Yurt to Yurt - Nomadic Culture Tour10 Days | Bishkek, Kochkor, Song-Kul, Karakol, Jety-Oguz, Svetlaya Polyana, Tamga

The tour is offered in summer.
Yurt to Yurt - Nomadic Culture Tour offers an affordable and unforgettable way for travelers to experience the culture of Kyrgyzstan. In addition to staying in mountain, meadow and lakeside yurts, you can mingle with shepherds, learn how to set up a yurt, participate in felt carpet making and go hiking, swimming and horseback riding on this 10-day adventure.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 0: Departure day

Departure from the largest countries of European Union, like Austria, Germany, Switzerland and others. Scheduled flight with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.

Day 1: Bishkek – Kochkor (250 km, 3-4 hours of driving)

Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning. Local driver will meet you at the airport. Breakfast in the сity. Transfer to Kochkor. Today you will drive to Kochkor village. Kochkor is a village surrounded by mountains and large hills. On the way visit the old town of Balasagun. The city was founded by Karachanid Khaganat. And Islam was spread in Kyrgyzstan by the Karachanid Khaganat. Visit Burana Tower. Its construction dated from the 10th to the 11th century. The original height of the tower was not less than 40 m, but the upper part was destroyed by an earthquake. Today, the height is 21.7 meters.
Optionally, visit the women's cooperation called “Altyn Kol” (Golden Hand). You can take part in the felt production master class and buy beautiful felt art handycarfts from local artists. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Kochkor.
Altitude during the day: 1606 in Tamga, 1800 m in Kochkor
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 2: Kochkor – Song-Kul (150 km, 3-4 hours of driving)

Breakfast in the guesthouse. Then you will drive to the Song-Kul lake (Son-Kul). It is a mountain lake at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. The nomads spend their summer on the jailoo (pasture) to graze their cattle. You can meet herds of sheep and horses. Lunch at the yurt camp. Accommodation in yurts (yurt is the traditional home of nomadic shepherds). You can taste kymyz (mare's milk) and see how the shepherd's wife prepares bread and cheese. Dinner with freshly baked bread and overnight in a yurt camp.
Altitude during the day: 1800 m in Kochkor, 3030 m on Song-Kul Lake
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 3: Song-Kul (Son-Kul)

Breakfast. The whole day in Song-Kul. Here you can go on a day hike in the mountains, meet local shepherds, observe the shepherd's way of life: taste bread and Kymyz (the Kyrgyz national drink made from mare's milk). You can see how mare is milked, how the nomads live. There are various options for hiking in Song-Kul. There are no special hiking routes here. You can go for a walk yourself and spend from 1 to 5-6 hours. If you go for a walk all day, we can organize packed lunch for you. If you would like to experince horse riding during the day, we can organize this service for you. It will be possible for additional payment. For riding we will arrange a local stableman for your escort. Overnight and dinner in the yurt camp.
Altitude during the day: 3030 m on Song-Kul
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4: Song-Kul – Karakol (380 km, 6-7 hours of driving)

After breakfast in the yurt transfer to Karakol. We will drive along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world at an altitude of 1607 meters above sea level. The lake does not freeze in winter (hence the name), even though it is surrounded by mountains. Optionally boat excursion in Issyk-Kul lake.
Upon arrival to Karakol accommodation in the family guesthouse. Dinner in Uighur family. Overnight.
Altitude during the day: 3030 m on Song-Kul, 1760 m in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5: Karakol – Jety-Oguz (40 km, 1 hours of driving)

You are in Karakol on Sunday, a visit to Sunday animal market. It is the popular event in the region taking place once a week. It starts very early. We come here before breakfast.
Breakfast in the family and start the city tour in Karakol with visiting Russian Orthodox Church, Muslim Mosque and Museum of Przhevalski.
In the afternoon transfer to Jety-Oguz gorge, famous for its red rock formation.
Dinner and overnight in the yurt.
Altitude during the day: 1760 m in Karakol, 2200 m Jety-Oguz
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6: Jety-Oguz – Svetlaya Polyana – Tamga

Breakfast in the yurt. Start the hiking to Svetlaya Polyana. It is a 3-4 hours hike. Upon arrival to Tamga accommodation in the yurt camp that is situated near the lake. It is possible to have a swim in the lake. Here is a wild beach. Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
Altitude during the day: 2020 m in Jety-Oguz, 1606 in Tamga
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 7: Tamga

You have full day to enjoy Issyk-Kul Lake. Your yurt camp is only 150 m away from the lake. You will stay here like nomads in the yurts, but only with a few more comfort. There is a shower and toilet next to each yurt. The food is served in a separate yurt. Before dinner you can enjoy unforgettable sunset and in the beautiful starry sky. The village of Tamga is located on the main route of Silk Road. As it is known, not only goods were transported on this famous silk road, but also religions. Stones with Buddhist inscriptions were found in one of the Tamga gorges, that is why the village was given the name "Tamga", which means "letter". You can optionally do several activities and visits during these days:
Activities to do for extra charge:
1. Visit Barskoon gorge and Barskoon waterfalls. You can take light hikes inside the gorge or go to the waterfall, the driver will accompany you.
2. There is also a unique opportunity for you to practice Kayaking on Issyk-Kul Lake.
3. Another of the unique opportunities that you may have is the visit to Tamga Gorge, where you will find old Buddhist inscriptions on the stones.
Dinners and overnights in the yurt camp.
Altitude during the day: 1606 in Tamga
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 8: Tamga – Bishkek (330 km, 5-6 hours of driving)

After breakfast transfer to Bishkek. A visit to "Fairy Tale" canyon. While walking on sandy hills, your imagination will turn upside down due to the variety of colors and shapes created by the sand. You will see different elements.
Optionally, you can stop in Kyzyl-Tuu, where the local masters make the wooden parts of the yurts. The local artisan can show you how to make wooden parts of Yurt by your own hands.
Upon arrival to Bishkek accommodation in the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Altitude during the day: 1606 in Tamga, 800 m in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 9: Bishkek

Free day in Bishkek. Only hotel is booked for you. You can explore the city or have the guide for supplement. Overnight in hotel.
Altitude during the day: 1606 in Tamga, 800 m in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Bishkek – Airport

After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport. Catch flight back. End od Yurt to Yurt - Nomadic Culture Tour.
Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

Place	Hotel / Guesthouse / Yurt Camp	Conditions
Kochkor	Nomad lodge guesthouse or similar	Twin room accommodation, private facilities in each room
Song-Kul (Son-Kul)	Yurt Camp	4 people accommodation in a yurt, shared outside European style private toilet and shower cabins
Karakol	Family guesthouse	Twin room, shared shower and toilet
Jety-Oguz	Yurt camp	4 people accommodation in a yurt, shared outside European style private toilet and shared shower cabins
Tamga	Yurt Camp	4 people accommodation in a yurt, shared outside European style private toilet and shower cabins near each yurt
Bishkek	Hotel „Bridges“ / „B-Hotel“ or similar	Twin room accommodation, private facilities in each room

Inclusions
Exclusions

Transport for transfers and excursions during the tour (car in good condition with air conditioning); 2 people – jeep; 3-4 pax - Mini Van or Delica; 5-12 pax - Mercedes Sprinter;
twin / double room accommodation;
Four-person accommodation in the yurts;
Full board (except Day 9);
Entree fees to cultural places and nature parks according the program
Mineral water during the tour (1 liter per person);
Tour guide.

Early check-in on day 1;
Alcohol and soft drinks;
Costs for Kyrgyz visa if necessary;
Porter service in hotels and at the airport;
International and domestic flight tickets;
Personal expenses of customers;
Any devisions from the program;
Tour Guide and transport service in Day 9-10;
Yurt production show;
Felt carpet production show;
Visit Tamga Gorge;
Visit Barskoon gorge;
Kayaking in Issyk Kul;
Eagle Hunting Show.

Supplement services:

Supplement for single room accommodation in Hotel in Bishkek is 45 USD per single room, 60 USD per twin room per night;
Supplement for yurt production show in Kyzyl-Tuu is 65 USD per group;
Supplement for Kayaking in Issyk - Kul - is 25 USD per person per day;
Supplement for Eagle hunting show in Skazka Canyon or Barskoon Canyon – is 90 USD per group;
Supplement for horse riding in Son-Kul - is 15 USD per person (2-3 hours of riding) (for the service of escorting stableman is - 25 USD per group of 3-4 people);
Supplement for the boat excursion is 120 USD for the group up to 15 people;
Supplement for Felt carpet Show – is 55 USD per group;
Supplement for the trip to Barskoon Gorge - group of 2-3 people (small car) with driver – 60 USD per group;
Supplement for the trip to the Barskoon Gorge - group of 4-12 people (Mercedes Sprinter of 17 seats) with driver – 90 USD per group;
Surcharge for the trip to the Tamga Gorge - group of 2-3 people (small car) with driver - 40 USD per group;
Surcharge for the trip to the Tamga Gorge - group of 4-12 people (Mercedes Sprinter of 17 seats) with driver - 70 USD per group.

Conditions:

Health

If you have some specific sicknesses you need to bring own first aid kit with necessary medicaments.

Responsibilities of clients

Your clients should recognize and accept the risk that circumstances may arise which would cause some activities to be shortened or eliminated altogether without reimbursement or refund. Such circumstance includes weather conditions, earthquakes and other acts of nature, injuries or other medical problems, which they may experience. However, you recognize and accept that none of the eventualities described above will give you a right to a refund or other forms of reimbursement.

NOTES:

The price is given based on 3 star’s hotel accommodation in Bishkek. We can change it for hotels with higher level upon request for additional payment.
Please keep in mind that people in the countryside do not stick to time and can be late for 20-30 minutes. So it may not always be on time according to the itinerary, especially when local people cook and serve food or organize horses for riding.
People in Kyrgyzstan are very friendly and like to take pictures. But please do ask for permission if you take a picture of old people, mosques, churches, funerals etc or in countryside as people may be offended.
The same tour program can be organised for another date upon request or for individual groups with the same conditions and same price

Dates & Prices

Group size: 2-10 persons

Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.