Kyrgyzstan Nomads

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! You’ll arrive in Bishkek on the morning of day 1. If you book your flights through Travelbase, you’ll fly out the evening before and land early in the morning. You might even catch the sunrise over the capital from the plane.

Start exploring on foot. Stroll along the wide, tree-lined avenues, wander through Osh Bazaar with its colourful stalls, local flavours and crafts, then discover traditional restaurants, iconic squares and museums.

Accommodation: you’ll stay in a modern hotel with a nomadic touch, right in the heart of the capital.

You pick up your vehicle at 9:30 a.m. in the hotel car park, followed by a quick briefing on the Kyrgyz road rules. Then it’s off towards the mountains!

On the way, you cross your first mountain passes, including Too-Ashuu Pass, at an altitude of over 3,000 metres, with sweeping views over the steppes and valleys.

Hiking enthusiasts can set off on foot towards the Sulutor Lakes, with their turquoise and emerald-green waters, surrounded by pastures where horses roam free.

Accommodation: in the evening, you’ll be welcomed into a traditional guesthouse in the heart of the small village of Kyzyl-Oi. Home-cooked food, simple but comfortable rooms, and an authentic taste of Kyrgyz hospitality.

You cross the Suusamyr Valley, winding through wild rivers and surreal landscapes, then continue through the Kekemeren Gorge, where the rocks glow in vivid colours.

At the end of the day, you reach a traditional yurt camp near Song-Kul Lake, perched at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset colour the mountains.

Accommodation: each group sleeps in its own yurt, equipped with a stove and powered by solar energy. Meals are served in a restaurant yurt, and bathroom facilities are available.

A day to make a dream come true: explore the Kyrgyz steppes on horseback (if booked) or on foot, with sweeping views over the lake. Immerse yourself in nomadic life, surrounded by age-old traditions and vast landscapes.

As evening falls, learn the secrets of traditional cooking before gazing up at the Milky Way around the campfire.

Accommodation: spend a second night at the yurt camp.

You leave the shores of Song-Kul Lake via another mountain pass with winding roads, then cross vast meadows where herds graze among scattered villages.

Next, you reach Issyk-Kul Lake, often compared to an inland sea because of its size and slightly salty water. After passing the beaches of Balykchy, you arrive in Cholpon-Ata.

Accommodation: a hotel with comfortable rooms, some offering mountain or lake views, plus an excellent restaurant.

You follow the shores of Issyk-Kul to the Grigorievka Gorge, passing rushing waters, coniferous forests and lush green meadows.

Next, you head to Karakol, the starting point for hikes into the Altyn Arashan Valley. The city also offers a glimpse into the country’s heritage, with its wooden mosque and Russian Orthodox church.

Accommodation: a modern guesthouse next to the owners’ home. Each room has a private bathroom, and there’s a shared lounge.

First, take a detour to Jeti-Ögüz Gorge and its rock formations, followed by the waterfalls of Barskoon.

Then continue to Skazka Canyon, the “Valley of Fairytales”, where the rocks’ otherworldly colours more than justify its nickname.

Accommodation: in Bokonbayevo, a peaceful village where you’ll spend the night in a lush yurt camp. Each group has its own private yurt, while the bathroom facilities are shared. The dining hall is the camp’s highlight.

Discover the “Forgotten River Canyon”, a maze carved by water and time that winds down to the shores of Issyk-Kul.

Two more canyons await: the more intimate Kok-Monok Canyon, perfect for a short walk, followed by Konorchek Canyon with its towering red walls. The route also follows the Chu River, where you can go rafting (if booked).

Accommodation: a hotel in the heart of the Chon-Kemin Valley, with mountain views and a peaceful terrace.

Final day of your road trip in Chon-Kemin Nature Reserve: Kegeti Waterfall and a nearby high-altitude lake are your last chance to immerse yourself in Kyrgyzstan’s wild landscapes.

Next, you’ll visit the Burana Tower before heading back to Bishkek. Return the vehicle to the hotel before 7 p.m.

Accommodation: you’ll stay at the same hotel as on arrival, for one last evening in Bishkek.

It’s time to say goodbye to Kyrgyzstan’s vast landscapes, warm-hearted people and unique culture. On the plane, you’ll have time to look back on these 10 unforgettable days spent between the steppes and mountains.