Nomadic Life & Mountain Lakes

Duration

14 days, 13 nights

Tour Type

Group Tour

Group Size

Max 12 People

Starting from

1486$

overview

Expedition Overview

Experience the best of Kyrgyzstan on this unforgettable 14-day multi-activity small group tour. Explore ancient historical sites, hike through breathtaking valleys, visit Son Kul, Issyk Kul, and the remote Kel Suu Lake, and enjoy a 4-day trek to the stunning Ala-Kul Lake. Ride horses in Chon Kemin, witness an eagle hunting show, relax in natural hot springs, and stay in traditional Kyrgyz yurts. This journey blends adventure, culture, and nature—perfect for travelers seeking the most complete Kyrgyzstan experience.

Expedition booking

Reserve Your Spot

AVAIABLE DATES 2026

  • 12 Jul – 25 Jul (10 places left)
  • 16 Aug – 29 Aug (10 places left)

Double / Twin Basis

$1400

$1486

Single Basis

$1400

$1486

price per person

A day-by-day technical breakdown

Itenarary

1

Airport - Bishkek city

Arrival in Bishkek. Upon landing at Manas International Airport, our guide will meet you at the arrival gate. Transfer to Bishkek will take 30-40 minutes. Hotel check-in is at 2:00 PM (early check-in is not included). After check-in, you’ll have time to rest from your long flight. In the afternoon, we’ll start a sightseeing tour of Bishkek. The city, relatively young, began as a Russian garrison called “Pishpek” in the 19th century and grew into a city during the Soviet era. Bishkek is known for its tree-lined streets and parks. We will visit Ala-Too Square, the White House, Oak Park, Victory Square, the city center, and a souvenir shop. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
TOTAL DRIVE

40km

MEALS

None

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

2

Bishkek – Burana Tower – Son Kul Lake

After breakfast, we’ll head out to visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun built by the Karakhanids. Around the tower, you’ll see grave markers, ancient earthworks, and the remains of a castle and mausoleums. You’ll also explore a small museum and view Balbals — ancient stone statues. Next, we’ll continue to Son Kul Lake, an alpine lake located at 3,016 meters above sea level. It’s the second-largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan and is surrounded by wide summer pastures and mountains, offering a look into the traditional nomadic lifestyle. At Son Kul, men typically spend their days riding horses and tending cattle brought from nearby villages, while women handle daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, baking bread, and making dairy products from cow and horse milk. You’ll also see many horses freely grazing and roaming in the open pastures. Upon arrival at the lake, you’ll have free time to explore the nomadic lifestyle and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You can also hike to nearby hills for beautiful panoramic views. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a yurt camp.
TOTAL DRIVE

350 km / 5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Yurt camp

3

Son Kul – Naryn town

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a 1-hour horse ride along the lake or up to a nearby panoramic viewpoint. After lunch at the yurt camp, we’ll drive to Naryn, stopping at scenic viewpoints and a waterfall along the way. Upon arrival, we’ll check into a hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.
TOTAL DRIVE

150 km / 3 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

4

Naryn – Kel Suu Lake

After breakfast, we’ll drive to the remote Kok Kiya valley, near Kel Suu Lake. The journey takes time due to road conditions, so we’ll arrive in the afternoon. Check into a yurt camp and have lunch. Kel Suu lake, located near the Chinese border, stretches over 10 kilometers through a mountain gorge. Its name, meaning “incoming water,” reflects its seasonal nature, as the lake sometimes disappears into underground caves. You’ll have free time to explore the Kok Kiya area before dinner. Also, optionally you can go for a horse riding in the valley. Overnight stay in the yurt camp or guesthouse.
TOTAL DRIVE

150 km / 4-5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Guest house/Yurt camp

5

Kel Suu - Naryn Town

After breakfast, we’ll hike (2.5 hours one way) to explore Kel Suu Lake. Enjoy the serene beauty of the area, have a picnic lunch by the lake, and take in the breathtaking scenery. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Naryn town. Check into a hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.
TOTAL DRIVE

150 km / 4-5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

6

Naryn – Ak Sai Canyon – Bokonbaevo village

In the morning, we’ll head to Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake globally. Along the way, we’ll stop at Ak Sai canyon on the lake’s southern shore where we’ll hike up to the Ak Sai canyon viewpoint, offering stunning views of the lake, mountains, and the canyon itself. The scenery is truly amazing, and you’ll enjoy every moment of it. Then, we’ll arrive at Bokonbaevo village where we’ll explore and watch golden eagle hunters show their hunting skills with eagles. Then we’ll settle into the next yurt camp by the Issyk Kul lake shore, or guesthouse in Bokonbaevo village. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the yurt camp(or guest house).
TOTAL DRIVE

265 km / 5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Yurt camp/guesthouse

7

Bokonbaevo – Skazka canyon – Barskoon Waterfalls – Jeti Oguz – Karakol town

In the morning, we’ll visit the captivating Skazka(Fairytale) Canyon, known for its breathtaking scenery in Kyrgyzstan. We’ll take a walk or hike up to panorama admiring the canyon and taking numerous photos. Then, we’ll journey to Barskoon valley. In Barskoon valley, we’ll hike to the waterfalls, enjoying the picturesque surroundings and capturing memorable moments with our cameras. Next, our adventure takes us to Jeti Oguz Rocks, where we’ll explore the striking red rocks, hike to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the impressive Seven Bulls Rocks, and snap some memorable photos. Later, we’ll drive to Karakol town for dinner and an overnight stay.
TOTAL DRIVE

250 km / 4 hours

MEALS

Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

8

Karakol - Karakol gorge - Sirota camp (start of the 4-day hiking to Ala Kul lake)

Trekking distance/time: 11km / 6 hours, Ascent: 600 meters. Transfer from Karakol town to the trailhead in the beautiful Karakol Valley, passing by lively rivers. You’ll be dropped off near a bridge where our hike begins towards the lunch spot. Explore this gorge on foot, admiring its lush green slopes adorned with evergreen trees. You might even see a herd of horses grazing, adding to the scenery. After lunch, continue hiking in this peaceful setting up to the Sirota Campsite, which sits at 3000 meters. Once at the campsite, take a stroll around the area and unwind in this tranquil spot surrounded by spruce trees.
TOTAL DRIVE

Trekking

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Tents/Yurts

9

Sirota - Ala Kul Lake - Ala Kul Pass - Keldyke Valley (trekking)

Trekking distance/time: 9 km, 7 hours, Ascent: +850m This day includes a challenging hike that winds through rocky paths and large stones for about 3 hours until you reach the stunning Ala Kul Lake at an altitude of 3,500 meters. This pristine glacier-fed lake shines with a bright turquoise color and offers breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch by the lakeshore before continuing the ascent to Ala Kul Pass at 3,950 meters. From the pass, you’ll admire the rugged, icy peaks of the Terskey Ala-Too range, part of the impressive Tian Shan Mountains. Take a moment to appreciate the vastness and beauty of these towering peaks before descending along a steep trail to our campsite in the picturesque Keldyke Valley at 3,200 meters.
TOTAL DRIVE

Trekking

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Tents/Yurts

10

Keldyke - Altyn Arashan valley (trekking)

Trekking distance/time: 11 km, 4 hours, Ascent: – 750m After breakfast, we set off for our yurt camp, passing through the picturesque Altyn Arashan Valley with its verdant pastures and calm, flowing rivers. The journey takes about 3-4 hours, and you may need to cross a stream along the way, but it’s not deep. Upon reaching our yurt camp at 2450 meters altitude, you’ll discover that Altyn-Arashan translates to ‘Golden Spa’ due to its renowned hot sulfur springs. Here, you can take a relaxing bath in the natural hot spring pools, easing any muscle soreness after three days of hiking.
TOTAL DRIVE

Trekking

MEALS

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Yurt camp/Guesthouse

11

Altyn Arashan - Ak Suu village – Karakol town (trekking)

Trekking distance/time: 10 km / 4 hours, Descent: – 450m, We hike around to explore the natural springs before leaving the camp around lunchtime. The sight of Peak Palatka, towering at 5260 meters, and the “Swallow’s Nest Pool” beneath the open sky will stay with you. In the afternoon, we hike for about 4 hours to reach Ak Suu village, where our driver will pick us up for a 30-minute drive to Karakol town. The trail follows a beautiful river flowing through the valley most of the time.
TOTAL DRIVE

Trekking

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

12

Karakol - Grigorievka & Semenovka gorges - Kok Moinok canyon - Chon Kemin valley

After breakfast, we leave Karakol and travel toward the northern shore of Issyk Kul. Our first stop is the Grigorievka and Semenovka gorges, two neighboring valleys known for their peaceful scenery and open alpine landscapes. You can take a short walk, enjoy the fresh air, and spend some time surrounded by nature. We continue to Cholpon Ata for lunch at a local café. Then we head to Kok Moinok canyon, a narrow clay canyon with bright colors and unusual formations shaped by wind and water. A brief walk here offers simple but beautiful views. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the quiet Chon Kemin valley. We settle into a guesthouse, enjoy a homemade dinner, and relax for the evening.
TOTAL DRIVE

330 km / 5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Guest house

13

Chon Kemin - Bishkek

After breakfast, you can enjoy a relaxed morning in the Chon Kemin valley. We’ll go for a horse ride through the open meadows and surrounding hills, where the calm landscapes create a peaceful start to the day. If you’re interested, there is also an option to watch a traditional Kyrgyz horse games performance at a special field nearby (optional; extra cost). We return to the guesthouse for lunch, enjoying simple homemade dishes prepared by the local family. Later in the afternoon, we drive back to Bishkek. Upon arrival, we settle into the hotel and have dinner in the city.
TOTAL DRIVE

160 km / 2.5 hours

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel 3*

14

Bishkek - Airport

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your departure flight
TOTAL DRIVE

45 minutes

MEALS

Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION

None

A comprehensive breakdown

The Full Provision

What's Included:

  • All transfers, including transfers from/to the airport
  • Meals – as per program(Breakfasts – 13, Lunches – 8, Dinners – 7)
  • Accommodation in hotels(twin/double and single rooms) – 6 nights
  • Accommodation in tents/yurts/guest houses(2-4 pax in one room) – 7 nights
  • English-speaking guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Eagle hunting show
  • Horse riding in Son Kul
  • Horse riding in Chon Kemin
  • Border permits to Kel Suu lake
  • All mentioned excursions & activities

What's Not included:

  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • International flights
  • Optional activities
  • Folklore show (optional)
  • Horse games show (optional)
  • Porters (optional; luggage person during trekking; extra 55 USD/day)
  • Tips for driver and guide (optional)

Fixed departures

Price & Dates

Join a collective of like-minded explorers on our scheduled group expeditions. These dates are guaranteed to run regardless of final group size.

Available Dates 2026

  • 12 Jul – 25 Jul (10 places left)
  • 16 Aug – 29 Aug (10 places left)

Price/person

Double / Twin Basis

$1400

$1486

Single Basis

$1400

$1486

*Optional Add-ons

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