Example Itinerary

Living with the Nomads of Naryn & Kol-Ukok Lake, Kyrgyzstan

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Off the Grid, Tribal
Destinations
Kyrgyzstan

On this exciting nine-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan, you will explore not only the natural beauty of this diverse, rugged country, but also the culture and lifestyle of its most traditional nomadic people. Start and end your trip in the country’s capital Bishkek, but escape the urban metropolis to hike around the beautiful Köl-Ükök Lake, explore local handicraft shops in Kochkor, discover Tash-Rabat, a 15th-century stone caravanserai, and visit a nomadic camp, learning all about the local way of life. You will also stop at several historic sites, such as Koshoi-Korgon, the site of an ancient fortress, and Burana tower, a minaret from the Karakhanids’ period. To learn about both past and present life in Kyrgyzstan, this trip can’t be beat.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Nomadic Life: Live the local life among the nomads of Naryn and spend the night in a yurt on the shores of Lake Kol-Ukok.
  • Silk Road Heritage: The 15th-century stone caravanserai (roadside inn) of Tash-Rabat once provided food and accommodation to traders and travelers journeying along the Silk Road.
  • Great Outdoors: Hike around the vivid blue waters of Lake Kol-Ukok as well as up to the high mountain pastures of At-Bashy Valley and Kamandy.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Bishkek

Today is the first day of your exciting adventure through Kyrgyzstan. We will pick you up at the airport in Bishkek, the country’s capital, and take you to your hotel for the chance to get settled in. Afterward, spend some time visiting the sites of the city, such as the Philharmonic House with the Statue of Manas, the Central Square, the National Historical Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Enjoy dinner in a restaurant and your stay overnight in the hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is ideally situated in the center of Bishkek yet within a short driving distance from the international airport.

Services: The only five-star hotel in the country, the Hyatt Regency prides itself on world-class service, catering to guests’ every need, around the clock.

History: Since its opening, the Hyatt Regency has enjoyed a history of acclaim for its excellent quality including being twice named Kyrgyzstan's Best Hotel in the World Travel Awards.

Read More
Hyatt Regency Bishkek Preferred Hotel
About

With excellent views of the capital and the Tien Shan mountains, the Sheraton Bishkek is comprised of deluxe rooms, plus junior, king and executive suites, some of which include club access. Rooms are furnished in a warm and homely classic style, with air-conditioning, writing desks, WiFi and terraces.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Köl-Ükök Lake

After breakfast, you will head out on the road for the 5-hour drive toward Köl-Ükök Lake, stopping along the way at Burana Tower, a minaret from the Karakhanids’ period, Kochkor, a picturesque valley, and Tez-Tör summer pasture, known as a jailoo, where you can enjoy a nice horseback riding trip through the meadow. You’ll stop along the way to enjoy a pleasant picnic near the lake, exploring the local flora and fauna, before heading to your abode for the evening- you’ll be spending the night in a traditional yurt.

Hotel Options
About

Set up camp in the remote outdoors of Kyrgyzstan, in a traditional yurt - a round, portable tent. Spending the night under the stars in a traditional yurt provides great insight into local nomadic lifestyle, while also allowing guests to get back in touch with nature and the area’s stunning surroundings.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Köl-Ükök Lake
Köl-Ükök Lake

Day 3

Köl-Ükök Lake

When in Kyrgyzstan, do as the locals do! Enjoy a day by Köl-Ükök Lake, sharing in the daily life of nomads in their environment. Take a hike or horseback ride by the lake or take a boat out and fish with the nomads. After your busy day outdoors, you will spend a second night in a yurt.

Day 4

Naryn

Today, spend the morning exploring the uniqueness of a nomadic camp, before horseback riding back to Isakeev, enjoying a picnic along the way. From there, you will transfer to Kochkor, where you can visit local handicraft shops before heading to Naryn, a picturesque town on both banks of the Naryn River. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner and overnight in a local guesthouse after a long day's driving (7 hours).

Hotel Options
About

In the pretty Kyrgyz town of Naryn, at the quiet, eastern end, guests bed down in the comfortable Celestial Mountains Guesthouse. Surrounded on all sides with breathtakingly dramatic scenery, from snow-peaked mountains to the flowing Naryn River, the town is a great base from which to explore the nearby areas.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

A stay in the Khan Tengri Hotel is an experience of traditional Kyrgyz hospitality and style coupled with modern conveniences and features. In a safe and friendly district in quiet and pretty Naryn, the small, comfortable hotel enjoys sweeping views of the soaring mountains beyond.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Naryn
Naryn

Day 5

At-Bashy Valley

This morning, you will head to At-Bashy valley and Kamandy high pasture (jailoo), passing through the Ak-Muz village during the 90-minute drive. Enjoy a short hike and lunch with the nomads on the scenic jailoo, conversing with them and discovering their unique way of life. Tonight, you will once again stay overnight in a yurt.

Hotel Options
About

Travelers in the At-Bashy Valley will have the unique opportunity to discover the incomparable beauty of the Kamandy high pastures - known locally as the jailoo and immerse themselves in Kyrgyz nature. The most authentic way to experience the pastures is to stay in a traditional nomadic yurt camp.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Tash-rabat

Today, you will visit Acha-Kayindy village for lunch in a local house before stopping in at At-Bashy village, the site of a large livestock market that occurs every Sunday. Continuing on, after 4 hours you will reach your evening’s destination: Tash-Rabat, a 15th-century stone caravanserai. Enjoy the local sauna (bania) and dinner and overnight in a yurt.

Hotel Options
About

Set up camp in the remote outdoors of Kyrgyzstan, in a traditional yurt - a round, portable tent. Spending the night under the stars in a traditional yurt provides great insight into local nomadic lifestyle, while also allowing guests to get back in touch with nature and the area’s stunning surroundings.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Tash-rabat
Tash-rabat

Day 7

Naryn

This morning, enjoy some leisure time to hike or horseback ride through the scenic landscape, about two miles above the sea level. In the afternoon, you will head back to Naryn (3 hours away), stopping at Koshoi-Korgon, the site of an ancient fortress where you can observe the ruins or check out the on-site museum. You will enjoy dinner and overnight at a local guesthouse in Naryn.

Hotel Options
About

In the pretty Kyrgyz town of Naryn, at the quiet, eastern end, guests bed down in the comfortable Celestial Mountains Guesthouse. Surrounded on all sides with breathtakingly dramatic scenery, from snow-peaked mountains to the flowing Naryn River, the town is a great base from which to explore the nearby areas.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

A stay in the Khan Tengri Hotel is an experience of traditional Kyrgyz hospitality and style coupled with modern conveniences and features. In a safe and friendly district in quiet and pretty Naryn, the small, comfortable hotel enjoys sweeping views of the soaring mountains beyond.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Bishkek

Today, you will head back to Bishkek (a 5-hour drive) for a farewell dinner and to catch any of the sights you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in your Bishkek hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is ideally situated in the center of Bishkek yet within a short driving distance from the international airport.

Services: The only five-star hotel in the country, the Hyatt Regency prides itself on world-class service, catering to guests’ every need, around the clock.

History: Since its opening, the Hyatt Regency has enjoyed a history of acclaim for its excellent quality including being twice named Kyrgyzstan's Best Hotel in the World Travel Awards.

Read More
Hyatt Regency Bishkek Preferred Hotel
About

With excellent views of the capital and the Tien Shan mountains, the Sheraton Bishkek is comprised of deluxe rooms, plus junior, king and executive suites, some of which include club access. Rooms are furnished in a warm and homely classic style, with air-conditioning, writing desks, WiFi and terraces.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Bishkek
Bishkek

Day 9

Departure

On the ninth day, your exciting adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transferred back to the Bishkek airport, where you can head home or - if you still have more energy - continue your travels on to another exciting destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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