Tour details
- Period
- June and September
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Tour specialist
- Bakyt – 20 reviews
- From
- 1050$
As summer arrives, shepherds in Kyrgyzstan leave their winter home in the valley, and take their flocks together with their families, livestock, yurt, furniture, and basically everything up to the high pastures in the mountains, the jailoo, where the temperatures are fresh and the grass is green and plentiful. They have been doing so for thousands of years.
When the summer is over and the sheep have fattened up, the Kyrgyz shepherds leave their pasturelands and ride back to the lower valleys and the villages. It is party time for the families; the villages fill up with animals, wool, felt, meat, and dairy products that the shepherds produced during summertime.
The schedule for the migrations depends on different factors. Going up will be somewhere in June, going down somewhere in September. Please fill in the form to get the details of dates.
The program can be tailored to your needs, as long as it does not interfere with the needs of the thousands of sheep who will be joining you on this trip. It can for instance be trimmed to just 3-4 days, if you feel like only doing the transhumance. Just ask us through the form.
It’s a unique adventure, and not a popular one by the way, which we find hard to grasp. Here is a way to really get to know Kyrgyz culture, which cannot be experienced through magnificent buildings or big cities – nomadic culture has to be lived.
This year, we propose you to join this event and to participate in their moving to the Jailoo with one family from At-Talaa village to Song Kul Lake.
Itinerary
As summer arrives, shepherds in Kyrgyzstan leave their winter home in the valley, and take their flocks together with their families, livestock, yurt, furniture, and basically everything up to the high pastures in the mountains, the jailoo, where the temperatures are fresh and the grass is green and plentiful. They have been doing so for thousands of years.
When the summer is over and the sheep have fattened up, the Kyrgyz shepherds leave their pasturelands and ride back to the lower valleys and the villages. It is party time for the families; the villages fill up with animals, wool, felt, meat, and dairy products that the shepherds produced during summertime.
The schedule for the migrations depends on different factors. Going up will be somewhere in June, going down somewhere in September. Please fill in the form to get the details of dates.
The program can be tailored to your needs, as long as it does not interfere with the needs of the thousands of sheep who will be joining you on this trip. It can for instance be trimmed to just 3-4 days, if you feel like only doing the transhumance. Just ask us through the form.
It’s a unique adventure, and not a popular one by the way, which we find hard to grasp. Here is a way to really get to know Kyrgyz culture, which cannot be experienced through magnificent buildings or big cities – nomadic culture has to be lived.
This year, we propose you to join this event and to participate in their moving to the Jailoo with one family from At-Talaa village to Song Kul Lake from 17th to 26th June.
17 June. Day 1: Bishkek – Ak Talaa
Meeting at 8.00 am for departure. 7 hrs. Drive to Ak Talaa district, in the region of Naryn.
Visit of Burana tower site, on the ruins of the ancient Karakhanid’s capital, Balasagyn.
Then visit the memorial complex of national hero Tailak, who lived in the era of Kokand Khaganate. Late afternoon we reach a very typical Kyrgyz village. Night in a common room in the house of the family of our horseman.
Driving distance: 390 km
Driving time: 6-7 hrs.
18 June. Day 2: Training in the village
Today, we have an important training together with our horseman. We will learn how to take care of your horse, equip it and ride it. In the afternoon we go for a short ride in the village. Last preparation for departure the next day, preparing food etc…
Night in a common room in the homestay.
19 June. Day 3: From Ak Talaa to the first pastureland
On this day, you should be ready to spend some time in the saddle! We prepare the last stuff to be taken, saddle the horses and leave the village toward the pastureland above the village. We eventually arrive at the shepherd’s yurt camp of Ulan and his family, with whom we will do the transhumance the next days. Today is a great a day to get to know Ulan and his family, and moving animals. Overnight in tents at 1960 m. altitude.
20 June. Day 4: Transhumance
After breakfast, we will help Ulan’s family to unbuild the yurt. We can also enjoy the beauty of this typical Kyrgyz mountain landscape. After lunch, we saddle the horses and leave the jailoo (pastureland) together with the livestock. A true nomad has to move from one land to another in search for fresh mountain air, pure water, and abundant grass for their sheep to graze. This is called “keuch” where the whole tribe will move from one land to another.
The next days will be active days as you will go out with the shepherds into the “jailoo”. You will have to help moving the sheep and cows to higher grass and greener pastures. Everyone will be able to learn how to keep the sheep in a pack and to move the cows together.
Tonight, we set up our camp for the first night nearby a waterfall. Night in tents.
21 June. Day 5: Karatal-Japyryk State Nature Reserve
Today we enter the Karatal-Japyryk State Nature Reserve crossing a pass at 3500m altitude. During this day, we will discover different valleys with preserved flora and fauna, in the middle of impressive mountains. We thus follow the route of the shepherds who travel in the heart of these mountains. We set up camp at the end of the day. Overnight in tents.
22 June. Day 6: Arrival to Song Kul Lake
The event of the day is the crossing of an high altitude pass at 3600m. From the pass, we discover Song Kul Lake, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan, which is located in greenery at an altitude of 3016m. We start the descent to the lake and discover the mountain pastures dotted with herds of semi-nomadic breeders.
Arrival at a family of shepherds, building yurts with your hosts, discover the symbolism of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt and learn the importance of yurts for nomads. It will take 2 or 3 hours to build a yurt don’t forget your camera, then enjoy a tea and snack inside the yurt once you’re done! The locals are living a semi-nomadic life and you will spend the next days with them. They live in a summer pasture called “jailoo” where their cattle graze and their family grows; this makes it a perfect training ground for nomads like yourself.
Overnight in the yurt.
23 June. Day 7: Exploring of Song Kul Lake
Today you either can rest and help the host family in their daily nomad activities or go walking, to Song Kul Lake, one of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see in Kyrgyzstan. Second and last night in the yurt.
24 June. Day 8: Back to civilization
In the morning, we take the road to Kochkor village via Kalmak-Ashuu at 3447m., the view is amazing, make sure that you grab your camera. We will have a lunch in Kochkor at a cosy guesthouse where we will also spend the night. In the afternoon, we continue our discovery of Kyrgyz handicrafts at the Kochkor Women Felt Cooperative. Overnight in the comfortable guesthouse. Tonight you will be able to take a shower and refresh yourself.
Driving distance: 150 km
Driving time: 2 hrs.
25 June. Day 9: On the way to the Issyk Kul Lake
Morning drive to the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, the second biggest mountain lake in the world, at 1600 m. altitude.
Visit of Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon. The red, ocher or yellow sedimentary rocks are stunning and seem to be taken out from another planet. A paradise for photographers! Discovery of places (1.30h).
After a picnic on the Beach of Issyk Kul Lake, we meet with a berkutchi, an eagle hunter who will tell us about his passion and show his eagles, and will show us how he trains them to hunt during the summer.
Arrival at Bel Tam yurt camp for tonight. Discover the place, go for a swim, play, you will have free time. Overnight in the yurt.
Driving distance: 155 km
Driving time: 3hrs.
26 June. Day 10: Way back to Bishkek
Drive back to Bishkek city by car, after this unique and incredible trip in the heart of the Kyrgyz nomadic culture. Last moments on the shore of Issyk Kul, we meet Kurmanbek, with his family that makes yurts in the small village of Kyzyl Tuu for several generations. He will teach us the secrets of making yurts, symbols of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia.
Today we have two options, first option is the possibility to hike 3 hours in Konorchek Canyon or visit the eastern market Osh bazar in Bishkek to buy some souvenirs. The tour will be completed after farewell dinner in Bishkek.
Driving distance: 285 km
Driving time: 4.30 hrs.
Prices
Fixed price: 1050$ per person
Departure is guaranteed with 3 people.
Maximum group size: 6 people
The biggest part of the budget goes straight to the family. By organizing this trip, we support them in continuing to follow the Kyrgyz nomadic traditions of their ancestors, which are endangered today.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- experienced English speaking guide (group of 4 people or more)
- local basic English speaking translator (group of 3 people or less)
- all transportation in private vehicle from Manas Airport to Manas Airport
- all meals as mentioned in the program
- accommodation as described in the program (single room in Bishkek additional fee 50$ per person)
- horses and horsemen
- camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, kitchen utensils, gas)
- all activities mentioned in the program
- border zone permits
- your contribution to our sustainable development projects
- organization of the trip – experienced English speaking guide (a group of 4 people or more)
- – local basic English speaking translator (a group of 3 people or less)
- – all transportation in private vehicle from Bishkek to Bishkek
- – all meals from lunch D1 to lunch D10
- – accommodation as described in the program
- – rent of horses
- – camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, kitchen utensils, gas)
- – horse-riding helmet
- – all activities mentioned in the program
- – your contribution to our sustainable development projects
- – organization of the trip experienced English speaking guide (group of 4 people or more)
- local basic English speaking translator (group of 3 people or less)
- all transportation in private vehicle from Manas Airport to Manas Airport
- all meals as mentioned in the program
- accommodation as described in the program (single room in Bishkek additional fee 50$ per person)
- horses and horsemen
- camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, kitchen utensils, gas)
- all activities mentioned in the program
- border zone permits
- your contribution to our sustainable development projects
- organization of the trip
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- international flights
- travel and repatriation insurance
- visas
- airport transfers*
- accommodation in Bishkek**
- food in Bishkek***
- alcohol and sodas
- personal equipment rental (sleeping bag, headlight, water bottle etc…)
- personal expenses
- tips (always optional, always appreciated)
* Can be organized upon request (15 USD per transfer)
** One night at our guesthouse (tour meeting point) = 15 USD per person
*** Can be organized upon request
What should I bring with me?
– travel backpack for your main stuff (60-80L)
– light backpack for your daily stuff (20L), or saddle bag if you have
– sleeping bag (comfort -5°C)*
– headlight
– hat/beanie
– sunglasses
– sunscreen/lipstick
– personal hygiene and medication set
– horseback riding or trekking pants.
– Camelback hydration system or hiking bottle + some micropur tabs**
– warm clothes for cold evenings or windy weather (maybe freezing at night)
– light fleece
– light gloves
– scarf
– waterproof mountain jacket
– camera + batteries
– your good mood
*we can rent a sleeping bag for 3 USD per day
**we can provide some tabs if you don’t have
Weather:
In the month of June, the temperatures are already very nice (+25/+30°C). But the climate in Kyrgyzstan is particularly continental, so temperatures are variable. There are significant differences in temperature between day and night, (the nights can cold (0 to -5 ° C) in Song Kul and Ak-Talaa mountains).
In summer, at low altitude, the weather is hot: from the end of June to mid-August, temperatures often reach 30 ° C and in general is still very dry.
In summer, you should protect yourself from the sun, which is strong around Lake Issyk-Kul, as well as in the mountains, due to the altitude.
Health:
During your whole trip, we will do our best to follow the customs regarding body acclimatization in altitude in order to avoid altitude sickness. We will also adapt to your physical condition and rhythm. Despite all these measures, altitude sickness can happen. Travellers could feel headaches, insomnia, and loss of appetite, general tiredness, or even nausea.
Your trip has been also designed to avoid immediate exposition to local food and its preparation methods because the hygiene standards are not always meeting western ones. Nevertheless, as everyone’s body reacts differently, it is possible to feel the effects of “exotic” cuisine.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to see a doctor, as he is the only one who can prescribe an appropriate travel pharmacy. Besides, a pharmacy will always be available in our vehicles.
We kindly ask you to communicate us any medical contraindication or food allergy, so that we will adapt to it. Medical infrastructures out of Bishkek are limited, therefore we strongly recommend our travellers to take travel insurance with repatriation policy.