Route: Bishkek → Kochkor → Naryn → Tash-Rabat → Naryn → Kochkor → Bishkek.
The caravan road: the minaret of ancient Balasagun, a felt workshop, the high Dolon Pass and 15th-century Tash-Rabat among grassy mountains. Two nights in a yurt camp 500 m from the caravanserai, hikes in the At-Bashi range and visits to nomadic families.
MorningDrive to Burana Tower — the only surviving minaret of ancient Balasagun (11th century, Karakhanid state), a centre of the Silk Road. Climb the 24 m tower and see the balbals — stone warriors of the 6th-century Turkic Khaganate — and the petroglyph museum.
AfternoonContinue to Kochkor, the capital of felt. Visit the Altyn Kol women's cooperative, where 30 women make shyrdak carpets by the ancient technique (UNESCO-listed heritage). Try making a small piece of felt and buy directly from the craftswomen.
EveningGuesthouse in Kochkor with a traditional dinner.
Guesthouse in Kochkor
MorningDrive over the Dolon Pass (3,030 m) with views of the Kochkor valley and high mountains, and stop for tea in a yurt on the pass. Continue to Naryn, the largest town of the region, on the wild Naryn River that later becomes the Syr Darya.
AfternoonAnother 2 hours into the wilderness of the At-Bashi range to Tash-Rabat — a 15th-century caravanserai built entirely of stone, with 31 rooms under a central dome. Legend says it was first a Nestorian monastery, then a Silk Road inn where 500 camels could stay. Perfectly preserved at 3,200 m among grassy mountains. A guided tour explains how merchants slept, prayed and stored their goods. Check in at a yurt camp 500 m from Tash-Rabat.
EveningDinner in the yurt camp and a bonfire under a huge starry sky with no light pollution; stories of the Silk Road. Overnight in a yurt.
3200 m Yurt camp near Tash-Rabat, 3,200 m
MorningHiking in the At-Bashi range — an easy-to-moderate 2–3-hour walk among rolling hills with whistling marmots, long-haired yaks and horses. Altitude 3,200–3,500 m, fresh mountain air.
AfternoonVisit nomadic families who spend the summer around Tash-Rabat. Taste fresh products — kymyz (fermented mare's milk), airan yogurt, butter and bread baked in a clay oven. Optional horse riding for 1–2 hours around the valley; meet children who ride from the age of three.
EveningSecond night in the yurt camp. A kok-boru demonstration if local shepherds are available.
3500 m Yurt camp near Tash-Rabat
MorningSunrise over Tash-Rabat — the best light for photos. Drive back to Naryn for a walk: the mosque, the bazaar and the Naryn River.
AfternoonBack over the Dolon Pass to Kochkor. Stop for felt souvenirs — the best place to buy a real shyrdak (about $100–400).
EveningGuesthouse in Kochkor.
Guesthouse in Kochkor
MorningFree morning in Kochkor.
AfternoonDrive back to Bishkek (2.5 h). Drop-off at your hotel around 16:00.
30% deposit to book, the remaining 70% before the trip. Cancellation 14+ days before — 100% of the deposit refunded; 7–13 days — 50%; less than 7 days — non-refundable (except where required by law).
A manager will check availability and contact you. A request is not a confirmed booking.
Bishkek & Chuy Valley
Discover the essence of Kyrgyzstan in four unforgettable days — the perfect first journey: Bishkek and Ala-Archa, Burana Tower, Chon-Kemin, red canyons and the south shore of Issyk-Kul.
Dates on request
from · per person
$460
Issyk-Kul
Chon-Kemin, the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, Karakol, the Jeti-Oguz and Barskoon gorges and sunrise in Skazka Canyon — a loop around Issyk-Kul in four days.
Dates on request
from · per person
$460
Naryn & Song-Kol
Immerse yourself in nomadic life: shyrdak felt in Kochkor, a horseback crossing of a 3,400 m pass and a night in a yurt by Son-Kul Lake (3,016 m).
Dates on request
from · per person
$570
