9D8N Discover Nomadic Kyrgyzstan

Upon arrival at Bishkek Airport, meet your Kyrgyz guide and driver for a transfer to the city center. Enjoy an afternoon city tour, exploring the highlights of Bishkek. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and the only remaining structure of the ancient city of Balasagun. Explore the surrounding open-air museum featuring balbals, ancient carved stone figures. Enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz lunch at a local family home, featuring Besh-Barmak. Continue to Chon-Kemin Valley, where you can take a walk to experience local village life.

Begin the day with a one-hour horse ride to Kok-Archa Gorge, followed by a short hike to explore the area. After lunch at Kok-Archa Eco Lodge, transfer to Kochkor Village, a famous handicrafts center. Witness the making of traditional felt carpets (Shyrdak) and learn about Kyrgyz craftsmanship.

After visiting Kochkor Animal Bazaar, travel to Song Kul Lake, a high-altitude lake at 3016m. Experience nomadic life on the jailoo (summer pastures), with grazing herds of horses and sheep. Stay in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt, taste kymyz (fermented mare’s milk), and stargaze under the clear mountain skies.

Journey along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, stopping at Kyzyl-Tuu Village, where you’ll learn to erect a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. Meet a local eagle hunter for a demonstration of this ancient tradition. Visit the colorful Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon) for a short hike and continue to Jety Oguz Gorge, home to the famous red rock formations Seven Bulls and Broken Heart.

After breakfast, enjoy a morning hike in Jety Oguz Gorge, followed by lunch at the yurt camp. Transfer to Karakol, where you’ll visit the Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque, a unique wooden structure built without nails. Dinner with a local Dungan family, accompanied by a folk show.

Take a 4WD vehicle to Altyn Arashan Gorge, renowned for its scenic beauty and thermal springs. Spend the day hiking through the gorge, surrounded by lush forests and stunning mountain views. Return to Karakol in the evening for dinner.

Travel along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Stop in Cholpon-Ata for a boat ride on the lake. Upon arrival in Bishkek, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and check in to your hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Bishkek, visiting Ala-Too Square, the Historical Museum, Lenin Statue, and Oak Park. If time allows, stop by Osh Bazaar for last-minute shopping. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.