Kyrgyzstan · August 1 - 5 2025

8 Day Kyrgyzstan Expedition

4 Nights

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Description

Overview

This 8-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan is a journey into the heart of Central Asia’s nomadic culture and stunning landscapes. Starting from Osh, you’ll explore the historic Uzgen Minaret, hike through the vast walnut forests of Arslanbob, and marvel at the alpine beauty of Sary Chelek Lake. As you traverse the Suusamyr Valleynand drive along the turquoise Naryn River, you’ll witness the rustic charm of remote villages like Kyzart and experience nomadic life in a yurt near the beautiful Song Kul Lake. Discover traditional crafts in Kochkor, snap a photo with a golden eagle in Bokonbaevo, and wander the surreal rock formations of Skazka Canyon. The journey wraps up with visits to Jeti Oguz rocks, the petroglyphs of Cholpon Ata, and a final exploration of the capital of Bishkek. This immersive itinerary blends cultural encounters, breathtaking hikes, and insights into Kyrgyzstan’s rich Silk Road heritage.

Highlights

GoldenEagleHuntBokonbaevoIssykulKyrgyzstan

Experience Kyrgyz Traditions

From a cuisine shaped by rugged landscapes and lifestyles to practices steeped in tradition, get a more intimate glimpse into the beautiful culture of Kyrgyzstan.

Horseback Riding In Beautiful Sceneries

From a traditional yurtstay, embark on a horseback ride to one of Kyrgyzstan's most beautiful locales- Song Kul Lake.

Take in Wild Landscapes

Despite its meager size, Kyrgyzstan features a myriad of landscapes from snowcapped peaks to forested valley and desertic scenes.

Itinerary

Osh | Arslanbob

Day 1: Osh to Aslanbob

In the morning, hit the road toward Arslanbob, stopping at Uzgen Minaret, a stunning relic of the Karakhanid Dynasty on the way. This ancient minaret, built in the 11th century, is a striking remain of the Silk Road’s influence in the Fergana Valley region. Take time to explore the adjacent mausoleums and snap some photos.
On arrival in Arslanbob, we’ll have a wander through this charming Uzbek village, known for its sprawling walnut forests — the largest in the world, and if anyone’s feeling up to it, a hike to a panoramic viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of the lush forest and snow-capped peaks.
In the evening, experience local hospitality with a traditional dinner and overnight stay at a homestay, where you’ll get a glimpse of village life.
Drive time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Homestay

Included

Lunch

Dinner

Osh | Sary Chelek | Toktogul

Day 2: Sary Chelek

Following a local breakfast at the homestay, we will drive to Sary Chelek, a striking alpine lake, nestled at 1,873 meters above sea level, and part of the Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve. On the way, stop at local markets to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables for a picnic.
After our picnic, we’ll have time to hike along the shores, breathing in the crisp mountain air. in the afternoon, we will return to the village, and then continue to Karakul. If time allows, push on to Toktogul, a lively town famous for its namesake reservoir.
Drive time: 9-10 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Chaek Village | Suusamyr Valley | KyzArt

Day 3: Chaek Village, Suusamyr Valley, & KyzArt

Today, we travel along the Naryn River, known for its turquoise waters, and pass through the Suusamyr Valley, a sweeping grassland ringed by mountains. In the summer, you’ll spot nomadic herders with their yurts and livestock dotting the landscape.
In the later part of the day, we will arrive to Kyzart, a quiet village offering a glimpse of traditional Kyrgyz life and enjoy a homecooked Kyrgyz dinner.
Drive time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

KyzArt | Song Kul Lake

Day 4: Horse Trek to Song Kul Lake

After an early breakfast, we will embark on a horse trek to the beautiful Song Kul, a remote lake, where nomads still graze their herds and live in traditional yurts during summer.
Tonight we will once again stay the night in a lovely traditional yurt.
Accommodation: Yurtsay

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

KyzArt | Naryn | Kochkor | Bokonbaevo

Day 5: Eagle Hunting in Bokonbaevo

Travel through the picturesque valleys of Naryn and the Orto Tokoi Reservoir, a serene water body surrounded by mountain views to reach the town of Kochkor.
Kochkor is well-known for handmade felt products, which make great souvenirs crafted by local artisans.
In the afternoon we will arrive in Bokonbaevo. Here, we meet a local eagle hunter who will explain the tradition of golden eagle hunting, a tradition passed through generations.
Drive time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Skazka Canyon | Barskoon Falls | Jeti Oguz | Karakol

Day 6: Skazka Canyon, Barskoon Falls, & Jeti Oguz

After breakfast, we will continue along the southern shores of Lake Issykul to explore Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon), famous for its surreal, red sandstone formations. Hike among the uniquely sculpted rock formations and listen to local legends.
A bit further on, we will reach the start of a short hike to Barskoon Waterfalls, giving you the opportunity to stretch your legs at these refreshing cascades surrounded by dense forest.
In the afternoon, we will reach the beautiful Jeti Oguz. Famed for its flaming red rocks, we will take time to visit the “Seven Bulls” rock formation and the “Broken Heart” — both steeped in folklore.
In the early evening we will reach Karakol and explore the charming town with its wooden Orthodox church and Dungan mosque.
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Cholpon Ata | Chon Kemin | Chonkurchak | Bishkek

Day 7: Onward to Bishkek

Today we head west along the northern shore of Lake Issykul, stopping in Cholpon Ata along the way, famed for itsancient petroglyphs dating back to the Saka period — a fascinating glimpse into early nomadic life.
From Cholpon Ata (time permitting, of course) we will try to make an exploration of the beautiful Chon Kemin Valley, known for its meadows, forests, and horseback riding opportunities.
In the later part of the day, arrive in the capital of Bishkek, known for its Soviet architecture and bustling bazaars. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Bishkek

Day 8: Departures from Bishkek

Departures from Bishkek throughout the day.
For those staying a little longer, there is the possibility to arrange an additional day tour of the cit.
Accommodation: None

Included

Breakfast

What's included

  • All meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • 4WD transportation
  • Accommodation on twin room sharing basis in hotels, guesthouses & homestays
  • Night in a traditional yurt on a quad sharing basis
  • Kyrgyzstan visa fee (if applicable)
  • Personal kit and equipment
  • Sleeping bag (rental available)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips to local staff

Hosts

Nicole Smoot

Expedition Lead
Nicole Smoot is a travel adventurer and photographer born and raised in the Alaskan mountains. She enjoys bad taxidermy, post-soviet bunkers, spelunking, and homemade wine. Nicole’s adventures include surviving a bear attack, a glacial cave collapse, and utilizing a ceasefire to move a tour through Northern Afghanistan. She became the first foreign woman to summit Shah Foladi Mountain. Additionally, she has discovered and cataloged petroglyphs, cave drawings, and glacial cave location data.

Nicole maintains a proprietary network across Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. She has consulted for various Ministries of Tourism and NGOs on tourism development. Despite the challenges, Nicole gravitates to regions often overlooked due to geopolitical strife and lack of tourism infrastructure. Her photography can be seen in National Geographic, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Lonely Planet, and at The.Adventures.Of.Nicole on Instagram.

the.adventures.of.nicole

Extras & Options

Single Supplement

Single Supplement

Opt for a private room when it's available. Subject to availability.

FROM $330.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates

FAQs

With a low crime rate and welcoming population Tajikistan is generally a safe country to visit. Visitors should exercise regular precautions they would anywhere in the world while traveling in Tajikistan. The most common problems a traveler may face include corruption, altitude sickness, and stomach upset. In terms of natural disasters, Tajikistan is prone to earthquakes.
This 5 Day Fann Mountains Expedition will begin at the border coming from Uzbekistan at the Samarkand-Panjakent Crossing and end in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

This 7 Day Fann Mountains expedition is rated as challenging and rugged. This means that we will be tent camping each night of the expedition, sleeping in primitive camps, and will be trekking for long hours at higher altitudes. We will have several nights without access to showers, so it can be a bit uncomfortable for some.

You can expect long days of trekking, up to 18 kilometers | 11 miles (7-10 hours) at the longest. As mentioned in the itinerary, we will trek over high mountain passes, the highest just over 3800 meters. We will have pack animal support for the trek to carry food and tents, but you should still expect to carry a pack with roughly 5-10 kg of weight each day.

Most visitors from western countries can enter Tajikistan with either the Tajik e-visa, visa on arrival, or may enter visa-free.

Some nationalities will need to apply for a Tajik visa issued by an embassy or consulate to enter the country.

You can read an overview of Tajikistan’s visa policy here but it would still be wise to check with your nearest Tajik consulate or embassy as visa schemes are always subject to change.

Note that if you will be entering Tajikistan visa-free and you will be staying in the country for more than 10 business days, you must register with OVIR. We will handle this process for you after you’ve checked into the hotel on the first day.

To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that the remote nature of the Fann Mountains poses very real challenges in the event of medical emergencies and serious illnesses and injuries. Because of this, it is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation. We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue. Prescriptions and over-the-counter meds are usually possible to find in Dushanbe, but we still recommend to make sure to bring any meds you need or may need with you.
The Tajik Somoni (TJS) is the official currency of Tajikistan. The value of the Somoni fluctuates a little but seems to have steadily stayed around 9-12 TJS to $1 USD for the past few years.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Fann Mountains expedition that can be viewed here.

The food you’ll encounter during your time in Tajikistan will be simple and tasty.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

It is possible to purchase a Tajik SIM card in Dushanbe, with T-Cell and Megafon being the best local carriers.

Once we begin our trek in the Fanns, we won’t have access to the internet from Sarytag to Artuch, where we’ll have Wi-Fi (for a fee) for the evening at the base camp. Again we won’t have any internet access until we depart Lake Alovaddin back toward Dushanbe.

Once we begin the trek we will not have access to electricity. I highly recommend purchasing a solar charger and external batteries to bring with you to keep your electronics charged out here.

Yes, a minimum of 2 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.