Spring Holiday Tour: “When the Tulips Bloom”| Bishkek-Osh

A scenic drive revealing the dramatic contrasts of the Tien Shan: alpine meadows, long mountain gorges with nomadic culture, forests, snow-capped peaks, and clear rivers flowing into the Naryn — the main river of the Tien Shan.

Along the way you will see the hidden mountain Lake Saz-Kol, the largest and most beautiful reservoir in Central Asia surrounded by colorful mountains, and the unique Kyzyl-Jar savanna with unusual natural formations.

Arrival in Tash-Kumyr. Overnight in a guesthouse.

A day of outstanding landscapes — especially rewarding for photographers. In spring the savanna blooms with fragrant ephemeral flowers and colorful carpets covering slopes made of multicolored Mesozoic rocks. This area is also famous for dinosaur fossil discoveries: the first sauropod found in Central Asia was discovered here in 1958.

You will also see the famous “Tree of Life” — the wild pistachio tree, which creates the true savanna landscape. Locals value it for its medicinal properties.

Landscapes change from savanna to mountain valleys as we reach Baba-Ustun — a Muslim sacred site in the Buzbu-Too Mountains. Then we continue to Kerben town at the foot of the Chatkal Range (lunch at a café).

Afterwards we enter a new climate zone — the Padysha-Ata Nature Reserve on the southern slopes of the Chatkal Range, already influenced by the warm Fergana Valley. Walk through a river canyon and enjoy pristine nature.

Overnight in a hotel in Kerben.

Today you travel between climate zones into the heart of the UNESCO Western Tien Shan biosphere — the Chatkal Valley. Mountain pass panoramas, unique landscapes, and natural monuments appear along the way. These mountains were known to ancient gold prospectors: Chinese miners extracted placer gold here as early as the 2nd century AD.

Arrival in Kanysh-Kiya village. Accommodation in a family guesthouse with traditional Kyrgyz dinner. Overnight in a cozy guesthouse.

A long-awaited trip to the Chukur-Chak lakes to observe wild tulips. Emerald mountain lakes surrounded by birch groves — perfect for birdwatching and photography.

In spring the slopes are covered with flowering carpets, especially wild tulips. Here you can see many Red Book species of the Tien Shan: Greig’s tulip, Kaufmann’s tulip, Kolpakovsky’s tulip, Zinaida’s tulip and others.

Picnic lunch in nature.

Then visit high-mountain Lake Kara-Toko (over 2,800 m) in a forested massif, followed by exploration of the Ayu-Chachy canyon landscapes.

Return to the guesthouse. In the evening, local hunters and rangers share stories about encounters with wildlife such as snow leopards and bears. Overnight in guesthouse.

Lake Kara-Toko is believed to have formed after a 19th-century earthquake. Its name means “Black Forest.” Clear water reveals submerged Tien Shan spruce trees flooded when the basin formed.

Early departure from the Chatkal Valley to the famous Sary-Chelek Lake and Nature Reserve.

Accommodation on arrival. Guided hiking route visiting all six lakes of the reserve (about 5 km). Mountain air, flowers, forest landscapes, and beautiful scenery. Optional boat trip on the lake.

Overnight in guesthouse.

Morning drive to the legendary Arslanbob. Along the way: Kara-Jigach red rock pillars, Kyzyl-Tokoy stone fortress, Tash-Kumyr minaret, and landscapes of the Western Tien Shan.

Arrival by lunch. Arslanbob is a world-important natural heritage site — vast relic walnut forests covering the slopes of the Fergana Range.

Lunch in a local Uzbek home. Then transfer by retro UAZ vehicles to the Great Waterfall. Hiking (~6 km) through walnut forests and mountain slopes. Visit the Small Waterfall and panoramic viewpoints over Arslanbob Valley.

Evening visit to local farmers producing walnut products. Overnight in a traditional Uzbek guesthouse.

Arslanbob’s walnut forests are relic ecosystems 10–30 million years old, with over 120 wild tree and shrub species. Walnut trees here can reach 1,000 years of age.

Departure to ancient Osh — the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. En route visit Uzgen architectural complex (UNESCO cultural heritage).

Hotel check-in. Free time. Dinner at an ethno-restaurant.

Early departure (07:30). Visit the Great Barite Cave and Dangi Canyon near Osh. Lunch en route. Continue through the dry foothills of the Alay Range to Batken.

Hotel accommodation. Evening: films about the geological heritage of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, and an expert lecture on the Tien Shan geology.

Morning departure (07:30) to Madygen Geopark — a globally significant geological site with spectacular multicolored formations.

Explore world-class geological landscapes and imagine the Mesozoic era with its ancient flora and fauna. In spring, semi-desert plants bloom and the mountains come alive with sound.

Overnight in tents or yurts in the lush Madygen poplar oasis.

Return journey with more viewpoints, valleys, and canyons. Final exploration of southern Kyrgyzstan landscapes.

Farewell dinner at an ethno-restaurant with folklore show. Overnight in hotel.

Transfer to the airport.

Journey to the Alay region along the Ak-Buura River from Alay glaciers. Views of Papan Reservoir and Alay Range.

Arrival in Kojo-Kelen — a unique sacred landscape with pink waterfall, Blue Grotto lake, and dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Visit the Valley of Red Rocks and sacred mazar shrine.

Lunch in a guesthouse and return to Osh. Evening felt-making and traditional cooking мастер-classes.

Drive the famous Pamir Highway — one of the world’s great mountain roads. Cross the Alay Range into the Alay Valley — the boundary between the Tien Shan and Pamir.

From Sary-Tash village: panoramic views of the Pamirs. Cross the Kyzyl-Suu River and reach Tulpar-Kul Lake (3,500 m) with views of Lenin Peak (7,134 m). Meet nomadic herders.

Overnight in yurt camp with traditional Kyrgyz dinner.

Return along the Pamir Highway. Lunch en route. Visit Kurmanjan Datka Museum in Gulcha.

Hotel in Osh. Rest. Dinner with folklore show.

Transfer to Osh airport.