Self-Drive in the Uknown Kyrgyzstan
Self-Drive 4x4 Jeep Tour in the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains
| Country: | Kyrgyzstan |
| View the route map: | 7 days Option »» 10 days Option »» |
| Itinerary of 7 days / 6 nights tour | Bishkek - Issyk-Kul Lake - Kochkor village - Son-Kul Lake - Kazarman village - Osh - Toktogul - Bishkek |
| Itinerary of 10 days / 9 nights tour | Bishkek - Issyk-Kul Lake - Kochkor village - Son-Kul Lake - Kazarman village - Osh - Yurt camp at the foot of Lenin Peak - Osh - Toktogul - Bishkek |
This 4x4 jeep tour of the Kyrgyz mountains has a non-standard self-drive format and targets at those fond of adventures and wishing to steer an off-road vehicle on fantastic mountain roads.
A kaleidoscope of dizzying mountain panoramas, deep ravines and rapid rivers, 3 most beautiful mountain lakes, 7 high-altitude passes, 3 spacious valleys, the famous Pamir Highway, tunnels and hundreds of twists and turns on serpentine roads - enjoy your 4×4 off road adventure tour and explore Kyrgyzstan's beautiful scenery and wildlife. Driving a powerful car and gaining new heights will bring incredible excitement and fill self-drivers with tons of bright emotions. Off road experience, breathtaking panoramas, remote areas, authentic places unreachable by ordinary vehicles – with an off-road car, you will be able to extend the horizon of your possibilities and see some most beautiful wonders away from beaten paths.
The guests will take part in a series of gastronomic and crafting events, such as a culinary master class on cooking Uzgen pilaf and a master class in making traditional felt carpets.
Get as much pleasure and adrenalin as possible from exciting off-road self-driving of the most beautiful mountain roads – test your skills in the 4WD jeep tour of Kyrgyzstan!
- 7 days Program
- 10 days Program
- Itinerary
Services & Cost - Terms and Conditions of
Participation - Useful Information, Visa,
Route Map
| 7 days Tour Program: | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Bishkek. Bishkek (sightseeing). Meeting at the international airport «Manas». Transfer to Bishkek. Check in at the hotel after 14:00. Leisure time. 17:00 - sightseeing in Bishkek: visit the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff (and changing of the guard), statue of Lenin and Freedom Monument, monument to Manas. An excursion program is followed by distribution of cars and issue of documents. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 2. | Bishkek - Issyk-Kul lake - Kochkor village - Son-Kul lake (320 km, 7-8 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 – departure from Bishkek. On the way sightseeing in Burana Tower: view of the tower from the outside, visit the museum. Driving to the western coast of Issyk-Kul lake. Driving to Kochkor village - the center of felt products in Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival in Kochkor - master class in making traditional felt carpets. Driving to Son-Kul lake. The road runs through a mountainous area. Son-Kul lake (3016 m) is the one of the most beautiful mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan. Arrival in yurt camp. Accommodation in the yurts. Dinner. Overnight at the yurt camp. |
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| Day 3. | Son-Kul lake - Kazarman village (200 km, 6-h). Breakfast at the yurt camp. 09:00 - departure from the yurt camp. Driving across the Moldo-Ashu Pass (3201 м). The road serpentines on a picturesque mountain slope. The trip features a stop at the highest point of the pass to photograph a unique panorama that unfolds before the travellers. Lunch en-route (picnic). The rest of the road winds along an incredibly beautiful mountain gorge, on the bottom of which the rapid Naryn River flows. Arrival in Kazarman village. Accommodation in the guest house. Dinner. Overnight at the guest house. |
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| Day 4. | Kazarman village - Osh (275 km, 6-7h). Breakfast at the guest house. 08:00 – continuation of the route to the south of Kyrgyzstan. The road runs through two high mountain passes - Toguz-Toro (2800 m) and Kaldama (3060 m). Setting off for the eastern portion of the famous Fergana Valley. Driving to Uzgen - one of the ancient capitals of the nomadic Karakhanid empire. Sightseeing in Uzgen: historical complex, Uzgen minaret (XII c) and mausoleum of Karakhanids (XI-XII c). Arrival in Osh. Accommodation at the hotel. Evening sightseeing in Osh: sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain, visit to the observation deck, walk through the central square of the city. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 5. | Osh - Toktogul (450 km, 7-8 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 08:00 – driving to Toktogul. The road runs along the eastern extremity of the Fergana Valley, green and fertile. Near the city of Jalal-Abad we shall enjoy the view of boundless rice fields producing the famous dark Uzgen variety of that cereal. Driving on a mountain road along the Naryn and past a cascade of hydropower stations. Arrival in Toktogul, accommodation in the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 6. | Toktogul - Bishkek (280 km, 6-7 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 – departure for Bishkek. The road runs across two mountain passes – Ala-Bel (3184 м) and Tuu-Ashu (3586 м). Stops at the highest points to enjoy wonderful views of the Suusamyr Valley. Further driving through a series of mountain tunnels linking the northern and southern parts of Kyrgyzstan. Arrival in Bishkek. Accommodation in the hotel. Car returning procedure. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 7. | Bishkek - Departure Transfer to the international airport “Manas” (30 km). The end of the program. Departure. |
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Cost includes:
- Meeting/seeing-off at airport according to tourist's flight arrival/departure time;
- Accommodation at the hotels on twin/double sharing basis;
- Accommodation at the yurt camp on Son-Kul lake (2 persons in a yurt);
- Sightseeing tours according to the program;
- Accompanying English speaking guide services for the entire trip;
- Hiring 4x4 cars (with an automatic transmission);
- Fuel for the entire trip;
- Support car for the entire trip;
- Meals: according to the program;
- Master class in making traditional felt carpets;
- Culinary master class on cooking national dishes;
- Mineral water on each day of the tour;
- Memorable souvenirs.
Cost does not include:
- International flights;
- Entrance fees to the monuments and museums;
- Medical insurance;
- Meals (except mentioned).
Additional Services:
- Supplement for additional night on arrival or departure in Bishkek:
- Single room - 50 USD/per room /per night;
- Double room – 70 USD/per room /per night.
he cost of the program includes accommodation in hotels, local guest houses as well as in the yurt camps:
| ► | Hotels. Accommodation in cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. We recommend this special type of accommodation because it is completely unique: it combines modern comfort in every detail and a unique culture of hospitality in a chamber atmosphere with almost home cosiness. Hotels of this level are characterized by a warm welcome, empathetic and friendly attitude by the staff and enable you to familiarize yourself with the national culture. |
| ► | Guest houses. Accommodation in guest houses will allow you to take a dip into traditions and habits of local people, while maintaining the proper level of comfort. These are traditional houses located in remote mountain villages equipped with all necessary amenities for comfortable stay. |
| ► | Yurt Camps. Living in a real Yurt far from civilization – is an extremely unusual and memorable experience for a city dweller. Yurt is a traditional dwelling of nomads in Central Asia. The Yurt is cool in summer and warm in winter. The Yurt is absolutely ecological, as it is made from simple natural materials: wooden poles and felt rolled from sheep wool. |
| Location | Accommodation |
| Bishkek | Shakh Palace 3* / Discovery 3* or similar |
| Son-Kul Lake | Yurt camp “Nomad Lodge Son-Kul” or similar |
| Kazarman village | Guest house |
| Osh | Sunrise Hotel 3* or similar |
| Toktogul | Guest house “Kok-Bel” or similar |
Self-drive tour participation details, terms and conditions:
1. The tour’s participants can hire the following vehicles for driving:
► "Toyota Sequoia" (up to 4 persons).
2. Minimal driving experience required for the driver – 3 years.
3. The international driving licence is valid in Kyrgyzstan. You need to send us scanned copies of your passport and driving licence in advance.
4. Upon their arrival in Bishkek, the tour participants will enter into a lease agreement. When receiving the car the participants are expected to leave a deposit of 500 USD per car, which will be used to pay for possible violations of traffic laws or minor damages not covered by the insurance policy. The deposit is returned to the participants at the end of the tour, when the car is accepted by the lessor.
5. Tour cost depending on the number of people in one car.
As a receiving company we are not responsible for organising a car team. The client hires a full car and decides for themselves how many people will travel in the same vehicle with them (their family, friends and so on).
One hired car can take a maximum of 4 persons. The tour price varies depending on the number of people in a jeep. The more people travel in one car, the cheaper is the tour for each participant.
Information about the vehicle for self-driving:
"Toyota Sequoia"
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Useful Information on Traveling to Kyrgyzstan:
Visa to Kyrgyzstan
Under current rules visa-free stay within unlimited period on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is granted for the nationals of the following countries:
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List of states granted visa-free stay up to 90 days: Mongolia, Ukraine.
List of states granted visa-free stay up to 60 days
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|
|
|
Visa-free access to Kyrgyzstan up to 30 days: Malaysia.
Read more about visa to Kyrgyzstan here »»
Route Map
- Itinerary
Services & Cost - Terms and Conditions of
Participation - Useful Information, Visa,
Route Map
| 10 days Tour Program: | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Bishkek. Bishkek (sightseeing). Meeting at the international airport «Manas». Transfer to Bishkek. Check in at the hotel after 14:00. Leisure time. 17:00 - sightseeing in Bishkek: visit the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff (and changing of the guard), statue of Lenin and Freedom Monument, monument to Manas. An excursion program is followed by distribution of cars and issue of documents. Overnight at the hotel. |
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|
| ||
| Day 2. | Bishkek - Issyk-Kul lake - Kochkor village - Son-Kul lake (320 km, 7-8 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 – departure from Bishkek. On the way sightseeing in Burana Tower: view of the tower from the outside, visit the museum. Driving to the western coast of Issyk-Kul lake. Driving to Kochkor village - the center of felt products in Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival in Kochkor - master class in making traditional felt carpets. Driving to Son-Kul lake. The road runs through a mountainous area. Son-Kul lake (3016 m) is the one of the most beautiful mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan. Arrival in yurt camp. Accommodation in the yurts. Dinner. Overnight at the yurt camp. |
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||
| Day 3. | Son-Kul lake - Kazarman village (200 km, 6-h). Breakfast at the yurt camp. 09:00 - departure from the yurt camp. Driving across the Moldo-Ashu Pass (3201 м). The road serpentines on a picturesque mountain slope. The trip features a stop at the highest point of the pass to photograph a unique panorama that unfolds before the travellers. Lunch en-route (picnic). The rest of the road winds along an incredibly beautiful mountain gorge, on the bottom of which the rapid Naryn River flows. Arrival in Kazarman village. Accommodation in the guest house. Dinner. Overnight at the guest house. |
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||
| Day 4. | Kazarman village - Osh (275 km, 6-7h). Breakfast at the guest house. 08:00 – continuation of the route to the south of Kyrgyzstan. The road runs through two high mountain passes - Toguz-Toro (2800 m) and Kaldama (3060 m). Setting off for the eastern portion of the famous Fergana Valley. Driving to Uzgen - one of the ancient capitals of the nomadic Karakhanid empire. Sightseeing in Uzgen: historical complex, Uzgen minaret (XII c) and mausoleum of Karakhanids (XI-XII c). Arrival in Osh. Accommodation at the hotel. Evening sightseeing in Osh: sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain, visit to the observation deck, walk through the central square of the city. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 5. | Osh - Yurt camp (290 km, 5-6 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 – driving along the Pamir Highway to the “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m). Lunch en-route (lunch boxes). Arrival at the camp, accommodation. Walking to the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3800 m). Dinner. Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” camp. |
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| Day 6. | Yurt camp - Tulpar-Kel Lake - Yurt camp (150 km, 5 h). Breakfast at the camp. 09:00 – driving to sacred Tulpar-Kel Lake. Getting familiar with everyday life and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz. Lunch in traditional yurts (Kyrgyz national cuisine). Tasting koumiss (traditional Kyrgyz milk beverage). Return to the camp, master class on cooking Uzgen pilaf. Dinner. Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” camp. |
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| Day 7. | Yurt camp - Osh (290 km, 5-6 h). Breakfast at the camp. 09:00 – driving to Osh through the famous Alay Valley, high-altitude Taldyk and Chirchik passes. Lunch en-route (lunch boxes). Arrival in Osh, accommodation in the hotel. Visiting Osh bazaar and souvenir shops. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 8. | Osh - Toktogul (450 km, 7-8 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 08:00 – driving to Toktogul. The road runs along the eastern extremity of the Fergana Valley, green and fertile. Near the city of Jalal-Abad we shall enjoy the view of boundless rice fields producing the famous dark Uzgen variety of that cereal. Driving on a mountain road along the Naryn and past a cascade of hydropower stations. Arrival in Toktogul, accommodation in the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 9. | Toktogul - Bishkek (280 km, 6-7 h). Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 – departure for Bishkek. The road runs across two mountain passes – Ala-Bel (3184 м) and Tuu-Ashu (3586 м). Stops at the highest points to enjoy wonderful views of the Suusamyr Valley. Further driving through a series of mountain tunnels linking the northern and southern parts of Kyrgyzstan. Arrival in Bishkek. Accommodation in the hotel. Car returning procedure. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 10. | Bishkek - Departure Transfer to the international airport “Manas” (30 km). The end of the program. Departure. |
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Cost includes:
- Meeting/seeing-off at airport according to tourist's flight arrival/departure time;
- Accommodation at the hotels on twin/double sharing basis;
- Accommodation at the yurt camp on Son-Kul lake (2 persons in a yurt);
- Accommodation in heated camping tents in the camp "Edelweiss Meadow" (2 persons in a tent);
- Sightseeing tours according to the program;
- Accompanying English speaking guide services for the entire trip;
- Hiring 4x4 cars (with an automatic transmission);
- Fuel for the entire trip;
- Support car for the entire trip;
- Meals: according to the program;
- Master class in making traditional felt carpets;
- Culinary master class on cooking national dishes;
- Culinary master class on cooking Uzgen pilaf
- Mineral water on each day of the tour;
- Memorable souvenirs.
Cost does not include:
- International flights;
- Entrance fees to the monuments and museums;
- Medical insurance;
- Meals (except mentioned).
Additional Services:
- Accommodation in yurts at “Edelweiss Meadow” camp at the foot of Lenin Peak - 120 USD/per yurt/ per 2 nights.
- Supplement for additional night on arrival or departure in Bishkek:
- Single room - 50 USD/per room /per night;
- Double room – 70 USD/per room /per night.
he cost of the program includes accommodation in hotels, local guest houses as well as in the yurt camps:
| ► | Hotels. Accommodation in cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. We recommend this special type of accommodation because it is completely unique: it combines modern comfort in every detail and a unique culture of hospitality in a chamber atmosphere with almost home cosiness. Hotels of this level are characterized by a warm welcome, empathetic and friendly attitude by the staff and enable you to familiarize yourself with the national culture. |
| ► | Guest houses. Accommodation in guest houses will allow you to take a dip into traditions and habits of local people, while maintaining the proper level of comfort. These are traditional houses located in remote mountain villages equipped with all necessary amenities for comfortable stay. |
| ► | Yurt Camps. Living in a real Yurt far from civilization – is an extremely unusual and memorable experience for a city dweller. Yurt is a traditional dwelling of nomads in Central Asia. The Yurt is cool in summer and warm in winter. The Yurt is absolutely ecological, as it is made from simple natural materials: wooden poles and felt rolled from sheep wool. |
| ► | Accommodation options in the yurt camp at the foot of Lenin Peak: Standart Option - accommodation in heated camping tents, 1-2 persons per tent. The tents are equipped with: electricity, individual heaters, beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows and changeable bed linen: flat sheets, bed sheets, and pillowcases; Comfort Option (extra charge) - accommodation in a comfortable yurt, 1-2 persons per yurt. The yurt is equipped with: private bathroom (shower cabin, toilet, hot and cold water); heating, electricity, beds with changeable bed linen, wardrobes, desk, armchairs, electric kettle, toiletries, hairdryer; towels. |
| Location | Accommodation |
| Bishkek | Shakh Palace 3* / Discovery 3* or similar |
| Son-Kul Lake | Yurt camp “Nomad Lodge Son-Kul” or similar |
| Kazarman village | Guest house |
| Osh | Sunrise Hotel 3* or similar |
| Yurt camp at the foot of Lenin Peak | Camping tents or Yurts |
| Toktogul | Guest house “Kok-Bel” or similar |
Self-drive tour participation details, terms and conditions:
1. The tour’s participants can hire the following vehicles for driving:
► "Toyota Sequoia" (up to 4 persons).
2. Minimal driving experience required for the driver – 3 years.
3. The international driving licence is valid in Kyrgyzstan. You need to send us scanned copies of your passport and driving licence in advance.
4. Upon their arrival in Bishkek, the tour participants will enter into a lease agreement. When receiving the car the participants are expected to leave a deposit of 500 USD per car, which will be used to pay for possible violations of traffic laws or minor damages not covered by the insurance policy. The deposit is returned to the participants at the end of the tour, when the car is accepted by the lessor.
5. Tour cost depending on the number of people in one car.
As a receiving company we are not responsible for organising a car team. The client hires a full car and decides for themselves how many people will travel in the same vehicle with them (their family, friends and so on).
One hired car can take a maximum of 4 persons. The tour price varies depending on the number of people in a jeep. The more people travel in one car, the cheaper is the tour for each participant.
Information about the vehicle for self-driving:
"Toyota Sequoia"
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Useful Information on Traveling to Kyrgyzstan:
Visa to Kyrgyzstan
Under current rules visa-free stay within unlimited period on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is granted for the nationals of the following countries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
List of states granted visa-free stay up to 90 days: Mongolia, Ukraine.
List of states granted visa-free stay up to 60 days
|
|
|
|
|
Visa-free access to Kyrgyzstan up to 30 days: Malaysia.
Read more about visa to Kyrgyzstan here »»
Route Map
Photos of the tour:
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Video about Kyrgyzstan:
 Charms of Kyrgyzstan’s nature |
 Base Camp surroundings at the foot of Lenin Peak |
 Kyrgyzstan painted with sand |
 Trekking to Lake Sary Chelek |
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright owner.
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