Foodies Tour Through Kyrgyzstan

Start the day with a walking tour of Osh City and the Sulaiman Too complex. See how different cultures have influenced the city over the centuries. After working up an appetite with all that walking, take a break for some lunch, featuring Osh’s famous mega samsa. These samsas, about the size of a softball, packed with meat and onions, and baked on the walls of a tandoor oven, blow away more traditional samsas. After lunch, you’ll head to Osh Bazaar. Here you’ll pick up your ingredients for your cooking class whilst trying traditional snacks right at the sellers' stalls. Once the shopping is complete, head to Atabek’s house, where you’ll learn how to make Fergana plov, the national dish of southern Kyrgyzstan featuring slow-cooked red rice with meat, vegetables, and spices, and tandoor bread. Finish the day by enjoying your plov with a traditional Kyrgyz table spread.

Today we’ll depart for one of Kyrgyzstan’ s most scenic places - Sary Chelek reserve. Occupying only 0,1% of the country's territory, the reserve represents 30% of its biodiversity, a variety of endemic, relic, and rare species of animals and plants. Sary-Chelek lake is located in the national park and was created about 10,000 years ago after a vigorous earthquake. The total area of the lake is about 50 square km, its length stretches for 7,5 km. It is a large and tranquil lake, which sprawls adroitly amid beautiful mountains with green slopes surrounded by small lakes and endless mountains. It is an exceptional lake to other mountains lakes in Kyrgyzstan, as its water is opaque due to its variety of mineral impurities. Sary-Chelek is the second deepest lake in the country, and the third in Central-Asian territory, in some places, its depth reaches up to 234 meters.  After arriving and settling in at the guest house to a dear friend of ours and a local foodie. For dinner, our chef and our host will prepare one of the most popular and fan-favorite foods of Central Asia – Shashlyk. Shashlyk is a type of skewered and grilled meat dish that is popular in many parts of the world, particularly in the Caucasus region and Central Asia. The meat is typically marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs before being grilled over an open flame. For most locals, beer is a must when eating shashlyk, so you will be served local beer while talking to our host and watching him cook our meal.

Today we’ll go for a hike up a pass to get a bird’s eye view of the magnificent Sary Chelek nestled between mountain peaks. Exploring the reserve, which is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life, including endangered species such as the Tien Shan brown bear and the snow leopard. You will work up an appetite just in time for a picnic lunch at the top with an excellent panoramic view of Lake Sary-Chelek from the western side, from an altitude of 2800 m. For lunch, we’ll have a picnic set developed by our local foodie friends consisting of traditional snacks. By the time you are back from your long walk our chef and our host will have prepared a well-deserved meal. 

After a hearty breakfast you’ll hit the road en route to Talas, the birthplace of our national hero Manas. Meandering roads, diverse landscape and fantastic views are your companions throughout. For lunch, we’ll stop at a roadside “Pelmennaya” which serves one dish and one dish only - pelmeni (Russian dumplings filled with minced beef and potatoes or mushroom). They’ve been operating for over 10 years now and have since perfected the craft of making mouth-watering pelmeni’s. In due time we’ll make our way to a local farmer’s house where, after a tea break, you’ll learn how to milk cows and process milk into other dairy products. Milk byproducts are highly regarded in every household and make up a substantial part of people’s everyday diet. Plus we will be making spreads for the next day’s feast as well as attempting to make appetizers along with other Kyrgyz delicacies worthy of villagers praise.

We’ll start the day with a trip to Manas mausoleum. The Manas mausoleum, also known as the Manas Ordo, is a monument located in the city of Talas in Kyrgyzstan. It is dedicated to the legendary hero Manas, who is an important figure in Kyrgyz folklore and culture. Manas is a central figure in the Kyrgyz epic poem "Manas," which tells the story of his life and deeds. He is considered to be the founder of the Kyrgyz people and is revered as a symbol of national unity and identity. Subsequently we will return to Yntymak village, where you will learn to prepare quintessential meals of Kyrgyz cuisine and learn culinary traditions steeped in history. In Kyrgyz culture, intricate table etiquette, social cues, age and social hierarchy are as important as the food being served. If not observed properly can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. In order to have a fully immersive experience and witness these cultural traits in action, we will be helping our hosts to prepare a small feast for the elderly of the village. This will allow you to learn the process from start to finish (including jointing a sheep carcass). 

Today we are making our way back to Bishkek over a few mountain passes with roads winding up into the sky, numerous water springs along the road running down the hills, and lonely white yurts in the valleys. After settling in at the hotel and a short break, you’ll head down to a public bathhouse for a birch leaf and hydrotherapy. You’ll be taking a break from traditional Kyrgyz cuisine, so you’ll be taken to one of the best eateries in Bishkek - a sister restaurant of another one located in old-town Georgia owned by the same family. 

After a leisurely start and a hearty breakfast at the hotel you’ll go on a tour of the city. Visit the main sights, learn about the modern and contemporary history of the city, and see some of the best examples of Soviet architecture. We’ll finish the city tour at a one of the city’s best tea houses for a light lunch and a variety of delicious teas. Afterward you’ll be checking out of the hotel and traveling en route to Tokmok to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Burana Tower. This remnant of a 9th century city is a great reminder of the region's rich history and the role it played during Silk Road era. Subsequently, after a short drive, we’ll be visiting our friends - a Dungan family for a masterclass of Dungan cuisine. Dungans are a minority ethnic group that immigrated to Central Asia due to an unsuccessful revolt against injustices in 1862–1877 in Northwest China. Dungan cuisine though similar to Beijing cuisine, differs in ingredients due to the Islamic faith of the group. Unlike their Kyrgyz counterparts, Dungans are generous when it comes to the usage of seasonings and spices in their food. At Yusuf’s house, you’ll be learning to make one of the most popular dishes in Kyrgyzstan - la mian (locally known as lagman). After the feast, we’ll make a short journey to the house of a park ranger in Chong Kemin National Park, where after settling in, you’ll get to enjoy a bonfire with drinks.

Start the day with a morning drive to Song Kol, a high-altitude alpine lake located in the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The lake is located at an altitude of 3016 (9897 feet) meters above sea level, and the area is known for its stunning natural beauty. Upon arrival, check into your yurt camp. After lunch and some rest, you’ll be offered a horseback ride while the cook prepares to welcome you back to join him in preparing todays dinner – manty (dumplings) - a traditional Central Asian dish that consists of steamed dumplings filled with meat, potatoes, or other fillings. It is a popular dish in countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan. The dumplings are made by wrapping a thin layer of dough around the filling and then steaming them until cooked. They are often served with a side of broth or a dipping sauce. Manty is typically served as a main dish and is often enjoyed at special occasions and celebrations. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that people of all ages enjoy. There are many variations of manty, and the fillings and accompaniments can vary depending on the region and the cook's personal preferences. Some common fillings include lamb, beef, or mutton and vegetables such as onions, carrots, and potatoes. Manty can be served with a variety of accompaniments, including sour cream, yogurt, or a garlic-based sauce. You’ll join the cook to learn to prepare manty from scratch – starting with preparing the ingredients, cutting and shaping dumplings, and cooking them over open fire using a cauldron and a special pot. If the season is right you’ll be offered to try Kymyz (fermented dairy product made with mares milk). 

Today we’ll start our trip to the pearl of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk Kul via one of the most beautiful and scenic mountain passes of the county. Teskey Torpok, alternatively known as, 33 parrots pass. As you traverse the winding path of the 33 parrots pass, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Once we reach our destination of the day – yurt camp on the south shore of Issyk Kul. Upon arrival we’ll have a short break and a light lunch; you’ll have an opportunity to break away for some private activities – swimming in the lake and basking in the sun, visiting a local museum of modern art or going for a walk in the hills of Issyk Kul. During this tour, you’ll have the chance to enjoy all your senses, so today evening will be dedicated to the folk music of the Kyrgyz culture passed down from generation to generation and the origin stories of each instrument and century-old melodies and songs. We’ll end the day to the soothing tune of traditional music and a dinner prepared by our chef.

We’ll start the day with a bang - a demonstration of an epic equestrian game of Kok Boru. You will witness a game played as a way for riders to demonstrate their horsemanship skills and physical strength. In the past, for riders to practice for battle and hone their riding skills. Subsequently, we’ll continue en route to Bishkek with a stopover at a local family's house in Tokmok for lunch prepared by the hosts. A short drive through the backroads to Bishkek. After checking in, you’ll have time for a rest before heading out to farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in Bishkek