Mountain Kingdoms of Kyrgyzstan

This morning we travel in local transport over the Kamchik Pass to Kokand, where we will have the opportunity to visit the Khudayar Khan's Palace and the nearby Margilan Silk Factory before completing the journey to Fergana.

The truck must pass over the Kamchik Pass without passengers and will rejoin us this evening in Fergana City.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Border information: Exit Uzbekistan at Andijon, enter Kyrgyzstan at Dustlik.

This morning we leave Uzbekistan behind and make our way into the magical mountain kingdom of Kyrgyzstan!

Once we have crossed the border we continue our journey to Arslanbob in Kyrgyzstan's Fergana Valley - if we are delayed at the border we may choose to stay in the closer town of Jalalabad instead.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Homestay

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Homestay

We will spend the next 2 days overlanding through the stunning and remote Kyrgyz Fergana Valley, stopping often to admire the views and perhaps take some impromptu hikes in the hills and countryside. Tonight we will find a wild camp close to Toktugal Lake. Please note that trips running in low season (May to mid-June and October to November), we may not be able to camp if temperatures are too low, in which case we will stay in local guesthouses along the route instead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Today we complete the drive to the incredible Song Köl Lake, where we will spend the next two nights.

We will have free time here to explore the area, and to enjoy some optional activities including hiking and horse-riding.

Please note that trips during the low season will not be able to visit Song Köl Lake, as temperatures will be below freezing, the road will be snowed over, and there will be no yurts to stay in! Instead we will likely stay in yurts on the southern shore of Lake Issyk Köl.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

We will have free time in Song Kul Lake today to explore the area, and to enjoy some optional activities including hiking and horse-riding.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, where we stay in local family-run guesthouses and enjoy traditional Kyrgyz hospitality!

Whilst here we will visit a small museum and women's felt making cooperative that produces 'shyrdaks', the felt carpets for which Kyrgyzstan is renowned. We may also have the opportunity here to see some excellent local musicians playing traditional Kyrgyz folk music and to see how a yurt is put up!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Today we drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Köl and up into the mountains to the alpine trekking region of Jeti Oguz. En route we will have an included demonstation from a local 'eagle hunter'.

The next day we will have a free day to hike in the incredible scenery here, or take an optional horse ride with some of the local nomads!

Please note that on trips in the low season we may not be able to camp in Jeti Oguz due to low temperatures. If this is the case, we will stay for 1 night in a local hotel at the base of Jeti Oguz Valley (allowing time for some day walks) and then move via a stunning and incredible drive up a mountain in a Russian 4x4 truck to Altyn Arashan, a hot spring development in a stunning alpine setting, staying in dormitory accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Today is a free day where we will have the chance to hike in the incredible scenery around Jeti Oguz, or take an optional horse ride with some of the local nomads!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today we will move on from Jeti Oguz or Altyn Arashan to the Russian-style town of Karakol, where we will have a free afternoon to explore and relax!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Today we will drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Köl and visit the ancient petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata. We will then continue to the beautiful area of Chong Kemin where we will spend 2 nights.

In Chong Kemin we will wild camp. If it is too cold or simply preferred by the group, we may choose to camp in the grounds of a guesthouse in Ashu, a village in the Chong Kemin valley, where there could be the possibility to upgrade to rooms.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today we have a short drive to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, with the opportunity to visit the Burana Tower en route. We will have free time to relax and explore the city upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Border Information: if finishing in Bishkek, you will most likely exit Kyrgyzstan at Bishkek Manas International Airport (IATA code: FRU).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Bishkek. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.