Overview
Kyrgyzstan’s landscape of alpine peaks and lakes is a spectacular paradise for hikers. With Hashmat Singh, Trip Leader extraordinaire, we’ve created an active hiking adventure that explores this mountain realm and its fascinating and vibrant cultures. Our day hikes bring us into the dramatic red-rock canyons of Jeti-Oguz, through the verdant meadows and to glacial lakes above Kyzyl Suu, and into the Chong Kemin Valley, which covers an incredible range of ecosystems and terrains. We traverse lush gorges, hike below the lofty peaks of the ‘Celestial Mountains’ and to the shores of magnificent lakes—including massive Lake Issyk-Kul and stunning Lake Song Kol, one of the most idyllic settings on the planet.
We’ll also delve into culture throughout our journey, as we experience life on a jailoo, or summer pasture, spend a few nights in a traditional yurt, and visit the lively animal market at Karakol, where locals buy and sell horses, sheep and goats. Witness the amazingly athletic Kyrgyz horseback games up-close and meet eagle hunters to see this thrilling ancient art in action. This fascinating crossroads, once a vibrant link on the Silk Road, also offers a rich culinary tapestry, with traditions that reach both east and west, as well as back in time. At our meals with local families we’ll taste dishes that have been influenced by Russians, Turks, Chinese, Mongols, and Tartars. Join us for an exhilarating Silk Road adventure with beloved leader Hashmat Singh—he’s been captivated by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s terrain and the welcoming nature of her people, who are relaxed, open, and eager to share their world.
Days 1-2
Bishkek’s Bazaar / Ala Archa
After exploring Bishkek and its famous Osh Bazaar, one of the best markets in all Central Asia, we stretch our legs on a hike in the forested gorge of Ala Archa Canyon.
Bishkek’s Bazaar / Ala Archa - Days 1-2
Solutel Hotel
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),Day 13 (1 night), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
A five-minute walk from Ala-Too, Bishkek’s central square, the Solutel Hotel is a comfortable base for exploring the city. Guest rooms feature orthopedic mattress options, a tea table, a pillow menu, and private bathrooms with slippers and bathrobes. You can enjoy breakfast on the pleasant outdoor terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard or in the sunlit dining room. If you want to decompress after a long flight or a day in the city, head to the sauna and fitness room, or indulge in a massage treatment at the spa.
Hotel Ambassador
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Bishkek, KyrgyzstanFrom this centrally located, modern hotel, you can walk to Ala-Too square as well as nearby shops and restaurants. Spacious guest rooms have private bathrooms and city views. Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the restaurant, and in the evening head to the rooftop bar for a glass of wine or a cocktail. You can also use the gym and sauna, relax with a massage, or borrow a bike for spin around the city.
Days 3-6
Lake Issyk-Kul / Horseback Games / Karakol Market
We explore azure-blue Lake Issyk-Kul, over 100 miles long and surrounded by mountains, visit a massive lakeside petroglyph site, and hike below the red-rock towers of the Jeti-Oguz. We’ll be welcomed by a nomad family for a delightful lunch in their ornately decorated yurt, and at a local village, we’ll sip tea from a samovar as we watch the skills of Kyrgyz horsemen at a wildly photogenic ulak tartsha event—a thrilling sight! Karakol has a traditional livestock market, and here we walk among traders of horses, sheep, and cattle. One evening, we dine with a Chinese-Dungan family—and join them to make traditional “hand-pulled” noodles.
Lake Issyk-Kul / Horseback Games / Karakol Market - Days 3-6
Kemin Guesthouse
Day 3 (1 night), Tar Su, KyrgyzstanThe Kemin Guesthouse is a charmingly rustic retreat surrounded by mountains in the beautiful Chong Kemin Valley. The friendly staff gives a warm welcome and is happy to share their knowledge of the area. Guest rooms are simple but clean, brightened with traditional wool blankets and rugs, and each room has a private bathroom. Meals are served in the dining room with panoramic mountain views and feature a delicious range of traditional Kyrgyz favorites like manty (dumplings) and lavash made in the stone oven. Don’t forget to take home a jar of homemade raspberry jam!
Green Yard Hotel
Days 4 to 6 (3 nights), Karakol, KyrgyzstanTucked away on the outskirts of town, The Green Yard Hotel features modern guest rooms with a homey atmosphere. You can enjoy tea and coffee on the garden patio surrounded by fruit trees, or have a drink at the small indoor bar and lounge. Continental breakfast is served in the restaurant, and massage services and a sauna are also available.
Karagat Hotel
Days 4 to 6 (3 nights), Karakol, KyrgyzstanClean and basic with a friendly staff, the Karagat is a nice base for exploring the mountains around Karakol. Guest rooms are comfortable and spacious, some with mountain views and balconies. Unwind in the lounge or terrace in the evening and enjoy a pleasant breakfast buffet in the morning before venturing out into some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
Days 7-14
Yurt Camping / Eagle Hunter / Lake Song Kol
In the beautiful Kyzyl Suu Valley, we enjoy our special camp by a crystal-clear stream, perfect for hikes among summer jailoos (yurts) and grazing horses. Heading to our yurt camp above the wild southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, we’ll sample a lunch of traditional Kyrgyz dishes and meet a member of a family of eagle hunters to see him work with his golden eagles—we can even hold one of the birds! At remote Lake Song Kol, at nearly 10,000 feet, our hike brings us up to airy Jalgyz Karagai Pass (11,276') for panoramic views to the highest peaks in the Celestial Mountains. Depart on Day 14 from Bishkek.
Yurt Camping / Eagle Hunter / Lake Song Kol - Days 7-14
Kyrgyzstan Tented Camp
Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), KyrgyzstanOur private base camp will be set up in a green valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Spacious mountaineering tents are equipped with cots and sleeping bags, along with an entryway vestibule for storing your gear. The camp has a full-size dining tent outfitted with tables and camping chairs with backs. Bathroom facilities are "camping basic" and consist of private toilet tents with long-drop pit toilets. Simple wash stations are located outside of the toilet tents and the dining tent, and hand sanitizer will be available as well. Enjoy flavorful meals prepared fresh by our camp crew including fruits, vegetables, and a variety of meat. There are no showers at our tent camp, but the spectacular views and star-studded skies are more than worth it!
Kyrgyzstan Yurt Camps
Days 9 to 12 (4 nights), KyrgyzstanYurts are still used by nomadic shepherds in the summer months when they travel into mountain pastures, and we get an authentic taste of the traditions and cultures of the Kyrgyz people while staying in these camps. We’ll experience two different yurt camps—Jaichy and Muras—with two nights in each location. The simple, felt structures are equipped with basic cots along with either linens or sleeping bags. Bathroom facilities are in separate buildings and shared by all participants. They consist of very simple shower cabins and enclosed western-style toilets. Additional compost toilets may also be available. While we may have the use of hot water for showers, please understand that this is not always possible—be prepared for a brisk rinse if needed. You will also have access to wash stations with warm water as well as hand sanitizer. Communal meals are representative of traditional nomadic dishes and include a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with meats and heartier dishes. Meals are typically served indoors at a low table where we sit on cushions on the floor. We may also enjoy some meals outdoors in camping chairs, as well as tea and snacks on carpets or blankets, depending on weather conditions.
Solutel Hotel
Day 13 (1 night), Bishkek, KyrgyzstanA five-minute walk from Ala-Too, Bishkek’s central square, the Solutel Hotel is a comfortable base for exploring the city. Guest rooms feature orthopedic mattress options, a tea table, a pillow menu, and private bathrooms with slippers and bathrobes. You can enjoy breakfast on the pleasant outdoor terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard or in the sunlit dining room. If you want to decompress after a long flight or a day in the city, head to the sauna and fitness room, or indulge in a massage treatment at the spa.
Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in the Celestial Mountains
