Greetings in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan! Since most international flights land in the early morning, today is reserved for your arrival, relaxation, or a chance to discover Bishkek at your own pace.

The Kyrgyzstan Mountains and Lakes Tour formally commences at 6 pm, with a welcome gathering taking place at a local restaurant. This is where you'll get to know your fellow travelers and the team guide. During this meeting, there will be an informative session about the tour, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions while sharing our group dinner.

• Meals included: Dinner.
• Accommodation: Not included. Options for every budget will be provided upon booking.

Our rendezvous point is Ala Too Square, Bishkek's central square, where we gather at 10 am. We load our belongings into the van and embark on a 6-hour picturesque journey to Son Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an elevation of 3000 meters.

We reach Son Kul in the evening. Once you've settled into the yurt camp, you'll have some free time to explore the surroundings on foot.

Dinner will be enjoyed with the group at the yurt camp, and we will spend the night in shared yurts by the shores of Son Kul lake. On a clear night, you'll be treated to a mesmerizing, starry night sky!

• Meals included: Dinner.
• Accommodation: Shared yurt
• Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the lake).

Following a satisfying breakfast at the yurt camp, we'll have a safety briefing and saddle up on our horses for a 4-hour horseback riding adventure through the surrounding mountains of Son Kul Lake. Please note that if you prefer, hiking is also an option.

Our ride leads us to a mountain pass situated at an impressive 3,400 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and the adjacent mountain range.

We take a short break at the pass before making our way back to the yurt camp, skirting the shores of Son Kul Lake. Post-ride, we gather at the yurt camp for lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure, whether you want to take a refreshing dip in the lake, embark on a leisurely stroll, or simply revel in the area's natural beauty. As the day concludes, we'll once again spend the evening at the same yurt camp.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Shared yurt
• Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the lake).

Following a morning meal at the Son Kul Lake yurt camp, we board our van and continue our journey to the next destination: Ton, a quaint town nestled on the southern banks of Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan's largest alpine lake.

"Issyk-Kul" translates to "warm lake" in the Kyrgyz language, as it remains unfrozen, even during the region's frigid winter temperatures. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore the surroundings or take a refreshing swim in the lake before savoring dinner at the yurt camp by the lakeside.

• Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
• Accommodation: Shared yurt.
• Facilities: Warm shower, outdoor toilets, wi-fi
  

Following breakfast and a refreshing morning swim in the lake, we embark on a short journey to rendezvous with one of the few remaining Golden Eagle Hunters in Kyrgyzstan. Here, we have the privilege of witnessing a demonstration of how these remarkable eagles are trained.

Hunting with eagles is an ancient tradition deeply rooted among the nomadic communities of Central Asia, and it's a practice upheld by only a handful of individuals in Kyrgyzstan today.

Following the awe-inspiring eagle hunting exhibition, our next stop takes us to the home of a Kyrgyz Folk musician family, where we delve into the rich tradition of Kyrgyz music and savor a delightful musical performance.

After our musical interlude, we continue our road trip towards the enchanting Barskoon Gorge, where we encounter a mesmerizing waterfall nestled within the forest. We then return to our vehicle to complete our journey in the town of Karakol, where we'll spend the night in a guest house.

• Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
• Accommodation: Shared room in Karakol guesthouse.
• Facilities: Hot shower, western-style toilets, wifi.

We kickstart the day with a hearty breakfast at the guesthouse and make all the necessary preparations for our upcoming hiking adventure. When everything is set, we depart from the guesthouse in the late morning, heading towards the Karakol Gorge, where our 4-day hiking and camping expedition in the Karakol Valley commences.

Our journey commences with a relatively brief and uncomplicated 10-kilometer hike along the spirited Karakol river within the Karakol Valley. This first-day hike serves as an excellent introduction to the region, affording us the opportunity to relish breathtaking views of the diverse landscapes.

We establish our basecamp near one of the riverbanks, where we'll camp for the next three nights. You'll have some leisure time to unwind or explore the surrounding valley. As night descends, we savor a dinner prepared by our cook, and then we retire for our first night beneath the starry sky.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
• Accommodation: Tent.
• Facilities: None (you can refresh yourself in the rive

Today's agenda involves a hike to the vantage point overlooking Karakol Peakand Glacier to the altitude of 3200 meters. This huge mountain with glacier is 5200 meters high. We commence the day with breakfast at the camp, after which we equip ourselves with daypacks and venture further into the Karakol Valley.

Our route takes us through the forest, gradually ascending toward Karakol Peak. The final leg of the hike presents a challenging incline (serving as excellent preparation for the upcoming journey to Ala Kul Lake). However, the effort is handsomely rewarded as we reach the viewpoint, where we're treated to breathtaking vistas of the Karakol Glacier and the majestic Karakol Peak looming behind it.

Following a scenic lunch, we descend along a 7-kilometer trail, making our way back to our basecamp in the Karakol Valley.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
• Accommodation: Tent.
• Facilities: None (you can refresh yourself in the river)

Our day begins with a breakfast, preparing us for the demanding 1100-meter ascent to Ala-Kul Lake, perched at an elevation of 3500 meters. While the 8-kilometer distance may not seem extensive, the hike is a physical challenge, involving hours of steep uphill terrain. Be sure to pause along the way to catch your breath and savor the awe-inspiring vistas.

Upon our arrival at the lake, often referred to by locals as the 'pristine diamond of the Karakol Canyon,' we continue hiking for a bit until we reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the lake's shores. Here, we indulge in a well-earned rest and lunch while relishing the ever-changing colors of the lake. The water's hue shifts hourly, transitioning from azure to violet, influenced by the prevailing weather conditions.

After our lunch with a view, we make our descent back to our basecamp in the Karakol Valley, where we will spend one final night immersed in the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
• Accommodation: Tent.
• Facilities: None

It's the final day of our camping expedition in the Karakol Valley! Following breakfast, we dismantle our camp and prepare for departure. We savor our remaining hours in the great outdoors by embarking on a 10-kilometer hike along the Karakol river, leading us back to the designated pick-up location, where our waiting driver will transport us back to Karakol in the afternoon.

We return to the familiar guesthouse in Karakol, where a well-deserved hot shower awaits, allowing us to freshen up for our last group dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
• Accommodation: Shared room in Karakol guesthouse.
• Facilities: Hot shower, western-style toilets, wi-fi