The Lakes of the Kyrgyz Nomads
Take a tour around Lake Issyk Kul and spend two nights on the shore of Song Kul during this nine-day trip to Kyrgyzstan. The cultural sites of Karakol, the rock formations of the south shore, and the felt-making traditions of Kochkor bring variety between the lakes.
Duration
9 days
Ideal seasons
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Family, Couple, Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
Tour the Issyk Kul Lake and spend two nights on the shores of Song Kul on this nine-day trip to Kyrgyzstan. The cultural sites of Karakol, the rock formations of the south shore and the felt-making traditions of Kochkor bring variety between the lakes. Walks and horseback rides are tailored to the group, while the extra time at Song Kul allows you to enjoy the summer pastures without reducing the yurt stay to a single night.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Bishkek
After resting, take time to relax. The guide presents the mountain stages and arrangements for the yurts. Your first evening is free for dinner, with advice on nearby restaurants and practical shopping before leaving the city.
Bichkek → Bichkek
Welcome the local representative and join Bishkek.
Take an orientation walk around the Ala-Too Square and the Oak Park if flight schedules permit.
Bishkek to Burana and Karakol
The day covers a significant distance, so additional visits remain optional. Arrive at your accommodation and settle in before the more relaxed exploration of the city and the neighboring gorge scheduled for the next day.
Bichkek → Karakol
Continue towards Issyk Kul. Follow the lake corridor to Karakol with stops for lunch and rest along the way.
Visit Burana Tower and its archaeological surroundings.
Karakol and Jeti Oguz
Choose the duration of the walk with the guide rather than committing to an itinerary all the way to the summit.
Karakol → Karakol
Continue to Jeti Oguz for a walk in the valley, between red rock formations and wooded slopes. Return to Karakol for a second night, with time to taste local cuisine.
Explore the wooden Orthodox church and the Dungan mosque in Karakol, respecting local opening hours and times of worship. Take a walk through the valley, between red rock formations and wooded slopes.
From Karakol to Bokonbaevo via the South Shore
Stay in a guesthouse and discover the communities living along this quieter shore.
Karakol → Bokonbaïevo
Travel west along the southern shore of Issyk Kul, with time around the Barskoon region if the road and schedules permit. Continue towards Bokonbaevo.
Stroll among the formations of the Skazka Canyon. The day combines short walks with views of the lake, avoiding a full new schedule in town.
From Bokonbaevo to Kochkor
A presentation of the eagle hunting heritage can be organized with a local practitioner if their availability is confirmed and if the activity matches your preferences. Demonstrations are scheduled with hosts rather than considered available every day. Enjoy dinner at the guesthouse before heading up to Song Kul.
Bokonbaïevo → Kotchkor
Continue to Kochkor.
A workshop visit allows you to discover felt making and the work of local craftsmen.
From Kochkor to Song Kul
The camp is part of a landscape of exploited summer pastures, with livestock and weather conditions setting the rhythm of daily life. Keep a quiet afternoon after the altitude increase of sleeping; additional adaptation time may be necessary.
Kotchkor → Song Kul
Climb from Kochkor to Song Kul via the mountain pass road chosen based on current conditions.
Arrive at the seasonal yurt camp and take a short walk along the lake shore.
A full day at Song Kul
A second night allows you to adapt the day to weather conditions and personal interests rather than following another transfer itinerary.
Spend the day by the lake and in the surrounding jailoo pastures. Walk with the guide, relax at camp or choose an optional horseback riding excursion with a local accompanier and suitable equipment. The horseback riding excursion is charged separately unless it is specifically included.
From Song Kul to Bishkek
After your arrival in the capital, you will have time for last-minute shopping or a free stroll if the trip has gone according to plan. Dinner is at your own expense, then a night at the hotel is planned before your departure.
Song Kul → Bichkek
Descend by the mountain road currently open to the group vehicle and continue towards Bishkek. Take a break for lunch and rest along the way.
Departure from Bishkek
For an evening flight, an additional activity in the city can be organized around departure from the hotel and luggage storage. The program ends with the transfer to the airport, while extra nights or an excursion to Ala Archa can be added. The partner team reconfirms the departure details the evening before.
Bichkek → Aéroport International De Manas
Transfer to Manas airport according to flight schedules.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
French nationals can obtain an e-visa online before departure, valid for a tourist stay of up to 45 days. An additional authorization (GBAO permit) is required if you plan to cross the Pamir. Check the exact conditions with the embassy before traveling, as regulations change regularly.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 120 and 200 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and activities. Tajikistan remains an affordable destination, but its remote location and road conditions require private 4x4 transfers that represent a significant portion of the budget. International flights are additional.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Tajikistan is a demanding destination: long mountain roads, high altitudes on the Pamir, and sometimes basic accommodations. We can design family stays focused on Dushanbe and accessible valleys, prioritizing slow-paced itineraries and comfortable guesthouses, but this destination is better suited for teenagers than young children.
Chat with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates, then receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You can freely adjust each step before confirming. During your trip, your English-speaking local agency remains available 7 days a week to support you on the ground.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee which protects 100% of your funds in case of default. Secure payment, English-speaking assistance on site and repatriation covered: you travel to this remote destination with complete peace of mind.
Let's talk about your next trip to Tadjikistan
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.
