7-Day Tour of Kyrgyzstan
The route links Bishkek, Ysyk-Ata, Chon-Kemin, the canyons and Issyk-Kul's south shore. It combines short walks, road journeys, meals with local families and yurt stays for a group of 5-14 people. Guiding and explanations are in Russian only.
Tour programme
Day 1 the journey begins
We meet at the hotel in Bishkek, get to know the group and go out for a welcome dinner featuring local dishes.
Day 2 the culture and landscapes of Chon-Kemin
After breakfast, we walk to a waterfall in the picturesque Ysyk-Ata Gorge. We then visit a local family, prepare boorsok together and enjoy homemade beshbarmak. After lunch, we check into a welcoming hotel set in a secluded spot on a mountainside, with a sweeping view across the Chon-Kemin Valley. In the evening, we take a gentle horse ride through nearby meadows and woodland, have dinner and relax by the fire.
Day 3 secrets of the canyons
After breakfast, we travel to Kok-Moinok Canyon and its unusual rock formations. We have lunch with a local host and assemble a Kyrgyz yurt together. We then continue to Ak-Sai Canyon and check into a yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul in the evening.
Day 4 the south shore
After breakfast, there is time to relax or take a walk. We then meet a berkutchi, learn about the tradition of hunting with golden eagles and see the birds up close. After visiting Skazka Canyon and the Barskoon waterfalls, we have dinner with a Dungan family and check into our hotel.
Day 5 mountains and hot springs
After breakfast, a GAZ-66 off-road vehicle takes us into Altyn-Arashan Gorge. We walk through the valley, have lunch among the mountains and pine forest, then relax in the hot springs. After dinner, we return to the hotel where we stayed before.
Day 6 Issyk-Kul
After breakfast, we go kayaking on Issyk-Kul. We have trout for lunch at a café, then walk through Jeti-Oguz Gorge among its red rocks. By evening, we reach a yurt camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7 farewell to the Tian Shan
After breakfast, there is free time followed by a concert of Kyrgyz music, featuring the komuz and an epic recitation. After lunch, we return to Bishkek, check into the hotel and meet for a final dinner.
Meet your guides
We are Dmitry and Maria Kalyuzhny, qualified adventure tourism guides. We studied at a tourism school in St Petersburg, qualified as instructors and completed rescue training.
We live and work in Kyrgyzstan, guiding groups through the gorges, lakes and mountain routes of the Tian Shan.
dimamashakgWhat is included?
Included
Accommodation in twin rooms and yurts according to the confirmed programme
All transfers along the route
Admission to all paid attractions on the route
Guides throughout the tour
All breakfasts
Almost all lunches and dinners
Not included
Flights
Travel insurance. It is compulsory for every participant; confirm the required cover before payment
Taxis to and from the airport
Lunch on Day 6. Dinners on Days 1, 5 and 7
Personal expenses
Single-room supplement