Kyrgyzstan Nomad Tour (5 Days)

Meeting with the group in Bishkek and the drive east toward Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. A stop at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and UNESCO World Heritage site. The route follows the Boom Gorge to the southern shore and the Oimo-Tash yurt camp on the lakeshore.

After check-in, free time at the lake and a walk along the shore.

Dinner at the camp with an introduction to nomadic hospitality.

Overnight: Oimo-Tash yurt camp (1,620 m).

Meals: dinner.

An eagle hunting demonstration on the southern shore. The first stop is Skazka Canyon, with a walk among its sandstone formations shaped by wind and erosion.

The route continues to Barskoon Gorge, with a short hike to a waterfall among the spruce forest.

Return to the Oimo-Tash yurt camp in the afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to relax by the lake or take part in optional camp activities.

Overnight: Oimo-Tash yurt camp.

Meals: breakfast, dinner.

The drive south into the mountains of the Naryn region, through highland pasture and shepherd settlements.

Arrival at the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, a stone Silk Road building at 3,200 m and one of the best-preserved Silk Road monuments in Central Asia, which served the merchants crossing between the Fergana Valley and Kashgar.

A guided visit to the monument, then check-in at the yurt camp near the site.

Dinner at the camp.

Overnight: Tash-Rabat yurt camp (3,200 m).

Meals: breakfast, dinner.

The drive crosses the high passes to Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, where herder families spend the summer with their livestock on the pastures around the lake.

In the afternoon, a visit to a local herder family.

Optional horseback riding on the surrounding pastures is available at extra cost.

Dinner at the camp.

Overnight: Song-Kul yurt camp (3,016 m).

Meals: breakfast, dinner.

The drive back to Bishkek crosses the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass and descends from the high plateau to the Chuy Valley.

Afternoon arrival in Bishkek, with free time depending on your departure schedule, followed by a drop-off in the city.

Meals: breakfast.

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights

Start / End: Bishkek → Bishkek (Bishkek accommodation and airport transfers not included)

Departures: 18 weekly dates in 2027, 28 May to 24 September, guaranteed with minimum 1 participant

Accommodation: Yurt camps (4 nights)

Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners

Activity level: Easy. Touring with short walks at Skazka Canyon, Barskoon Gorge, and Tash-Rabat.

Season: Late May to late September

The daily transfers are:

Day 1 (Bishkek to the southern shore, 320 km, 5 hours)
Day 2 (the southern shore loop, 180 km, 4–5 hours)
Day 3 (southern shore to Tash-Rabat, 320 km, 6 hours)
Day 4 (Tash-Rabat to Song-Kul, 250 km, 5–6 hours)
Day 5 (Song-Kul to Bishkek, 320 km, 6–7 hours)

The route includes long drives between some stops, as the roads pass through mountain valleys and gorges.

The route gradually gains altitude: the first two nights are spent on the lakeshore at 1,620 m, followed by one night at Tash-Rabat at 3,200 m and one night at Song-Kul at 3,016 m. On the final day, the route descends to the Chuy Valley at around 800 m. The first two nights at 1,620 m allow some time to adjust before reaching the higher camps. Walking is light throughout the tour.

Travellers with a history of altitude problems, a heart condition, or severe asthma should inform us when booking.

Bishkek in summer can reach 40°C. In the mountains, temperatures can drop to around 10°C, and nights at Tash-Rabat and Song-Kul are cold even in July. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and warm layers are required regardless of the dates.

• Rain jacket and a wind-stopper
• Fleece or warm sweater for evenings at altitude
• Long-sleeve shirts, as the sun at altitude is strong
• Hat, sunglasses, and lip balm
• Sunscreen, SPF 50+ or higher
• Insect repellent for skin and clothing
• Trekking boots for the walks at Skazka, Barskoon, and Tash-Rabat
• Light walking shoes
• Swimsuit for Issyk-Kul Lake
• Personal first-aid kit: blister care, painkillers, antihistamines, and any personal medication
• Personal hygiene kit, disinfection gel, and some toilet paper
• A small towel
• Small day backpack in addition to your main luggage
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Walking poles if you use them

A soft bag or duffel is easier to handle at the yurt camps than a hard suitcase.

The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bank cards are accepted in Bishkek; outside the capital, plan to pay in cash.

If you bring US dollars or euros to exchange, bring notes of 50 and 100 in clean condition, without stamps, inscriptions, or damage, as damaged banknotes are not accepted by banks and exchange offices. US dollar notes must be issued from 2009 or later. Euro notes should be no larger than 100.

Lunches are not included except on Day 3, so plan a cash budget for the remaining meals.

• Yurt camps provide beds and bedding, with private bathroom facilities at most camps; facilities are shared at Song-Kul.
• Facilities differ between the camps, and full details are provided before booking.
• Mobile coverage is limited outside towns. There may be no mobile signal in regions, while Starlink Wi-Fi is available at the camps.
• Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, no pork, allergies) should be given at booking, not at the camp.
• English is a second language for most of our team, so a reply can come back short and to the point even when the person writing it is being friendly.

What nomadic experiences are included in the program? The eagle hunting demonstration, the boorsok show, the yurt assembling show with traditional yurt-making, the shyrdak felt show, and the visit to a herder family at Song-Kul are all part of the program and included in the price. Optional horseback riding at Song-Kul is available at extra cost.

Is every night in a yurt camp? Yes. The tour includes two nights at Oimo-Tash yurt camp on the Issyk-Kul lakeshore, one night at Tash-Rabat yurt camp, and one night at Song-Kul yurt camp. There are no hotel nights on this tour, and the Song-Kul camp has shared facilities.

What should I know about the altitude? You spend two nights at 1,620 m on the Issyk-Kul lakeshore before staying one night at Tash-Rabat at 3,200 m and one night at Song-Kul at 3,016 m. The first two nights provide time to adjust before reaching higher elevations. Walking is light throughout the tour. Travellers with previous altitude problems, a heart condition, or severe asthma should inform us when booking.

Is accommodation in Bishkek included? No. The tour price covers the four yurt camp nights on the route. Accommodation in Bishkek before or after the tour and airport transfers are not included. Provide your arrival and departure details at the time of booking, and your travel advisor can assist with transfers and accommodation.

Is this a good trip for solo travellers? Yes. Every weekly departure is guaranteed to run with 2 participants. A solo traveller joining a group pays $920 plus the $120 single supplement for a private yurt; a solo traveller on a departure with no other bookings pays the solo rate of $1,780.