Around Kyrgyzstan (short)
12 days, in small groups, since 2015
See some of the most beautiful parts of the country, learn a little of our history and enjoy culture of the semi-nomad
People, nature, landscapes, food – experience all that Kyrgyzstan has to offer
Mountains and lakes, high passes and valleys, forests and meadows,
Kyrgyzstan has so much beauty for you to see
About tour
On this 12-day programme you will visit some of the most beautiful parts of the country and get a taste of the history and culture of the semi-nomad. In the yurt camps, especially, enjoy and experience the reality of everyday life in remote mountain villages and high pastures. During the tour you sleep in yurts, B&Bs and guesthouses. In Bishkek stay in a small friendly hotel not far from the centre of town. Transportation is by minibus and an English or German speaking interpreter will accompany the whole tour. To fully enjoy this tour an adventurous attitude and the ability to improvise are needed. Luxury is not available on this trip.
The trip starts with a tour around Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest and second highest mountain lake in the world. On the south shore you will encounter the traditional way of living in a mountain village. From Kochkor you go on to Lake Son-Kul. During the summer months shepherds move their cattle here and live around the lake. Here stay in a yurt. From Son-Kul you start the drive back to Bishkek stopping in the village of Kyzyl-Oi to take part in a festival.
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 we will meet you and take you to the hotel in Bishkek. After lunch we will go sightseeing around Bishkek along with our guide/interpreter. Bishkek is a rather new city built mostly in the Soviet style with wide boulevards, many parks and numerous terraces. A visit to the Osh Bazaar is a special experience and a good way to get an impression of Kyrgyz life. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | Today by minibus to Cholpon Ata, a bathing resort on the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul, 250 km driving. On the way we will stop to visit the Burana Tower, one of the few historical buildings of Kyrgyzstan and a remnant of an old Silk Road town. The tower is part of the minaret of the town of Balasagun that was the capital of the Karahanieden in the 11th century. In 1974 the tower was restored and now you can climb up inside the tower and enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Around the tower you find Balbals (gravestones) from between the 6th and 10th centuries. The small museum contains more artifacts collected in this area. From here we go to Cholpon- Ata where we will stay in a hotel. It is possible to have a swim in the lake. |
| Day 4 | We continue along the north shore of the lake heading for Karakol. On the way to Karakol we stop in the Kyrchyn Valley for a hike. Kyrchyn is the home of the World Nomad Games and has been a gathering point for the Kyrgyz through the centuries. Stay in guesthouse. |
| Day 5 | From here to Jeti Ogus with differently-shaped bright red rocks. Most of the rocks have names and their own legends and stories about their origin (names like Seven Bulls, Broken Heart). Our guide will tell us more about these legends. We will spend the night in yurt camp Sonun. On the way there will be a short hike in Fairy-tale Valley. Here again there are some very impressive rocks formations. |
| Day 6 | In Bokonbaevo we stop to visit a man who hunts with golden eagles, and have a chance to hold one of his birds. The next stop is Kyzyl-Tuu a village where we visit a family that makes yurt decorations and yurt frames. We continue to Kochkor, a centre of felt making. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 7 | Visit Altyn-Kol, a cooperative store, run by the women from the surrounding villages where they show and sell their products. Next to Son-Kul, another 100 km driving. Son-Kul (3.100 m) is a lake on a high plateau above the tree line and surrounded by white topped mountains. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 8 | Day in Son-Kul. This lake is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is 29 kilometres long and 18 wide, with an average depth of 13 metres, and is located on a wide plateau surrounded by mountains that are around 4.000 m high. There are many shepherd families on the plateau and they spend their whole summer here with their horses, cattle, sheep and yaks. We can hike or rent horses (cost not included) to ride in the mountains. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 9 | Drive down the mountains over the Kara-Keche Pass (3.384 m) and descend into the Suusamyr Valley. We will stay in a B&B in the village Kyzyl-Oi. |
| Day 10 | We stay in Kyzyl-Oi today and will visit the local festival. There will be horse games. A folklore show, music and dancing. Stay in B&B in Kyzyl-Oi. |
| Day 11 | Last day and a long drive, first through the Tor-Ashu Tunnel at 3.100 m and then descending to Kara Balta. Here we join the main road to Bishkek where we will arrive in the afternoon. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 12 | 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 | |
| July 17 | July 28 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price | € 1.125 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.