Adventure through the Lakes of Tian Shan

Bishkek

Day 1: Welcome to Bishkek!

Upon arrival into Bishkek International Airport, look out for the friendly faces of our team who will assist you with your luggage before driving you to your hotel in the heart of Kyrgyzstan's capital.

After lunch, once you've checked in and freshened up, you'll embark on a city tour to explore the streets and highlights. You'll visit sites such as Osh Bazaar and the main Ala-To Square before walking along the Oak Park to the open art Gallery of Sculptures.

You'll get to indulge in local cuisine for dinner before heading back to your hotel in the evening.

Bishkek - Chon Kemin

Day 2: Begin the Hike Toward Tory Aigyr

We hope that after a comfortable sleep and a delectable breakfast that you are ready for your first adventure in Kyrgyzstan.

You'll then begin the drive approximately 2.5 hours headed for Chon-Kemin, a valley and national park. It is our starting point for the trek to the gorge, Tory-Aigyr.

Meeting with the local team with horses for your luggage before we start the trek up to the gorge Tory-Aigyr, approximately 4 hours hiking.

Here you can see a unique spectacle – meadows full of edelweiss. We'll spend the evening in tents under a blanket of stars.

Chon Kemin (Trekking)

Day 3: Marvel at Lake Kol-Kogur

Make sure you indulge at breakfast today so that you have the energy for today's trek!

Once you've topped up your energy levels, we'll set off on a hike headed towards the pass of Tory-Aigyr which sits at an elevation of approximately 2400 m before trekking towards the mountain Lake Kol-Kogur (Kol-Tor), a total journey time of 5-6 hours.

Upon arrival, marvel at the lake, a magnificent spectacle in the bright sunshine. It looks like a sapphire set amongst a vast array of silver, snow-covered mountains.

Chon Kemin (Trekking)

Day 4: Immerse Yourself in the Natural Beauty

Another day, another hike - through the splendor of the country's beautiful natural scenery.

After breakfast, we'll begin trekking over the pass of Kol-Kogur which sits at an elevation of approximately 3250 m. Breathe in the fresh air, a relief for those from big cities. 

On our trek of approximately 6 hours, our path passes through alpine meadows where, in summer, local people live with their families and livestock.

We'll get to have a picnic amongst the beauty before trekking down to our spot for the evening where we'll set up camp.

Chon Kemin (Trekking)

Day 5: Trek Through Kol-Kogur Pass

Enjoy a wonderful breakfast in nature before heading out on the trail once more.

Today, you'll be trekking over the pass Kol-Kogur (3250 m) which will take you about 6 hours. The path passes through alpine meadows where, in summer, local people live with their families and livestock.

Have a delectable picnic lunch around noontime and enjoy a break. You'll continue trekking down for 850 m. till the place with water. Stay overnight in tents (2400 m above sea level).

Chon Kemin (Trekking) - Kochkar

Day 6: One Last Day of Trekking

Today is our last day of trekking so we suggest you relish in the adventure of it all. 

Once you've had breakfast, trek down to the mouth of Kol-Tor Valley which will take approximately 3 hours.

We'll settle and have a picnic for lunch, amongst the serenity of nature before transferring to a car where you'll be transferred to Kochkor along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake.

You'll have free time for swimming on the lake before a delectable dinner and spending the evening in Kochkor.

Kochkor - Kyz Art - Kilemche

Day 7: Live Life Like a Local in Kyz Art

We hope that after yesterday’s adventure, you have had a restful night’s sleep because this morning we will be making the journey towards Kliemeche.

After breakfast, we'll visit a women's cooperative where we will see and learn about felt carpets like Shyrdak and Alakiiz before transferring to Kyz Art village. We'll spend lunch in the village before, with a local guide, beginning the horse ride across Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass.

Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass into the Chaar-Archa Valley following the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak.

We'll indulge in dinner once the excursion is complete and spend the night in the Kilemche yurt camp of nomads.

Kilemche - Son Kul

Day 8: Relax in the Serenity of the Mountains

After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass, over the Song-Kol Mountains, and into the lake’s basin.

The morning climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo, and the pass itself is rocky and exciting. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you trek down the slopes for about 2 hours, it gets larger and larger. The mountains on the other side get higher and higher until finally, the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it - it's truly spectacular. 

We'll have lunch in a Yurt camp and you can spend the afternoon at the lakeside. Later on, meet local shepherds and watch their way of life: taste bread and kumyz (the national Kyrgyz drink from mares’ milk) before spending the night at the yurt camp.

Son Kul - Bishkek

Day 9: Dive into Kyrgyzstan's History

We hope that after a comfortable sleep and a delectable breakfast that you are ready for one final adventure in Kyrgyzstan.

Today, we'll begin the journey back to Bishkek. The road goes over the high pass Kalmak Ashuu and after lunch, we'll stop at Burana Tower, one of the only remnants of the Karakhanid Empire in Central Asia.

The tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. Its funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausolea are all that’s left of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century. 

Then's an optional Kyrgyz folklore program during dinner at Bishkek.

Bishkek (Departure)

Day 10: Say Farewell to Kyrgyzstan

This morning you’ll have some free time to spend it your own pace and leisure, enjoying everything that this quaint city has to offer.

Depending on when your flight is, you may need to head straight to the airport.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end but we hope you have enjoyed your time exploring the very best that the region has to offer. The rich natural beauty, storied history, and the people make Kyrgyzstan what it is.

We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!