22 May 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £1,792
Escorted tour
Kyrgyzstan Walking Explorer: Ala-Archa, Issyk-Kul & Son-Kul – 10 Days
Gorges, canyons, Issyk-Kul and a yurt camp at Son-Kul on foot, in a group of up to twelve.
10 days
From £1,580
Tour overview
This 10-day walking holiday explores the mountains, lakes and nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan. A tour leader walks with the group, which numbers between four and twelve. You stay nine nights in hotels, a guesthouse, a homestay and yurt camps, with breakfast daily and most dinners.
From Bishkek you walk in the Ala-Archa gorge to the Ak-Sai waterfall, then visit the 12th-century Burana Tower and walk in Chon-Kemin National Park. You explore the red rock Konorchek Canyons on the way to Karakol and walk in the Jergalan Valley.
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Along the quiet southern shore of Issyk-Kul you walk through colourful gorges and stay with a local family, then cross high passes to Son-Kul for two nights in a yurt camp beside the alpine lake, walking among the herders' summer pastures.
The physical rating is medium. This trip suits walkers who want to experience Kyrgyzstan's landscapes and nomadic life.
Trip highlights
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The Ala-Archa gorge (Day 2)
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Burana Tower (Day 3)
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The Konorchek Canyons (Day 4)
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The Jergalan Valley (Day 5)
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A homestay by Issyk-Kul (Day 6)
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Son-Kul yurt camp (Days 7–8)
Your route
13 stops from Bishkek to Bishkek
- Bishkek Days 1–2
- Ala-Archa National Park Day 2
- Burana Tower Day 3
- Chon-Kemin Day 3
- Cholpon-Ata Day 4
- Karakol Day 4
- Jergalan Valley Day 5
- Ak-Suu Day 5
- Djety Oguz Day 5
- Barskoon Gorge Day 6
- Kochkor Day 6
- Son-Kul Days 7–8
- Bishkek Days 9–10
Why choose this tour
Varied walking with nomadic stays. Two nights by Son-Kul lake.
Best suited to
- Walkers
- Adventurous travellers
- Solo travellers
- Culture lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Day 1 · Bishkek Bishkek
A city tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel Bridges
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Ala-Archa National Park, Ak-Sai waterfall Ala-Archa
A gorge walk.
- Hotel
- Hotel Bridges
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Burana Tower, Chon-Kemin National Park Chon-Kemin
A minaret and a valley.
- Hotel
- Kemin Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 · Konorchek Canyons, Cholpon-Ata, Karakol Karakol
Red rock canyons.
- Hotel
- Amir Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Jergalan Valley, Jety Oguz Jergalan
A valley walk.
- Hotel
- Golden Yurt Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6 · Skazka Canyon, Issyk-Kul south shore Issyk-Kul
Lakeside gorges.
- Hotel
- Homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, Son-Kul Son-Kul
A high lake.
- Hotel
- Yurt camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Son-Kul Son-Kul
Summer pastures.
- Hotel
- Yurt camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · 33 Parrots Pass, Bishkek Bishkek
Over the passes.
- Hotel
- Hotel Bridges
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Bishkek Bishkek
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Bishkek (2 nights) Hotel Bridges
- Chon-Kemin (1 night) Kemin Guesthouse
- Karakol (1 night) Amir Hotel
- Jety Oguz (1 night) Golden Yurt Camp
- Issyk-Kul (1 night) Homestay
- Son-Kul (2 nights) Yurt camp
- Bishkek (1 night) Hotel Bridges
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in hotels, a guesthouse, a homestay and yurts
- Meals 9 breakfasts and 7 dinners
- Private transport throughout
- Guided walks in Ala-Archa, Chon-Kemin and Jergalan
- Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyons
- Two nights at Son-Kul
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 8 lunches and 2 dinners
- Optional horse riding
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want comfortable hotels throughout
- You dislike long drives
- You need private bathrooms
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–10 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 1, 3 and 5–9
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Kyrgyzstan
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,580 per person, twin share, tour only. 5 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £1,792 (single supplement from £212).
Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.
13 Jun 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £1,792
10 Jul 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £1,792
04 Sept 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £1,792
17 Sept 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £1,792
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Do I need a visa for Kyrgyzstan?
No, UK citizens can currently visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days. Check the latest advice before travel.
How hard are the walks?
Moderate day walks of a few hours, some at altitude.
What are the yurt camps like?
Traditional felt yurts with beds and shared facilities.
How long are the drives?
Some days involve six hours or more on partly paved roads.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement is available, except in yurts and the homestay.
How many people travel together?
Between four and twelve travellers, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary