Spirit of Kyrgyzstan

Duration
11 days
Tour Type
Group Tour
Tour Style
Classic
Price From
£3,890pp

Tour Highlights

Our Spirit of Kyrgyzstan tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan's capital, known for its Soviet-era architecture and bustling bazaars

Jeti-Oguz Valley

Discover the iconic “Seven Bulls” rock formation and serene landscapes

Issyk Kul Lake

Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake, sitting at an altitude of over 1,600 metres

Skazka Canyon

Wander among striking red rock formations

Tour Experiences

Sleep under felt and stars

Experience the nomadic lifestyle in comfort, staying in a yurt camp with private en suite bathroom. Wake up by Issyk-Kul Lake, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Soak in Karakol's hot springs

Join the locals in Karakol as you soak in a naturally warm, mineral-rich hot spring, surrounded by the mountain. A simple, traditional way to relax and recharge.

Learn to make delicious borsook

Step into a local kitchen and learn to make borsook, the beloved fried dough of Central Asia, kneading, shaping and frying your way to a taste of authentic nomadic tradition.

Days 1-2

Fly overnight to Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. Early check-in is included. The rest of the day is yours to relax before dinner.
- Dinner
Day 3

Ala Archa National Park
Begin the day surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Ala-Archa National Park, a spectacular alpine haven in the Tian Shan Mountains. Enjoy a leisurely walk among rugged peaks, sparkling streams, and breathtaking gorges. Return to Bishkek for lunch, then discover the city’s highlights: Central Square, the iconic Manas Monument, and a bustling bazaar.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4

Issyk Kul Lake
Depart Bishkek and visit the Museum of Nomadic Civilisation, a fascinating trove of artefacts that tell the story of nomadic peoples through history. Continue to the sparkling northern shores of Issyk Kul, the world’s second-largest mountain lake. Enjoy a boat ride to fully appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5

Journey to Karakol
Journey east along the shoreline of Issyk Kul to Karakol, stopping in the village of Tup for a tour and a tasting of the region’s famous Kyrgyz cheese, kurut. Next, stop at a farm to learn about the breeding of thoroughbred horses and giant Arashan rams, then spend the afternoon soaking in a local hot spring, an essential part of the Karakol lifestyle. This evening, join a welcoming Dungan family for a delicious home-cooked dinner.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6

Explore Karakol
Enjoy an active morning with a walk through the picturesque Karakol Gorge, before returning to the city to visit the Dungan Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church, known for their unusual construction. This afternoon, visit a social enterprise that supports local women and promotes the products they produce, such as jam, dried fruit and felt souvenirs. Tonight, dine on lagman — hand-pulled noodles tossed with spiced lamb, a dish that sits at the heart of Uyghur culture.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7

Jeti-Oguz Gorge
You may wish to rise early this morning to visit the Karakol Animal Market, a bustling spectacle each Sunday that draws local farmers and traders, offering a rare and memorable glimpse into rural Kyrgyz life. Travel along the scenic southern shore of Issyk Kul to the village of Tamga. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famed for its striking red sandstone formations. Take a walk to spot the ‘Broken Heart’ and towering ‘Seven Bulls’, while admiring sweeping views. Arrive at your camp for the next two nights and settle into your cosy yurt. Later, learn from the camp chef how to make ‘manty’, a delicious local favourite of spiced minced meat dumplings.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8

Barskoon Gorge & Skazka Canyon
Visit Skazka Canyon and enjoy a walk among its dramatic red rock formations, discovering why it is also known as ‘Fairytale Canyon’. Continue to Kadji-Sai village to meet a local family of musicians, joining them for a traditional lunch accompanied by a lively folklore performance. In the afternoon, walk through the dense spruce forest and alpine meadows of Barskoon Gorge to reach the famous ‘Tears of the Snow Leopard’ waterfall.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9

Meet an Eagle Hunter
Travel to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. Along the Transfer to the airport for your flight to the way, meet an eagle hunter and see the training process of these magnificent birds. Stop in Kyzyl-Tuu, a village famous for its skilled artisans, learn about the traditional craft of yurt-making. After lunch, continue to Chon- Kemin where you’ll have a hands-on class on how to make the traditional Kyrgyz dish of tash food cooks, before dining on the results.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10

Return to Bishkek
Learn to make boorsok, traditional Kyrgyz bread, enjoying what you prepared with breakfast. Travel to Bishkek with a stop at Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret offering panoramic views of the Chuy Valley and explore the openair museum with ancient balbals. Then, enjoy a demonstration of ulak tartysh, the thrilling traditional horse game of Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic peoples. Return to Bishkek where you’ll have some free time before a farewell dinner.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 11

Fly Bishkek to UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
- Breakfast

Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.

Nights 3

Plaza Hotel

Centrally located within a five-minute walk of the Bishkek White House and close to Ala-Too Square, the Plaza Hotel is a polished city property featuring a spa and wellness centre, indoor pool, sauna and gym. Rooms are well appointed with air conditioning, a fridge, flat-screen TV and satellite channels, and the on-site restaurant serves both national and European cuisine alongside a bar.
Night 1

Karven Four Seasons

Set on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Cholpon-Ata, this four-star resort offers spacious rooms with kitchenette facilities, an outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub and spa. Guests have access to a large restaurant, tennis court, and outside bar, with the beach just a short walk through the resort's gardens.
Nights 2

Green Yard Hotel

A family-run hotel in Karakol, a ten-minute walk from the town centre, and the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake within easy reach. Set around a leafy garden courtyard, it has a relaxed, homely feel, and breakfast - featuring homemade jams and locally inspired dishes - is a particular highlight.
Nights 2

Yurt with en-suite

Sleep as the nomads of Central Asia have for centuries, in a traditional felt yurt on the open Kyrgyz steppe. These circular, hand-crafted dwellings are cosy and well-insulated, with colourful handwoven rugs and ornate felt decorations lining the walls and floors. Each yurt is private with single beds provided and an en-suite bathroom. This is genuine, back-to-basics travel at its most memorable.
Night 1

Chon-Kemin Guesthouse

A family-owned guesthouse in the scenic Chon-Kemin Valley, built with large windows to make the most of the sweeping mountain views, with locally handmade wooden furnishings adding a rustic charm. Breakfast and dinner are both served on site, the staff are welcoming and helpful, and activities such as horse riding can be arranged in the surrounding valley.

Kyrgyzstan is best visited between April and October, when the landscapes are accessible and at their most spectacular. Spring brings blooming valleys and crisp fresh air, summer is ideal for trekking and yurt stays, and September is widely regarded as the finest month of all, with mild days, cooler evenings, and golden autumn colours beginning to sweep through the valleys.