Kyrgyz culture grew out of centuries of nomadic life on the high pastures of the Tian Shan. Its traditions are still alive: the yurt with its felt walls and wooden crown (tunduk), colourful shyrdak carpets, hunting with golden eagles, horse games, and hospitality that starts with fresh bread and tea on the dastorkon.
Our culture tours take you to the people who keep these traditions going – eagle hunters on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, felt-making artisans, herding families at Son-Kul – as well as to historical sites such as the Burana Tower, a reminder of the Silk Road city of Balasagun, and the wooden cathedral and Dungan mosque of Karakol.
Cultural experiences can be booked as short activities, combined into day trips, or added to any multi-day tour. They are available most of the year, though some village activities depend on the season – we will confirm the details when you send a request.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Astana, Turkistan, Shymkent and Almaty
From the futuristic capital Astana to the medieval caravan cities of the south – Turkistan, Otrar and Sauran – and on to Almaty.
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
Eight days through the three legendary oasis cities of the Silk Road, with the Afrosiyob high-speed train, a desert crossing and sunset over the walls of Khiva.
Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara
The essential Silk Road in five days: Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, linked comfortably by high-speed train.
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka
Nine days from futuristic Tokyo past Mount Fuji and the hot springs of Hakone to the temples of Kyoto, the deer of Nara and the food stalls of Osaka – the perfect first trip to Japan.
Japanese Alps: Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa
Seven days through the mountainous heart of Japan: a samurai castle, alpine valleys, old merchant towns, a night in a thatched farmhouse and the gardens of Kanazawa.
Seoul, the DMZ, Gyeongju and Busan
Seven days across the peninsula: royal palaces and hanok alleys in Seoul, a visit to the DMZ, the temples of Gyeongju and the colourful seaside city of Busan – with a KTX high-speed train ride.
Central Mongolia: Terelj, Khustai, Kharkhorin and the Orkhon Valley
Six days through central Mongolia: granite peaks of Terelj, wild Przewalski's horses, the ancient capital Karakorum and a night with a nomadic family in the Orkhon Valley.
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Kyrgyzstan
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