Bishkek, the green and relaxed capital of Kyrgyzstan, is where most journeys begin. Manas International Airport lies just outside the city, and the snow-capped Kyrgyz Ala-Too range forms the backdrop to almost every street. The city itself is worth a day: Ala-Too Square, the Osh Bazaar and the leafy parks and boulevards.
The surrounding Chuy valley offers excellent day trips. Ala-Archa National Park, about an hour south of the city, has hiking trails for every level among spruce forests, rivers and glaciers. To the east lies the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret from the Silk Road city of Balasagun, and beyond it the Boom Gorge with the red sandstone Konorchek canyons.
These trips are ideal on arrival or departure days, or as a warm-up before a longer tour into the mountains. All can be booked as private tours with a driver and guide, and we also arrange transfers from Manas airport to your hotel.
Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Kochkor and Son-Kul
Eight days around Issyk-Kul and up to the high-altitude lake Song-Kul – with nights in yurts, an eagle hunter show and genuine nomadic hospitality.
Ala-Archa National Park and the Karakol valleys (Ala-Kul, Altyn-Arashan)
A compact but demanding mountain trip: acclimatisation in Ala-Archa, then the classic trek over the Ala-Kul pass to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs.
Ala-Archa National Park, Chuy region (about 40 km from Bishkek)
A guided day in the mountains just an hour from Bishkek: spruce forests, a glacier river and the Ak-Sai waterfall trail, with lunch in the park.
Chuy valley: Burana Tower near Tokmok and the Konorchek canyons near the Boom Gorge
Silk Road history and red-rock scenery in one day: the 11th-century Burana Tower with its balbal stones, then a hike through the Konorchek canyons.
Issyk-Kul region: Cholpon-Ata, Karakol, Jeti-Oguz and the south shore
A compact loop around Issyk-Kul: petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata, the wooden cathedral and Dungan mosque of Karakol, the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz and Skazka canyon.
Karakol and the Karakol ski resort, eastern Issyk-Kul
Two days on the slopes of the Karakol ski resort, a soak in hot springs and the winter shores of Issyk-Kul – transport, guide and guesthouse included.
Bokonbaevo area, south shore of Issyk-Kul
A half-day cultural experience on the south shore of Issyk-Kul: meet an eagle hunter and his golden eagle, try traditional felt-making and cook a Kyrgyz meal with a local family.
English
Deutsch
Русский
中文
Kyrgyzstan
