Express Tour to Issyk-Kul via the Fergana Valley Tien Shan Mountains & Uzbekistan in 10 Days by Car Arrival & Departure: Bishkek

The route passes through the Too-Ashu Pass (3,350 m), the alpine meadows of the Suusamyr Valley, the scenic Chychkan Gorge, and Lake Saz-Köl in the Itagar Valley before reaching the Toktogul Reservoir. Morning and evening on the shore are the best times to enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets reflecting incredible colors over the water. Dinner with trout at the “Aquarium” café. Overnight at a hotel on the reservoir shore.

Early wake-up to meet the sunrise. Today we travel to the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve. The road winds along the Naryn River, rising and descending like a roller coaster and revealing impressive views of mountain ranges and the river. In the first half of the day — excursion to the Sary-Chelek lakes. Walks around the lakes and hiking. Accommodation in a guesthouse. Dinner with national cuisine.

Early departure. Today’s route leads through the cities of the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. First, visit the multicolored savanna. Then transfer to the Ken-Sai border checkpoint. Border formalities. Drive to Namangan. Hotel accommodation. City tour. Namangan is the third-largest city in Uzbekistan, known for its craftsmen who continue the traditions of ancient pottery, blacksmithing, and weaving workshops. You will visit master classes, learn craft secrets, and purchase unique handmade products. With a local guide, you will visit the Khoja Amin Mausoleum, Mullo-Kirgiz Madrasah, Ota Valikhon-Tura Mosque, and the Mavlon-Buva Complex. Hotel accommodation. Dinner at an authentic restaurant featuring Uzbek cuisine.

Travel through the famous cities of the Fergana Valley. Arrival in Chust — a center of traditional applied arts, especially embroidery of skullcaps, national belts, and robes. Chust knives are particularly famous. Visit the workshop of Bahodirjon Mamajanov, an eighth-generation master knife maker, and learn about the handmade knife production process. Visit the embroidery workshop of Shahodatkhon Toshtillayeva, specializing in traditional Chust skullcaps. Lunch at the seven-level teahouse “Mahmudjon Ota” located in the city park. Chust pilaf.

After lunch, drive to Rishtan — the capital of ceramics. Visit the ceramic studio of Rustam Usmanov and learn about the production process and traditions of Rishtan ceramics. Visit the active Khoja Ilgor Mosque, built at the end of the 19th century on the site of an ancient cemetery. The mosque grounds are planted with plane trees, elms, and willows, creating a pleasant and scenic atmosphere.

Transfer to Margilan. Visit the Yodgorlik souvenir factory — the only enterprise in Central Asia that has preserved the unique handmade silk production process. Learn the full silk production cycle, from extracting silk thread from cocoons to finished products. In the Yodgorlik brand shop, you can purchase silk carpets and gold-embroidered items.

Arrival in Fergana. Accommodation at Asia Fergana Hotel. Free time.
Dinner at Ansor café. Evening visit to Sayilgoh Park. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Return to Kyrgyzstan through modern cities of the Fergana Valley. Border crossing. Transfer to another vehicle and drive to the hotel. Lunch at an ethnic teahouse. In the afternoon — city tour. Ascent to the sacred Sulayman-Too Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinner at an ethnic restaurant.

Day 7. Osh – Kazarman (285 km)

In the morning, transfer to the Inner Tien Shan. Visit the Karakhanid historical and architectural complex of the 9th–10th centuries in Uzgen (UNESCO heritage). Then ascent to the Koldoma Pass (3,150 m) and descent into the Naryn River Valley. Accommodation in a guesthouse.

The road to Son-Kul Lake features diverse landscapes. The lake is located at an altitude of 3,016 m. Breathtaking panoramas from the Moldo-Ashu Pass and the tranquil atmosphere of Son-Kul. Accommodation in a yurt camp. Dinner with national dishes.

Scenic route through natural landscapes. Visit a felt products shop in Kochkor. Excursion to the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Boom Gorge. Arrival in Bishkek, hotel accommodation. Dinner at an ethnic restaurant.

Transfer to the airport.