Kyrgyzstan Explorer : May 30th - June 5th
Step into the heart of Central Asia, where the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains rise above vast alpine landscapes and age-old nomadic traditions continue to shape everyday life. This small-group journey through Kyrgyzstan is crafted for travellers who seek raw nature, cultural depth, and authentic experiences—far away from crowded tourist trails.
Begin in Bishkek, a laid-back capital blending Soviet history with mountain views, before driving to the legendary Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes. Along the scenic north shore at Cholpon-Ata, enjoy tranquil lakeside moments framed by dramatic peaks. Experience true nomadic heritage with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, sharing local food, stories, and star-filled skies. The journey continues to Karakol, a charming town known for its diverse culture, wooden architecture, and access to stunning valleys and gorges. Scenic drives, nature walks, and meaningful local encounters make this an unforgettable offbeat Central Asian adventure.
Essential Info
Cost: Rs 68500/- per person
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Start: Bishkek
End: Bishkek
Start Date: 30th May’ 2026
End Date: 5th June’ 2026
Duration: 7 Days
Group Size : Min 5 / Max 15
Theme: Culture, Adventure
Highlights
– Explore the dramatic Tian Shan mountains and Kyrgyzstan’s untouched natural landscapes.
– Visit Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes, with time in Cholpon-Ata.
– Experience an authentic yurt stay and the traditional nomadic way of life.
– Discover Karakol, known for its unique Dungan Mosque, Orthodox church, and mountain culture.
– Explore scenic gorges and red rock formations such as Jeti-Ögüz and Fairy Tale Canyon.
– Enjoy warm Kyrgyz hospitality and taste traditional dishes like plov, lagman, manty, and kumis.
ITINERARY
Day 1: May 30th : Bishkek
Arrival in Bishkek and transfer to the hotel. Evening visit Ala-Too Square and the statue of Manas – the hero of heroes for the local Kyrgyz people. See the Russian Orthodox church, one of the few Lenin statues left in all the ex-USSR countries. After dinner back to hotel. Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 2: May 31st : Bishkek – Ala Archa National Park – Bishkek
After breakfast, visit Ala Archa National Park, about an hour’s drive from the city. Explore the park with its Snow-capped peaks, fast-flowing Ala Archa river, pine forests & alpine meadows, Glaciers ( visible from viewpoints ), Wooden bridges, picnic spots, and waterfalls. Back to Bishkek for lunch and after lunch visit Osh bazaar, Panfilov Park, Opera house, and Victory Square, with its eternal flame dedicated to WW2. Back to the hotel in the evening and overnight at Bishkek.
Day 3: June 1st : Bishkek – Issyk-Kul Lake (North Shore – Cholpon-Ata) ( 265 kms / 4.5 hrs )
After a relaxed breakfast today, you’ll start the drive to Lake Issyk Kul – one of the largest lakes in the world, 178 km long and 60 km wide. Along the way, stop at Burana Tower – a large minaret in the Chuy Valley from the Silk route – and visit the monument and museum. Continue along the scenic route with the Tian Shan mountains in the background. Reach Cholpon Ata by around 1 p.m. and after lunch, check into the hotel. After some rest, head out to the lake, and you can visit the Rukh Ordo Cultural Complex, Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs (Open-Air Museum), take a boat ride on Issyk-Kul, and explore the local markets and souvenir shops. Later, see the sunset views with the Tian Shan mountains behind you. After dinner, overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: June 2nd : Cholpon-Ata – Karakol ( 150 kms / 2.5 hrs )
After breakfast, drive along the scenic north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake towards Karakol, enjoying views of the lake and surrounding mountains. En route, take a detour to Grigorievskoe Gorge, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful gorges. Enjoy a short riverside walk through pine forests, with optional horse riding and a taste of traditional kumis (fermented horse milk). Continue with brief photo stops at lakeside villages such as Chok-Tal and Sary-Oy before arriving in Karakol by afternoon. After lunch, visit the Dungan Wooden Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church, followed by a relaxing soak at a nearby hot spring. In the evening, explore the local market and town centre. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Karakol.
Day 5: June 3rd : Karakol – Bokonbayevo ( 160 kms / 3.5 hrs )
After breakfast, depart Karakol and journey along the quieter south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, with expansive steppe landscapes and mountain backdrops. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Ögüz Gorge, famed for its striking red sandstone formations known as the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart. Enjoy a gentle walk and scenic photo stops.
Arrive in Bokonbayevo by afternoon and, if available, visit a local Eagle Hunter’s residence for an introduction to the centuries-old tradition of golden eagle hunting. Later, check in to an exclusive yurt camp set against the lake and mountain scenery. Experience refined nomadic comfort with tastefully furnished yurts, warm hospitality, and serene surroundings. Unwind with a lakeside walk, sunset views, and a traditional yet elevated Kyrgyz dinner prepared with local ingredients.
Spend the evening under star-filled skies and overnight at Yurt Camp in Bokonbayevo.
Day 6: June 4th : Bokonbayevo – Bishkek ( 300 kms / 6 hrs )
After breakfast, depart Bokonbayevo and drive along the scenic south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, passing remote villages, open степpe landscapes, and mountain backdrops. En route, stop at Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, known for its colourful rock formations and short, easy walks. Continue the journey towards Bishkek, with breaks for tea and photo stops along the way. Arrive in Bishkek by evening. Late evening free to explore on your own. Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 7: June 5th : Bishkek ( Departure )
After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.
Trip Info
Bishkek
Ala Archa National Park
Issyk Kul Lake
Cholpon Ata
Karakol
Bokonbayevo
INCLUDED
– 3 nights stay each in Bishkek, 1 Night stay in Cholpon-Ata, 1 Night stay in Bokonbayevo, and 1 night stay in Karakol
– Breakfast on all days ( 6 Breakfasts)
– Experienced driver cum guide with 4×4 SUV
– Airport transfers
– All tours as mentioned
– Experienced tour leader
– Service charges
– Taxes
EXCLUDED
– Flight Charges ( Your city to Almaty and back )
– Visa ( We can help you with the visa process )
– Entry tickets and camera charges ( wherever applicable )
– Dinner & Lunch
– Other than those mentioned
Day 1: May 30th – Bishkek
Hotel : 281 Hotel / Astor Hotel & Spa OR Similar
Included Activities : City sightseeing tour, Market walk
Included Transport : Airport pickup
Meal : None
Day 2: May 31st – Bishkek
Hotel : 281 Hotel / Astor Hotel & Spa
Included Activities : National Park & City Tour
Included Transport : Private SUV / Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal : Breakfast
Day 3: June 1st : Issyk Kul Lake ( Cholpon Ata )
Hotel : The Lake Townhouse / Autumn Issyk-Kul or Similar
Included Activities : Sightseeing / Full day tour
Optional Activities : Boat Ride
Included Transport : Private SUV / Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal : Breakfast
Day 4: June 2nd : Cholpon Ata – Karakol
Hotel : Snow Leopard Hotel / Evergreen Guesthouse or Similar
Included Activities : Mountain Drives, Sightseeing, Full day tour
Included Transport : SUV / Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal : Breakfast
Day 5: June 3rd : Karakol – Bokonbayevo
Hotel : Yurt Camp or Similar
Included Activities : Sightseeing, Yurt Camp stay, Full day tour
Optional Activities : Eagle Hunter Visit
Included Transport : SUV/ Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 6: June 4th : Bokonbayevo – Bishkek
Hotel : 281 Hotel / Astor Hotel & Spa OR Similar
Included Activities : Sightseeing / Full day tour
Included Transport : SUV / Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 7: June 5th : Departure
Meal : Breakfast
Included Transport : Airport drop
- Rs 2500/- Discount ( For our regular guests)
- Rs 3500/- Discount ( For 3 or more people booking together )
- Stay will be in Standard/Deluxe category hotels and Bed n Breakfast places with good reviews on a double/twin sharing basis. All the stays chosen are 3.5* very highly rated properties.
- Local and Western food is available at most places.
- Breakfast ( Included ) will be western and/or local
- Private SUV/ Van for Airport transfers
- Private SUV/ Van for all travel and sightseeing
- Kyrgyzstan visa can be made online ( Your passport must be at least 6 months valid from the date of entering )
* We will help with the visa process
For this trip
This tour is for travelers looking for a unique and offbeat experience, as Kyrgyzstan is an offbeat location. We have tried to create a good mix of culture, nature, and experiences for this trip.
For all our trips
Our small group tours also allow enough time for yourself ( mostly in the evenings ) and the group leaders will assist you too if you need to do your own thing.
Stay and the food is a big part of the travel and we make sure you are made comfortable therefore we choose some of the best-reviewed places to stay and eat.
We try to incorporate more local experiences on our tours with the help of our experienced tour leader and local guides to make your experience even more memorable.
Our tours are not standard sightseeing package tours, it’s more experience-oriented so as to give real travel value to the guests.
Who are we?
Exotic Expeditions is an experiential based travel company founded in 2010. We are based out of Bangalore and Mumbai and we create uniquely designed tours that have high travel value. We include activities, local interactions, and offbeat destinations so that the guests go back with experiences to remember for a long time.
What are all included in our tours?
A comprehensive list of inclusions and exclusions is mentioned on the respective trip page, but across all our trips, we have these in common: exclusive private transfers, breakfast on most days, good accommodation, unique experiences,
expert guides and an experienced trip leader who’s there to assist you around the clock.
Are flights & visas included in your costs?
No.We don’t include flights and visa costs in our prices unless specified. We, however, will help you with booking flights and getting the visa done.
What is the typical group size?
We believe that a small group is can enjoy the journey better and have closer interactions with the group members, therefore, we restrict our group size to a maximum of 15. Group size typically between 5 and 15. Our travelers are
friendly, open-minded, well traveled and we have a good gender mix on our tours.
Who can join this trip?
Anyone above 18 years of age can join our trips. Participants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by an elder.
Which cities do travelers come from?
Our travelers come from all over India. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Calcutta are represented the most.
What are the payment options?
You can make payments through credit and debit cards, net-banking, cash or cheque. Installment options are also available.
Can solo travelers join one of the tours?
Yes. On most of our tours, we have a high turnout of solo travelers seeking a different travel experience. Many of them even end up becoming friends after the tour.
How safe is it to travel with you?
Your safety is our number one priority and we design our travel journeys keeping this in mind.
- You can contact us at contact@exoticexpeditions.org / exoticexpeditions@gmail.com
- Call / WhatsApp us at 9986450370
- Bookings can be done by online bank transfer/cash/ cheque or credit/debit card
- Installment options are also available
