Kyrgyzstan Walking Explorer

10 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Dominated by majestic mountain ranges, Kyrgyzstan has been nicknamed the Switzerland of Central Asia. Yet despite its seemingly endless natural beauty, it remains undiscovered by mass tourism, making it the ideal destination for culturally curious travellers. Come and explore this magnificent land on foot, the best way to truly appreciate the natural wonders....
$3,159
From$2,340
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Hike to alpine lakes in the Jergalan Valley
    • Explore the southern shores of Issyk Kul on foot
    • Get a taste of nomadic life with a yurt stay at Son-Kul
    • Walk amid spruce forests in Ala-Archa National Park
    • Visit Burana Tower, a 12th-century minaret
    • Experience Kyrgyz village life in Chon Kemin

What's this trip about?

    Dominated by majestic mountain ranges, Kyrgyzstan has been nicknamed the Switzerland of Central Asia. Yet despite its seemingly endless natural beauty, it remains undiscovered by mass tourism, making it the ideal destination for culturally curious travellers. Come and explore this magnificent land on foot, the best way to truly appreciate the natural wonders. Starting from the capital, Bishkek, we head into the wild and walk among marvels of nature, including the Tian Shan mountains, Ala-Archa Gorge, and alpine lakes, such as Issyk Kul and Son-Kul. We also experience the nomadic traditions of the country, staying in a lakeside yurt camp, before returning to Bishkek with a scenic drive over mountain passes.Walk amid mountains and alpine lakes

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityBishkek
End CityBishkek

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bishkek

Activities

  • Hiking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • All accommodation
    • All listed transport and activities
    • Tour leader throughout

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Bishkek; afternoon city tour

The tour starts in Bishkek. You should be at the start hotel no later than midday as we have a city tour in the afternoon. We have requested an early check-in for all clients, so the rooms should be ready for when you arrive. Bishkek is the modern capital city and in...

Day 2 Walk in Ala-Archa Gorge

Today we visit Ala-Archa National Park. The reserve is a small valley inside the gorge, where ridges are covered with eternal ice, and the slopes with spruce forests. The streams are fed by glacial meltwater, which leads into the Ala-Archa River. Though hard to see, t...

Day 3 Burana Tower. Walk in Chon-Kemin National Park

We leave Bishkek this morning and drive to Burana Tower, a 12th-century Karakhanid minaret. We'll visit the museum complex, including the tower itself, reconstructions of mausoleums found on the site, remains of a citadel, balbals (gravestones used by nomadic Turkic p...

Day 4 Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs. North shore of Issyk Kul to Karakol

Leaving Chon-Kemin, we drive through the Boom Gorge to Issyk Kul. This impressive lake is 110mi (180km) long and 37mi (60km) wide, reaching depths of 2,300ft (700m). It sits in a hollow at 5,250ft (1,600m), surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Terskei and Kungei Ala...

Day 5 Walk in the Jergalan Valley

Today we drive to the Jergalan Valley, about 37mi (60km) from Karakol, along a partially paved road. The valley is surrounded by seven peaks and is a region of turquoise alpine lakes, rivers, waterfalls and coniferous forests. We walk to Turnaluu-Kol lake at an altitu...

Day 6 Walk in the gorges of the southern shore of Issyk Kul

Today we'll drive from Karakol via the undeveloped southern shore of Issyk Kul to Kochkor. The drive takes about six hours. We'll make stops and have short walks along the way. We head first to Djety Oguz Gorge where the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks formations ...

Day 7 Drive to Son-Kul

We drive to Son-Kul, the largest body of freshwater in the country, via the 10,800ft (3,330m) Kalmak-Ashuu Pass. The route is only partially paved. It is surrounded by summer pastures dotted with yurts, grazing cattle and mountains beyond. These lands are used by shep...

Day 8 Walking at Son-Kul

We have the day at Son-Kul. We walk to the mountains for views of the lake and surrounding mountains. There is also time to meet the shepherds or participate in cooking traditional meals. Our walk takes us to an altitude of about 11,485ft (3,500m). Accommodation: Yurt camp

Day 9 Scenic drive back to Bishkek via mountain passes

Today’s journey is a breathtaking six-hour drive back to Bishkek. We traverse the Teskey Torpok Pass, also known as the 33 Parrots Pass (10,827ft/3,300m). Along the way, we pass through remote villages, offering a glimpse into the traditional lifestyles of local farme...

Day 10 End Bishkek

Our adventure ends today in Bishkek. If you’d like a bit longer to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,340
Price per day$234
Last Updated: 11/8/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Supplement
Single Supplement
Availability
24 May 2025
02 Jun 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left
15 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left
12 Jul 2025
21 Jul 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left
17 Aug 2025
26 Aug 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left
06 Sep 2025
15 Sep 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left
19 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025
$2,550
$3,008
8 spots left

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

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Apr 2025

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Excellent service

Excellent service

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Apr 2025

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Roger

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Gill Barber

Apr 2025

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

We spend three nights in a four-star hotel in Bishkek, one night in a guesthouse in Chon Kemin, two nights in a comfortable family-run hotel in Karakol, one night in a homestay in Kochkor and two nights in a yurt camp at Son-Kol. Rooms at Chon-Kemin and Kochkor have shared bathrooms. The yurt camp at Son-Kol is based on four people sharing each yurt (single supplement does not apply at the yurt camp).  The yurts are decorated in traditional style with many rugs. Shared toilets, sinks and shower are outside. There is electricity provided by generators. Drinking water is taken from a well. Temperatures can get below freezing at night at Son-Kol. During cold nights, the yurts are heated by wood or dung stoves. We recommend bringing a sleeping bag for additional warmth in the yurts. Hotel Garden, Bishkek: Kemin guesthouse, Chon-Kemin: Matsunoki Hotel, Karakol: Kochkor homestays: Son-Kul yurt camp:
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts and five dinners are included. On days 2 and 5, the leader will assist in purchasing food for lunches. Lunches can be arranged at Son-Kul. On other days, there are places to eat lunch during the journeys. Common dishes include shish-kebabs and plov (rice usually with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins and peas). The kebabs can be from different meats, including lamb and beef, while plov is a rice-based dish. Please note, vegetarian food choices are limited. If you are vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In this region, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring such specialised dietary items from home. Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle from – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-TKY

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