Vixi travel
Kyrgyzstan. Soul Road Trip
Dates:
June 17 – June 25
This is a land where the sky feels closer, and the earth smells of thyme and freedom. Where around one bend in the road, a turquoise lake appears; around the next, red cliffs that look like a Martian landscape
We'll go where there's no cell signal — but the stars come in loud and clear. Where yurts aren't just decoration, but the real home of nomads. Where horses still tread the same paths they did hundreds of years ago.
This isn't a trip to tick a box. This is a soul road trip. For those who want to hear themselves, feel the wind in their hair, and come home a little different — bolder, more alive.
Day 1. Breathe in — and we're there
We meet at Bishkek airport. Hugs, introductions, and straight onto the road. First drive: to Lake Issyk-Kul, the largest high‑altitude lake in the former USSR. We head directly to our cozy hotel.
In the evening, dinner — and then the highlight: we go to soak in hot springs. Total relaxation after the flight, building anticipation for tomorrow.
Overnight: a hotel on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul / private bathroom in the room.
Day 2. First touch of the mountains
In the morning, we drive to the green canyons — Grigorievka and Semyonovka. The air smells of wild herbs and freedom. We try real kumis (if we dare), stroll along green trails, and take our first epic photos. After lunch, we head to Jeti-Oguz. Those famous red cliffs — the "Seven Bulls" — greet us in the golden light of sunset. We check into an eco-hotel with a view of the cliffs, and then comes the best part… a local hostess will teach us to make traditional laghman using her secret recipe. A cooking workshop that feeds both belly and soul :) Afterwards — a campfire and heart‑to‑heart talks.
Overnight: eco‑hotel in Jeti‑Oguz / private bathroom in the room.
Day 3. Detox, horses, and a hot tub under the stars
No driving today. In the morning, we'll feel nomad life more deeply — we head to Kok-Jayik canyon, where the legendary trail leads to a waterfall. You choose how to go: on foot at your own pace, or on horseback. We'll have a picnic with a view.
The landscapes here are incredible — green alpine meadows and mountain rivers. To truly feel it all, we'll slow down and do a short silent practice.
The perfect end to the day: drinking tea from a traditional samovar, and when it gets dark — climbing into a hot tub beneath the starry sky.
Overnight: eco-hotel in Jeti-Oguz / private bathroom in the room.
Day 4. Martian landscapes
We drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Barskoon Canyon welcomes us with waterfalls and ancient legends. We go jeeping or simply hike. And then — Mars awaits: Fairy Tale Canyon. It feels like another planet: red cliffs, bizarre shapes, and total silence. Get your looks ready — we're doing a photoshoot, and it's going to be hot!
In the evening, we visit the warm‑hearted Toni. She greets us with the most delicious traditional dinner. Here, for the first time, we spend the night in real yurts — two‑person, authentic, with that nomadic vibe. The lake is a 5‑minute walk away — you can even catch a sunset swim.
This is getting to know the soul of Kyrgyzstan through food, comfort, and hospitality.
Overnight: yurts / shared facilities on site
Day 5. Son-Kul, sunset, campfire, and shashlik under the stars
Hooray! The most anticipated drive of the trip. We ascend to Lake Son-Kul — at 3,016 meters above sea level. The road itself is an adventure: dirt tracks, mountain passes, views that take your breath away.
By evening, we arrive at the yurt camp. Just imagine: the lake, the colors of the sunset, and silence. Then we light a campfire, grill shashlik, and share stories beneath a billion stars.
Overnight: yurt camp / shared facilities on site
Hooray! The most anticipated drive of the trip. We ascend to Lake Son-Kul — at 3,016 meters above sea level. The road itself is an adventure: dirt tracks, mountain passes, views that take your breath away.
By evening, we arrive at the yurt camp. Just imagine: the lake, the colors of the sunset, and silence. Then we light a campfire, grill shashlik, and share stories beneath a billion stars.
Overnight: yurt camp / shared facilities on site
Day 6. Toward the legend
Morning on Son-Kul – a sunrise you will remember forever. Breakfast, goodbye to the lake, and we head to one of the most beautiful places in the country – toward the border with China.
A stunning 4‑hour drive awaits us. Past grazing herds of horses, old shepherds' camps, past places where time stands still. We stop where it feels like we've reached the edge of the earth.
By evening, we arrive at the foot of the pass behind which Kel-Suu hides. We check in, have dinner, breathe the thin mountain air, and get ready for tomorrow. No rush – just us, a campfire, and the anticipation of something magical.
Overnight: guesthouse / rooms with a private bathroom (toilet and sink)
Morning on Son-Kul – a sunrise you will remember forever. Breakfast, goodbye to the lake, and we head to one of the most beautiful places in the country – toward the border with China.
A stunning 4‑hour drive awaits us. Past grazing herds of horses, old shepherds' camps, past places where time stands still. We stop where it feels like we've reached the edge of the earth.
By evening, we arrive at the foot of the pass behind which Kel-Suu hides. We check in, have dinner, breathe the thin mountain air, and get ready for tomorrow. No rush – just us, a campfire, and the anticipation of something magical.
Overnight: guesthouse / rooms with a private bathroom (toilet and sink)
Day 7. Sacred Lake Kel-Suu – greetings, wonder!
This is perhaps the most vivid and emotional day of the trip. We mount the horses and set off on a trek to Lake Kel-Suu. Crossing mountain rivers, we feel like heroes from The Lord of the Rings.
The reward is a view that takes people's breath away with its beauty.
We descend to the water, which shifts in color from turquoise to deep blue. If the weather and water level are with us, we take a boat and glide through a narrow canyon — it's pure magic, and we're at 3,500 meters above sea level!
Overnight: the same guesthouse as the night before
The reward is a view that takes people's breath away with its beauty.
We descend to the water, which shifts in color from turquoise to deep blue. If the weather and water level are with us, we take a boat and glide through a narrow canyon — it's pure magic, and we're at 3,500 meters above sea level!
Overnight: the same guesthouse as the night before
Day 8. The road back to Bishkek
We leave early to make it before dark. The road back is long but scenic. By evening, we arrive in Bishkek. We check into a spa hotel with a hammam, Finnish sauna, swimming pool, and massage. We've earned it!
Overnight: spa hotel in Bishkek / private bathroom in the room
We leave early to make it before dark. The road back is long but scenic. By evening, we arrive in Bishkek. We check into a spa hotel with a hammam, Finnish sauna, swimming pool, and massage. We've earned it!
Overnight: spa hotel in Bishkek / private bathroom in the room
Day 9. Goodbye, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast, final hugs, one last group photo, and a transfer to the airport. You'll take home not just a suitcase, but a new part of yourself — bolder, freer, and just a little more nomadic :)
Breakfast, final hugs, one last group photo, and a transfer to the airport. You'll take home not just a suitcase, but a new part of yourself — bolder, freer, and just a little more nomadic :)
Where do we stay?
All 9 days we will stay in yurts, guesthouses, and spa hotels.
Accommodation is for 2 people per room.
Accommodation is for 2 people per room.
MAIN INFORMATION
- Tour price: $1850 includes:
- All transfers in comfortable vehicles with drivers and fuel
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Accommodation as per the program
- Meals: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, picnics
- All excursions as per the program (including horse riding, jeeping, and boating on Kel-Suu when conditions allow)
- Border permits for Kel-Suu
- Felt making workshop
- Hot springs, sauna, and hot tub as per the program
- Traditional cooking workshop
- Full guidance throughout the trip
- Lifelong memories and a soulful company
- Not included:
- Flights to and from Bishkek
- Dinner on the last day
- Medical insurance
