A winter in Kyrgyzstan like no other
You will discover the losted shepherds of the Tien Shan range. Yak's farmers are living in difficult conditions but they will open their warm house and yurts, and you will enjoy the Kyrgyz hospitality. After an short hike south of Bishkek, we reach Chong Kemin National Park, before going up to frozen Song Kul lake and enjoy a night in the unique winter yurt camp of the lake.
This tour will be adapted depending on your preferred activity and snow conditions. This program has been designed for lovers of snowshoeing or ski touring accompanied by horses.
A real winter adventure in Kyrgyzstan
An active experience on skis, on snowshoes or on horses for those who want to discover the winter Kyrgyz nomadic life
7 Days • Winter tours • Kyrgyzstan
Program
Skitouring or snowshoeing in Chunkurchak, and overnight in Chong Kemin
Today you will enjoy the pittoresque road linking the high plateau of Chunkurchak where you can enjoy an half-day hiking with snowshoes or ski-touring. In the end of the afternoon, you will drive to the National Parc of Chong Kemin. Overnight and dinner in a local family house.
Backcountry skiing or snowshoeing in the Chong Kemin National Park
Today you will be able to feel like a Kyrgyz Nomad because you will have a horse that you can ride to higher grounds. You will be able to ski different slopes and get many runs in today. But you can also choose to snowshoe on forest road. Lunch will be had in the mountains with the horseman and your guide. After a full day of horseback riding and touring you will head back to your guesthouse and share dinner with the shepherds family that you are being hosted by.
Road from Chong Kemin to Kilemche
This morning, you leave the National Parc of Chong Kemin, and you take the road by the Boom canyon, a dry and cold place in winter, but colorful. After a low pass, the road goes down to the Orto Tokoy reservoir and the small city of Kochkor. Then the road leave the civilisation and accross the Kyzart pass, and you will have lunch in a shepherd's house in the village of Kyzart. In the afternoon, you will snowshoeing or skiing or horsebackriding into the gorge of Kilemche, a short walk of 6-7 km. Arriving in the high part of the gorge, installation in a shepherd's house.
Heading to Song Kul lake
This morning, we take the path to reach the shores of Lake Song Kul. On skis, snowshoes or on horseback, and depending on the snow conditions, you will choose your favorite activity to reach the immense plateau of Lake Song Kul. All morning, we climb to the Tuz Ashuu pass by road, then from the pass, we descend to the shores of the lake, which we follow to reach our winter camp in yurts.
A winter day on the frozen Song Kul's lake
Depending on your wishes, you can enjoy snowshoeing, ski-touring, hiking, horseback riding, snowtubbing or just enjoying this losted yurt camp surrounding by snow.
Skiing in the morning, then drive to Bishkek
In the morning, you horseride till the pass of Tuz Ashuu, then you will enjoy 6 km downhill skiing till the Kilemche river where your driver will be waiting for you. Drive to Bishkek. Dinner in the town. Installation in our guesthouse.
Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport.
Depending on your flight time, your guide will join you to the airport and help you check in for your flight. If your flight is later in the day your guide will show you more places in Bishkek before your flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and we hope you come back again to explore other counties in Central Asia with us.
We had a wonderful 15 days in Kyrgyzstan and wholeheartedly recommend Nomad's Land to anyone the country would tempt - and believe us it is worth it! The team is as competent as it is cheerful and dynamic, with a real desire for ecotourism (it's not just marketing at home and that's a pleasure) and exploring off-track trails. We were able to walk the Kyrgyz mountain trails alone in the world, at our (good) walking pace and having the impression of being Kyrgyz for a little while in our life. A huge thank you to all the team who greatly contributed to such a success of our trip, we hope to have the chance to come back to see you one day!
Little given to write comments, this occasion certainly deserves it. I just arrived from Kyrgyzstan just a week ago, and what was initially planned as a great trip has turned out to be an unforgettable life experience. The imposing mountains of the country, its lakes, landscapes, the kindness and simplicity of its people have greatly marked in me the most pleasant memory that I will always keep from this trip. If the context already met all the requirements to become a great adventure, the presence of our guide, Mikel, has turned the trip into an experience that will make any lived image be accompanied by a smile. What to say about the great Mikel, as a guide he is extraordinarily decisive, and there were many complications that we were given, but he was always there to propose solutions to everything that happened to us. A great lover of everything he does, and always with knowledge, an endearing person and with a great heart, he has earned the respect and affection of all of us with the naturalness that characterizes him. And of course, he always guided by good humor !!. In my particular case, I lost my luggage on the flight stopover, and with little time for presentations, he managed to get my suitcase delivered as soon as possible. If I had to undertake any other journey, of course Mikel's presence would bring great peace of mind. Thank you for making the trip unimaginable !!!
On your way
Chong Kemin National Park KG
This park encompasses the entire Chong Kemin Valley. There are many trails still virgin or almost.
CBT Chong Kemin KG
Nomad's Land with CBT Chong Kemin offer an amazing trek routes to the Issyk Kul lake.
Orto-Tokoy water reservoir KG
The Orto-Tokoy reservoir is the first reservoir built in Kyrgyzstan. Construction began in 1941 and ended in 1960.
Kochkor KG
Kochkor is a town of shepherds located in Naryn oblast 200 km from Bishkek. It is located at 1800m. alt. The city has 17,000 residents.
Kilemche Jailoo KG
Kilemche valley is situated in Jumgal region, at an altitude up to 3240 m., where some nomads families stay even in farms during the wint
Song Kul lake KG
The scenary Song Kul (or Song Kul) lake is the main pasture of nomads. Hundreds yurts are built during summer.
Info
What is included
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All transportation in a private vehicle
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All airport transfers
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Accommodation as described in the program
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Meals (3 per day)
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Bottled water & tea
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English-speaking IFMGA ski touring tour leader
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All the activities listed in the program
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Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
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Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
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Domestic flights mentioned in the program
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A contribution to our sustainable development projects
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Organisation of the trip & local taxes
What is not included
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International flights
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International banking fees (PayPal, ...)
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Travel & repatriation insurance
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Visas / LOI (if applicable)
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Alcoholic and soft drinks
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Personal expenses
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Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)
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Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)
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Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)
Ready to go?
Book your tour today.
May we help you?
Our trip designers are at your disposal for building your dream! Feel free to contact us.
- Postal address
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone number
Looking for a taylor-made experience? Check our trip planner.
Ecotourism projects
Through various ecotourism projects and initiatives, Nomad's Land aims to increase awareness of ecotourism and responsible travel, for a sustainable development of the tourism sector.
Ayana Zholdoshbek
