7-Day Kyrgyzstan Extension

Day 1: Dushanbe – Almaty 

You wanted more, and that’s what you’ll receive! Extending your trip gives you six more days of exploring Central Asia. Who is ready to get started? Kick off your additional time flying from Dushanbe to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, with some of the best views of the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains. 

When you arrive, leave everything to our trusted team member who will whisk you and your luggage off to the hotel where you can take it easy. After a day of travelling, you’ll likely want some free time to do as you please, whether it’s going for a short walk to take in some of the popular sights, like the 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial Park, or enjoying a little shut-eye. Grab dinner with your fellow Explorers, then hit the sack early because tomorrow has a lot in store!

Accommodations: Renion City Hotel (or similar), Almaty, Kazakhstan
Included: Dinner

Day 2: Charyn Canyon Views

Rise and shine! It’s time to meet your fellow Explorers for an early breakfast before heading out on your next adventure. Sit back and relax on your drive to Charyn Canyon. It is a long one, but well worth the wait. The national park, known as the “Little Brother of the Grand Canyon”, has one of the most impressive landscapes and a wild contrast when it comes to nature. Here, you’ll find towering red rock formations paired with some of the bluest waters you’ve ever seen. 

This afternoon, you’ll head to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border at Kegen to enter your fifth and final ‘Stan’ of this trip! Once you’re across, there’s one final drive to Karakol for dinner and a comfy bed.

Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar), Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Karakol and Cooking

Today, it’s all about Karakol, a city rich with diverse culture where the streets come alive around you. Onward Explorers! Follow your guide on a  walk around the town’s most sought-after attractions, including the colourful Dungan Mosque that was built in 1904 (and one of the few structures in the area to highlight Chinese architecture) alongside the historic wooden Russian Orthodox Church that didn’t use even one nail when it was built back in the 1800s.

After lunch, you’ll enjoy a little relaxation with a trip to the local hot springs followed by some downtime before dinner. Be sure to come with an appetite and eagerness to help out in the kitchen. Roll up your sleeves and work alongside a Uighur family to test your skills in the art of hand-pulling noodles. Create the traditional food, Lagman, made with meat and veggies, for an intimate one-on-one experience you won’t soon forget.

Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar), Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Fairytale Scenery and Nomad Life

It’s time to hit the road yet again! Yes, this unfortunately means more driving, but you won’t be disappointed when you arrive at the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the deepest lakes in the world. The bluer-than-blue waters are a startling contrast to the surreal Skazka Canyon, with its Martian-like landscape of red clay formations. This place looks like it came straight from the storybooks, and with its name translating to “fairytale,” it makes sense you’ll find rocks in shapes of castles and dragons. Listen in as  your guide fills you in on local legends for a deeper meaning behind the alluring names. 

There’s a lot to discover, so come nightfall, you’ll probably be ready to rest your head. But don’t expect the usual hotel room tonight. Instead, you’ll sleep under the stars in a traditional Kyrgyz nomad tent near the lake – it’s a yurt camp experience that will go down in the books.

Accommodation: Royal Gate Yurt Camp (or similar), Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

Day 5: Bokonbaevo Eagle Hunters 

Eagles are known as birds of prey and are often seen from afar in the sky at best. But today, you get the rare opportunity to see them up close with the help of a local eagle hunter in the village of Bokonbaevo. Don’t worry, the hunter, referred to as a Berkutchi, is not hunting these golden eagles, but rather working with them to catch small prey within the valley for training. It is a powerful and ancient experience you have to see to believe!

Watching is one thing, but doing is another. Once you arrive at the small village of Kyzyl-Tuu, your hands will get to work. Last night you slept in a yurt, and today, you’re going to help make one. Follow along with a local master craftsman as you assemble the wooden pieces and decorate the interior of the nomadic home, then reward your efforts with a filling lunch with a local family. 

Accommodation: D&D Guest House (or similar), Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Shyrdak Carpets and Burana Tower

How can time fly by this fast? Your final day is here, so get ready to start right away after breakfast. With Kochkor being home to many creative artisans, it’s the best place for you to experience their work in-person. Make a visit to the Altyn Kol Women’s Cooperative, an organisation that helps hundreds of local women generate income with handmade felt carpets, to gain a better understanding of the UNESCO-protected tradition and even get a shot at creating your own.

Later, you’ll start the trip towards Bishkek, but not without a pitstop at Burana Tower. Located on the Great Silk Road, Burana Tower keeps the past alive with the sole remaining 11th-century minaret from the ancient city of Balasagun, which was once the capital of the Karakhanid Empire. Be sure to check out the ancient Turkic stone grave markers, known as balbals. Dating back to the 6-10th centuries, they honour the deceased ancestors and are placed near the structure for an open-air viewing. Finally, you’ll arrive in Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital of Bishkek, where you’ll wrap up the day exploring its bustling wide boulevards and distinctive Soviet-era architecture before enjoying your final evening together. 

Accommodation: Freedom Hotel (or similar), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Farewell, Friends!

It’s always hard to say goodbye, especially after spending so much time with like-minded Explorers. As your last breakfast together as a group comes to an end and you gear up for your trip back home, be sure to swap contacts to stay connected. It’s not goodbye for good, just for now. You never know when your next journey will begin with one another! 

Included: Breakfast