Between Sky and Steppe

Between Sky and Steppe

Day 1: Arrival & Into the Wild
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan — a land of mountains, legends, and untamed beauty. After meeting you at the airport, we head straight to Bishkek for a warm breakfast in a local restaurant. Fueled and refreshed, we begin our adventure into the majestic Chon-Kemin Gorge. After checking into our guesthouse and enjoying lunch, you’ll saddle up for a scenic horseback ride through the valley — the perfect way to meet the spirit of the Kyrgyz wilderness. Dinner is served, followed by free time to unwind beneath the vast mountain sky.

Day 2: The Road to Song-Kol — A Lake in the Sky
After breakfast, we journey toward the alpine lake Song-Kol, driving through the breathtaking Kalmak Ashuu Gorge. By midday, we arrive at our traditional yurt camp on the lake’s shore — surrounded by silence, wind, and endless sky. You’re free to ride horses across the steppe, wander at your own pace, or simply sit and absorb the serenity. Dinner awaits, and the evening ends by the campfire under one of the most star-filled skies on Earth.

Day 3: Mountain Passes & Hidden Valleys — To Kel-Suu
We leave Song-Kol and travel through dramatic mountain landscapes, crossing the legendary Dolon Pass. Lunch in Naryn gives us a glimpse of Kyrgyz life, then we continue toward the remote Kel-Suu region. After passing a border checkpoint, we arrive at our yurt camp tucked away in the wilderness. Tonight: a warm dinner, quiet rest, and the magic of highland silence.

Day 4: Into the Lost World — Kel-Suu Lake
Today is for the adventurers. After breakfast, we set off for the extraordinary Kel-Suu Lake — reachable by hiking, horseback, or rugged Soviet “bukhanka” van. Hidden between stone cliffs, the lake’s turquoise waters are a surreal sight. You’ll take a boat ride across this remote jewel, enjoy an exclusive lunch by the lake, and have time to explore, reflect, or simply breathe it all in. After returning to camp, enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz sauna if you wish. Dinner and free time to follow.

Day 5: Nomadic Heritage — Craft, Eagles & Connection
After breakfast, we leave the highlands behind and stop for lunch in Naryn, then continue to Bokonbaevo village on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in nomadic culture: watch skilled artisans create colorful shyrdaks (felt rugs) and witness the ancient tradition of eagle hunting. Our yurt camp tonight offers a rich, homemade dinner and a deep sense of connection to Kyrgyz heritage.

Day 6: Land of Legends — Karakol & Fairy Tale Canyon
We head east toward Karakol, with stunning stops along the way. First: Altyn Arashan, a lush valley known for its hot springs and wild nature. Then: Skazka Canyon, where wind and time have sculpted sandstone into dreamlike forms. Lunch includes the spicy-sour local favorite ashlyamfu. In the evening, relax in a cozy guesthouse in Karakol.

Day 7: Shores of the Pearl — Northern Issyk-Kul
Today we travel along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake — the “Pearl of Central Asia.” Explore the green beauty of Grigoriev Gorge and savor a cultural dining experience at the ethno-restaurant Kazan-Bazaar. Tonight, we stay in a guesthouse in the lakeside town of Cholpon-Ata.

Day 8: Return to Bishkek — A Farewell to Remember
After breakfast, we make our way back to Bishkek. The tour ends with a special farewell dinner — a time to celebrate unforgettable memories, new friendships, and the wild heart of Kyrgyzstan that now beats within you.