Easter in Kyrgyzstan
10-day tour, in small groups
A tour around Issyk-Kul starting with the Orthodox Easter celebrations in Bishkek.
Islam and Orthodox Christianity live harmoniously side-by-side in Kyrgyzstan, and we will show you some of the interesting places of worship.
Coloured eggs and Easter bread, a bustling cathedral with its onion domes,
all await you when you visit.
About tour
On this 10 day programme we will visit the most beautiful parts of the country and become acquainted with the history and culture of the semi- nomads. At this time of the year all the fruit trees are blossoming and the grass is still fresh and green. Transportation is by Mercedes minibus and an English or German speaking guide/interpreter will be with us for the whole tour. To fully enjoy this tour you need an adventurous spirit and the ability to improvise when necessary.
The trip will take us around Lake Issyk-Kul where you will meet a man who hunts with birds of prey, see the famous red rocks on the south shore, and visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Dugan Mosque in Karakol. On the north side of the lake you will see the petroglyphs, rock drawings of the Scythians made between the 11e -3e century B.C.
Hiking or horse riding will be possible during the tour.
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 your hotel. After a light lunch we will go sightseeing Bishkek with our guide/interpreter. |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Ala Archa National Park, about 40 km from Bishkek. If you want, you can hike up to a waterfall at 2665 m. or make a less strenuous hike in a lower area and enjoy the spring flowers. Picnic lunch. As it is the evening before Eastern there are already special services in the orthodox Church which you might want to attend. Stay in hotel Umai. |
| Day 4 | Today is Easter Sunday (Paska) for the Christian Orthodox Church. We will visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral to get a flavour of the celebrations. We will also get to try brightly coloured eggs and kulich, the traditional Easter bread. Stay in the Umai Hotel. |
| Day 5 | We leave Bishkek and drive to the famous Issyk-Kul Lake. Near Tokmok we stop to visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of town at the Silk Road. From here we continue to Kyzyl-Tuu at the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul where we will visit a family, experienced in making yurt frames and yurt decorations. We will spend the night with a local family in in Temir-Kanat, a village in the mountains. |
| Day 6 | In the morning there is an opportunity to take a walk in the mountains or go horse riding. On the way to the yurt camp, Sonun, we visit a falconer who hunts with eagles. He will tell us about his craft and show us his birds. Overnight stay in a yurt in a yurt camp on the shore of the lake. |
| Day 7 | Continuing further along the southern shore of the lake. The first stop is in Skaska, (Russian for fairy tale), a small valley with very strange “fairytale” eroded hills. Then to the Juuku valley, known for its red rock formations and hot springs. If desired, we can take a bath here. The next stop is in Jeti Ogus, one of the most beautiful valleys of Kyrgyzstan with famous fire-red rocks with names such as “broken Heart” and “Seven Oxen”. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Karakol. |
| Day 8 | A tour of Karakol that will include the Russian Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque in Karakol. Then we will start heading along the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul to.Tamchy We will stop to see the Kyrchyn Valley, home of the World Nomad Games and a traditional gathering point of the Kyrgyz in the centuries gone past, full of blossoming almond trees. In Cholpon Ata we visit an archaeological open-air museum where we can see petroglyphs, rock drawings from the time of Skyten. A visit to the Nomad museum in Chon-Sary-Oi is next. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Tamchy. |
| Day 9 | Leave Tamchy for Bishkek, where we arrive in the early afternoon. Some time for shopping. Stay in the Umai Hotel. |
| Day 10 | 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 17 | April 26 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For 4-5 persons | |
| Price | € 1180 p.p. |
| For 6 and more persons | |
| Price | € 930 p.p. |
For bookings of 4, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. Other discount possible.
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.