HIKING IN THE LAND OF THE NOMADS
A unique adventure in the heart of the heavenly mountains of Kyrgyzstan, a country where nomadic traditions are still alive and nature reigns supreme. This itinerary takes you through vast alpine steppes, panoramic mountain passes and unspoilt valleys, at a leisurely walking pace.
Each day immerses you in authentic Kyrgyz life: nights in yurts, encounters with nomadic families, sharing milk tea, observing herds during transhumance. Along the trails, you will discover majestic landscapes: high-altitude lakes with turquoise waters, endless pastures, snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear rivers.
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL IN BISHKEK
Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Day dedicated to exploring the Kyrgyz capital: History Museum, Ala-Too Square, Osh Bazaar market, etc.
Lunch and dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 2:
BISHKEK – SON-KOL LAKE
(5 hours’ drive / +2,200 m)
Drive to Son-Kol, the country’s second largest lake. En route, visit the 11th-century Burana Tower. Lunch with a Dungan family.
Arrive at the lake in the afternoon and settle into a yurt camp.
DAY 3:
SON-KOL LAKE – NARYN
(3 hours’ drive / -1,000 m)
Free morning at the lake: horse riding available, relaxation and spectacular scenery.
Lunch at the camp, then drive to Naryn to enjoy comfortable accommodation before the 7-day trek.
Dinner at a restaurant.
DAY 4:
NARYN – KEN SAZ
(2 hours drive + 4 hours hike / +450 m)
Morning drive then start of the trek. The driver leaves with our belongings. Walk to the Ken-Saz pastures.
Settle into the yurt.
Dinner and overnight stay in the yurt.
DAY 5:
HIKING
(6 hours walking / +650 m / -250 m)
Second day of trekking in a splendid alpine setting, between rivers, nomadic herds and traditional yurts.
Night in tents.
DAY 6:
HIKING
(7 hours walking / +700 m / -1000 m)
Ascent of the Jak-Bolot Pass (3,850 m) followed by a long descent to a river frequented by semi-wild horses.
Night in tents.
DAY 7:
HIKING
(5 hours walking / +250 m / -300 m)
Crossing vast steppes and crossing a river on horseback to reach the Balgart Valley.
Night in tents.
DAY 8:
HIKING
(5 to 6 hours walking / +550 m)
Circumventing the Kara-Kaman mountain range with superb panoramic views of the mountains already crossed. Climbing up a steep-sided valley to a large plain where several rivers converge.
Night in tents.
DAY 9:
HIKING
(6 to 7 hours walking / +600 m / -700 m)
Walk between streams and wetlands to reach a pass (3,700 m).
Descent to Lake Teshik-Kol with its turquoise waters, then on to the Jyluu-Suu Valley, famous for its hot springs.
Set up camp and bathe in the thermal waters.
DAY 10:
JYLUU SUU – BOKONBAEV
(4–5 hours of hiking / +1,000 m / -850 m, then -1,300 m by vehicle)
Ascent via the old Ton Pass road (4,023 m) to cross the imposing Teskey mountain range, which borders the southern edge of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Meet up with the driver at the bottom of the pass, then transfer to the village of Bokonbaev.
Check into the guesthouse.
DAY 11:
BOKONBAEV – BISHKEK
(4 hours’ drive + 3 hours’ walk / -1,000 m)
Explore the spectacular Ak-Say canyons, with panoramic views of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Second hike in the Boom Gorge: approximately 2 hours round trip to reach the Konorchek canyons.
Arrival in Bishkek at the end of the day, check-in at a good hotel and dinner at a restaurant.
DAY 12:
DEPARTURE
Transfer to Bishkek Airport.
Have a safe journey and see you soon for a new adventure!
