Kyrgyzstan
Winter escape to Kyrgyzstan
Réf : AKIRIVX
In summary
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Sports
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Duration12 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAsia / Kyrgyzstan
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions175.9 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Explore the vast landscapes of Kyrgyzstan in winter , a land of majestic mountains and wild valleys draped in white. This Nordic adventure immerses you in the heart of pristine nature, where the silence is broken only by the crunch of snow beneath your feet.
The highlight of this journey is the sacred lake of Kel-Suu, which is completely frozen over, nestled in a setting of steep cliffs and snow-covered forests. Your winter hikes along its icy shores offer breathtaking panoramas, enhanced by the golden light of the cold season.
Beyond the breathtaking panoramas, this journey fosters authentic encounters with the local people. Sharing local traditions and discovering their pastoral way of life adds a precious human dimension to your trip. Between moments of contemplation and outdoor explorations , experience a timeless immersion in one of Central Asia's most unspoiled regions.
The highlights
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A unique winter immersion: snow-covered steppes, frozen lakes and vast unspoiled landscapes
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Cultural discovery: felt workshops, meeting with a eagle maker and visit to the bazaars
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Horseback riding tours following in the footsteps of Kyrgyz horsemen
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
The expert's opinion
This trip is for travelers in good physical condition, comfortable with exertion in mountainous environments and capable of facing the winter cold.
The level is between 2 and 3 boots , due to days including up to 5 hours of activity, mainly on horseback or hiking, in sometimes harsh weather conditions.
The altitudes remain moderate (around 3,400 meters maximum), but the fresh air and negative temperatures can increase the feeling of exertion.
The adventure remains accessible to anyone with good endurance and a taste for travel and discovery in the great outdoors.
No special equestrian skills are required: the horseback riding tours are suitable for beginners and take place under the supervision of an experienced local guide.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
English
French
English
Supervisor
Supervisor
Throughout the trip, you are accompanied by a local French-speaking guide, a specialist in the region and passionate about Kyrgyz nomadic culture.
He is assisted by a local team consisting of drivers, cooks and equestrian guides during horseback riding excursions.
These teams, accustomed to winter conditions, ensure the safety, logistics and comfort of the group throughout the journey.
Program
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Departure from France
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure from France and overnight flight to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.Day 1 -
Arrival in Bishkek
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We arrive in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Greeted at the airport by our team, we head towards the city center. This morning, we set off to explore Bishkek: strolling through the bazaars filled with the aromas of Central Asia, wandering through the verdant parks, and discovering the monuments, veritable replicas of those in the Russian capital, Moscow. We spend the night at the hotel.Day 2 -
Bishkek - Kyzart
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 200km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We head east, into the heart of the Chuy Valley. After an hour's drive, we turn south towards the Kyrgyz Ala Too mountain range. We visit the Burana Tower and its 11th-century ruins, remnants of an ancient Silk Road city. We then stop in the village of Kochkorka, where we visit a felt workshop and learn about the making of shyrdak carpets and woolen goods. We continue our journey to the Joumgal Valley. Overnight in a guesthouse in the village of Kyzart.Day 3 -
Kyzart - Song Koul
- Accommodation Yurt
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off on a horseback trek of approximately 4 to 5 hours. In the village, we meet our guide and the horses, then attend a briefing before departure. We then head towards Lake Song Kul, crossing the Tuz Ashu Pass (3,400 m). This lake, considered the heart of Kyrgyzstan, offers breathtakingly beautiful landscapes where nature remains untouched. We spend the night in a yurt.Day 4 -
Song Koul
- Accommodation Yurt
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This day is dedicated to a horseback ride of approximately 5 hours, in the heart of a pristine landscape. We ride through the silence of the vast steppes, alone in the face of its immensity. The cold bites, the wind whispers: here, nature reigns supreme. We spend the night at the same camp.Day 5 -
Song Koul - Kyzart - Kochkor
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 100km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin our final horseback ride, approximately 5 hours across the vast expanses of snow and ice, which we gradually leave behind. We reach Kyzart, where we meet our vehicle and continue our journey to the village of Kochkor. We spend the night in a guesthouse. (Transfer: approximately 1.5 hours)Day 6 -
Kochkorka - Naryn - Kel Suu (3500m)
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 107kmper day
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h per day
- Accommodation Yurt
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off towards the picturesque alpine lake Kel Suu, located in southeastern Kyrgyzstan, near the Chinese border. Surrounded by steep cliffs and mysterious caves, the site offers a breathtaking setting. We walk on the frozen lake, and those who wish can go horseback riding to explore the surrounding area and fully appreciate the natural beauty. We spend two nights in a yurt camp.Days 7 to 8 -
Kelsuu - Kochkorka
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 200km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we leave our yurts at the alpine camp. A transfer of approximately two hours takes us to Naryn, the main city in the south of the country. We visit the local bazaar, then the Blue Mosque, remarkable for its architecture blending Islamic traditions and local influences. We spend the night in a guesthouse. (Total transfer time: 5 to 6 hours)Day 9 -
Kochkorka - Issyk Koul
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 200km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off towards the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, our destination for the day. The contrast of colors is striking: snow-capped peaks rise majestically against the backdrop of red and ochre canyons. At 1,600 meters above sea level, Issyk-Kul is the second highest high-altitude lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Along the way, we stop in the village of Kyzyl Tou to learn about yurt making. Later in the day, we meet Aitou, a renowned eagle hunter, who shares his passion for his eagles and the ancient art of hunting. We then ascend to the Shatyly viewpoint to admire a magnificent natural spectacle, before a walk in the Ak-Say canyon, with its stunning orange hues. We spend the night in a guesthouse in Bokonbaevo.Day 10 -
Back to Bishkek
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 200km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave the Issyk-Kul region and head towards the Chuy River valley, which marks the border with Kazakhstan. There, we take a walk through the heart of the magnificent Boom Canyon, a landscape of cliffs and ochre-colored earth chimneys, often called the "Bryce Canyon" of Kyrgyzstan. We then continue our journey towards the capital, Bishkek.Day 11 -
Departure and return flight
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure from Bishkek and return flight to France.Day 12
Note
This itinerary is provided as a guide only: depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide may modify this itinerary for your safety and that of the group.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Bishkek, Kirghizistan
Day 1
: 00h00
End of stay
Bishkek, Kirghizistan
Day 12
- 00h00
2. Travel within the country
- Land journeys are provided by minibus or private 4x4 vehicle, adapted to roads that are sometimes snowy and mountain tracks.
- Transfers generally do not exceed 5 hours per day, allowing you to enjoy the varied landscapes of the Chuy Valley, Lake Issyk Kul and the Tien Shan mountains.
- Luggage is transported by vehicle and does not require carrying.
- The hikes take place in full or half days, alternating with horseback riding, particularly around the Song Koul and Kel Suu lakes.
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isBSZ - Aéroport de Bishkek - Manas International
1. International Transport
- International flights depart from Paris to Bishkek, with a stopover. These are scheduled flights, overnight on the outbound journey and during the day on the return.
- Departures from other cities are possible upon request.
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Price details
The price includes
- International flights
- Airport/hotel pick-up and transfer
- Transportation throughout the stay
- Accompaniment by a French-speaking guide
- Support from the local team: driver, cook
- Full board except for meals in Bishkek
- Camping equipment
- Entry permit
- Accommodation throughout the stay (yurts, guest houses and homestays)
- Horseback riding
- Activities and visits on the program
The price does not include
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Meals in Bishkek
- Tips for local teams
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
Clothing to bring
Winter conditions demand warm and technical gear. With temperatures potentially dropping as low as -20°C, it is essential to be well protected against the cold and wind.
Recommended clothing:
- Warm down jacket
- Gore-Tex type waterproof jacket
- Lined mountain trousers or windproof overtrousers
- Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
- warm fleece
- Hat, warm gloves and glove liners
- Thick walking socks
- Waterproof hiking shoes
- Light shoes for the evening
- Scarf, neck warmer
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1435 reviews)
• 429 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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