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  • Let's Wander Kyrgyzstan!

    Highlights

    • Learn to hunt with 4th generation eagle handlers in the foothills of the Teresky Ala Too Mountains.

    • Ride horses to Song Kol Lake, hidden high in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

    • Spend your evenings by the woodstove in traditional yurt camps on the banks of Issyk-Kul and Song-Kol.


    Hunting with eagles in Kyrgyzstan is a time-honored tradition that is passed down from generation to generation.  Each hunting season these hunters venture out into the mountains and pastures of Kyrgyzstan to let their birds practice hunting in a natural environment.  This is an important aspect of the eagle hunting tradition because all eagles are re-released into the wild when they are fifteen years old.  Additionally, these practices help local authorities keep the rising wolf and jackal populations in check.  These trips provide us with the perfect opportunity to join the berkutchi (eagle handlers).  During this trip, experience elements of the nomadic lifestyle of our ancestors.  Ride through the hills and snow covered peaks of the Issyk-Kul and Song Kol regions with eagle handlers and horsemen as your guides.  See Kyrgyzstan like few other travelers do on this 9-day winter horseback riding adventure.  Let’s Wander!

    BRIEF ITINERARY
    • Day 1

      Manas Airport –Bishkek: Osh Bazaar, Meet and Greet Drinks

    • Day 2

      Bishkek – Bokonbaeva: Transfer to Yurt Camp, Evening Folk Concert

    • Day 3

      Bokonbaeva: Hunting with Eagles

    • Day 4

      Bokonbaeva: Hunting with Eagles

    • Day 5

      Bokonbaeva – Kyzart: Transfer to Kyzart Village

    • Day 6

      Kyzart – Song Kol: Horse trek to Song Kol

    • Day 7

      Song Kol: Relax at Song Kol Yurt Camp

    • Day 8

      Song-Kol – Kyzart: Return Horse trek to Kyzart village

    • Day 9

      Kyzart – Bishkek: Transfer to Bishkek

    • Hunting with Eagles and Horse Trek to Song Kol
    • Hunting with Eagles and Horse Trek to Song Kol
    • Hunting with Eagles and Horse Trek to Song Kol
  • Tour dates and prices

    • Dates Price Status MORE INFORMATION
      Oct 23, 2019 Available Book now
      Dec. 1, 2019 Available Book now
      Feb. 29, 2020 Available Book now
      March 26, 2020 Available Book now
    • Person Economy Comfort More information
    • Dates don’t fit your plans? Travelling alone? Don’t worry, we’re flexible! We can arrange this tour just for you.  Just contact us with your preferred dates and we’ll put together a quote just for you.  Our personalized service lets you design the perfect vacation for you. Best part: When you choose your own dates your departure is guaranteed! Plan your trip for friends and family, with the peace of mind that everything is pre-arranged by our experts at Tenti. 

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  • THE ROUTE

    BRIEF ITINERARY
    • Day 1

      Manas Airport –Bishkek: Osh Bazaar, Meet and Greet Drinks

      Your flight lands early in the morning.  Once you clear customs your driver will be waiting to bring you to your accommodations in the city.  Rest up and prepare for your trip before reuniting with your group for an excursion to Osh Bazaar.  Meet and greet drinks in the evening. 

    • Day 2

      Bishkek – Bokonbaeva: Transfer to Yurt Camp, Evening Folk Concert

      After breakfast depart for Bokonbaeva village.  Arrive in the early afternoon and settle into your yurt.  Meet the eagle handlers over a traditional Kyrgyz dinner and discuss the action plan for the next two days.  Enjoy a folk concert performed by a local family of musicians. 

    • Day 3

      Bokonbaeva: Hunting with Eagles

      Today your eagle hunting adventure begins.  After breakfast, saddle-up your horses and head into the hills with the eagle handlers.  Spend the evening with a local shepherd.

    • Day 4

      Bokonbaeva: Hunting with Eagles

      Continue your hunting with eagles adventure.  In the evening return to your yurt camp to spend the night. 

       

    • Day 5

      Bokonbaeva – Kyzart: Transfer to Kyzart Village

      Depart in the morning for Kyzart village.  Spend the remainder of the day relaxing in the guesthouse or exploring the village. 

    • Day 6

      Kyzart – Song Kol: Horse trek to Song Kol

      In the morning, saddle up your horse for a trek to the picturesque Song-Kol Lake.  Upon your arrival get settled in to your yurt then spend the remainder of the day relaxing by the fire with some drinks and shisha.

    • Day 7

      Song Kol: Relax at Song Kol Yurt Camp

      Spend the day relaxing in Song-Kol with optional activities.  

    • Day 8

      Song-Kol – Kyzart: Return Horse trek to Kyzart village

      Return to Kyzart village and relax.

    • Day 9

      Kyzart – Bishkek: Transfer to Bishkek

      Transfer back to Bishkek.  Enjoy a free evening.  Your return flight departs early in the morning on day ten.

       

    • Is This Tour For You?

      This tour is a great way for you to immerse yourself in the ancestral lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people.  During peak season (January and February) the trails can be very icy and covered by deep snow drifts.  Additionally temperatures during this time can dip to -20 degrees Celsius. (-22 Fahrenheit), as such we recommend anyone considering this tour have previous extreme temperature and horseback riding experience. Experienced guides and coaching will be included, but you should be able to ride for a maximum of 6 hours each day.  Please note, your safety is important to us, if extreme weather conditions arise alternative arrangements for the tour will be made. 

    • What's Included
      • A professional and qualified, English speaking tour leader
      • All accommodation as described
      • All meals as described 
      • All land transport required by the itinerary (4-wheel-drive vehicles)
      • Eagle Handlers 
      • Horse Rental and Guide 
    • What's Not Included
      • International airfares
      • Travel insurance
      • Consular fees for Kyrgyzstan tourist visa
      • Kyrgyzstan visa support
      • Accommodation and meals in Bishkek
      • All personal expenses; including alcoholic beverages
      • Hotel charges for additional services
    • Meals

      During the tour meals will be provided per the itinerary.  Most meals will be prepared specially for the group by each destination's host.  

      Please inform Tenti of any food allerigies or dietary restrictions when booking your tour, so we can ensure your meal is prepared properly.

    • Accommodations

      All accommodations outside of Bishkek will be provided. (3 night in guesthouse, 4 nights yurt camp)

      Accommodations in Bishkek are not included in the price of this tour.  For recommendations of where to stay in Bishkek contact your Tenti representative. 

      During this tour you will spend 3 nights on Issyk-Kul’s South Shore, 2 nights in Kyzart Village and 2 nights in Song-Kol.  All of the provided accommodations for this tour are best described as rustic and in the yurt camps you will sleep on the ground on traditional mattresses. We recommend, if possible, packing a minimum -20 degree rated sleeping bag to ensure your warmth and comfort throughout the tour.  Accommodations are based on multiple occupancy sharing.  Single occupancy accommodations are not available on this tour. 

    • Recommended Packing

      Gear

      • Sunscreen
      • Bug-spray
      • SPF-rated lip balm
      • Sunglasses
      • Water bottles (preferably with filtration system)
      • Backpack
      • Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses
      • Prescription medication
      • Personal First Aid Kit
      • Toiletries
      • -20 rated sleeping bag
      • Hand and Feet Warmers

      Clothing & Footwear Packing List

      • Moisture-wicking underwear
      • Quick-drying pants (hard and soft shell)
      • Long-sleeve shirts
      • Fleece or Wool hat
      • Face Protection 
      • Insulated Gloves or Mitts 
      • Insulated Boots or shoes suited to terrain
      • Wool Socks 
      • Flannel Sleepwear
      • Moisture wicking Base-Layer (Long sleeve jersey, Long underwear)
      • Mid-Layer Insulation (fleece jacket, pullover, vest, softshell jacket, etc)
      • Winter Jacket (hood recommended)
    • Recommended Baggage

      During this tour a large number of transfers will happen on horseback, therefore we strongly recommend luggage that is conducive to this type of travel. Large travel backpacks or softshell duffel bags are ideal.  There is no way to transport hard shell suitcase and they should not be brought on this tour. 

    • Spending Money

      We recommend carrying the equivalent of $100 in Som with you on your tour to cover miscellaneous expenses, including drinks other than water and souvenirs. Along the route there are several ATMs if needed.  Please remember to inform your bank you are travelling internationally before you depart or you may be unable to use your cards. 

    • Climate

      South Shore: Temperatures in South Shore can be extremely cold during peak winter months (January and February) dropping to -10 degrees Celsius (14 Fahrenheit) aided by the sudden and harsh winds that come off Lake Issyk-Kul.  Snow storms are rare but do happen a few times each season.

      Song Kol: Located 3000 meters above sea level, Song Kol’s average winter temperature in -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit).  During the winter, ice on the lake can get up to 1.2 meters thick.  Sudden snow storms with heavy accumulation and strong winds are common.

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