Discover Kyrgyzstan in spring, summer and autumn: The Land of Adventure awaits!
This video is a brief representation of Kyrgyzstan and does not represent the exact itinerary that is stated in the sign up article below
Note: We offer two main types of expeditions to Kyrgyzstan: the spring-summer-autumn edition, and the winter edition. You are currently reading the spring-summer-autumn edition’s itinerary, and you can head over here to check out our itinerary for winter!
In Kyrgyzstan's vibrant summer, spring, and autumn, the mountains unfold as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, trekking, and mountaineering opportunities abound, transforming the landscape into a playground of adventure. Serenity awaits at pristine lakes like the sprawling Issyk-Kul and remote Song-Kul, providing a peaceful escape amidst the changing colors of nature.
Kyrgyzstan's nomadic traditions, deeply rooted, offer a cultural journey into the history and resilience of its people. Ancient Silk Road cities, such as Osh and Karakol, stand as living testimonies to history, with winding alleys and lively markets that transport visitors to bygone eras.
In the beauty of Kyrgyzstan's summer, spring, and autumn, adventure intertwines with warm hospitality. Nature's allure promises new encounters, and the mesmerizing landscapes and the people leave indelible imprints on your heart. Join us on an expedition through Kyrgyzstan, where you'll witness the breathtaking transformation of landscapes, delve into nomadic traditions, and immerse yourself in the best-kept secret of Central Asia.
Day 1: Bishkek - Chong Kemin Valley
Welcome to the Mansas International Airport of Bishkek (IATA: FRU)! Once you step foot into Bishkek, a gush of serenity will hit you as you take in the first sights of Kyrgyzstan. Peaceful, tranquil and calming. The three words that will most likely come to your mind while gazing at the beautifully blue skies and white clouds.
A true work of art from none other than Mother Nature herself, the beautifully painted sky scenery welcomes you to the land of the celestial mountains.
The journey from the Manas International Airport of Bishkek to your next destination is a long one, with an approximately 150km drive to Chong Kemin Valley that lasts about 3 hours — depending on traffic conditions, of course. During this period, it’s a good time to read up about the cultural practices of the Kyrgyz as well as admire the scenery of the journey to the valley! If you’re wondering where to read the perfect article for a quick summary of Kyrgyzstan’s cultural practices and etiquette, you might want to consider scrolling all the way to the bottom of this article, where a segment of collated cultural norms have been specially prepared for you. Convenient, right?
Upon reaching, lunch will be ready, and after which the rest of the day is free and easy for you. Whether it be strolling along the valley and admiring the breathtaking view, or going for an optional horse riding tour, the choice is yours to make. As night falls, enjoy a homemade dinner at the guesthouse, marking the end of your first day in Kyrgyzstan. Tucking yourself into bed, prepare yourself for another 9 more days of fun-tastic adventure!
Day 2: Chong Kemin Valley - Song Kul Lake
Rise and shine, it’s day 2 of your uniquely you adventure in Kyrgyzstan. The morning sun has risen and its blazing rays of heat spread love and warmth to the land of Kyrgyzstan. Today’s journey will be to Song Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan!
An alpine lake is a lake that is geographically situated at high altitudes. Can you guess how high of an altitude Song Kul Lake is at? Drumroll please… it’s at 3016 metres above sea level!
During your journey from Chong Kemin Valley to Song Kul Lake, there’s an exciting activity waiting for you. A short master class on how to make carpets is not only the perfect way to kill time, but it’s also the perfect way to learn about the art of Kyrgyzstan’s handmade crafts! Once you’ve mastered the skill of carpet making, you may even get the opportunity to craft your very own carpet in Kochkor.
Once you’ve reached there, you might notice that there are a number of yurts. Yes, there are shepherds who reside along the lake in different periods of time. Watching the calming waves of Song Kul Lake’s waters wash up onto the lakeshore, this virgin lake is a very calming one at that. Arriving at a shepherd’s yurt, lunch will be served. The rest of the day is free for you to walk around and explore the wonders of Song Kul Lake. As night falls, you’ll be staying overnight in the shepherd’s yurt camp. Unlike Singapore, where street lamps contribute greatly to the night sky’s light pollution, Song Kul Lake has little to no light pollution, allowing you to gaze at the starry night sky as you drift off to sleep.
Day 3: Song Kul Lake - Kel Suu Lake
Day 3 is going to be a long day, and hence the day begins early. The day commences with a journey to Naryn City, an approximately 2.5 hour drive. By the time you reach there, it will most probably be lunch time, and you will get to have lunch in Naryn City.
A small town in Kyrgyzstan, this 84 square kilometre town is home to about 41,000 Kyrgyz, and is located 2020m above sea level. Gobbling down lunch, the journey continues as you head towards Kel Suu Lake.
A stunning lake standing at 3514m above sea level and hidden in the heart of Tien Shan Mountains, this lake’s altitude is so high that on some days, it rests amongst the misty clouds. Known for being the most beautiful lake in Kyrgyzstan, the Kel Suu Lake embodies the perfect balance of mystery and magic. This is a moment you will never want to forget. Along the way, there have been pit stops designated for you to whip out your phone or camera to capture those gorgeous lake waters and mountain peaks.
After the breathtaking experience, it’s time to head to a yurt camp to rest and recharge. Located approximately 7km away from the lake, a scrumptious dinner will be prepared and you can head to bed early to rest, especially after a long day.
Day 4: Kel Suu Lake
Part 2 of Kel Suu Lake adventures, let’s go! But first up, an energising breakfast. With the nutritious breakfast already in your stomach, your majestic horse awaits. That’s right, you’ll be embarking on a horse riding journey to Kel Suu Lake. The entire horse ride should take about 2 hours, so use this time to bond with your travel companion (aka your horse).
Reaching the lake, the cool breeze and relaxing colours of the sky, waters and mountains accentuate the tranquility of the lake. If you’d like, you can also consider taking an optional boat ride across the lake to get a close up view of what Kel Suu Lake has to offer.
Afterwhich, you will hop onto your horse and ride back to the campsite, where you will have some free time to yourself before dinner is served. During this time, you can immerse yourself in the peace, quiet and serenity of that area, allowing the land of the celestial mountains to wash away your stress-inducing responsibilities. Exploring the surroundings of the camp and getting to know the locals, it is inspiring to learn about the lifestyles they lead and the cultural practices they uphold in everything they do. At the end of the day, you will be spending the night at the yurt camp, where the night sky engulfs you like a cozy blanket.
Day 5: Kel Suu Lake - Eki Naryn
A very good morning to you! Starting off with an early morning breakfast, the best way to start the day, you will then depart towards Eki Naryn Valley, a geographically stunning valley untouched by mass tourism. With red sandstone cliffs surrounding the valley, it is home to the biggest river in Kyrgyzstan, the Naryn river.
Along the way, you’ll be taking a short break in Naryn City, where you will be setting up a tent along the river and deep into the Eki Naryn gorge. Once you’re done, you will be rewarded with not only a stunning view of the river and mother nature’s beauty, you will also have a hearty dinner!
Tonight, you will be sleeping overnight in the tent you set up, enjoying the starry night and falling asleep to the sounds of Eki Naryn.
Day 6: Eki Naryn - Issyk Kul
We have officially reached the halfway mark of your expedition! Starting off your day with a good ol’ breakfast, it’s time to make a move to Issyk Kul Lake. Before that, you will need to dismantle your sleeping quarters — your tent!
The highlight of the day begins during your journey travelling from Eki Naryn to Issyk Kul Lake. To get there, you will need to travel through the Tosor Pass, which is an approximately 4000m long road that’s 3890m above sea level. The Tosor Pass connects Naryn City, Issyk Kul and Karakol, making it an easier commute for anyone travelling within the land of Kyrgyzstan. There, the mountainous views will leave you wanting more. The road on the Tosor Pass is dependent on the weather conditions in May and October. During these period, if it snows a lot, we will take another beautiful road to get the Issyk Kul!
Alas, you’ve arrived at Issyk Kul Lake, a lake that is a whopping 8.5 times the size of Singapore! Another name for the Issyk Kul Lake is the Pearl of Tien Shan, because of its turquoise blue waters that are so clear and free from pollution that the majestic mountainous terrains that surround the lake create a beautiful silhouette that reflects off the shiny waters.
In the later part of the day, you will get the opportunity to meet an Eagle Hunter, a person who possesses the ancient cultural knowledge of falconry, and have him/her share with you about the art of traditional hunting of the nomadic people. You will even get to see a live demonstration, how cool is that?
Following the eye-opening demonstration by the esteemed Eagle Hunter, dinner will be at the yurt camp by the Issyk Kul Lake. That will also be your sleeping quarters for the night. Tomorrow is going to be yet another exciting day, so rest up!
Day 7: Issyk Kul - Enilchek (Abandoned Ghost Town)
With a long day ahead of you, Day 7 of your expedition commences with a quick breakfast before departing to Enilchek Village. Before you reach Enilchek Village, there will first be a pit stop in Karakol City, the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan.
Lunch will be served and you will go on a short city tour. During this city tour, you may want to look out for a very popular attraction known as the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Holy Trinity Cathedral was built in July 1869, where it was used as an outpost on the edges of the Tsarist Russian Empire. Its purpose was to serve the Cossacks and troops that were sent there.
After the short city tour, it’s time to get back onto the journey. Approximately 200km later, a ghost town awaits. Once upon a time, the Enilchek Village was home to about 500 residents, but has since been abandoned, hence earning its name of being called a ghost town. Despite not being home to humans, the Enilchek Village is home to something else — minerals. This area is rich with deposits of many minerals, with this region being a hot mining spot. During the Soviet Union times, when the population was big and the town was still being developed, mining activities would be commonly found. But today, all that’s left are abandoned houses and hidden minerals.
Just like the urban explorers, let’s explore, shall we? The rest of the day is for you to roam around the village, exploring every nook and cranny of this abandoned abyss. Delve deeper into the history of this abandoned village, for every abandoned house has a story to tell. If you’re starting to get hungry and are craving for some dinner, head over to the local house, where dinner will be prepared for you and you will get to stay overnight there.
Day 8: Enilchek - Cholpon Ata
If you are someone who loves the beach vibes, today is the day for you. Driving back to Karakol, there will be a pit stop where you get to enjoy a plethora of local delights for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwhich, you can even do some window shopping! Being able to visit the local souvenir shops and appreciating the effort the locals have put in to whip up beautiful creations warms the cockles of my heart.
Should you want to support local businesses by purchasing a souvenir or two, that would be fantastic as well! You can bring home mementos to share with your friends and family. If you’d like some recommendations, we recommend the Kyrgyzstan chilli and mountain honey. These special delicacies are uniquely Kyrgyzstan, and will definitely leave a long lasting impression on your taste buds!
Continuing your commute, you would reach Cholpon Ata city in no time. You’ve probably heard of this city before. It is the most popular place for guests of Kyrgyzstan to go for beach holidays. With sandy beaches and the perfect horizon, enjoy the sunset at a cosy guest house; or if you’d like, you can even lay on the beach and admire the sunset. With dinner at the guest house, it’s lights out to you!
Day 9: Cholpon Ata - Bishkek
Today is the day you need to call out the adventurer in you, for today you will be going water rafting! In order to start this day on an energising note, it is imperative that a good nutritious breakfast be consumed first, along with a good stretch to get those muscles going. Thereafter, it’s off to Chuy River!
Chuy River is a racing river, whereby the crashing waves travel at fast speeds, making your water rafting experience feel like a roller coaster — but the water version. This once in a lifetime experience is sure to be as exhilarating as it sounds, and it’s something I’m sure many people can check off their bucket lists.
After a very exciting water rafting experience, it’d be ideal to calm the adrenaline that’s pumping inside your veins. You would probably want to wash up as well. Once you’ve reached Bishkek, you can quickly check into the hotel and take some time to freshen up and put on a pair of clean clothes. Before dinner, if there’s time, you can take a short walk in the city center, immersing yourself with the crowd of people and roaming around the shops available. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, where there will be a folk show for you to enjoy and celebrate the completion of the expedition.
Day 10: Home Sweet Home
Can you believe the expedition is over? Well, I can’t. Remember to bid farewell to your loveable expedition guide, who has showed you around to see the beautiful sights of Kyrgyzstan, as well as to your expedition driver, who brought you around safely and soundly throughout the entire expedition.
This may just be your last time seeing them (or maybe not…).
On this sentimental day, the drive from Bishkek City to the Manas International Airport of Bishkek will be a solemn one, as you try your best to take in any last sights of Kyrgyzstan before leaving for Singapore. Other than making sure you’ve packed every tangible item you own into your backpack, don’t forget to pack one of the most important items — an intangible one at that — your memories from this expedition.
So long, fellow adventurer, and catch you on our next adventure very soon!
Terms & Conditions
Upon payment of 50% non-refundable deposit, you will secure a spot for 1x Kyrgyzstan group expedition (20 May to 5 October). The total price for the trip is S$7,990 nett inclusive of flights. The remaining 50% is to be paid 8 weeks prior to trip commencement.
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Round-trip economy flights from Singapore to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (check-in up to 25kg and carry-on up to 7kg)
Airport transfers
Accommodation for all nights (three-star twin-sharing hotel rooms in bishkek, traditional yurts/homestays/guesthouses/camping tents in the countryside)
All-terrain expedition support vehicle, driver and petrol
English-speaking, experienced local Kyrgyz expedition guide
All meals stated (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) and a bottle of water per day
All staff costs including their fees, insurance and equipment
All national park fees and government/local taxes
All activities stated including horse-riding, white water rafting and shepherd homestays etc.
3/4 seasons sleeping bag
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Excess luggage and hand carry fees for flights
Additional incurred costs during layover
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Personal travel insurance
Emergency rescue flights (if needed)
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