12-day round trip through Kyrgyzstan in a small group

The first stop on the way to Lake Issyk-Köl is the village of Rot-Front. It was originally founded by German Mennonites in the 19th century with the name Bergtal. Many German families still live here today. A small museum in the village provides insights into the surprising and eventful history of the place. Just a few kilometres further on is the Tower of Burana from the 10th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top platform, you will be rewarded with a unique view.
unique rock carvings and magnificent sculptures.
. Cholpon Ata lies directly on Lake Issyk-Kü, the "Kyrgyz Sea", 1600 metres above sea level. With an area of 6236 square kilometres, Lake Constance fits into it eleven times over.

Overnight stay at the Tri Korony Hotel*** o.s. (1600 metres above sea level)

If you get up early, you can go for a swim in the lake before breakfast. After breakfast, visit the Chingiz-Aitmatov Cultural Centre and Rukh Ordo Open-Air Museum. Monuments to famous personalities and pavilions for the various world religions are intended to show that all religions and spiritual movements ultimately point to a common God. Afterwards, a detour with a short hike takes you into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for the first time. In the afternoon, you will reach the city of Karakol, also located on the lake. Visit to the informative Prjevalsky Museum, which is dedicated to the great explorer of Central Asia, who is largely unknown in the West. He himself died in Karakol on his last expedition in search of Lhasa and is buried on the site in accordance with his last wishes.

Overnight stay at the Riverside Guesthouse*** o.s. (1600 metres above sea level)

In the morning, explore Karakol with its colourful market and museum dedicated to the French Asian explorer Ella Maillart. Karakol was founded in 1869 as a military post of the Tsarist Empire and built in the Russian style with an impressive Orthodox church. Around 1880, Karakol was a place of refuge for the Muslim Dungan people, who emigrated here from China in order to be able to practise their religion freely. The colourful, pagoda-style Dungan Mosque is another architectural highlight of this city.
In the afternoon, take a cable car to Karakol Ski Base at an altitude of 3000 metres. From here you have a breathtaking view of the mountain giants of the Tien-Shan, the Chinese Sky Mountains. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the life of this community in the past and today in direct conversation with a Dungan family and at the same time enjoy the rich Dungan cuisine.

Overnight stay at the Riverside Guesthouse*** o.s. (1600 metres above sea level)

Today's journey continues along the shores of the lake in a westerly direction and is characterised by the special shapes and colours of the mountains south of Lake Issyk-Kü. The rocks rise dark red from the green valley of Jety Ögüz. A 2-hour hike takes you close to the most famous of these rock formations, the "Seven Bulls", where you will have a picnic lunch. The nearby "Broken Heart Mountain" is also a very popular photo opportunity.

In the afternoon, the Skaszka Valley awaits you with a fairytale landscape of bizarre shapes in a wide variety of colours, which have been created here by erosion over the centuries. Narrow paths wind through the hills like a labyrinth; the deep blue lake forms a contrasting backdrop to this bizarre scenery.

Overnight stay at the Emily Guesthouse*** o.s. (1600 metres above sea level)

Today you will gain a deep insight into two of the most important pillars of Kyrgyz culture. In a remote valley, you will meet a Kyrgyz falconer with his eagle. The hunting with eagles is a centuries-old tradition and art of the nomads of Kyrgyzstan and has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site since 2020. The eagles live to be around 30 years old and have a very close bond with their falconer.
yurt making. Here we visit a Kyrgyz family that has been making yurts for generations. Over the centuries, the construction of these mobile nomadic dwellings has been continuously optimised. All the components are perfectly harmonised so that the yurts can be assembled by just a few people in a very short time. The route now turns away from Lake Issyk-Kü and leads over a very scenic mountain route up to Lake Song Kul, 3000 metres above sea level.

Overnight stay in a yurt in the yurt camp (3000 metres above sea level)

Lake Song Kul is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and extensive lush green pastures. Several nomadic families live here with their horses and sheep throughout the summer. The peace and tranquillity of the landscape is perfect for hiking. Those who wish can swim a lap in the cool waters of the lake or go on a guided horse ride (not included in the price).

Watching the starry night sky above the lake is also a special experience.

Overnight stay in a yurt in the yurt camp (3000 metres above sea level)

Experience the unique morning atmosphere at the lake, before the drive after breakfast over the Moldo Ashu Pass down to Naryn, a regional centre. After two nights in the yurt, you can enjoy the amenities of the Khan Tengri Hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight stay at the Khan Tengri Hotel**** (2000 metres above sea level)

In the morning, we leave Naryn and travel to Tash Rabat to visit the 11th-century Karvanserai, the most important cultural monument in Kyrgyzstan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Tash Rabatprobably dates back even further to the 10th century and was a monastery complex of the Nestorians at the time. It is located at an altitude of 3,000 metres in a beautiful, secluded, gentle mountain landscape, just a few kilometres from the Chinese border.

Overnight stay in a yurt camp (3000 metres above sea level)

In the morning you have time to explore the beautiful surroundings on your own on a short hike and enjoy the special atmosphere of this place. In the early afternoon, start the return journey over the Dolon Pass to Kochkor, stopping off at a family home in the small village of Ad Bashy on the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains. The visit offers a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the traditional felt making process.
In Kochkor , many women from the region have joined together to form the Handicrafts Cooperative, through which they sell Kyrgyz felt products such as shyrdaks (felt carpets) and other handmade handicraft products.

Overnight stay in a small guesthouse or Nomad Lodge*** (2000 metres above sea level)

After breakfast, drive back to Bishkek, where you will have another opportunity to visit one of the large markets in the afternoon to buy some last-minute souvenirs and visit the Museum of Arts. Farewell dinner together with the team from our partner agency.Overnight stay at the NOVOTEL Bishkek City Centre**** o.ä. (800 metres from the sea)