Full-Hearted Steppe: Kyrgyzstan Route (Traditional Yurt Accommodation) V2

17 May 2027 – 22 May 2027 | 5 Nights, 6 Days
Tour details

EXAMPLE HOTELS;

Cholpon-Ata

Caprice Resort, etc.

Yurt Camp (Issyk-Kul)

Oimo Tash Yurt Camp, etc.

https://ak-sai.com/camps/yurt-camps/oimo-tash-yurt-camp/

Yurt Camp (Chong-Kemin)

Ala Kush Yurt Camp, etc.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/kg/ethno-complex-ala-kuch.html

Bishkek

4* Plaza Hotel Bishkek, etc.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

This tour is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date will be 20 days prior to the tour start. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you through your agency.

VISA

Kyrgyzstan does not require a visa for citizens of the Republic of Turkey. 

Ordinary Passport - No visa required                

Green Passport - No visa required

Service Passport -  No visa required 

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the end date of travel and must not be older than 10 years.

HEALTH

Individuals taking regular medication are advised to bring more than they need, as not all types of medication may be available in the country. Additionally, if you have a serious health condition (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), it would be beneficial to carry a document signed by your doctor. We also recommend that you do not drink tap water and instead consume bottled water that has been sealed before opening.

FLIGHT DURATION

Istanbul - Bishkek          5 hours 05 minutes

Bishkek - Istanbul                   5 hours 50 minutes

OPTIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Optional tours and activities are organized by our local partner agency with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people and are not mandatory. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or optional tour/activity prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on the number of participants. Furthermore, the dates and times of optional tours/activities may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums, historical sites, or venues are open or closed, and according to weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located further than the specified kilometers. 

Triple rooms are assigned based on hotel availability. In such rooms, the bed provided for the third person may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed and one extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or convertible coach beds, participants who are the third person and/or children booking are deemed to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed.

Child discounts apply only to one child per two adults within the age group specified in the pricing section. 

Breakfasts included in the tour program are served according to the local breakfast culture, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall dedicated to the group.

CURRENCY

The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS).

Dollars and Euros can be easily exchanged. Although credit card usage is not very common, caution should be exercised against credit card fraud.

TIME ZONE

Kyrgyzstan is +3 hours ahead of Turkey. When it is 12:00 in Turkey, it is 14:00 in Kyrgyzstan.

PHONE USAGE

All mobile phone operators can be used if your phone is enabled for international roaming. However, there may be areas in the country without network coverage.

CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS

We recommend bringing t-shirts that are easy to put on and take off, short and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and cotton trousers, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket for evenings. Additionally, you may bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for possible noise, a camera, video camera, and their chargers and spare memory cards.

FOOD CULTURE

Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Kazakh cuisines are close to our taste preferences. As we will dine at our hotel and the best restaurants, you will encounter no problems. Furthermore, we will have the opportunity to obtain sealed bottled water wherever we go. You should never consume food sold openly or water from taps. The hotels where we stay are high-standard facilities regarding health information, so these risks are minimal.

ELECTRICITY

Generally, 200-220 V is used. Many socket types accommodate the two-pin plugs we use. To avoid issues where sockets do not match, universal plug adapters sold in electronics stores can be purchased.

SHOPPING

In Tashkent, Pushkin Street is one of the city's important shopping areas. The best way to find items unique to Uzbekistan is through the local bazaar markets. Among the many neighborhood markets, the most famous is Chorsu Market.

The OSH bazaar, located west of the city center, is one of the city's most popular shopping centers.

Gogol Street, Almaty's most popular shopping avenue, is located north of the city center. Neighborhood markets are established in the area of Zhibek Zholy.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports requiring a visa) does not guarantee entry into the country. The border police have the authority to deny entry. The agency is not responsible for this situation; responsibility lies with the traveler.  
The agency acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the existing tour and flight. The agency is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. Passengers purchase the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport taxes or airport service fees. 
Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours, organized for general introduction to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, may not be carried out if local authorities do not permit visits or entry on the designated day and time, or due to closed roads caused by any event. Similarly, if weather conditions make it impossible to conduct the tour, the agency is not responsible for the inability to carry out the aforementioned tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot, depending on available options, at points where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted.

What's included
  • Turkish Airlines scheduled flight ticket for Istanbul - Bishkek round trip / Bishkek - Istanbul return in economy class
  • Airport taxes
  • 3 nights room and breakfast accommodation in the specified hotel category
  • 2 nights room and breakfast accommodation in the specified yurt camp category
  • All tour transfers included in the program
  • 1 dinner at the yurt camp
  • 1 breakfast at a local restaurant upon arrival on the first day
  • All tours specified in the program
  • Museum of Nomadic Civilization
  • Rokh Ordo Cultural Center
  • Issyk-Kul Boat Tour
  • Kyrchyn Valley Visit
  • Jety-Oguz Valley Visit
  • Skazka Canyon Visit
  • Bokonbaevo Village Eagle Hunting Show
  • Kyzyl-Tuu Village Yurt Camp Construction Demonstration
  • Burana Historical Complex
  • Bishkek City Tour
  • Ala-Archa National Park Visit
  • Entrance fees to all museums and historical sites visited during the program
  • Professional Turkish guide and assistant services (airport pickup upon arrival)
  • Hotel and tourist city taxes
  • Travel & Health Insurance
  • TURSAB mandatory professional liability insurance
Not included
  • Fees for personal and official items such as exit stamp, visa, etc.
  • All types of personal expenses and hotel extras
  • All services not explicitly specified in the program and included services
  • Entrance fees to museums and historical sites not explicitly stated as "visited" in the program
  • Optional tours and activities, if any, in the program
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed during included meals, if any, in the program
  • Domestic connecting flights and domestic transportation fees
  • Tips for guides and drivers
Tour Program
Istanbul – Bishkek – Nomadic Civilization Museum – Rukh Ordo Cultural Center – Cholpon-Ata – Lake Issyk-Kul Boat Tour – Cholpon-Ata
After meeting at the Istanbul Airport International Terminal, we proceed to the Turkish Airlines counters for baggage and ticket procedures before boarding a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Bishkek. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and private vehicle, then transfer to Bishkek for breakfast. Following breakfast at a local restaurant, we set off towards Cholpon-Ata, located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and one of the region's most important tourist centers. During our approximately 250-kilometer journey, we have the opportunity to observe Kyrgyzstan's vast steppes, mountainous landscapes, and rural life. Our first stop is the Nomadic Civilization Museum, which offers an intimate insight into traditional Kyrgyz nomadic culture and the lifestyle shaped over centuries. Within this cultural center, surrounded by traditional yurts, we view various artifacts reflecting key elements of nomadic life, including period costumes, traditional footwear, jewelry, textile products, national decorative motifs, and daily-use items made from leather and wood. Inside the museum, we also learn about the region's cultural history through maps, photographs, and visual materials depicting the seasonal migration routes of the Kyrgyz people, their livestock-based way of life, and traditional migrations between different regions. After the tour, we move to the Rukh Ordo Cultural Center, situated on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Established to preserve and promote Kyrgyz cultural heritage and to foster a shared understanding that brings together diverse beliefs and cultures, this expansive open-air complex features ten mini-museums, a museum house dedicated to the world-renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, monuments honoring prominent figures in Kyrgyz culture, and five chapels representing the world's major religions. Thanks to its lakeside location and open-air design, the center provides a unique opportunity to experience Kyrgyzstan's historical, literary, and spiritual heritage all in one place. After visiting Rukh Ordo, we continue our journey to Cholpon-Ata, check into our hotel, and settle into our rooms. In the evening, we enjoy a pleasant boat cruise on Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the world's largest high-altitude lakes. Accompanied by the lake's calm waters, the surrounding mountain silhouettes, and the tranquil atmosphere as the day progresses, we conclude our first day in Cholpon-Ata. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Cholpon Ata – Kyrchyn Valley – Karakol – Jety-Oguz Valley – Skazka Canyon – Issyk-Kul Yurt Camp
After breakfast at our hotel, we head towards Kyrchyn Valley, located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, renowned for its expansive meadows and alpine pastures. Also known as Semenovskoye Valley and a primary venue for the World Nomad Games, this stunning region offers us an opportunity to experience traditional Kyrgyz highland life up close. Guests who wish can join an optional one-hour horseback ride through the "jailoo," the high-altitude summer pastures, while others may opt for a leisurely walk within the valley. During either activity, we will have the chance to observe the daily lives of shepherd families spending their summers in these pastures, along with the vast grazing lands and mountain vistas that surround the area. Following our visit to Kyrchyn Valley, we continue our journey eastward along Lake Issyk-Kul towards Karakol, a city where traces of Russian, Dungan, and Kyrgyz cultures coexist. Upon arrival in Karakol, we begin our city tour, visiting notable landmarks such as the Holy Trinity Church, which showcases characteristic wooden Russian architecture; the Dungan Mosque, distinguished by its unique blend of Chinese pagoda style with Islamic elements; and other significant sites reflecting the city's local character. After exploring Karakol, we move southward along the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Our first stop is Jeti-Oguz Valley, whose name means "Seven Bulls" in Kyrgyz and is famous for its towering red sandstone rock formations rising side by side. Here, we admire the iconic Seven Bulls rocks and the well-known rock formation called "Broken Heart," named for its prominent central fissure. Next, we proceed to Skazka Canyon, also known as "Fairy Tale Canyon," formed over centuries by wind and water shaping the red and yellow sandstone into extraordinary shapes resembling castles, towers, and mythical creatures. Among these remarkable geological features, we discover one of the region's most breathtaking natural landscapes. In the evening, we arrive at our yurt camp situated on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where we enjoy dinner accompanied by panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Overnight stay at the Yurt Camp.
Issyk-Kul Yurt Camp – Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl-Tuu – Chong-Kemin Yurt Camp
After breakfast at our yurt camp in the morning, we head towards Chong-Kemin National Park. Our first stop along the way will be Bokonbaevo, one of the major cultural centers on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and a primary settlement where Kyrgyzstan's traditional eagle hunting tradition is still practiced today. Here, we watch a special performance by a local berkutchi, or traditional eagle hunter, giving us the opportunity to closely experience the centuries-old practice of eagle hunting, which has been an integral part of Central Asian nomadic culture. We listen to our guide explain the strong bond between the trained golden eagles and their handlers, as well as the core characteristics of this deeply rooted tradition passed down from generation to generation. After the tour, we continue our journey to Kyzyl-Tuu, known as the "village of yurt masters." In Kyzyl-Tuu, where a significant portion of the local population is engaged in building traditional Kyrgyz yurts, we participate in a special demonstration showing how the wooden frames of yurts are prepared. We observe the process of cutting willow trees, softening them with steam, and hand-bending them by craftsmen into the characteristic components of the yurt frame, then learn how this wooden structure is covered with felt to become a traditional yurt, one of the most important symbols of Kyrgyz nomadic life. Following our visit to Kyzyl-Tuu, we proceed to Chong-Kemin, one of Kyrgyzstan's most stunning regions, stretching between the Kungey and Zailiysky Ala-Too mountain ranges, renowned for its dense forests, expansive valleys, and lush greenery. Upon arrival, we move to our yurt camp located at the foot of Ala-Kush Mountain, offering us the chance to closely experience the region's traditional highland lifestyle and rural Kyrgyz atmosphere. Guests who wish may join horseback riding excursions organized in the area or spend time in the high-altitude pastures known as "jailoo." In the evening, we watch a traditional storytelling performance of the Manas Epic, one of the strongest symbols of Kyrgyz national identity. Through this captivating performance by manaschi—epic storytellers who recite from memory in a rhythmic, semi-melodic style—we gain intimate insight into the oral tradition of the Manas Epic, one of the world's longest epics, which has been passed down orally from generation to generation for centuries. Overnight stay at our Yurt Camp.
Chong-Kemin Yurt Camp – Burana Historical Complex (Burana Fortress) – Bishkek
After breakfast at the Yurt Camp, we depart from Chong-Kemin and head toward Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Our first stop along the way is the Burana Historical Complex, located near Tokmok and once a key station on the historic Silk Road. Today's complex preserves traces of the ancient city of Balasagun, which was one of the major centers and capitals of the Karakhanid Empire in the 11th century. Here, we admire the Burana Tower, built during the Karakhanid era and standing for centuries as one of the most significant historical symbols of the Chuy Valley. Guests who wish may climb to the upper section of the tower to enjoy panoramic views of the expansive Chuy Valley. Continuing our tour, we visit the open-air area of the complex, where we see balbal stone figures displayed—carved monuments reflecting the burial and commemorative traditions of early Turkic communities in Central Asia. These worked stones, collected from various locations across the region and now preserved here, are among the important archaeological artifacts that shed light on Kyrgyzstan's pre-Islamic history and the broader Central Asian steppe culture. After visiting the Burana Historical Complex, we resume our journey to Bishkek, arriving in the afternoon. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. The rest of the day is free for guests to explore Bishkek at their own pace. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Bishkek – City Tour – Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our city tour to explore Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Nestled at the foot of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too Mountains, Bishkek is one of the country's greenest cities, known for its wide boulevards, parks, and tree-lined streets. Our first stop is Ala-Too Square, the heart of the city's political and social life. The national flagpole rising in the square and the ceremonial guard change held at specific times are among the city's iconic sights. Next, we visit the Manas Monument, dedicated to Manas, the legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people and one of the most important symbols of their national identity. We also see the State Museum of History, which reflects the country's historical past, and Meşe Park (Oak Park), one of Bishkek's favorite spots, featuring outdoor sculptures, shaded walking paths, and expansive green areas. After the city tour, we head toward Ala-Archa National Park, located about 40 kilometers from Bishkek. Protected since 1976, this stunning natural area offers a close-up view of Kyrgyzstan's majestic mountain landscape, ranging from forested lower slopes to peaks and glaciers soaring above 4,500 meters within a short distance. Surrounded by Tian Shan spruces and juniper trees, we enjoy a pleasant walk along the well-defined trail following the Ala-Archa River, taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains and valley. Returning to Bishkek after our visit to Ala-Archa, we proceed to the local market for some last-minute shopping. Here, we have the opportunity to browse and purchase souvenirs and local products unique to Kyrgyzstan. Upon completion of the program, we transfer back to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Bishkek – Istanbul
After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel with our packed lunch and transfer to the airport, then fly to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Upon arrival in Istanbul, our unforgettable Kyrgyzstan tour comes to an end.