- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
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Dreaming about an awesome winter vacation that would cover active leisure in nature, winter sports in the tallest mountains, exotic Central Asian experiences, adventure and partying? – Well, we have got one for you! This 7 day winter tour has been soulfully tailored by Ventura Tours Central Asia team to give you one of the brightest travel experiences of your life!
What to expect from this tour:
A LOT of nature: canyons, valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and of course some of the most beautiful MOUNTAINS in the world!
Capital city taste: Lovely and laidback lifestyle of Bishkek, Soviet architecture heritage, nightlife in local restaurants and bars
Exotic culture: Historical sites of the great Silk Road, Sleeping 1 night in a yurt (traditional nomadic dwelling), Delicious local cuisine, National hunting with eagles
Active winter leisure: Ship ride on the second largest alpine lake in the world, Skiing and snowboarding in some of the most stunning mountains of the world, Snowy horseback voyages, Snowmobiling, Light hikes
And TONZZ of thrillzzz!
Grab this tour and make your winter memorable with us!
Details
Duration: 7 days / 7 nights
Level of difficulty: easy – medium
This is a fixed date mini group tour. Number of participants: 3-9 persons
Transportation mode: SUV or minibus
What we recommend you to have: Warm winter clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking shoes, raincoats, camera
Pricing per person (all inclusive package)
USD $1600
Available dates for booking: 2024-25
1) December 1 – December 7, 2023
2) December 11 – December 17, 2023
3) December 23 – December 29, 2023
4) January 5 – January 11, 2024
5) January 15 – January 21, 2024
6) January 25 – January 31, 2024
7) February 4 – February 10, 2024
8) February 15 – February 21, 2024
9) February 26 – March 3, 2024
10) March 9 – March 15, 2024
Click here to reserve your spot 
The detailed itinerary day by day
Itinerary
1 Day
"Manas" international airport - Bishkek
Highlights: - Relax, - Adaptation, - City tour
Meeting at the airport in the morning. Transfer to the capital. Check in to a hotel in Bishkek (3-4* for standard package, 5* for the upgraded version). Free time for rest and relaxing on your own. Meeting your tour mates and guide for lunch in a national restaurant. After that we’re starting our loveliest city tour to introduce you to Bishkek. We are going to see all the best and must see sights of our capital, half walking, half driving. Transfer back to the hotel. Free time. In the evening, we’re meeting again for dinner in a restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel. Tomorrow we’re leaving Bishkek for a week, so make sure you take a proper rest before the exciting journey. Good night!
2 Day
Bishkek - Burana Tower - Konorchek canyon - Cholpon Ata town
Highlights: - History, - Hike, - Ship ride, - Culture
Today we’re leaving the capital city of Bishkek and making our way towards the “pearl of Central Asia”, to the legendary one, to his greatness and majesty - Issyk Kul lake! The second largest alpine lake in the world! The lake’s dimensions are: length 180km, width 65km, depth 700m. On the way, we’re visiting the ancient 11th century Burana Tower that used to be a part of the Great Silk Road. Your guide will tell you a short history about the place and give you all key facts you need to know. Climb on the tower’s top (24m), see the ancients “balbals” (grave stones) and visit a small archeological museum with antique findings. Moving on. Visiting the otherworldly Konorchek canyon for a light hike and some surreal views. The hike lasts about 2,5 hours. Resuming the road. Lunch in a cafe. Arrival in Cholpon Ata (central town of Issyk Kul’s north coast). Check in to a hotel (Olimp 3* or similar). Afterwards we’re driving shortly to the local dock and having a sumptuous private ship ride on the lake. Watching the sunset and feeding sea-gulls with bread on the fly. Enjoy the perfect tranquillity with some jazzy tunes onboard, drinking coffee and evaluating the scale of the boundless lake. Dinner time in a restaurant. Free time. See you tomorrow! Good night!
3 Day
Cholpon Ata - Grigoriev gorge - Semyonov gorge - Karakol - Ak Suu hot springs - Karakol
Highlights: - Off-road driving, - Hike, - Hot springs
Today we’re making our way to the “mountain paradise” and the “home of winter sports” in Kyrgyzstan - Karakol - the town that separates the north and south shores of Issyk Kul lake. In the morning we’re driving along the north coast and visiting the two mountainous gorges on the way - Grigoriev and Semyonov. Exploring their hidden gems. Hot coffee and tea out in nature. Moving on to Karakol. Lunch on the way. Arrival in Karakol and check in to a hotel (Green Yard, 78 or similar). Now we have a little time for sorting out our luggage before driving to the natural hot spring pools, located in the beautiful setting next to a river and forest. Relaxing in the hot pools after an active day in the mountains. Driving back to Karakol. Dinner in a restaurant. Personal time. See you tomorrow and good night!
4 Day
Karakol - Ski base - Karakol
Highlights: - Skiing and snowboarding, - Relax
Waking up in Karakol. Here we’re gonna spend our next 2 days enjoying the winter thrills. Today we’re going to spend half of the day in the best and biggest Ski resort in Kyrgyzstan. Skiing and snowboarding. Or, if you’ve never done any of that it’s actually a great time to learn to! All equipment can be rented on spot. The chair lift will be taking you to the height of 3000m in the mountains, so you will be enjoying not only the action of skiing itself but also some stunning scenery. Lunch at the resort. Coming back to Karakol. Rest time at the hotel. Dinner in a restaurant to share today’s impressions. Return to the hotel. Good night and we’ll see you tomorrow!
5 Day
Karakol - Jyrgalan valley - Ak Suu - Karakol
Highlights: - Snowmobiling, - Hot springs, - Relax in a bar
In the morning we are doing a short Karakol city tour. Visiting the two historical places: Russian Orthodox Church (1895), Dungan Mosque (1910), and exploring the town’s old architecture. Now we’re driving to the nearby valley of Jyrgalan (1,5 hours). Here we are going to have a really fun time snowmobiling in the whitest snow up and down the mountains. Possibility of skiing and snowboarding as well (free ride). Lunch. Return to Karakol. Visiting the hot spring pools again to warm up after the snowy activities. Dinner and chilling at a local bar. Free time. Have a good night!
6 Day
Karakol - Jeti Oguz valley - Barskoon waterfalls - Bel Tam yurt camp
Highlights: - Waterfalls, - Hike, - Bonfire
Today we’re leaving this nice small town and heading along the south shore of Issyk Kul lake. In the morning we’re setting off from Karakol and heading to Ton village located in the middle of the south coast. Visiting the famous Jeti Oguz (Seven Bulls) valley. Exploring the beauties of the vast snowy "jailoo" (summer pasture). Short hike up the mountains to see the hidden “Maiden’s braids” waterfall. Hot coffee and tea out in nature. Driving on. Lunch on the way. Visiting the Barskoon frozen waterfalls to contemplate the charming landscape. Arrival in Ton village, at Bel Tam yurt camp where we’re staying tonight. "Yurt" is a traditional dwelling that our Kyrgyz ancestors used for centuries long back in our nomadic past. The camp is located on the wild beach of the lake and has a very authentic atmosphere. Don’t worry, all yurts have fire-stoves inside so your sleeping will be warm and cosy. Free time to explore the camp. Dinner in a huge and colourful kitchen yurt. Relax time around bonfire and trying local beer. Good night! Have a fabulous sleep in your yurt! See you tomorrow!
7 Day
Bel Tam - Ak Sai village - Chon Kemin valley - Bishkek
Highlights: - Eagle hunting, - Hike, - Horseback riding, - Farewell dinner
Well, today is the last day of our journey! However it doesn’t mean that adventures are over!
In the morning we’re having some free time to walk on the beach and enjoy the lake one more time. Driving to the neighbouring Ak Sai village where we’ll witness a breathtaking process of the traditional eagle hunting. Don’t worry, no animals will die today since we use only artificial animal’s carcass as prey during the hunt. You will learn all the interesting facts about these majestic birds. Now it's an archery time. The master will explain you some technique rules and helpful tips. Now we’re driving deep into the village to discover one last canyon in our trip - the Canyon of Forgotten Rivers. Driving towards Bishkek. Lunch in a cafe on the way. Visiting the last location of our journey - the picturesque Chon Kemin valley that’s surrounded by beautiful mountains all around. Here, we’re embarking on an exciting horseback journey up the mountains to the panoramic spot of the whole valley. The ride will take us about 3 hours (both ways). Coming back down through a conifer forest. Return to Bishkek (2 hours). Arrival in the capital in the evening. Check in to a hotel (3-4* for standard package, 5* for the upgraded version). A little free time. Now let’s gather up one more time to have a farewell dinner all together with our fantastic squad!
Transfer to the hotel.
Well, thank you so very much for being a part of such an incredible journey and for sharing all the experiences and emotions with us! You’ll be much awaited in Kyrgyzstan for your next visit! Bye bye!
Transfer to the airport the same night or the next morning/day.
Professional driver on a comfortable vehicle (SUV or minibus) throughout the whole tour
English speaking guide throughout the whole tour
Accommodation: hotels, yurt (1 night) – 7 nights (double room stay)
Meals: full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the whole tour
All the activities due to the program: Private ship ride on Issyk Kul lake, Hot spring pools (2 times), Chair lift ticket passes at the ski base, Snowmobiling, Eagle hunting and archery, Horseback riding
Professional skiing guide
Skiing equipment (ski or snowboard, helmet, goggles)
Admissions: national parks, tower, museums, etc.
Click here to reserve your spot and chat with us on WhatsApp
International flight tickets
Health insurance
Bar expenses on the 1st and 5th evenings
Personal expenses: alcohol, souvenirs, etc.
Click here to reserve your spot and chat with us on WhatsApp
