Explore Kyrgyzstan by yourself
If you like to explore on your own rather than in a guided group, we now have just the thing for you: an individual trip, no guide, through Kyrgyzstan. We design the trip in consultation with you so that it is fully geared towards your wishes. At the bottom of this page you find an example of what a tour could look like.
Mountains, lakes, nomads
Kyrgyzstan is for lovers of the outdoors. As 90% of the country is higher than 1500 meters, it is especially attractive for people who love mountains. The Kyrgyz mountains are pure, unspoilt, offering fresh air and stunning views. They are peopled by nomads who welcome you to their yurts. Old traditions have been preserved. Different religious and political influences over the centuries have resulted in a culture and atmosphere that can only be described as mystical.
Virtual tour guide
You will get a unique virtual tour guide in the form of a roadbook in our Roadbook for Discovery app. The roadbook contains:
- A detailed map showing your itinerary.
- Point-to-point instructions to help you navigate.
- All the places you will stay overnight and restaurants.
- All events that you have booked.
- Places of interest with lots of information.
- Beauty spots where we suggest you stop.
- Great places for a picnic.
- Everything else that you need for a successful holiday.
Practical information
Each journey will be designed for you according to your wishes. Prices start from €1.250 per person for a nine-day trip (see example below – the final price depends on the options and level of accommodations you take). Basic elements always included in the price are:
- Rental car for entire period of your stay.
The standard car we offer is a Toyota 4Runner with automatic gearbox and automatic climate control. Two drivers are allowed; the car is fully insured. Upgrades are possible. - Map of the country, with your itinerary and written instructions on how to get to your accommodations and other appointments.
- Oral instructions by our local representative at the start of your trip.
- 24/7 support from our local agent .
- All accommodations during your trip, such as hotels, home stays, guesthouses and yurts.
We offer a range from basic to luxurious, all clean, friendly and characteristic of Kyrgyzstan. You determine what level of accommodation you would like. - All breakfasts included.
- Transfers from and to your airport.
You can extend what is included, for instance by adding meals, activities (think of eagle demonstration and horse riding), a guide in Bishkek and on other parts of your journey.
Your flights are always excluded from the price.
The best time of the year to visit Kyrgyzstan is from the end of May until the beginning of October. July and especially August are the busiest months.
We don’t put a minimum or maximum length on this journey. However, in order to enjoy a relaxed trip, we recommend at least nine days.
Interested?
If you’d like to go on a trip like this, please contact us by sending an email to info@4x4discoverytravel.com.
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).
Gallery
Example programme of a 9-day tour
The tenth day doesn’t count as a tour day, as you will only be transferred to the airport.
Day 1: Bishkek
We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you can refresh yourself. When you’re ready, you can do a short Bishkek tour with or without a guide to get acquainted with the city or just have a rest. Bishkek is a textbook example of Soviet city planning, with wide, straight roads and somewhat oversized buildings.
Overnight stay: hotel
Day 2: Bishkek – Son Kul
After breakfast you head for the one but largest lake in Kyrgyzstan: Son Kul. Surrounded by mountains at 3013 meters, this is the highest altitude lake of Kyrgyzstan. For centuries nomads have come here to rest and use the pastures for their cattle. You will see herds of sheep, goats, yaks, horses and the odd cow. You can have lunch here and have the entire afternoon to explore this wonderful area. Have a walk along the shores of the lake or go into the mountains.
Overnight stay in a yurt.
Day 3: Around Son Kul
This day is entirely yours. You can take a tour round the lake to meet nomads, discovering their way of life, traditions and culture. You can take a walk in the mountains. Or you drive across the 32 Parrots Pass , where at its bottom you can stop by a river and walk to a nice waterfall. Great place for a picnic.
Overnight stay in a yurt.
Day 4: Son Kul – Tash Rabat
You move on. Today takes you to the Tash Rabat Karavanserai on the Silk Road. This is a stone, castle-like construction dating back to the 14th century of which nobody really knows its purpose. It is unique. Tash Rabat lies at an altitude of 3200 meters in the middle of the Tian Shan mountain range. It hides a total of 31 chambers; its walls are a meter thick. A subterranean room was possible used as a prison. You will cross the 3000-meter-high Moldo Ashu pass, again of wondrous beauty.
Overnight stay in a yurt near Tash Rabat.
Day 5: Tash Rabat – Naryn
In Tash Rabat you can have an interesting hike or ride on horseback in the morning. Horse riding is a fantastic way to move through the mountains, just as the locals do. After lunch you drive through the mountains to Naryn, a town in the middle of a valley.
Overnight stay: guesthouse.
Day 6: Naryn – Kochkor – Tamga
Again a beautiful trip through the mountains. In the afternoon you arrive at Lake Issyk Kul, “the pearl of Central Asia”. It is a vast, somewhat saline lake at an altitude of 1608 meters. In spite of this and winter temperatures as low as -25° centigrade, it never freezes over. This is probably due to earth warmth and its slight saline water, but this phenomenon hasn’t been fully explained yet. Before dinner you can have a walk to the lake.
Overnight stay in a guesthouse.
Day 7: Tamga – Karakol
Today you go through the Jeti Oguz Valley. Jeti Oguz is famous for its red rock formations, called The Seven Bulls. You also pass the Mountains of the Broken Heart. Have a walk here. Drive on to Karakol, a pleasant town, where you can visit the Dungan mosque, built in Chinese style, completely in wood without using any nails. You can also visit an old wooden Orthodox church.
Overnight stay in a guesthouse.
Day 8: Karakol – Cholpon Ata
Drive along Lake Issyk Kul and come through the Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye Valleys. These valleys twee valleys meet at the end. You drive in through one and out the other. You will see many yurts, can have a picnic in nature, enjoy the peace and quiet.
Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 9: Issyk Kul Lake – Bishkek
You are back in the inhabited world and head for Bishkek. Visit a vast plain full of rocks and stones, many of which showing drawing going back to 800 BC. Make a detour to see the Burana Tower, a minaret from the 11th century. In the days of the Silk Toad it indicated there was town here. This has now completely disappeared. Next to the tower there is a field with so-called Balbans (stone warriors).
Back in Bishkek you can have a guided tour through the city if you wish, to get to know the town better than on your day of arrival. Visit Pobeda Square, Duboviy Park, Ala-Too Square, the building of the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Make sure to visit the fascinating bazar.
Overnight stay: hotel.
Dag 10: Transfer to airport
We will take care of your transfer to the airport.