, you owe Ecotour the following amount:
| till 42 days before departure | one pays the deposit |
| day 42- till day 28 | 35 % |
| day 28- till day 21 | 40 % |
| day 21- till day 14 | 50 % |
| day 14- till day 5 | 75 % |
| day 5 – till day 2 | 90 % |
| on the last day before and the day of departure | 100% |
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation.
Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains,
appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique…
click the link below
Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m characterize this route.
Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.