10-day Kyrgyzstan tour: Nomads, mountains, eagle show

Ten days across Kyrgyzstan's high valleys, ancient sites and nomad traditions

A 10-day guided tour from Bishkek through Kyrgyzstan's mountains, lakes and cultural heritage, visiting the 11th-century Burana Tower, Issyk Kul lake, the 15th-century Tash Rabat castle, and alpine Son Kol lake at 3,000 meters. The itinerary includes a live golden eagle show, yurt camp stays, horse riding, traditional felt-making and nomad games, with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Meet and Greet. Ala Archa National Park

• Visit Ala Archa National Park
• Walk or hike to mountains
• Picnic by the river

Day 2: Bishkek - Burana Tower - Issyk Kul lake - Cholpon Ata

• Visit 11th Century Minaret Burana
• Explore museum and ancient graveyard
• Drive to mountain valley
• Hiking or horse riding in mountains

Day 3: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul - Karakol

• Drive along Issyk Kul lake for photos
• Visit Chon Ak Suu Gorge and local honey shops
• Photoshoot with eagle and horse on request
• Drive to Kyrchyn Valley for Nomad Games
• Head to Semenov valley
• Stop for photoshoot at Issyk Kul lake
• Arrive in Karakol city for overnight

Day 4: Karakol - Ak Suu Hot Springs - Jyrgalan valley

• Visit Ak Suu Hot Springs
• Arrive in Jyrgalan valley
• Optional hike to nearby panorama

Day 5: Jyrgalan - Jeti Oguz - Barskoon - Tamga

• Visit Seven Bulls valley
• Drive to Kok Jayuk valley
• Activities and overnight at yurt camp
• Stop at open beach for swimming or break
• Visit beautiful gorge with waterfalls
• See mountain waterfall

Day 6: Tamga - Fairy tale canyon - Bokonbaevo - Kochkor

• Explore Fairy Tale Canyon and red rocks
• Visit souvenir shop and nomad outfits
• Attend Eagle Show in Bokonbaevo
• Watch Kyrgyz dogs taigans demonstration
• Try traditional archery shooting
• See Kyrgyz yurt assemble show in Kyzyl Tuu village
• Arrive in Kochkor city

Day 7: Kochkor - Naryn - Tash Rabat

• Stop at large lake for photoshoot and break
• Arrive in Naryn for overnight and dinner
• Visit ancient Tash Rabat castle

Day 8: Tash Rabat - Baetovo - Son Kol Lake

• Explore Tash Rabat area
• Optional horse riding or hiking
• Drive through village and visit Horse monument
• Arrive at Son Kol Lake yurt camp
• Horse riding or walk to lake
• Visit stone monument
• Dinner at Yurt Cafe

Day 9: Son Kol Lake - Kochkor - Boom - Bishkek

• Use mountain pass to reach Son Kol Lake
• Stop at pass top for break
• Visit local yurt for horse milk and cream
• Arrive in Kochkor

Day 10: Bishkek - Free time - Airport

• Visit Kalmak Ashu Pass panoramic view
• Arrive in Bishkek or drive to airport

The experience

The tour opens in Ala Archa National Park, 40 kilometers from Bishkek, where you hike or walk through alpine forest and along a crystal-clear river before heading east toward Issyk Kul, the world's second-largest alpine lake at 1,800 meters. Your first major stop is the 11th-century Burana Tower on the ancient Silk Road, where a museum holds historical artifacts and stone sculptures called balbak. From there the route follows the lake's 90-kilometer shoreline, passing through Chon Ak Suu Gorge and Kyrchyn Valley, home to Kyrgyz nomad games, before reaching Karakol for an overnight stay.

The middle days center on remote valleys and high-altitude experiences. You'll visit Ak Suu Hot Springs with varying temperatures, then spend time in Jyrgalan, the most remote valley on Issyk Kul's eastern shore. Jeti Oguz valley features seven giant red rock formations. From there you move to Kok Jayuk valley for a yurt camp stay. The route then crosses into the Naryn region, stopping at the Fairy Tale Canyon with its red rocks and views back over the lake, and at Bokonbaevo for the tour's centerpiece: a live golden eagle show where Kyrgyz eagle breeders demonstrate falconry, followed by traditional archery and a display by local taigan hunting dogs. You'll also see a yurt assembly demonstration in Kyzyl Tuu village.

The final stretch takes you to Tash Rabat, a 15th-century stone castle in Kyrgyzstan's remote mountains, where you have free time for optional horse riding or hiking. From there you climb to Son Kol Lake at 3,000 meters, one of the highest alpine lakes in the region, arriving at a yurt camp where you can ride horses into the mountains or walk to the lake shore. On the return to Bishkek, you cross the Kalmak Ashu Pass at 3,300 meters and stop at a local yurt to try horse milk and fresh cream with bread. Throughout the tour you stay in guest houses with traditional Kyrgyz elements, yurt camps, and hotels in larger towns. All fees, taxes and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

What’s included

• All entry fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel and guest house pickup.
• accommodation in guest houses, yurt camps and hotels.
• traditional felt-making demonstration.
• yurt assembly show.
• live golden eagle show with falconry display.
• traditional archery.
• access to hot springs.
• horse milk and fresh cream tasting at a local yurt.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (9 to 75 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Atlas.kg

Is this one for you?Ten days is the full span needed to reach Tash Rabat and Son Kol Lake at 3,000 meters and still have time for the valleys, the eagle show and the Silk Road sites without rushing. If you have fewer days, a shorter Kyrgyzstan tour will cover the main lakes and mountains but won't reach the remote high-altitude lakes or the 15th-century castle.

Traveler reviews

4.62★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Tash Rabat and what can you do there?

Tash Rabat is a 15th-century stone castle built in the mountains of remote Kyrgyzstan. You have free time to explore the surrounding area, with optional horse riding or hiking available.

How high is Son Kol Lake and what activities happen there?

Son Kol Lake sits at 3,000 meters above sea level. You arrive by yurt camp and can ride horses into the mountains for 2 to 3 hours, walk to the lake shore, or visit a nearby stone monument. Dinner is served in the yurt café.

What is the golden eagle show and where does it happen?

The live golden eagle show takes place in Bokonbaevo, where Kyrgyz eagle breeders demonstrate falconry history and techniques, followed by flying and hunting displays. The same stop includes traditional archery for guests and a speed demonstration by local taigan hunting dogs.

Will I stay in hotels the whole tour or in other types of accommodation?

You stay in a mix of guest houses with traditional Kyrgyz elements, yurt camps in remote valleys and high-altitude locations, and hotels in larger towns like Karakol and Bishkek.

Is horse riding included or optional?

Horse riding is available on request at several points: in the mountains near Bishkek on day two, in Jyrgalan valley, and for 2 to 3 hours at Son Kol Lake on day eight. Hiking is also possible at most stops.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English throughout the tour.