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.
Kochkor district and Son-Kul lake, Naryn region
Ride from the village of Kyzart over a high pass to Son-Kul lake, sleep in yurts with herding families and return to Bishkek on day three.
Manas International Airport – Bishkek
Meet-and-greet at Manas International Airport and a private car to your hotel in Bishkek – or back to the airport for your flight. Available day and night.
Bishkek – north shore of Issyk-Kul – Karakol
A private car with driver from Bishkek (or Manas Airport) to Karakol along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, with short stops for photos and lunch.
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