14-day Kyrgyzstan grand tour

Airport - Bishkek

Day 1: Welcome to Fascinating Kyrgyzstan

Welcome to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. After breakfast in your hotel, you'll start your city tour in Bishkek. Visit the heart of the city, AlaToo Square, where the State Historical Museum is located. After a tour in the museum, you can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys, making the city a wonderful place to live.

After lunch, you will have time to visit the local market Osh bazaar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. As you step into the market, you will be plunged into an authentic oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a wide variety of goods, and an endless array of colors.

In the evening, you'll go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

Bishkek - Toktogul

Day 2: Visit the Reservoir in Toktogul

On the second day of your trip, you will travel through two mountain passes, Ashuu and Alabel. You'll cross the wonderful Suusamyr valley, a paradise for nomads and their cattle. Despite the summer season, you'll get a true winter feeling here.

You will then continue on to Toktogul town, where you will find the largest reservoir of Kyrgyzstan. After lunch in a nearby cafe, you'll take a stroll on the shores of the artificial lake and enjoy the fascinating scenery around you.

Toktogul - Sary Chelek

Day 3: Explore the Lake at Sary Chelek

You'll depart early in the morning in order to reach the unique Biosphere Reserve of Sary Chelek. You'll have a pre-made lunch on the road before arriving at the stunning guesthouse.

Sary Chelek Lake, situated at 1800 meters above sea level, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It was created as the result of a strong earthquake. The valley also has another six small lakes and wide river network.

With its mild climate and temperate weather, the Sary-Chelek reserve will be a delight to explore. You'll take a stroll among the walnut, apple, and pear trees, through Sary Chelek and along the lovely lake.

Sary Chelek - Arslanbob

Day 4: Journey from Sary Chelek to Arslanbob

After breakfast at your guesthouse, you will head out towards Arslanbob, a small village surrounded by a unique walnut-fruit forest. You can stop to admire and take pictures of the breathtaking landscapes you will see on the way. The route will take you along the largest and the most important river in Kyrgyzstan, the Naryn, where you will stop to have lunch.

Once you arrive in Arslanbob in the evening, you can take some time to explore the area on foot with a short hike before you return to the guesthouse for a delicious dinner.

Arslanbob

Day 5: A Magical Walk Through the Walnut Forest

After a warm breakfast at the guesthouse, it is time to explore the majestic walnut forest of Arslanbob. You'll take a walk to a small waterfall where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and wade in the pools below.

Afterwards, you'll hike up to a nearby panoramic point for magnificent views of the entire valley. You can take your time to take some photos and relax before continuing on.

Then, you'll continue your walk to another stunning waterfall. Your route will pass through the walnut forests, where we will have a picnic. In the evening, you'll have dinner with the family that runs your guesthouse.

Arslanbob - Zhalal Abad - Kazarman

Day 6: From Arslanbob to Kazarman

After breakfast, you'll set out on the road to Kazarman village. Along the way, you will cross a section of the Fergana Valley with its endless fields and gorgeous panoramas. You'll stop in Jalal Abad to have lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on the road.

In the evening, you'll arrive at Kazarman. You will be pleasantly surprised by the amazing hospitality of the locals. The people in the southern part of the country are well known for being very welcoming and friendly, and you'll feel at home right away at your new guesthouse.

Kazarman - Son Kul

Day 7: Meet the Nomads at a Yurt Camp

Your guide will drive you to the high-altitude Son Kul Lake, a sight that will take your breath away. Along the way, you will pass through beautiful scenery where you can see yaks and other grazing animals.

When you arrive, you'll be taken to a yurt camp where you can experience the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle, and their customs. Spend the night getting to know the community and learning about their ways of life. You'll sleep in a yurt and experience life as the nomads do. 

Son Kul - Tash Rabat

Day 8: Explore the Interesting Tash Rabat

Set out on a fantastic journey through a mountain pass called Moldo Ashuu, surrounded by unbelievable greenery. The route will take you to the caravanserai Tash Rabat: a historical monument founded by monks in the 10th century. During the Silk Road history, Tash Rabat lost its religious significance and the main function of the monastery became providing a place to stay for caravans and travelers.

You'll take a tour with your local guide and learn all about the history and current role of this monument. After this truly unique and special experience, you will journey back to the yurt camp to spend a second evening in the community.

Tash Rabat - Kochkor

Day 9: Local Handicrafts and a Traditional Music Show

Wake up to a warm and filling breakfast in your yurt. Then, it is time to continue your journey towards Kochkor village, a truly unique site. In Kochkor, the Kyrgyz women will show you how they produce felt, which is used for making different handicrafts. You'll be able to watch them work and try your hand at this special art yourself.

Later on, you'll also have the chance to listen to the national music and folk instruments performed in an exciting concert and music show. You may even see some local traditional dances too if you are lucky. Spend the evening relaxing at your guesthouse to end another exciting day.

Kochkor - Bokonbaewo - Skazka - Tamga

Day 10: Explore the Stunning Skazka Canyons

In the morning, you'll set off to Kyrgyzstan's biggest lake, Issyk Kul. You'll drive along the south shore of the lake where you'll have the chance to explore the beautiful area on foot before continuing on to Skazka.

If you wish, you can stop on the road in Bokonbaevo to meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey. Then, you'll visit the Skazka canyons, which look like something out of a fairytale with their natural formations of surprising shapes and sizes, resembling everything from skyscrapers to animals. In the evening when you arrive at Tamga, you will be able to try a real "banya" Russian bath.

Tamga - Zhety Oguz - Karakol

Day 11: Discover the Jety Oguz Valley and Karakol

After breakfast, you'll head out to explore the Jety Oguz Valley. The name means “seven bulls” and is symbolic of the seven huge red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. A more romantic landmark has the rock "Broken Heart" located at the entrance to the gorge.

When you arrive in Karakol, you will visit its famous sights such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan Mosque. You will also have the chance to taste the typical dish of this region "ashlan fu."

Karakol - Grigoriev And Semienov Gorge - Cholpon Ata

Day 12: Wander the Semienov Gorge and Visit Cholphon Ata

On Day 12, you'll explore the incredible area of Grigoriev and the Semienov Gorge. They are located on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. These places are considered the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kul region.

You'll drive to the first lake at Grigoriev Gorge and have a picnic on the shore, weather permitting. You can take a beautiful walk, enjoy the wild nature around you, and have a pleasant afternoon in this idyllic place.

In Cholpon Ata, you can visit the cultural and spiritual center Ruh Ordo. Here, you'll take a tour with your English-speaking guide and learn all about the people of this region.

Cholpon Ata - Burana - Bishkek

Day 13: Explore the Boom Gorge and Return to Bishkek

It's time to head back to Bishkek. The road to the nation's capital will have you pass through the Boom gorge. On the way, you will visit Burana Tower. The tower has funerary monuments, earthworks, the remains of a castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that remains of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

After lunch, you will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents and souveniers. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner at a traditional Kyrgyz restaurant to celebrate an amazing trip!

Bishkek - Airport

Day 14: Say Goodbye to Incredible Kyrgyzstan

Your time in Kyrgyzstan has come to an end. Pack your backs and get ready to depart. If time allows, you may be able to explore a bit more of the city of Bishkek before heading to the airport.

As you leave this amazing country behind, make sure to look out the window at the wild, untamed landscapes down below. You may be going home, but the memories of your exciting adventures in Kyrgyzstan are coming with you!