More than 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains, and nature is the main reason most travellers come here. Within a few hours of Bishkek you can walk through juniper and spruce forests in Ala-Archa National Park, see the red sandstone canyons of the Chuy valley or swim in Issyk-Kul, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world.
Our nature tours range from easy day trips to multi-day journeys around Issyk-Kul and up to the high pastures of Son-Kul. Along the way you will see gorges and waterfalls, wild flowers in early summer, herds of horses on the jailoo and, on clear days, snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan on the horizon.
Most nature tours are best from May to October. Walks are usually easy to moderate and can be adapted to your pace; for more demanding hikes see our Mountains and Adventure tours.
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.
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.
Almaty region, south-east Kazakhstan
Six days of the best nature in south-east Kazakhstan: Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, the sunken forest of Kaindy and the Kolsai lakes.
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.
Jeju Island, South Korea
Five days on Korea's volcanic island: sunrise on Seongsan Ilchulbong, the ascent of Hallasan, lava tubes, waterfalls, the island of Udo and the legendary haenyeo women divers.
Gobi Desert, southern Mongolia
Eight days by 4x4 through the South Gobi: the White Stupa cliffs, the ice gorge of Yolyn Am, the singing dunes of Khongoryn Els and the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag.
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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