Short treks DE
15-day tour, in small groups, since 2020
Two-week tour in Tong with 3 days trekking and day hikes
Day hikes and a 3-day trek
The day hikes show the variety of landscapes that we have in Kyrgyzstan, and the trek will let you enjoy crossing magnificent high passes
About tour
This tour suits people who are interested in the nomadic way of life and the culture of the Kyrgyz people. For the hiking you need to be in good physical condition. About 4-6 hours walking a day in mountainous terrain should be within your abilities. You need to be a little adventurous and not to expect luxury.
On this tour you travel through the beautiful mountains and alpine pastures of Kyrgyzstan, and will encounter the culture and experience the everyday life of the nomads in Kyrgyzstan. Sleep in yurts, the felt tent houses of the nomadic herdsmen and in a mountain lodge. From the yurt camps it is possible to hike into the high mountains accompanied by a guide. In the evening you will return to the yurt camp and plan how far to go the next. And if you just want to stay put in the yurt camp and watch daily life, then that is no problem.
During the three trekking days you walk from Temir-Kanat to Tosor or the other way around. This hike is reasonably challenging, hiking through a hilly area at an altitude of between 2.200 – 2.400 m, crossing a over pass of 3.350 m and one of 2.890 m. On the third day of the trek you arrive at Manjyly yurt camp or Temir-Kanat yurt camp. Whilst the trekking you sleep in small tents that will be carried on horseback, as will the luggage. An interpreter, guide and horsemen will be with you all the way. In the beginning of the trip there is a day hike in the canyons of the Boom Valley. Also it is possible to walk part of the route to the yurt camps that you will visit during this tour. In Manjyly you can go swimming in Lake Issyk Kul or hike in the badlands.
In Bishkek the accommodation is in a nice friendly hotel, and in the countryside in family-run yurt camps. Throughout the whole tour an English or German speaking guide/interpreter will accompany you.
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 our hotel. Free until lunch and then sightseeing in the afternoon. Accommodation in Umai Hotel (or similar). |
| Day 3 | Day trip Ala-Archa National Park, about 40 km south east of Bishkek. We will hike along the trail to the waterfalls of the Ala-Archa River, a rather strenuous hike. The flora in this park is very rich and many species typical for this habitat can be found. Picnic lunch, stay in hotel. |
| Day 4 | Leave Bishkek by minibus and, near Tokmok, we will stop to visit an architectural complex from the 10th Century that has survived from the times of the Great Silk Road. We will see and climb the Burana Tower, and visit the mausoleums that have been reconstructed. We will also see Balbals, grave stones from the middle ages. From here we continue to Chon Kemin, a valley along the border with Kazakhstan, where we will stay in a nice guesthouse at the edge of the village. |
| Day 5 | Day in the Chon Kemin Valley. This long valley lies at altitudes of between 1.400 m and 2.800 m. It has verdant pastures, woodland (of Tien Shan firs), several mountain lakes and spectacular views of the mountains. Hike in the mountains. Stay in guesthouse. |
| Day 6 | We leave Chon Kemin and drive to the Boom Gorge for a 4 to 5 hours hike in the Konorchok Canyons with red aeolian (wind) outcroppings. From here we continue to Kara-Talaa on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul and stay with a local family. |
| Day 7 | Our first stop today is in Kyzyl-Tuu, a village well known for the making of yurt frames. We will visit a family that will show us how this is done. Here we leave the main road and drive into the Kongur Ölung Valley to the village of Toguz-Bulak where we have lunch with a local family and then continue to the yurt camp Temir-Kanat at 2.450 m. The last part up to the yurt camp hiking again. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 8 | Day in Temir-Kanat, horse riding and/or hiking. We can visit some nomad families and see the making of Kumus, fermented mare milk. On horseback we can ride up till around 3.000 m and get close to the glacier. |
| Day 9-10 | Trekking over alpine meadows and crossing high passes of 2.890 and 3.350 m. Luggage on horseback, overnight stay in tents. 4-6 hours hiking a day. |
| Day 11 | Arrive in Tosor Canyon (2.100 m). A half-day hike to the place where the minibus will meet us to bring us to the yurt camp Manjyly near the lake. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 12 | We leave Manjyly after breakfast and drive to Kochkor, a centre of feltmaking. Here we have lunch and can visit the cooperative felt shop where we can see and, if wanted, buy shyrdaks, the felt carpets for which Kochkor is so well known. After lunch we continue to Son-Kul, a lake at 3.100 m. Here we will stay in a yurt (we will need warm clothes as it will be cold at night). |
| Day 13 | Day at Son-Kul, hiking around the lake and in the mountains. Here it is possible to rent horses (cost not included). Stay in yurt. |
| Day 14 | By car back to Bishkek. In the afternoon some time for shopping. Stay in hotel. |
| 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 | |
| June 8 | June 22 |
| August 6 | August 20 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price | € 1.295 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.