Kyrgyzstan Women’s Odyssey
Discover the beauty of Kyrgyzstan in a 2-week programme
This trip offers unique experiences and is especially designed for women
After independence, women made a great contribution to the development of the country. They have revived many old customs and traditions that were banned during the Soviet era. Meet women in the villages, share their daily lives, stories and traditions.
During the tour you will get to know the local population, the customs, the habits and the culture of the nomads.
About tour
A women only trip offers unique benefits and experiences to women. It offers a higher degree of safety and you can easily bond with the local women. You will discover the Kyrgyz culture and experience the life of the nomads yourself, participate in a number of workshops, visit local markets, taste traditional dishes and learn more about the customs and traditions of the country and its people.
There is plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful nature and take some of the numerous walks that are possible.
In Bishkek you will spend the night in a nice hotel and along the way you will stay in pleasant hotels, B&Bs, yurts or with a family in a village.
An English or German speaking guide will travel with you throughout the trip and help you communicate with the local population.
Day By Day Programme
Here you will find a description of the programme, the route and the nightly accommodation
| Day 1 | Departure to Kyrgyzstan. |
| Day 2 | You will be met at Manas airport and transfer to the hotel. After a few hours of rest and a light lunch, get to know the city, visit a museum and art gallery. Overnight stay in hotel Umai or similar. |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Ala Archa National Park, 40 km from Bishkek. You can either take a fairly strenuous walk to the waterfalls at 2665m. or choose an easier walk. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon a demonstration of making an elechek, a traditional headdress for married women, made from many meters of thin fabric- and a fashion show of traditional clothing. Overnight in hotel Umai or similar. |
| Day 4 | Departure from Bishkek, visit the studio of a famous Kyrgyz weaver. We see and hear more about the history of Kyrgyz weaving techniques, and after lunch to Kochkor. On the way a walk in the Konorchok Canyons. Kochkor is famous for the beautiful shirdaks (felt carpets) made here by women. Visit to Altyn Kol, a cooperative enterprise of women from the region. Overnight stay in B&B. |
| Day 5 | We leave Kochkor and after 50 km we reach the turnoff to Son-Kul, the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan at 3100m. Over a bad road with many hairpin bends to the Kalmak Ashu pass (3340m.) from where we can already see the lake. We spend the night in a small yurt camp. The owner is a widow and as a single woman this way she provides the family with income. Overnight stay in yurt. |
| Day 6 | Along the south side of the lake to the turnoff to the Moldu Ashu pass (3346m). Again, a pass with numerous hairpin bends. Then along the river to Naryn, the highest city of Kyrgyzstan and the last, large town before the border crossing with China. Visit to a small museum that gives a good insight into the life of the nomads. Overnight in hotel. |
| Day 7 | Day trip to Tash Rabat (3500 m). Tash Rabat is a well-preserved 15th-century stone caravanserai. Originally it was built in the 10th century as a Nestorian monastery. It consists of 31 rooms, including spaces in a central hall. The rooms are dome-shaped. In the time of the Silk Road, it was used as a trans-shipment point for goods and overnight accommodation for the commercial travelers. At the end of the afternoon back to Naryn , stay in hotel. |
| Day 8 | From Naryn to the north, through a beautiful landscape, over the Dolon Pass (3330m) and further to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. You spend the night with a family in Kara Tala. Here you will see more of the life of a Kyrgyz housewife. She can tell you about life in a village and the place of the woman in it. Homestay. |
| Day 9 | Along the lake to Kyzyl- Tuu. The elms that grow in this village are very suitable for making the curved frames for yurts . Lunch is with a family that specializes in making yurt frames. Then on to Sonun, a yurt camp on the shore of the lake, owned and run by a young woman. Overnight in a yurt. |
| Day 10 | Day in Sonun. You can take a walk in the so-called ‘ badlands ‘ eroded limestone/sandstone hills, swim in the lake and/or follow a workshop on Kyrgyz cooking. Overnight in a yurt. |
| Day 11 | To Skaska, a hidden valley with strangely carved rock formations in many colors, and then to Jeti Ogus, famous for its fiery red rock formations with names like ‘Seven Oxen’ and ‘Broken Heart’. A hike over the rocks and through the valley. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Karakol, a nice town on the east end of the lake. |
| Day 12 | Along the north side of the lake to Tamchy. On the way you stop in the Kyrchyn valley, once a gathering point of Kyrgyz tribes, and go for a walk along the river. In Chon-Sary-Oi we visit, the Nomad Museum. Overnight in a guesthouse. |
| Day 13 | Drive back to Bishkek. On the way stop to visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of a city on the Silk Road. Overnight in hotel Umai, or similar. |
| Day 14 | Day in Bishkek visiting some female artists and, if desired, in the afternoon a visit to a beauty salon, sauna or massage salon (not included) can be arranged. Farewell dinner. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Manas Airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to change the programme slightly, 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 | |
| June 6 | June 20 |
| Date | |
| September 5 | September 19 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For 4-5 persons | |
| Price | € 1.675 p.p. |
| For 6-7 persons | |
| Price | € 1.380 p.p. |
| For 8 and more persons | |
| Price | € 1.230 p.p. |
For bookings of 6, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount.
For other discounts contact us.
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…
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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.