The Grand Tour
The complete nomadic circuit — Song-Kul, Issyk-Kul, and the hot springs of remote Altyn-Arashan, at a comfortable pace.
The complete nomadic circuit — Song-Kul, Issyk-Kul, and the hot springs of remote Altyn-Arashan, at a comfortable pace.
7 days
6 nights
$1,550
per person
Cultural & nature circuit · moderate activity
Bishkek · Song-Kul · Issyk-Kul · Altyn-Arashan
A complete taste of nomadic Kyrgyzstan — high-altitude Song-Kul, the blue expanse of Issyk-Kul, red-rock canyons, and the remote hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.
You'll sleep in a traditional yurt under an endless sky, watch a golden eagle hunt with its master, feel the raw energy of horseback games, and soak in natural mountain springs.
The pace is comfortable and the activity moderate — the easy horseback ride on day 6 suits first-timers. Everything from airport pickup to permits is arranged for you.
Welcome at Manas Airport and transfer to your hotel. Time permitting, a first look at Bishkek — Ala-Too Square and the National Museum. In the evening, a warm welcome dinner and your first taste of Kyrgyz cuisine.
Leave the city behind and climb into the highlands. The landscape widens — rising mountains, long valleys — until you reach Song-Kul, a stunning high-altitude lake. Settle into your yurt and walk the shoreline at sunset among grazing horses.
Live nomadic life rather than just watch it. A hands-on yurt-building workshop in the morning, then the raw energy of traditional horse games — Kok-Boru, Oodarysh, and Tyin Enmei. The rest of the day is yours by the lake.
Descend to gentler southern landscapes. Stop in a local village for a carpet-weaving demonstration, then an eagle-hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo, where hunter and golden eagle move as one. Evening arrival at the shores of Issyk-Kul.
A visual feast: Skazka "Fairy-Tale" Canyon with its red-rock formations, then Barskoon Gorge and its waterfalls through pine forest. Past Karakol, a winding off-road track climbs into Altyn-Arashan, a remote valley ringed by snow peaks.
An easy horseback ride through alpine meadows, along rivers and open valleys — gentle enough for first-timers. In the afternoon, soak in the natural hot springs: warm mineral water, mountain silence, complete calm.
Descend to Karakol and continue to Bishkek, carrying unforgettable memories of the high country. A farewell dinner celebrates new friendships before your transfer to the airport.
A $250 deposit secures your spot; the $1,300 balance is paid on arrival. Tell us your preferred dates and we'll take it from there.