Kyrgyzstan – At the Edge of the Tian Shan · Aug 11 – Aug 23, 2026

After breakfast, we leave Bishkek and head east. First stop: the Burana Tower — an 11th-century, 24-metre minaret and the only surviving remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun. From the top, the views stretch across the Chuy Valley and the first mountain ridges on the horizon. Next, we stop for a walk through Konorchek Canyon — one of the most spectacular yet still underrated spots in Kyrgyzstan. We then continue to the town of Kochkor, famous for its traditional felt carpet weaving. We visit a local artisan for a hands-on shyrdak workshop: we'll see how these handmade masterpieces are created, learn about their rich symbolism, and have the chance to buy them directly from the maker. Dinner and overnight at a local family home in Kochkor.

After breakfast we leave Kochkor — passing through Naryn (lunch stop and a chance to stock up on supplies, the last town with phone signal and shops) we continue south towards the Chinese border. Late afternoon we arrive at the yurt camp in the Kok-Kiya valley, where dinner and overnight accommodation await.

We wake at dawn — the Kok-Kiya valley looks spectacular at this hour, with the snow-capped peaks of the Kakshaal-Too range (5,000+ m above sea level) lit up by the first light of day. After breakfast at the camp we set off on the trek to the lake — a route of around 9 km one way through alpine meadows and along the river. The terrain is moderate, but the altitude of 3,200–3,500 metres above sea level takes its toll, so we take it at an easy pace. For those who prefer, a horse riding option is available. We spend a minimum of two hours at the lake — Kel-Suu is an emerald sheet of water wedged between vertical rock faces, formed after an earthquake in the 1980s. We take a boat deep into the canyon, as from the shore you can only see a fraction of what the lake has to offer. We return on foot along the same trail. Evening tea and dinner in the yurt. Overnight in the yurt — tomorrow a long drive to Lake Issyk-Kul.

After an early breakfast we leave the camp near Kel-Suu and make our way to Lake Issyk-Kul. En route we stop at Skazka Canyon — a vivid sandstone labyrinth where thousands of years of erosion have carved fantastical shapes: some see dragons, others faces, others still figures from Kyrgyz legends. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kaji-Say area.

Breakfast, then we continue along the southern lakeshore. First stop: Barskoon Gorge — a scenic valley where a statue of Yuri Gagarin hides among the trees. The first man in space had a fondness for this place as a retreat from fame, and returned here even after his historic flight. We walk an easy trail to Barskoon waterfall.

Next: the village of Jeti-Oguz, home to two spectacular rock formations — the Broken Heart, and the Seven Bulls — a rocky massif resembling seven reclining animals and one of the symbols of Kyrgyzstan.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Karakol — Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city and the gateway to the heavenly Tian Shan mountains. We visit the Dungan Mosque, built without a single nail in the style of a Chinese pagoda, and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. In the evening: a Dungan dinner with a cooking masterclass. The Dungans are descendants of Muslim Chinese who fled persecution in the 19th century to what is now Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, creating a unique culture at the crossroads of two worlds. Overnight in a hotel in Karakol.

Early breakfast, we repack our backpacks and head off in 4WD vehicles up the valley. The road to Altyn Arashan alone delivers two hours of unforgettable sensations! On arrival, we check into a local guesthouse. In front of us: a wide valley encircled by the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan. For those who fancy it, a gentle walk along the valley, and in the evening — a soak in the natural sulphur hot springs, naturally heated to around 38°C.

Today is the toughest day of the entire program — and for many participants, the absolute highlight. The ascent from Altyn Arashan to the pass above Ala-Kul lake involves over 1,400 metres of elevation gain, nearly 25 km of trail, and around 11–12 hours of walking across alpine meadows and rocky ridgelines. The reward: Ala-Kul — a turquoise lake cradled by glaciers and rocky walls, one of the most spectacular places in all of Central Asia. The view from the pass at 3,900 m is breathtaking. We descend the same valley and return to our base in Altyn Arashan. Evening soak in the hot springs and dinner.

⚠️ The Ala-Kul route is physically demanding. Good fitness and experience with mountain ascents of at least 1,000 m elevation gain per day are essential. Participants who prefer not to do the trek will spend the day on walks in the Altyn Arashan valley and bathing in the hot springs. An alternative option is to take a horse partway to the pass (up to approx. 3,700 m) and cover the final 200 m on foot — available at an extra cost.

After an early breakfast, we descend together along the river to the national park exit (approx. 13 km, all downhill on a wide trail). In the afternoon, we arrive at Issyk-Kul — Kyrgyzstan's largest lake and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Overnight in a hotel near the lake.

Breakfast and a stop at the open-air museum in Cholpon-Ata — a site famous for petroglyphs over 2,000 years old. Upon reaching the capital, we visit the Osh Bazaar — the city's largest market, where you can buy dried fruits, spices, traditional Kyrgyz felt hats, and souvenirs straight from the vendors. Evening dinner at a local restaurant in Bishkek. Overnight in Bishkek.

After breakfast and checkout, we head by car toward Almaty. We cross the Kazakh border and enter Kazakhstan's largest city. Almaty is a different world from Bishkek — a modern metropolis with a thriving dining scene, an elegant city centre, and mountains just around the corner.

After checking in, we set out for a short afternoon of sightseeing: Republic Square, Panfilov Park with the wooden Ascension Cathedral built without a single nail. Then: the Green Bazaar — one last chance to shop for Kazakh dried fruits, spices, and souvenirs straight from the stalls.

In the evening: a farewell dinner at a local restaurant — our last night together, a toast to the mountains, the lakes, and all the kilometres covered as a group. Overnight in Almaty.

Transfer to Almaty Airport and flight home.