100% customisable travel idea
Kyrgyzstan, naturally Adventures in the Tian Shan Mountains
Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek - Chon Kemin - Song Kul - Suusamyr
100% customisable travel idea
Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek - Chon Kemin - Song Kul - Suusamyr
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Transfer to Chon Kemin Park, around 90 miles (150 km) east of Bishkek. On the way, stop at the Burana Minaret, an 11th-century vestige of the Karakhanid city of Balasagun. Stay for two nights just east of the park, in the Chon Kemin valley. Your property is a large modern chalet with stylised rustic charm. The décor uses traditional Kyrgyz rugs and patterns, without overdoing the folklore. In the rooms, comfort is simple but real; bathrooms are perfectly adequate. The shared spaces reflect the same spirit. In the restaurant, you'll find international cuisine and local dishes. To unwind, you can play billiards or table tennis, or sweat it out in the sauna. Or simply sit on the covered porch and lose yourself in contemplation of the garden. More active visitors can rent a bike, go horse riding, or try fly fishing.
Already included - Exploring Chon Kemin Park. Accompanied by a guide, you spend the day exploring the park’s spectacular and varied landscapes, at altitudes ranging from 4,593 ft to 9,186 ft (1,400 to 2,800 m). Tumbling waters, lakes, gorges and deep valleys create remarkable scenes. Forests and meadows blanket the landscape in deep greens and offer a remarkable diversity of plant life. Tulipa greigii, prized by European gardeners since the 18th century, grows here in the wild. In the sky, you may see golden eagles and bearded vultures soaring, while black storks and Tibetan ibises look for food along the riverbanks. Under cover, brown bears, maral deer and Eurasian lynx live happily - safely hidden from view. Higher up, argali roam with their immense spiral horns, and the snow leopard waits for its moment. The elevation drop also allows for adrenaline-filled rafting descents.
Transfer to Kochkor, in the Chu Valley. This large village, surrounded by fields laid out in geometric patterns, is known for its markets, selling livestock, fruit and vegetables, hardware and hiking gear. Here, you encounter Kyrgyz farmers and herders; beyond the crops, their pastures appear, with flocks of sheep and herds of horses. In spring, the meadows fill with flowers. Kochkor is a lively place, and conversation flows freely. Along the way, visit a felt workshop staffed entirely by women. Overnight stay in the home of a Kyrgyz family, bringing visitors into the shared rhythm of local life.
Already included - Transfer to Kyzart. Kyzart / Kilemche hike. After lunch, you set off from Kyzart Pass at 8,694 ft (2,650 m) accompanied by a private guide. Allow four to five hours’ walking to reach the wild pastures of Kilemche at 8,760 ft (2,670 m), via the Chaararcha Pass at 10,039 ft (3,060 m), at the foot of Jalgyz Karagay Pass. The mountain panorama - sparse vegetation stretching across vast slopes - is striking. Night in a yurt. Generations of nomads have adopted this type of shelter as the one best suited to Central Asian conditions. You should enter with your right foot first, taking care not to step on the threshold.
Already included - Kilemche / Lake Song Kul hike. Today’s route crosses Jalgyz Karagay Pass at 10,827 ft (3,300 m), where shaggy yaks graze nearby, before descending towards Lake Song Kul at 9,908 ft (3,020 m). Three to four hours’ walking with your guide. Stay for two nights in a yurt camp, which from a distance looks like a handful of beige capsules scattered across the prairie. In your private space, comfort is unexpectedly colourful. Felt insulates remarkably well against both cold and heat - basically, imagine moving into the inside of a large beret. On the floor, the shyrdaks - traditional felt rugs - feel very pleasant underfoot. You’ll be surprised by the space you have. In the mess tent, Kyrgyz and international cuisine is served.
The blue of the lake is rivalled only by that of the sky. Around it lies a gently rolling plateau, and in the distance, mountain walls rise some 3,280 ft (1,000 m) high. Herders favour these summer pastures; their livestock dot the plain - horses, cows, sheep, goats. Dogs bark nearby. To keep an eye on their surroundings, a rider will sometimes stand upright in the saddle - a familiar silhouette in the wide-open steppe. The day is spent among mountain people. On horseback, if you can ride; on foot otherwise. An experience that feels suspended in time. You drink koumys - fermented mare’s milk - with the shepherds. The enmity between men and wolves has its reasons, yet the animal still commands respect. The fox is of a different calibre. Marmots remain constantly on alert - and rightly so, with danger coming from both sky and ground. Though trees are absent, plant life is varied: edelweiss in abundance, as well as wormwood, chamomile and monkshood. Among the birds in this area is the rare bar-headed goose.
Transfer to Suusamyr. Stay for two nights in a property made up of yurts and wooden bungalows. In previous days, you'll have become familiar with the former. The latter offer basic fittings and understated décor. This basic comfort is part of the alpine atmosphere. At the bar, guests discuss the day’s adventures - or pocket some balls. Outside, a barbecue grills meat over open flames. The sauna is one of civilisation’s welcome contributions.
Already included - The Suusamyr Valley lies at an average altitude of 7,382 ft (2,250 metres). The alpine pasture is also valued by herders. Depending on the season, flocks move between the Bishkek region and the Suusamyr jailoo, the summer grazing grounds. These sweeping movements animate a landscape where powerful elevations rise along the edge. There are no trees here either. In spring, you'll see tall grasses and multicoloured flowers on which animals feed; by late summer, the landscape becomes a palette of ochre and yellow. Each season has its own colours. A guide-interpreter and driver are at your disposal for the day, allowing swift access to hiking trails. The terrain lends itself to outdoor pursuits - horseback riding, rafting or paragliding. By the roadside, shepherds sell kurut - small balls of dried, salted cheese - as well as koumys and honey.
Transfer to Bishkek. Night in a pleasant modern villa. Tulips and geraniums add a cheerful touch to the garden. Guests can unwind in the outdoor pool. The rooms are simple, comfortable and air-conditioned - a welcome relief upon returning to the city. The décor has a hint of naïveté, but also a touching sincerity. The hotel’s family atmosphere comes through warmly at mealtimes in the dining room, where Russian and Kyrgyz cuisine is served.
Bishkek's grid layout means you cannot get lost. Bichkek's grid layout means it's virtually impossible to get lost. The former Frunze is well ordered, with official buildings and housing blocks lined up with ruler-straight precision. Wide avenues and plentiful green spaces give it room to breathe. On Ala-Too Square, an allegory of freedom has replaced Lenin’s statue - the latter simply moved to a more discreet location. At Osh Bazaar, stalls overflow with food, but also clothes - including the famous white felt hat - and handicrafts. The Museum of Applied Arts houses some lovely traditional pieces.
Already included - Bishkek like a local. Nazgul lives in Bishkek with her husband, a Frenchman whose language she also speaks. In her friendly company, you can be welcomed into a school or discover, within this geometric city, a few more alternative spots. If you prefer, you can visit her relatives in the countryside - a lovely opportunity to glimpse Kyrgyz farm life up close. Back in town, you will share a meal with the family, adding a warm note to the end of the trip.
Transfer to the airport and return flight.
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