About this tour
This route is a journey across the entire Tien Shan, from north to south of Kyrgyzstan — from Bishkek to the ancient city of Osh. The tour connects the country’s key natural regions and offers an exceptional diversity of landscapes within a single journey.
Kyrgyzstan is the land of the Tien Shan. More than 95% of its territory is mountainous. During the tour, you will travel through elevations ranging from 700 to 3,500 meters above sea level, cross several climatic zones, and traverse almost the entire Tien Shan from north to south.
The contrasts are striking: alpine meadows and high mountain passes give way to semi-desert savannas, dramatic canyons, and wide river valleys.
Yes, it would be possible to fly directly to Osh and explore only the south.
But we offer the legendary Bishkek–Osh highway — a route of mountain passes, winding serpentines, and the Naryn River valley. It is one of the most scenic roads in Central Asia, and it is truly worth the journey.
The itinerary includes the Pamir Highway and Alay Valley, yurt camps at the foot of Lenin Peak and the Tulpar-Kul lakes, the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain, the rainbow mountains and canyons of the Madygen Geopark, the Valley of the Sphinx, and the Tuya-Muyun canyons.
The route is designed at a comfortable pace, combining light walks, off-road travel in 4WD vehicles, and accommodation in hotels and yurts. The travel schedule allows you to experience sunrises and sunsets in the most visually powerful natural locations.
Program
Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Briefing in the hotel conference hall: presentation of the program, introduction to the guide and participants, route discussion.
Dinner at a teahouse-style restaurant.
Travel along one of the most scenic highways, Bishkek–Osh. The natural heritage along the way is extremely diverse: high-mountain valleys with alpine meadows, impressive river valleys, and striking geo-cultural landscapes. During the journey, you will clearly feel how landscapes change from northern to southern Kyrgyzstan.
Evening photography in the savanna.
Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner at a café.
Morning photography in the savanna. The savanna is located in one of the hottest areas of Kyrgyzstan, near the town of Tash-Kumyr. The name Kyzyl-Jar translates as “Red Earth.”
After lunch, departure to Osh.
Hotel accommodation. Dinner at an ethno-restaurant.
Breakfast. Departure along the Pamir Highway — a lifeline for the Pamir people, and for tourists, photographers, naturalists, and researchers it is a natural museum of landscapes and a unique opportunity to see the grandeur of the Alay Range.
After crossing Taldyk Pass (3,300 m), we descend into the Alay Valley (2,400 m), the geographical boundary between the Pamir and Tien Shan — two great mountain systems of Central Asia. After crossing the Kyzyl-Suu River, we find ourselves at the foothills of the Pamirs.
Accommodation in yurts — warm, cozy, delicious food, and genuine hospitality. The yurt camp is located at about 3,400 m above sea level, at the foot of Lenin Peak (7,134 m), near the stunning Tulpar-Kul lakes.
Early morning photography from panoramic viewpoints offering magnificent views of the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains.
Return journey along the Pamir Highway reveals completely different angles and landscapes under new light. On the way, we visit the Murdash Canyons.
In Osh, dinner at a teahouse-restaurant with a folklore show.
Hotel accommodation.
Morning guided excursion to the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain.
Lunch with a plov (pilaf) cooking master class.
Departure from Osh in the afternoon for photography of oil pumping units in the Ak-Turpak area.
Arrival in Batken, hotel accommodation. Dinner at the hotel.
Evening photography at the Tortgul Reservoir.
Morning photography at the Tortgul Reservoir.
Then a trip to the Jangakty Canyons (light rays inside the canyon).
Next, visit the colorful (rainbow) mountains of the Madygen Geopark.
Accommodation in a cozy yurt camp located in a lush poplar oasis.
Evening photography trip to the Valley of the Sphinx.
Early morning trip to the panoramic viewpoint Kalcha-Bashi.
Lunch at the camp.
Visit the Valley of the Sphinx and the Madygen Valley, including an excursion to ancient kilns among the colorful landscapes. Evening and morning photography in the Valley of the Sphinx is especially spectacular.
Early photography at other locations in Madygen.
Panorama of Jailoo-Uchu.
Overnight in yurts. Evening views of Madygen.
Transfer to Tuya-Muyun.
Accommodation at a riverside camp.
Evening photography in the canyon.
Morning photography from the mountain plateau.
After breakfast, transfer to Osh.
Hotel accommodation.
In the evening, a farewell banquet at a teahouse-restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
Price
1/2 DBL price
Price on request
Included / Excluded
- 4WD transportation
- Flexible / individual schedule
- Professional guide-logistician
- Hotel accommodation
- Yurt accommodation
- Full board (3 meals per day)
- Entrance fees
- Master class
- Folklore show
- Cook / camp chef
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Bar menu
Map
