Silk
Road tour Kyrgyzstan 10 days
Tour description
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey from Bishkek,
the vibrant capital of Kyrgyzstan, to Osh, a historic city in the Fergana
Valley. This comprehensive itinerary will guide you through breathtaking
landscapes, vibrant cultures, and ancient traditions, offering an unforgettable
experience of this remarkable Central Asian nation.
This meticulously crafted itinerary will take you
through the heart of Kyrgyzstan, displaying its diverse landscapes, cultural
heritage, and rich history. Prepare to be captivated by snow-capped mountains,
lush valleys, ancient Silk Road cities, and the warm hospitality of the Kyrgyz
people.
Itinerary
Day
1. ARRIVAL IN BISHKEK- Chongkemin
Driving time/distance: 3 hrs, 150 km
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Bishkek before traveling to the
serenity of Chong-Kemin Valley. Along the way stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s
oldest sights, the Burana Tower, and learn about its ancient architecture –
rare in nomadic culture. The territory where the tower is located was once
called Balasagyn town. This town had strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road.
Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found during past excavations,
providing more details about this ancient settlement, including a collection of
“Balbals” – Turkic grave marks. After, drive to Chon-Kemin village. Soak in the
stunning scenery while exploring the village and savor a home-cooked
traditional dinner. Tonight, stay in a cozy guesthouse run by local families.
Accommodation
included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D
Day 2. CHON KEMIN - Karakul
Driving time/distance: 5 hrs, 301 km
After breakfast, depart to Karakol city via Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest
alpine lake in the world after Titicaca in South America. Its length
reaches 182 km
and width is 58 km, the maximum depth is up to 668 meters. On the way, we will visit the Open Air
Petroglyphs Museum in Cholpon Ata town. Petroglyphs are dated back to the
Sak-Wusun period from the 8th century BC up to the 2nd century AD. The
territory where the Petroglyphs are found lies below the Kungey Alatoo
Mountains with a beautiful view of the lake. Lunch in a local restaurant. After
lunch, drive to Karakol city. We will take a short sightseeing tour in Karakol
city by visiting the wooden Dungan mosques and Russian Orthodox church. Dinner
and overnight stay in Karakol city.
Day 3. KARAKOL- ALTYN ARASHAN.
Driving time / distance: 45 hrs. 30km
Today we have a bit tame to relax . After breakfast we start our journey up to
Altyn Arashan Valley. It is 30km about 1 hour drive with photo stops. One we
arrive there it is 12 o'clock am. We quickly set our luggage in a home stay,
and then have lunch after start trekking. It not a full day trek just
adaptation, we prepare ourselves for the next day trek. There is a good hot
spring we visit there for swimming. The view around is amazing. We take some
food with us for picnic. Evening we come back to our home stay.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D
Day 4. ALTYN ARASHAN – ALA KUL LAKE
AFTERNOON WALK.
Today we have full day trek. We hire a
local guide with horse and some food for picnic and start our trek up to the
Ala Kul. Once we arrive to the Ala Kul the view is fantastic we stay for a
while and have picnic observing the beauty of the lake. After picnic we come
back to same yurt stay.
Accommodation
included: Yurt camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B, Picnic Lunch, D
Day 5. KARAKOL – JETY OGUZ VALLEY – RADIAL HIKE TO SEE THE OGUZ BASHY PEAK
Driving time/distance: 1 hrs, 40 km Trekking distance/time: 15km
/ 5-6 hours, Ascent: 340 meters today we will take an easy hike to see the
astonishingly beautiful panoramic view of Oguz Bashy peak which is located in
the heart of Tian-Shian Mountain Range. After breakfast, we depart Karakol to
Kok Jaiyk valley, a 1-hour drive. Arrival, start the hike. From the trailhead,
we follow the roadbed along the tumbling Jety Oguz river. Stunning White
Mountain peaks slowly begin to appear as we gain elevation. Reach the viewpoint
and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and pose for stunning photos. After lunch, we
hike back to the camp. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B, Picnic Lunch, D
Day
6. KOK JAIYK – KOCHKOR
Driving time/distance: 5 hours, 260 km
After breakfast, we will drive to Kochkor town. A one-hour side hike at Skazka
Canyon (Fairytale Canyon) awaits us. Skazka is a truly incredible destination
that boasts an assortment of impressive rock formations. Skazka is one of the highlights
of all of Kyrgyzstan. The canyon, stunning in its array of earthen colors, also
provides a magnificent view of Lake Issyk-Kul and the surrounding peaks of the
Tian Shan Mountains. Here, we will see an eagle hunting demonstration with a
local eagle hunter. Eagle hunting is an ancient tradition to hunt for animals
with the help of specially trained eagles. After that, our trip heads on to
Kochkor town, a Kyrgyz village whose residents are known for their creation of
shyrdak felt rugs, embroideries, and other handicrafts. Local ladies will share
their knowledge and expertise in the making of traditional shyrdaks, through a
special demonstration and workshop. Try your hand at this classic Kyrgyz art
and support local entrepreneurs by purchasing handmade souvenirs from local
artisans. Free time afterward to roam about the village, take photos, and enjoy
the laid-back local lifestyle.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B, Picnic Lunch, D
Day 7. KOCHKOR-SONKUL LAKE
Driving time/distance: 3 hours, 90 km
Today, we drive to Son-Köl Lake, one of the largest alpine-mountain lakes in
the country and considered a sacred place for many Kyrgyz nomads for its best
summer pastures. You can spot nomadic herders and their families tending their
goats, sheep, and horses. Lunch in a yurt. After lunch, we will ride a horse
along the beautiful lakeshore. Alternatively, for those who are not interested
in horse riding, a simple stroll around the lake can be had. We will have the
opportunity to sample fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (the national drink of
fermented mare’s milk). After, we will stay in yurts set up along the
lakeshore. Sleeping arrangements are on a multi-share, mixed-gender basis with
mattresses on the floor. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there is a
stove for heating and plenty of blankets. There are no bathroom facilities
inside the yurts – please expect outdoor toilets. Those daring enough for a
morning dip can make use of Son-Köl.
Accommodation included: Yurt Camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D
Day 8. SONGKUL LAKE – KAZARMAN
Driving time/distance: 7-8 hours, 210 km
Today you travel along gravel roads to Kazarman village, one of the biggest
summer pastures in Kyrgyzstan. On our way, we will pass large coal deposits and
travel along with the crystal clear Kökömeren River. From there starts one of
the major rivers of Central Asia – the Syr Darya. Enjoy the beauty of colorful
mountains while driving to Kazarman city. Lunch break en-route. Arrival in
Kazarman and a short walk in the village. Overnight and dinner in a Guesthouse.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D
Day 9. KAZARMAN TO ARSLANBOB
Driving time/distance: 6 Hours, 240 km
After a delicious breakfast, say goodbye to your host and head to Arslanbob.
Driving through big and beautiful landscapes today. The road crosses the
Kaldama Pass standing at 3000m. Bushes along the road on mountain slopes delight
your senses. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend the
pass. Arrival in Arslanbob village and accommodation in CBT
guesthouse. After lunch, we walk around the village to see the local
culture. People claim that their ancestors go back to Alexander Great who once
visited this village and brought some wall-nuts to his land later became Greece
Nuts. Hike up the waterfall and further the panorama hill to see the scenic
view of the village. Home-cooked dinner.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D
Day
10. ARSTANBOB – HIKING THROUGH THE WALNUT FOREST – OSH CITY
Driving time/distance: 5 Hours, 200 km
Breakfast. Today we take 3-4 hours walking through the largest walnut forest
in the world. Arslanbob’s famous walnut forest is also surrounded by waterfalls
and hiking options. Arstanbob is a great place to get a sense of rural village
life. The village is quite different from other places in Kyrgyzstan because
the people are mostly ethnic Uzbeks – different languages, cultures, and ways
of life. Lunch in the guesthouse. After lunch, get ready for another 4-hour
journey to Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city Osh, located in the Fergana Valley
in the south of the country and often referred to as the Capital of the South.
We take a short side trip to see Uzgen village with its 12th-century
architectural complex. The minaret and three mosques of Uzgen remain an
important relic of medieval Central Asian architecture.
Accommodation included: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,
Inclusion and Exclusion
Includes
· Transportation in a 4WD vehicle
(with a maximum of 3 passengers per vehicle)
· driver’s lodging and meal
· lodging and meals
· 2 liters of water per person per
day
· National Park permit
· All entrance fees
Excludes
· meals out of program
· alcoholic drinks
· personal expenses
· Food and sleeping accommodations in Bishkek.
· Travel insurance,
Visa and tips.
Prices
Package tour – all included:
2100$ for 1 pax
1500$ for 2 pax
1300$ for 3 pax
Meal
Sleeping accommodation
National Park permits
Transport
Driver’s accommodations
Only transport and driver’s service:
1400$ for 1 pax
800$ for 2 pax
600$ for 3 pax
400$ for 4 pax
Transport
Driver’s accommodations
Date
This itinerary includes a good
opportunity to see a wide range of natural, cultural, and historical sites in
Kyrgyzstan, and Pamir of Kyrgyzstan. We would be happy to guide you on this
itinerary or to customize it for you.
Many of our tours are customized based on the interests, fitness levels,
time availability, and budgets of our guests.
We want you to have the best
visit possible to the above-mentioned countries so please tell us about your
preferences so we can plan the best visit for you.
Anytime for combined tour: 2025 tour season.
April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November
For group tour: 2025 tour season.
Start 20 April – finish 1 May
Start 5 May – finish 15 May
Start 20 May – finish 1 June
Start 5 June – finish 17 June
Start 20 June – finish 3 July
Start 10 July – finish 22 July
Start 1 August – finish 13 August
Start 20 August – 2 September
Start 10 September – finish 23
September
Start 1 October – finish 13
October
Tour duration
10 days 9 nights
Route
Bishkek – Chong Kemin – Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Kochkor – Song kol
lake – Kazarman - Osh
Things to bring with
Bring with you trekking equipment
including
·
Good hiking shoes
·
Camera for taking wildlife pictures.
·
Sunscreen with high SPF for skin and lips
·
Sun glasses
·
Sun hat
·
Warm jacket
·
Sticks (if you use them regularly)
·
Sleeping bag
·
Gloves
·
Reusable water bottle
·
Personal medical kit
·
Headlamp
·
Some extra batteries
for your camera
·
Rain gear, jacket and
pants
Group size
From 1 to 10 people