As seen on
Kyrgyzstan Hempsell adventure
Kyrgyzstan
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
9 Nights
2 - 2
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Hike through the Tian Shan Mountains
- Travel to pristine alpine lakes
- Stay in traditional yurts
- Visit the famous salt lake
Follow in the footsteps of Nomads in this private Kyrgyzstan adventure
Enjoy all of the wonders of Kyrgyzstan on this tailor-made trip which offers a mix of hiking and relaxing by it's stunning alpine lakes.
If you would like to learn more, you can watch our Kyrgyzstan webinar here.
Kyrgyzstan is famed for its hiking in the high Tian Shan to take in the mind-blowing views. The nomadic way of life is still very much alive in this country – nestled deep within the Central Asian Steppe – and you will have plenty of chances to meet with the local people and learn about their timeless way of life.
Kyrgyz food is absolutely delicious and apart from gorging ourselves in the capital on the many traditional dishes, we will also experience the home-cooked meals of the family we are staying with in communal dining yurt – in Son Kol particularly – with maybe even a schnapps or two to wash it down after. Kyrgyzstan displays incredible natural beauty with horses in abundance; even if you have no previous horse riding experience the mounts are very well trained and used to having travellers ride them so this can be the perfect opportunity to try something new and get a feel for the nomad that lives in all of us.
Day 1: Friday 20th September 2024: Collection & driving from Karakol to Jeti-Oguz valley.
Transfer
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Your hike begins!
Walking to the bottom of Telety pass. Camp will be on 3300m.
Day 2: Crossing Telety pass 3800m.
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Going dawn to Karakol valley camp on 2500m.
Day 3: Going up to Sirota camp 2900m.
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Enjoy beautiful views as you continue your hike through the Tan Shan mountains.
Day 4: Crossing Ala-Kul lake 3500m and Ala-Kul pass 3860m.
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Going dawn to Altyn-Arashan valley. Camp on 2400m.
Enjoy a well-deserved hot spring & a cold beer!
Day 5: Going dawn to Ak-Suu village and driving to Karakol.
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
We drop you back at your AirBnB in Karakol (not booked by us).
Day 6: Drive to Salt Lake
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
Yurt
25th Mid morning leave for Salt Lake (Myortvoye Ozero) on the shore of Issy Kol
Stay at Jaichi yurt camp
Day 7: Drive to Song Kol
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
Yurt
Enjoy stunning scenery as we drive up into the heart of the country to son Kol lake - surrounded by a crown of mountains.
Day 8: Free day in Son Kol
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Yurt
Today you have a complete day of leisure in these beautiful surroundings. Choose to hike, horse ride (for a small fee), grab a book or do nothing apart from breathe in the clean air and revel in the wilderness! It really is an amazing place just to spend time. Lucky visitors may see deer, foxes, marmots, Marco Polo sheep, birds of prey, or even leopards and wolves on the plains.
Day 9: Free day in Son Kol
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Yurt
Rest under a never-ending sky, viewing incredible sunrises and sunsets, not to mention impeccable views of the Milky Way in clear skies. Take the golden opportunity to spend time with the local people in ours and other yurt camps dotted along the shores.
Day 10: 29th September 2024: Drive back to Bishkek
Transfer
Breakfast
We drive you back to Bishkek and drop you at your hotel (not booked by us) after a thrilling adventure in the wilds of Kyrgyzstan!
Adventure Optional Extras
Private Transfer - One Way Arrival (1 to 2 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for more information), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Private Transfer - One Way Departure (1 to 2 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for more information), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Pre/Post Tour night for 2 people B&B
Stay at Bugu Boutique or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your tour. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Pre/Post Tour night for 1 person B&B
Stay at Bugu Boutique or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your tour. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- Flights & airport taxes
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Transfers outside our group transfer timings
- Visas (no cost for many countries)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Costs for optional activities on days 2, 5 and 7
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel, guesthouse or camp (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote places. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
This accommodation on this adventure involves both hotel stays and camping in Yurts. The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Bishkek (2 + early check in on Day 1): 3* Bugu Boutique Hotel or similar
Yurt Camping (5 nights): A yurt is a large felt tent made from sheeps wool, which results in a warm, cosy and waterproof shelter. The centre of the yurt houses a metal wood burner with a chimney for all smoke to escape through the roof.
The yurts house either 2 or 4 simple but comfortable beds with plenty of extra blankets to pile onto your sleeping bag (please bring a winter season bag), should you feel chilly. If you are travelling with a group of friends then we are happy for friends to share a yurt (4 people), or YellowWood can arrange the rooming for solo travellers to share with others of the same gender.
Toilet facilities are shared and in a separate ‘hut’. There are taps and running water in the camp for washing. We use traditional nomadic yurt camps where electricity is available between 18:00 and 22:00 and there is no mobile signal. Please note that part of this adventure is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles.
Facilities
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced, approachable and knowledgeable English speaking local Kyrgyz guide, who will be with you for the duration of the holiday.
This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip, offering insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during hiking.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures an optimal level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a larger group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it out for you. Our links with in-country travel experts often mean that we can assist you in developing a personalised itinerary.
Am I fit enough?
You are visiting the Tian Shan mountains and your itinerary involves some walking over rough terrain and some optional trekking (see the Itinerary for Day 5 for further details).
To get the most of out of this adventure, you therefore need to be a regular walker and in good physical condition. You do not need to be experienced in trekking, however. Any hiking is undertaken at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops.
You will be carrying just a day pack and bottle of water.
Training
As with all active holidays, the fitter you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements.
Clients are advised to get into a regular walking pattern before the trip as convenient.
NB: If you have bought new hiking boots for this adventure, this is the right time to wear them in, not on the trip! itself.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Bishkek.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Airport & Arrival Info
Manas International Airport is the main international airport in Kyrgyzstan, located 25km NW of the capital, Bishkek. It is a small, though fully functioning, airport with 2 ‘terminals’ that you may arrive into, at different ends of the same building.
You will be met at the airport by a local driver.
Included in the cost of your adventure is a group transfer to and from the airport.
Group transfers are only available on the official start and end dates of the trip. Arriving or departing on any other days means group transfers will not be included. If you plan to arrive before or after the adventure dates and need assistance with transfers or accommodation, please add these services when booking, or contact us directly to make the arrangements.
Once you have made a booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
You are also welcome to book your travel independently, and we will provide clear instructions on how to meet the group at the designated time and location at the start of your trip.
Hotel Arrival
Once the group have all arrived (they may be on a variety of different flights), you will be heading to a local restaurant for lunch and a trip briefing. This will be followed by a very interesting City Tour of Bishkek to kickstart your holiday!
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General information on Kyrgyzstan
For information on Kyrgyzstan, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specificinformation.
Reviews
T Corrigan
Our family of 4 (including two teenage kids) had a fantastic adventure in Kyrgyzstan organised by YellowWood Adventures.
Every question was answered before the trip greatly reducing our concerns.
Both our guide and driver were very friendly and would go out of their way to ensure had a great trip. The mini bus was always clean, waiting and ready to go. Hotels were always clean but ranged from basic to luxury.
Absolutely loved the country, the views and the people especially, who were super friendly
Bespoke Adventure October 2022
Steve Reels
Although this was a group tour Sam provided a very personalised service, particularly through the booking process and through his obvious concern during the trip that all within the group were enjoying the experience. The opportunity to stay with a local family in their yurts and eat food prepared by them was really special. When I think of this trip I am recalling great times in enormous empty landscapes that brought exhilaration and tranquillity in equal measure. Highly recommended.
Footsteps of Nomads, 2022
Pippa Sanders
I booked the trip as a spontaneous, last minute decision and have no regrets! From my initial enquiry to the final airport transfer the Yellow Wood team were friendly, prompt and professional. I loved being off the beaten track in Kyrgyzstan and given the chance to explore such a beautiful country and learn about its history and culture under the care of Yellow Wood and local guides.
In the Footsteps of Nomads (prev. Great Lakes Adventure), 2019
Chris Baxter
Kyrgyzstan is a spectacular country with snow capped mountains always on the horizon and sweeping plains between, with herds of livestock and wonderful flora.
In the Footsteps of Nomads (prev. Great Lakes Adventure), 2018
Annie Bird
A very enjoyable and varied tour to an unusual destination with a good balance of trekking, riding, culture and relaxation. Yurt hosts were excellent...
In the Footsteps of Nomads (prev. Great Lakes Adventure), 2019
Maria Tudorovskay
Very responsible organizers: I very much appreciate the enthusiasm of the team which gave me an opportunity to have such a great trip I wouldn't be able to accomplish on my own. I hope the company develops and opens new destinations whilst remaining just as approachable. Hope to remain your client!
Footsteps of Nomads (prev. Great Lakes Adventure), 2018
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Credit / Debit card for ATMs in town
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Feminine hygiene products as required.
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Toilet kit: toilet roll, wet wipes & ziplock bags for carrying paper out. Biodegradable wet wipe brands: Canny Mum, Close Pop & Travel Buddy.
- Standard suitcase or large rucksack or large duffel style bag are all suitable for your baggage for this adventure.
Items for Camping / Hiking
- Winter sleeping bag (0ºc comfort rating). Many of the yurt camps will have quilts and blankets but this is about planning for all eventualities. A liner (on optional list) can be used under provided bedding or you may prefer the hygiene/ comfort of your own bag.
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap for hiking.
- Waterproof walking boots - already broken in...
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners for both day sack and kit bag) to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
Clothing
- General socks / underwear for city sections and for walking.
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in. Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking.
- Waking trousers for trekking / camping. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Sandals or trainers for around camps.
- Sunglasses & high factor sun cream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Warm hat & gloves
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection. Light scarf useful for covering neck & shoulders.
If horse riding
- Half chaps
- Riding helmet (they will not be provided). Check your insurance policy which will likely be void if you do not wear a hat.
- Boots/ shoes suitable for riding (short boots are fine). Ideally you need to be able to slip out of them if you fall off (so walking boots are not suitable).
Optional
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold.
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort.
- Flask, if you enjoy hot drinks
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- 2 prong adaptor
- Purification tablets as alternative to Aquapure Traveller Water Purification Bottle
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising.
- Walking poles
- Money belt
- Laundry hand washing gel
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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