Kyrgyzstan Holiday Tour

Thanks for choosing our Kyrgyzstan holiday packages! Upon your arrival in Bishkek, our guide and the driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to the downtown hotel. If your flight arrives early, we’ll then enjoy a tour to explore the capital city. Formerly known as Frunze, Bishkek was once an important administrative and industrial hub of the Soviet Union, with its lingering influences displayed in wide boulevards, simple and practical architecture, and several remaining monuments and statues like Lenin, Marx, and Engels.

Our first stop is the Old Square, which was the city’s center before Ala-Too Square was built. It now hosts some government buildings and faces the revered statue of Lenin, a Russian revolutionary and politician. Next, we’ll visit Oak Park, strolling along the trail amidst rustling leaves and admiring the carefully manicured garden. When pausing by the monument honoring heroes of the Eastern Front in WWII, our guide will share poignant stories about the soldiers. Continue walking southward to Ala-Too Square, whose name means ‘rolling mountains’, a fitting name since two-thirds of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous. You might see the Heavenly Mountains in the distance if the weather is clear! We’ll conclude today’s sightseeing with a visit to the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Abdylas Maldybaye, whose harmonious proportion pays homage to ancient Greek architecture. After enjoying it from the outside, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

► Activity & Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): 
If you’re still energetic, consider watching a captivating National Opera and Ballet Theatre performance. Prepare to be swept away by classics like Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, all for an incredibly affordable ticket price ranging from KGS 100 to 1,000 (USD 1-11). After the show, you can hail a taxi with the Yandex Go app to Café Faiza, which serves authentic Central Asian dishes like Lagman, Manti, and Samsa. Please download Google Translate beforehand, as the menu is in Kyrgyz and Russian.
Average Cost per Person: KGS 500-700 (USD 6-8)
Address: Ibek Jolu Ave, Bishkek 720033 Kyrgyzstan

 Internet & SIM Card Tips:
While most restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels in Bishkek offer free Wi-Fi, using a local SIM card can facilitate your free time exploration. MegaCom is more recommended because it has the widest signal coverage. A 40 GB data package for about KGS 490 (USD 5.6) is generally available for a 9-day trip, as we’ll travel to many mountainous areas with weak signals. You can easily buy the card at a convenience or retail store with your valid passport.

Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Bishkek Centre Hotel (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a 2-hour drive to the UNESCO-listed Burana Tower, a testament to the rise and fall of the ancient Balasagun civilization. Founded by the Sogdians in the early 9th century, Balasagun was a vital hub along the Silk Road connecting China to Central Asia. Its strategic location endowed the city with prosperity, once housing intricate tiled rooms, over 3,000 copper coins and jewelry items, and ceramic water pipes. However, currently, only the Burana Tower remains, and you can climb to its top for panoramic views of the surroundings, which are dotted with ancient petroglyphs portraying Turkic figures and stone tablets carved with Arabic scripts. Since the interior staircase lacks lighting, please turn on your mobile phone’s flashlight to navigate the narrow and steep steps.

Let’s continue our adventure to the Chon Kemin Valley. After checking into a guesthouse on the edge of the Kemin village, we’ll hike along winding trails to watch fir trees and wildflowers carpeting hillsides, explore the 4th-century BC tombs, and meet with curious marmots in the valley… There is too much to unveil, and thus, we leave free exploration time for every explorer! You can take a cable car or ride a horse at your own expense to marvel at the valley’s overwhelming majesty that takes your breath away and enjoy the fresh air, or perhaps observe local fishermen patiently waiting for trout to bite. We advised wearing anti-slip shoes and packing layered clothing and a raincoat to cope with changeable weather conditions.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kok-Archa Guesthouse, Chon Kemin or similar

Today, we’ll delve deep into the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake and often described as dreamy and mysterious. Legend has it that during a fierce battle with an enemy army, Kyrgyz warriors felt relief when they saw the lake’s turquoise water, stretching like an endless sea, and eventually made peace. The lake’s true magic lies in its high salinity, which keeps it from freezing in winter even when the shores are covered in snow. 

Our guide will first accompany you to the Nomad Museum in Sary-Oi. Inspired by a yurt, the museum captivates you with authentic nomadic life through exhibits like weaving tools, carpets, and traditional costumes. Among these, the Kalpak felt hat stands out, with a white top resembling a snow-capped mountain and a dark bottom like foothills. Some pavilions, statues, and bus station designs also adopt this distinctive shape. Beyond offering sun protection and warmth for nomads, it’s now worn during important events like weddings, funerals, and family festivities.

Next, make our way to Cholpon Ata, stopping at the Museum of Petroglyphs. Ancients from 2,000 years ago carved various designs on thousands of granite rocks here, depicting wild goats, snow leopards, and archers, which are classical Turkic-Mongol images.

Upon arriving at Cholpon Ata, you can unwind at your leisure. Known for therapeutic mud and mineral-rich waters, Cholpon Ata has been a health resort since the mid-19th century. It now draws tourists worldwide to enjoy its pristine white beaches, shimmering Issyk-Kul Lake, and laid-back atmosphere.

► Recommended Activities (at your own expense):
1. Hot Springs: If you want to experience soothing hot springs, Ak-Bermet is recommended, where you can soak in open-air hot springs or relax in jacuzzis.
2. Local Specialty: Don’t miss trying white sturgeon at lakeside restaurants, grilled over charcoal with a crispy outside and a juicy inside.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kapriz Issyk Kul Resort, Cholpon Ata (3 stars) or similar

In the morning, you’ll enjoy a 1.5-hour private transfer to Grigorevka Gorge and hike with our guide for an hour. Its gentle slopes and imposing rugged cliffs, cut by a river descending from the Heavenly Mountains, are all shaded by towering blue spruces. Wandering through trails surrounded by rare alpine poppies and irises, you’ll be deeply intoxicated in the unbroken wilderness. Three gleaming lakes on the west side also beckon to our exploration, named Upper, Middle, and Lower Lakes to echo their altitudes. The Middle Lake, in particular, is set against the backdrop of summer pastures, and you may spot a local herder tending his flock of sheep.

Then a 3-hour drive will lead us to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan’s fourth-largest city. Secluded by the vast Issyk-Kul Lake, it is far away from other towns in the state, thus remaining exceptionally quiet. Most buildings on the street were constructed during the Tsarist rule in the late 19th century, and their painted walls, high ceilings, and shutters look charming under the poplar trees. After checking into a local hotel, you can head out to explore the city on your own.

► Top Experiences in Karakol (at your own expense):
1. Relax in a Russian Banya: Wash away the weariness of the day by experiencing steam enveloping your skin, oak branches slapping your body to boost circulation, and a cold pool refreshing your senses. As a reference, prices range from KGS 200-500 (USD 2-6) per person.
2. Culinary Adventure: Treat yourself to local delights like Ashlan-fu, a cold soup with starch balls, vinegar, chili peppers, eggs, and diced vegetables, which was brought to Karakol by the Dungans, referring to Muslims who originated from northwestern China.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Green Yard Hotel, Karakol (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your guided exploration of Karakol will start at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Originally a brick church, it was rebuilt entirely from wood after a devastating earthquake. You can admire its five gilded onion domes, a cross symbolizing Orthodox, and a lovely rose garden in front of the church. The interior of the church, decorated with exquisite icons and murals, provides a peaceful space for reflection. Please note that women are required to wear a headscarf during the visit, which is available at the entrance.

Our next stop is the Dungan Mosque, built by the Dungans in the late 19th century, who fled war from China across the Heavenly Mountains to Kyrgyzstan. After arriving in Karakol, they decided to build a mosque to maintain their faith while differentiating from the local style, inviting a well-known architect from Beijing to design it. Consequently, the mosque is named after their ethnic group, and the roof has unique upturned eaves. You can appreciate colorful wooden carvings on the façade, featuring fruit and vegetable patterns. Now, about 50,000 Dungans live in Kyrgyzstan, and they still retain some Chinese customs, such as eating with chopsticks and wearing traditional red Xiuhe bridal gowns at weddings.

Our afternoon destination is the Karakol National Park. Follow your guide to hike up slopes, and you’ll be rewarded with dense seabuckthorn, rosehip shrubbery, and expansive grasslands. In summer, it’s possible to encounter herds of cows roaming and grazing. As we ascend higher, the scenery will change into large areas of spruce and pine forests, where alpine landscapes will reshape your travel experience.

 Note: If it is Sunday, we’ll visit the Animal Market in the morning. Every animal is traded in designated areas, mainly sheep, cattle, and horses, and they gaze around confusedly at crowded people when waiting for their new owners. You’ll see buyers check livestock’s bodies to confirm their health conditions and then negotiate with the sellers. Remember to wear shoes that are easy to clean, as you might get some animal droppings on them.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Green Yard Hotel, Karakol (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, hit the road to Jeti-Oguz Canyon with a 40-minute drive. At an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,218 feet), it attracts you with dark red rock formations rising from alpine forests. The most famous Seven Bulls Rocks, whose name suggests the shapes, will welcome you at the entrance. We’ll hike along the trail behind Jeti-Oguz village to an observation deck, where you can admire the left rolling hills and right eroded marble canyons, while letting your imagination run wild at the rocks. Another notable formation is Broken Heart, whose name alludes to many sad love stories, and you’ll hear one of them from the guide! Then we’ll escort you back to the hotel in Karakol for rest, after which you’re free to explore at your own pace.

► Recommended Restaurant (at your own expense): 
Multicultural settlements have shaped the rich cuisine of Karakol. Want to experience them all at once? You can visit Dastorkon Restaurant, open until 23:00. The cozy ambiance, adorned with colorful fabrics and wooden carvings, invites you to sit at the low tables to try the local dish Kuurdak - grilled beef or mutton seasoned with onions and garlic, served with potatoes and green peppers, with a smoky flavor reminiscent of nomadic outdoor cooking. Chinese Spicy Noodles, Thai Salad, and Roll Dog are also popular choices. English-speaking staff will assist with your orders. Given its popularity, it is best to grab a table in advance.
Average Cost per Person: KGS 1,000-1,500 (USD 11-17)
Address: 107 Prjevalskogo, Karakol, 722200, Kyrgyzstan

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Green Yard Hotel, Karakol (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll drive for about an hour to Juuku Valley. Stretching over 50 kilometers (31 miles), it is one of the longest valleys in the area. Centuries ago, Silk Road caravans set out from Xinjiang Province in northwestern China, trekked through high-altitude deserts and marshes, and finally passed through here, leaving behind ruins of gold mines to be explored. Climbing to the upper sections, you’ll marvel at the blue, green, and purple hues of waterfalls and alpine lakes in the sunlight. The valley also hides relaxing hot springs, housed in concrete structures like yurts. If you wish, experience it at your own expense to unwind.

★ Stay Overnight in a Yurt like a Nomad

Have you dreamed of experiencing Kyrgyzstan’s daily life in nature? It will be fulfilled today! A short one-hour drive will bring you to the yurt camp near Skazka Canyon for check-in. For thousands of years, Central Asian nomads have migrated with yurts, adapting to the mountainous landscape and the demand of herding. Even Genghis Khan and his armies carried yurts across Eurasia during their conquests. Unlike thick and low Mongolian yurts, Kyrgyz yurts are taller. Their white exteriors stand out on grasslands, and skylights help keep the interior cool in summer while felt covers shield against winter winds. This is a world far from modern civilization, with no signals, offering a peaceful escape into the wilderness. You can explore the yurt’s construction, listen to local stories from our guide, step outside to enjoy a panorama of Skazka Canyon and Issyk-Kul Lake, and stargaze at the Milky Way on clear nights.

 Tips: Our well-selected modern yurt camp has heating, sockets, with private showers and toilets. However, due to limited resources, electricity may not always be available. We recommend bringing a portable power bank and wet wipes just in case.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Royal Gate Yurt Hotel at Skazka Canyon or similar

Start today’s tour with a visit to Skazka Canyon, also called the Canyon Fairy Tale. Its charm lies not only in unearthly yellow, orange, and red eroded sandstone cliffs but also in formations and imagination. Follow our guide to hike along a moderate route, and observe intricate pleats on those bizarre formations sculptured by wind and rain, resembling narrow and serrated spines on stegosauruses’ backs. Some of the whimsical rocks look like castles, towers, and giants, the most spectacular of which are reminiscent of the Great Wall of China. We’ll take some time at the Low viewpoint, where you can experiment with various photographic views. Despite offering better views, Steep Viewpoint is not recommended due to unstable terrain and the risk of landslides.
 Tips: The soft and sandy ground can be slippery, so please wear anti-slip shoes and follow your guide’s footprints. Moreover, since the canyon has no shade, slather on thick sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and stay hydrated during your visit.

Afterwards, we’ll drive 40 minutes to Bokonbayevo Village and watch an amazing golden eagle hunting show there. In past times, a hunting bird could support a small settlement, and they were revered as family members by the Kyrgyz people. Training the bird is not an easy task, as a hunter needs to spend 3-4 years teaching it to recognize his voice and commands, become familiar with the smell of animal fur, and return to his arms after a successful hunt. Although the era of hunting for sustenance has faded, Kyrgyz people have inherited this tradition as part of their national identity and celebrate it at the annual Salburun Festival, held on the first Saturday of August. If you visit during this time, you can also watch expert horse archers showing their skills, like mounted acrobats and hunting dogs fighting with wolves, with a backdrop of traditional music and dance.

Then embark on a 4.5-hour drive back to Bishkek, and you’ll be whisked away to the hotel upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Bishkek Centre Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Your trip will come to an end after breakfast. Our guide and the driver will send you to the airport to catch your flight home. Wish you a joyful and fulfilling trip!

► For Your Information: If your flight is in the late afternoon, consider relaxing at Panfilov Park, where you can sit on a bench to watch children play and listen to locals playing instruments. Enjoying a ride on the Ferris Wheel for panoramic views is also a great choice, allowing you to admire the cityscape and recall your childhood memories. For reference, it costs KGS 150 (USD 2) per adult. Alternatively, you can explore the Soviet architecture around the park, including the circus with a UFO-like exterior, the sharp-edged Wedding Palace with tall windows, and large murals on the Textile Factory’s facades.

If you want to see more of the breathtaking Heavenly Mountains, or extend your trip to Tajikistan or Xinjiang, China, don’t hesitate to contact our travel consultants to tailor your itinerary!

Meals: Breakfast