Alpine lake at 3,000 m, yurt camp, horse riding, petroglyphs and the life of Kyrgyz nomads.
Three nights as a nomad: silence of the high pastures, horses, yurts and the Milky Way above the lake.
A journey to the high-mountain lake Son-Kul, about 300 km from Bishkek. On the way you visit Burana Tower, then live for three nights in a yurt camp among summer pastures, ride horses, see ancient petroglyphs and get to know the culture of the nomadic people. On the way back — lunch and felt crafts in Kochkor village. The programme can be adjusted to your wishes.
Distances and time by road without stops, calculated on OpenStreetMap data.
Pick-up from your hotel in the city centre. Your guide meets you in the lobby, and a comfortable air-conditioned car or minibus takes you along the whole route. Bishkek lies at the foot of the snow-capped Kyrgyz Ala-Too range, so mountain views open up right from the city streets.
One of the most famous monuments of Central Asia, 80 km from Bishkek. The minaret was built in the 11th century by the Karakhanid dynasty on the site of the ancient city of Balasagun on the Great Silk Road. You can climb the narrow staircase inside the tower for a view of the Chuy valley. Next to it is a field of balbals — stone figures of ancient Turkic warriors of the 5th–10th centuries — and a small museum.
An alpine lake at about 3,000 m surrounded by summer pastures (jailoo), where shepherds bring their herds every summer. You stay in a yurt camp (4–5 guests per yurt) and get to know the life of nomads. Evenings bring fiery sunsets and a sky full of stars.
After breakfast — an excursion to ancient rock carvings near the lake, on foot or on horseback. Picnic in the pastures and return to the yurt camp.
Horse riding along the shore, meeting shepherd families, watching how kymyz (mare's milk) and felt are made, Kyrgyz tea with boorsok in the yurt. Another night in the yurt camp.
An alpine lake at about 3,000 m surrounded by summer pastures (jailoo), where shepherds bring their herds every summer. You stay in a yurt camp (4–5 guests per yurt) and get to know the life of nomads. Evenings bring fiery sunsets and a sky full of stars.
Lunch in Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt-making. Local craftswomen show how bright shyrdak carpets and ala-kiyiz are made — a great place for authentic souvenirs.
Drop-off at your hotel.
Some photos are illustrative.
| Travellers | Per person |
|---|---|
| Private tour, 1–2 travellers | from $290 |
| Group tour, 6–10 travellers | from $210 |
Minimum 2 travellers. The programme can be changed on request.
4–5 hoursOsh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square, the Manas monument and green parks of the capital in one morning.
1 full dayFor groups arriving from Almaty: meeting at the Kordai border, lunch, hotel, city tour and dinner.
1 dayAn 11th-century minaret, stone balbal warriors and the story of the ancient city of Balasagun.
