Kyrgyzstan Explorer Walk (Mountains, Villages & Alpine Lakes) 10D9N, Guided

From $2,242.86 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Uncover the less discovered, Kyrgyzstan, and journey into the remote wild. Over 10 days unearth the marvels of nature by foot including the Tian Shan mountains, Ala-Archa Gorge, and alpine lakes, such as Issyk Kul and Son-Kul. Savour the heavenly flavours of gourmet cuisine, and experience the Kyrgyz captivating nomadic culture as you stay in traditional lakeside yurt camps and a cosy homestay.

Your journey begins in the vibrant capital city of Bishkek, where modern charm and Soviet history come together in an ideal combination. Explore the bsutling city capital unmnlocking its iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. From Bishkek, journey to Karakol, where you can enjoy the beautiful Jergalan Valley, relax in the hot springs, and explore the ancient artefacts in the Stone Garden. Marvel at surreal beauty, natural marvels, and ...

Trip Highlights

  • Uncover the capital of Bishek including Ala-Too Square, the historic Oak Park, the awe-inspiring Ala-Archa National Park, and Burana Tower
  • Explore the otherworldly wonders of Djety Oguz Gorge, Barskoon Gorge, and Skazka Gorge, all boasting surreal beauty
  • Witness the breathtaking Ak-Sai waterfall, Jargalan Valley, Issyk Kul lake, and Chon Kemin's blissful valleys 
  • Immerse in the rich tapestry of Kyrgyzstan's vibrant and exotic heritage making traditional rugs, preparing and indulging in mouth-watering, authentic delicacies
  • Gain an in-depth insight into traditional nomadic lifestyle staying in yurt camps and a homestay
  • Seek mesmerising wild nature encounters including the snow leopard and the blue bird, called the "Bird of Happiness" by the Kyrgyz

What's Included

  • All meals as specified
  • All listed transport and activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • 9 nights accommodation on a twin share basis including 5 nights in hotels, 1 night in a guesthouse, 1 night in a homestay and 2 nights in a yurt camp (multi-share)
  • 5 days with walking (one of these days is a series of short walks as we drive from one area to another)

Itinerary

DAY 1 START BISHKEK; AFTERNOON CITY TOUR
Hotel Garden, Bishek (or similar)
None
DAY 2 DISCOVER THE NATURAL MARVELS OF ALA-ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
Hotel Garden, Bishek (or similar)
Breakfast
DAY 3 EXPLORE CHON-KEMIN NATIONAL PARK
Kemin Guesthouse, Shabdan (or similar)
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: WHISK THROUGH ISSYK KUL AND BEYOND
Matsunoki Hotel, Karakol (or similar)
Breakfast
DAY 5 UNCOVER JERGALAN VALLEY AND HOT SPRINGS IN AK-SUU
Matsunoki Hotel, Karakol (or similar)
Breakfast
DAY 6 A SCENIC DRIVE FROM KARAKOL TO KOCHKOR
Homestay, Kochkor
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 A JOURNEY TO SON-KUL AND THE NOMADIC LIFESTYLE
Yurt camp, Son-Kul
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 UNVEILING THE TREASURES OF SON-KUL
Yurt camp, Son-kul
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 SCENIC DRIVE TO BISHKEK & MARVEL AT MOUNTAIN PASSES
Hotel Garden, Bishek (or similar)
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 HEARTY GOODBYES IN BISHKEK
None
Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.

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How To Get There

- The departure and finish point is  Bishek

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Bishek. The closest major is Manas International Airport and is 32 km from the center of Bishkek.

Walking Distance


The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (800m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (800m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily sacents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1.100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1.100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or 'split' grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

Weather & Climate

Although the overall climate in Kyrgyzstan is continental, there can be huge variations in temperature between seasons, different geographical locations and elevations. Summer can extend from May to September, but some mountain passes can remain blocked by snow until June. Snow persists in the high mountains year-round. Kyrgyzstan gets surprisingly little rain and has more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

In summer, mornings are characteristically clear, but afternoons can sometimes be hazy with occasional rain. Even in summer, there can be occasional snowfalls above 9,840ft (3,000m). At lower altitudes (around the tree line), temperatures usually range from 16C to 28C (61F to 80F) in July/August and it can feel very hot during the day. In the highlands, the temperatures in July/August are 8C-12C (46F-54F). Temperatures may get below freezing at night at Son-Kul, especially from mid-September onwards.

Bishkek and the lowland areas around Lake Issyk-Kul will be hot in the day and mild in the evenings.

Activity Level

This trek has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate) with five days that include walking. The highest part of this trip is around Son-Kul. We’ll sleep at an altitude of 9,895ft (3,016m) and walk up to about 11,480ft (3,500m). Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further information.

Walking distances and hours are given as approximates only and will vary depending on the pace of your group.

Accommodation

We spend three nights in a four-star hotel in Bishkek, one night in a guesthouse in Chon Kemin, two nights in a comfortable family-run hotel in Karakol, one night in a homestay in Kochkor and two nights in a yurt camp at Son-Kol.

Rooms at Chon-Kemin and Kochkor have shared bathrooms.

The yurt camp at Son-Kol is based on four people sharing each yurt (single supplement does not apply at the yurt camp). The yurts are decorated in traditional style with many rugs. Shared toilets, sinks and shower are outside. There is electricity provided by generators. Drinking water is taken from a well. Temperatures can get below freezing at night at Son-Kol. During cold nights, the yurts are heated by wood or dung stoves.

We recommend bringing a sleeping bag for additional warmth in the yurts.

Essential Equipment

This is not an exhaustive list, but we recommend you include the following items. All walks are day walks only, so you just need to carry a daypack.

  • Three-season sleeping bag (optional – for use at Son-Kul, otherwise bedding is available)
  • Walking boots (waterproof, with ankle support, and worn in)
  • Several pairs of walking socks
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers (pants)
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • T-shirts, shirts, thin base layers
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Three/four-season down jacket
  • Trainers (sneakers)/sandals for the evening
  • Daypack around 25-35 litres
  • Headtorch (flashlight) and batteries
  • Two/three large water bottles (you need to carry enough water for the whole day’s trek)
  • Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip salve with sun protection
  • Walking pole(s)
  • Dry bags or plastic bags to line daypack
  • Toilet paper
  • Hand washing gel
  • Biodegradable soap/shampoo
  • Travel towel
  • Small personal first-aid kit including rehydration salts, blister plasters, painkillers, antidiarrheal medicine and any medication you regularly take.

    Other Information

    Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

    Payment Detail
    All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

    A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

    Single Supplement
    All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

    General Cancellation Policies
    - Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
    - Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
    - No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
    - We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

    Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

    Liability
    The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

    Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

    Child Policy
    Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

    Changes to Itineraries
    Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

    Changes in Prices
    While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

    Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
    You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

    Cancellation by The Tour Operator
    The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement of 4 is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

    Force Majeure
    'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

    Evacuations
    In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
    In the genuine spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
    For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

    Travel Insurance
    In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

    Product Code : EKGFRUKEW10