14-day family trip in Kyrgyzstan

Arrival in the early morning hours and shuttle ride to our hotel in the city. First, we will catch up on sleep. In the afternoon, we will explore Bishkek and its history during a small city tour. Afterwards, we will end the day with a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, we leave the city with our tour vehicle and drive through the Chui Valley to Issyk Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world. By noon, we are invited to a family in Balyktschi, the second largest city on Issyk Kul, and experience true hospitality. In the vast Ala Bash Valley south of Issyk Kul, we reach the Jaichy yurt camp in the afternoon, a perfect place to start our journey in a relaxed manner. The kitchen provides us with delicious Kyrgyz cuisine. On the large premises, there is a playground, the mountains are in sight, and the attached museum tells exciting stories about the nomadic culture of the Kyrgyz.

Today we will undertake our first horseback tour. We will ride into the nearby mountain landscape. We determine the distance and pace ourselves. Our guide and a local horse boy will help us with handling the animals. Previous experience is not necessary. For children under 12 years old, we recommend leading the horse. Small children can also ride together with their parents on one horse. In the afternoon, we will visit a yurt builder and learn about the traditional craft.

Our next stop is located directly in the high mountains. The hot springs of Chong Kyzyl Suu (2,350 m) are nestled in a deep mountain gorge amidst a Tian Shan spruce forest. The three-hour drive there alone offers many highlights, so we definitely won't be bored today: we will visit an eagle hunter and learn about this centuries-old tradition, we will have lunch in a very special yurt camp right by Lake Issyk Kul, and after a hike in the late afternoon, we will enjoy the hot springs in the mountains. The accommodation is simple, but unique in the wonderful mountain ambiance. In good weather, we can also set up our tent near the accommodation in consultation with the guide.

After breakfast, we then set off to the neighboring valley of Yeti Oguz. Before us lies a 20-kilometer dream tour along the grassy slopes and through the forests between the two valleys. We pass by the yurts of the locals and have a view of Issyk Kul and the alpine mountain landscape at the same time. The horses safely carry us along the road-width path. Upon arrival at the Eco Village Lodge of Tilek & Diana, we settle into our comfortable yurts. Optionally, we can also book you rooms in the comfortable lodge (+20€ per person per night).

The lodge has both a sauna and a pool for the kids, as well as a volleyball court and playground. We can simply relax today or take an interesting excursion to Karakol, the nearby provincial town. The Karakol bazaar, the famous wooden Dungan mosque, and the Orthodox church, as well as the historical museum, are just a few attractions worth visiting. Above all, the Uyghur cuisine with the dish "Aschlamfu," famous in Karakol, is worth trying. For all you water lovers, the nearby hot springs in Aksu close to Karakol are highly recommended. 

The Yeti Oguz Valley is dominated by the 5,168 m high Oguz Bashi. The impressive glaciated mountain can be seen from the Lodge and the goal of our tour in the next three days lies directly below the glacier.

To start our riding tour, we drive about 15 km up the valley. Of course, we make a stop at the “Yeti Oguz,” the “Seven Bulls,” the namesake rock formation for the river, the valley, and also the village. Seven Bulls must have looked like the red rocks hundreds of years ago. Today, there are eleven red rocks that create a wonderful contrast to the surrounding lush green valley. On the back side is another rock formation, the broken heart. The legend tells how this split rock was formed…

A little further up the valley, we start our riding tour through the unforgettable landscape of the alpine river valleys of Terskey Ala Too. The slopes covered with Tian Shan fir trees border the valley to the east and west. Our path leads us upstream to the high pastures of the nomads, up to the high pasture below the Oguz Bashi glacier. Here we sleep in the yurt of the only herders of this pasture. They provide us with food and we learn about the traditions of the nomads. We ride up to the glacier, can participate in herding the livestock, milking, baking bread, and do everything that is offered on our day of stay (since we can only plan this to a limited extent with the nomad family beforehand, it depends on what needs to be done on that day). On the third day, we ride back down the valley with many insights into the traditions of the nomads.

The drive along the southern shore of Issyk Kul back follows the same route as before, yet it feels completely different. The views are breathtaking. We make numerous stops. We take an excursion into the bizarre rock formations near Kaji Say. In the "Fairy Gorge," wind and water have created mystical sculptures and formations over many years. Upon arriving at the yurt camp, the relaxed atmosphere invites you to relax and swim at the beach. There is also a small playground and many interesting corners for the children.

Along the breathtaking lake scenery of Issyk Kul, we drive to Kochkor. The city is known for the numerous felt workshops. Of course, we will learn about the production of felt during our visit to a workshop. The hands-on workshop will definitely not be boring for anyone… After a delicious lunch at the felt workshop, we continue to Son Kul. The lake, located at 3,000 meters, is a true gem and is one of the highlights of the country. We have

Son Kul is a unique place in Kyrgyzstan. Located at 3,000 meters and nestled in a vast landscape of meadows, it serves as a home for nomads with their countless animals in the summer. In winter, it freezes over and no human or animal can be found here. We ride from our yurt camp along the shore to the west, between grazing livestock and the yurts of the nomads. After tourism in Son Kul has increased significantly in recent years, today we are choosing a campsite in the wilderness with our guide according to our wishes – right by the lakeshore or on the surrounding mountains. We are creating our own little Son Kul adventure. Our horses will be led back to the yurt camp by our guide in the afternoon.

Absolute peace, distant views over the lake and the animals that come down to the shore of the lake in the morning to drink. We will never forget these moments. After breakfast, it is already time to say goodbye and we drive back to Bishkek. On the way, we stop at the Burana Tower. This minaret from the 11th century is one of the few historical buildings from the heyday of the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan. We conclude the journey together in Bishkek.

Transfer to the airport, return flight home.