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Lake Son Kul
Spend a night in a traditional nomadic yurt on the shores of Lake Son Kul.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Highlights of Kyrgyzstan
This holiday is designed to showcase Kyrgyzstan’s stunning scenery, from alpine forests to snow-capped peaks and high altitude lakes.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Bishkek Bazaar
Explore the sprawling Osh Bazaar in Bishkek searching for traditional Kyrgyz wares.
3
Lake Issyk-Kul
Visit Lake Issyk-Kul the second largest alpine lake in the world.
4
Tash Rabat
See the ancient Tash Rabat caravanserai – one of the silk roads great wonders.
Why we like it
Kyrgyzstan is blessed with immense natural beauty plus it offers visa free travel. This trip offers plenty of opportunities to explore the spectacular scenery on foot or on horseback. Towering mountains hide huge alpine lakes where peaceful nomadic life continues, following their cattle and observing ancient traditions. Spend time with locals experiencing life in a yurt on the shores of Lake Son Kul. This holiday is perfect for anyone seeking the luxury of unspoiled nature.
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Day 1
Bishkek
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Day 2
Bishkek - Cholpan Ata
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Day 3
Cholpan Ata - Karakol
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Day 4
Karakol - Altyn-Arashan
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Day 5
Altyn-Arashan - Karakol
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Day 6
Karakol
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Day 7
Karakol - Kochkor
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Day 8
Kochkor - Naryn
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Day 9
Naryn - Son-Kul Lake
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Day 10
Son-Kul Lake - Bishkek
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Day 11
Bishkek
Day 1
Bishkek
Explore the sprawling Osh Bazaar in Bishkek searching for traditional Kyrgyz wares.
Day 2
Bishkek - Cholpan Ata
Day 3
Cholpan Ata - Karakol
Visit Lake Issyk-Kul the second largest alpine lake in the world.
Day 4
Karakol - Altyn-Arashan
Day 5
Altyn-Arashan - Karakol
Day 6
Karakol
Day 7
Karakol - Kochkor
Day 8
Kochkor - Naryn
See the ancient Tash Rabat caravanserai – one of the silk roads great wonders.
Day 9
Naryn - Son-Kul Lake
Spend a night in a traditional nomadic yurt on the shores of Lake Son Kul.
Day 10
Son-Kul Lake - Bishkek
Day 11
Bishkek
More details
Lakeside Nomadic Life
Kyrgyzstan is home to around 2,000 lakes ranging in size and origin. During this holiday you will visit two of the largest, Son-Kul and Issy-Kul. Sitting at an altitude of over 3,000 metres above sea level Son-Kul Lake measures 29 by 18 kilometres and is surrounded by grassy steppes which are used by nomadic shepherds during the summer months. Camp in a traditional yurt on the shores of the lake, surrounded by mountain peaks, spending days spotting birdlife and experiencing nomadic life.
Ancient Petroglyphs of Cholpan-Ata
Littering a boulder field, the ancient petroglyphs of Cholpan-Ata are said to date back as far as the sixth century BC. Mainly depicting scenes related to hunting, the carvings show animals that are now rarely spotted, such as wolves, long-horned ibex and snow leopards.
Karakol
Formerly known as Przhevalsk, after the Russian explorer, Karakol is a peaceful, low-rise town. Shaded by rows of white poplars, its winding backstreets hide Russian timbered gingerbread cottages. Sitting at over 1,800 metres, the town is slightly inland from the enormous Issyk Kul Lake, pressed up against the foothills of the Tien Shan. The area is famous for its apple orchards which can be found around the town. Visit the Chinese mosque, built in 1910, by 20 Chinese artisans, for the local Dungan community. Built without nails it resembles a Mongolian Buddhist datsan.
Explore the surrounding Karakol Valley – flanked by tall, snow-covered peaks, this steep-sided valley is dominated by the fast flowing Karakol River.
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Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchase through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $3,354 Per person
When to travel
Kyrgyzstan in January
November to March is low season, during which roads are sometimes blocked due to snowfall and electricity black outs are common. We would not recommend travelling at this time unless you are keen to go skiing, as it is very cold.
Kyrgyzstan in February
November to March is low season, during which roads are sometimes blocked due to snowfall and electricity blackouts are common. We would not recommend travelling at this time unless you are keen to go skiing, as it is very cold.
Kyrgyzstan in March
November to March is low season, during which roads are sometimes blocked due to snowfall and electricity black outs are common. We would not recommend travelling at this time unless you are keen to go skiing, as it is very cold.
Kyrgyzstan in April
April to June is a great time to visit as the country warms up, and is generally mild with lower visitor numbers. There is more rainfall at this time, but the benefit is that the landscape is lush and green. Higher mountains may still be snowbound though, limiting hiking opportunities.
Kyrgyzstan in May
April to June is a great time to visit as the country warms up, and is generally mild with lower visitor numbers. There is more rainfall at this time, but the benefit is that the landscape is lush and green. Higher mountains may still be snowbound though, limiting hiking opportunities.
Kyrgyzstan in June
April to June is a great time to visit as the country warms up, and is generally mild with lower visitor numbers. There is more rainfall at this time, but the benefit is that the landscape is lush and green. Higher mountains may still be snowbound though, limiting hiking opportunities.
Kyrgyzstan in July
July and August is the peak of summer across the country, making it the only time to access mountains over 3000m and trek through spectacular pristine landscapes. This is the busiest time of year so expect to book well in advance to secure the best accommodation.
Kyrgyzstan in August
July and August is the peak of summer across the country, making it the only time to access mountains over 3000m and trek through spectacular pristine landscapes. This is the busiest time of year so expect to book well in advance to secure the best accommodation.
Kyrgyzstan in September
September and October is a great time to explore the cities, as the searing summer heat dissipates and visitor numbers drop. Glacial melt is high, making it a popular time to enjoy kayaking or rafting. Hiking remains a good option, with less snow around and more predictable conditions than earlier in the season.
Kyrgyzstan in October
September and October is a great time to explore the cities, as the searing summer heat dissipates and visitor numbers drop. Glacial melt is high, making it a popular time to enjoy kayaking or rafting. Hiking remains a good option, with less snow around and more predictable conditions than earlier in the season.
Kyrgyzstan in November
November to March is low season, during which roads are sometimes blocked due to snowfall and electricity black outs are common. We would not recommend travelling at this time unless you are keen to go skiing, as it is very cold.
Kyrgyzstan in December
November to March is low season, during which roads are sometimes blocked due to snowfall and electricity black outs are common. We would not recommend travelling at this time unless you are keen to go skiing, as it is very cold.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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