Untouched Kyrgyzstan
SUMMER 2025
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Description:
Imagine a country whose landscape is dominated by snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes and endless plains. Where herders herd their cattle across lush fields and where circular nomadic yurts regularly punctuate the landscape. A country which was once at the crossroads of trading routes between China, the Middle East, and Europe, and whose culture has been heavily influenced by these places. This is the country of Kyrgyzstan, a beautiful yet rarely visited country perched on the mountains of Central Asia.
Our Untouched Kyrgyzstan itinerary aims to give travelers a taste of this less-visited country’s rich and interesting culture, and experience life as locals live it. We cover the country from North to South, travel across steppes, mountains, lakes, rivers, and streams, and stay at homes of a diverse mix of local families to learn about Kyrgyzstan and its culture, and meet its some of its friendly and hospitable people.
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Trip length: 12 days, 11 nights
Cost: USD1880 (Approximately SGD2465, MYR8400, EUR1700)
Start city: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
End city: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Max. Capacity: 4 travelers
What's included in the price:
Accommodation (Twin sharing)
Transportation (Trains, Private-hire vans, Intra-city transport)
Domestic flight (Bishkek to Osh)
Guide Fee
Tickets to places of interest (Historical sites, national parks)
Homestay experience
Yurt Stay
Breakfast at guesthouses
Entry to Hot spring
Horse rental
What's not included in the price:
Travel insurance
Meals (Lunch & Dinner on most days)
Visa (If applicable)
Flight tickets to and from home country
Ng Xinyu Beth (Singapore)
The Untouched Kyrgyzstan trip was a dream come true. TUD has designed the perfect itinerary for us to experience local culture, get a glimpse of the Soviet times and take in the beautiful sights spanning across all seasons... As the name of the tour suggests, we got to enjoy (almost always) complete privacy from the rest of the world, as though the magnificent views were designed to take our breath away.
Fabian Seow (Singapore)
I recently returned from a two-week trip to Kyrgyzstan with TUD, and it was a truly remarkable experience. The entire experience was highly engaging, offering many breathtaking moments. From crossing high snow passes to discovering desert canyons, each day brought unique adventures and breathtaking scenery. The fresh water lakes and elevated lookout points provided unforgettable views that showcased the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan. We also had the chance to have multiple homestays and of course a night in a Yurt. Each homestay gave us a glimpse into the local lives and also showcased great hospitality.
Day 1: Explore Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Capital
The tour starts at midday in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Capital. We will walk the streets of Bishkek, where streets are flanked by numerous monumental brutalist-style buildings built by the Soviets. Many buildings still have Soviet emblems affixed on their facades. Lenin, Karl & Engels still stand atop pedestals in many of Bishkek's parks.
During our time in the city, we will travel using the city's extensive trolley bus network, which is one of the world's largest.
Day 2: A trip to a Rust-belt town & awe-inspiring landscapes
In the morning, we will leave Bishkek for Balykchy, a town on the shores of Lake Issy Kul. It used to be an industrial town during Soviet times. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the town has lost much of its industrial base. Today, many industrial complexes dating back to the Soviet-era stand decaying.
After exploring Balykchy, we will head to the Kok-Moinok canyon where we will have a hike to see its Martian-like landscapes of red clay mountains. Then, we’ll drive along the shores of Lake Issy Kul to the town of Karakol. Nestled in the northern Tian Shan Mountains, this turquoise lake is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. We’ll end the day relaxing in the famous Aksu hot springs perched in the mountains.
Day 3: Meet the Dungan People
We’ll learn about the Dungan people and their rich yet largely unknown culture. We’ll sample the famous cold noodle Dungan dish – Ashlyanfu. Then we’ll explore a unique Chinese-style mosque.
We will have lunch with a local Dungan family in Yirdik village. They’ll introduce us to their rich and enigmatic traditions, their interesting cuisine which is a fusion of Chinese and Central Asian cuisines, and their language – a variety of Chinese that is related to ancient Chinese that the Dungan people still speak.
Day 4: Hikes & Stupendous Views
We’ll explore the intriguing Martian landscapes around Jeti Oguz village and hike towards the Maiden Tears Waterfall.
Then we’ll head to a viewpoint to soak in the breathtaking views of Lake Issy Kul, stopping by on the way to see a surreal monument dedicated to the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin.
Day 5: High altitude roads & Mountain passes
Having well explored northern Kyrgyzstan, we’ll now dip South. We’ll drive from Bishkek to Osh along one of the world's most beautiful and scenic roads, passing through two mountain passes that are at an elevation of more than 3000 meters. This road snakes past turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains, Martian landscapes, quaint villages, and cattle grazing wide and open fields.
Day 6: Welcome to Southern Kyrgyzstan
We’ll start the morning by taking in the breathtaking views of Toktogul reservoir – a reservoir formed by the construction of the Toktogul Dam by the Soviets in the 1970s – and its surrounding sky-reaching peaks. Then we’ll continue our drive down south to the village of Borbash. We’ve officially entered southern Kyrgyzstan.
Days 7 - 9: Live like a local
The Muzayev family warmly welcomes you to stay at their home for a few days in the Kyrgyz countryside. Experience living in their village Borbash and get a taste of life and customs in the rural, peaceful and picturesque Ferghana Valley.
The women of this family of bakers and farmers will also teach you how to cook plov, a traditional rice and meat dish, over an open-air fire.
During your stay here, we will visit traditional Kyrgyz bazaars where produce, food, livestock and traditional garments are sold.
End the day with a trip to the village’s banya, a traditional sauna house.
Day & night 10: A cozy yurt, Good stories & the Milkyway
Time to explore the Pamir Mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan. We’ll enjoy the pristine views of some of the tallest peaks in the world, some of them reaching altitudes of more than 7000 meters. We’ll spend the night in the cozy comfort of a traditional nomadic yurt. At night, spend the night chatting with your travel mates. Or, look up, gaze and marvel at the sight of the milky way.
Day 11: Travel on Horseback to Lenin Peak's Base Camp
We’ll spend the day in the saddle and travel towards Lenin Peak's Basecamp – the basecamp where many climbers and expeditioners set out from on their ascent of Lenin Peak, one of the tallest mountains in the world – and to Tulpar Kul, a lake perched in the middle of mountains. In the evening, we’ll return to Borbash.
Day 12: Home Sweet Home
After breakfast, we will fly back from Borbash to Bishkek, where the tour concludes. Travellers can choose to also travel by train to Tashkent, Uzbekistan instead, where there may be better flight options back to their home countries.
