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Tour

Chon Kemin to Karakol: The Best of Northern Kyrgyzstan (8 days)

Tour Operator
Remote Lands, Inc

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Valid for Departures Now Through: 01 Jun 2027
Virtuoso Benefits
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This eight-day itinerary will take you on a grand adventure through northern Kyrgyzstan: from military mountain truck to horseback riding, shopping for goodies at exotic markets, swimming in hot springs and spending time at wild beaches rimming one of the world’s most ancient and picturesque lakes, you will see the best this rugged part of the world has to offer. Starting and ending in capital city Bishkek, get ready to explore both the culture and nature of Kyrgyzstan, on this trip filled with opposites and juxtapositions.


Highlights


  • Observe the intricate process of felt carpet making

  • Visit petroglyphs fields, local historical museums, and cultural centers

  • Peruse exotic bazaars and oriental markets

  • Explore stunning mountainscapes on foot or by horseback

Itinerary

Day 1
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Hyatt Regency
Meals: Dinner

Arrive in the large capital city of Bishkek to begin your tour of the northern part of the country. After you are met at the airport by our guide and you get settled in at your hotel, you will have the chance to explore this relatively new city by car or by foot. Highlights include the Philharmonic House with the Statue of Manas, Central Square, Lenin's statue, the National Historical Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. After enjoying the local sights and sounds, you will have your first dinner at the "Supara” ethnic complex.

Day 2
Cholpon-ata, Kyrgyzstan

Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Three Crowns
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll set off for a journey around Issyk-Kul Lake: at approximately one mile high, this is the world’s second-largest mountain lake, and despite the snowcapped peaks around it, it never freezes, earning it the name that translates to “hot lake” in Kyrgyz. On the way there, you will visit Burana tower, from the Karakhanid period (10th century), and afterwards, travel to Kochkor village where you’ll visit the local Women’s Handicraft Co-operative and observe the process of felt carpet making. After lunch at the co-op, you will travel to the northern shore of the lake for dinner and spend the rest of your evening in a comfortable local hotel.


Day 3
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Cholpon-ata, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Green Yard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the third day of your journey, you’ll take an exciting excursion to the Aytmatov "Ruh Ordo" Cultural Center, where you’ll visit five chapels of world confessions - Catholicism, Islam, Orthodoxy, Buddhism, and Judaism - and explore a stone garden featuring rock engravings, prehistoric monumental structures, and petroglyphs dating back to 500 BC. Later, you’ll head to Karakol, the fourth-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, about 93 miles from the Kyrgyzstan-China border, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz folkloric dinner with Kyrgyz national music and songs.


Day 4
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Altyn-Arashan, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Green Yard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll have a full day to explore the remote Altyn-Arashan valley, journeying there on a Russian military mountain truck! Enjoy the natural beauty of the valley: with natural hot springs and a green valley dotted with yurts and horses, it is perfect for a hike and a picnic lunch. Bathe in the thermal hot spring before you enjoy your picnic; then, return to Karakol for dinner at a Dungan family’s home.


Day 5
Bokonbayevskoye, Kyrgyzstan

Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you will drive to Jety Oguz gorge, a lush valley with striking red sandstone rock formations, particularly in the shape of the “Seven Bulls”, which the valley is named after. Then, you will drive to Barskoon gorge, where there is a nice mixture of fir trees, berries, and herbs and a spectacular view of Issyk-Kul Lake. Enjoy a pleasant hike and a picnic lunch in a meadow before driving to Bokonbaevo (Manjyly-Ata), where you’ll enjoy dinner, yurt accommodation, and a wonderful sunset in a unique place called Manjyly-Ata - located between two small villages, it is known as the “Valley of the Sacred Springs”, as legend says the springs have healing powers.


Day 6
Kalmak Ashu village, Kyrgyzstan

Bokonbayevskoye, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Ashu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend your morning enjoying the 17 major “sacred springs” of Manjyly-Ata, also enjoying the opportunity to swim on a wild beach. Next, you’ll drive on to the Chon-Kemin valley, where you’ll see beautiful mountain and sea views while enjoying dinner, and overnight in the ranch style “Ashu” Hotel.

Day 7
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Kalmak Ashu village, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: Hyatt Regency
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Witness the famous horseback game Ulak Tartish (buzkashi/kupkari), a wild, traditional sport of nomads who played on horseback throughout Central Asia; then, take a horseback riding trip yourself, or hike around the local area. Enjoy a lunch at “Ashu” Hotel before heading back to Bishkek for your farewell dinner and night in the hotel.


Day 8
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast

Today is your departure day from Bishkek. After being transferred to Airport Manas, it will be time for you to check in for your international flight, which will whisk you back home or on to your next exciting destination.


Virtuoso Benefits

VIP Arrival

Remote Lands specializes exclusively in Asia and has close relationships with the finest Virtuoso hotels throughout Asia, so Virtuoso clients receive VIP treatment at all Virtuoso properties.

Product Terms & Conditions
Payment Notes
  • Payment by wire transfer or by cheque; American Express, Visa and MasterCard also accepted.
  • 25%

Refund Policy
  • Fully refundable, less a 15% of total trip price cancellation fee, if cancelled 91 days or more before departure, subject to the refund policies of each hotel, airline and other vendor
  • 50% of total trip price refundable if cancelled 30-90 days before departure, subject to the refund policies of each hotel, airline and other vendor
  • No refund less than 30 days before departure

  • Please note that some vendors have onerous cancellation policies with substantial penalties for changes where funds paid are non-refundable


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