Morning:

Arrival at Manas International Airport , Bishkek. After completing formalities and baggage claim, you will be met by a representative of our company to assist with your domestic flight Bishkek-Osh.

Domestic flight Bishkek – Osh. Flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. Enjoy the views of the Tian Shan mountains from the airplane window (weather permitting).

Arrival at Osh Airport. At Osh airport, you will be met by our guide holding a sign with your name or tour name.

Transfer from the airport to a pre-booked hotel in Osh city. Hotels in Osh are usually 3-4 star level, offering comfortable accommodation.

Check-in at the hotel and accommodation in your room.

Day:

After check-in and a short rest, start of a city tour of Osh. Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, often called the “southern capital”. It is an ancient city with a rich history, located in the Fergana Valley, at the foot of the Pamir-Alay mountains.

Visiting Suleiman-Too: The main attraction of Osh is the sacred Suleiman-Too mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ascent of the mountain (partly by transport, partly on foot) to explore the historical complex, including mosques, caves, museums and observation decks. The guide will tell you legends associated with the mountain and its historical significance. Panoramic views of Osh city and the surrounding Fergana Valley open from the top of the mountain.

Lunch at a local cafe or restaurant in Osh: Try Uzbek and Uyghur cuisine, which is popular in Osh, reflecting its multicultural heritage and proximity to Uzbekistan. The guide will recommend good places.

Evening:

Walk through the Osh Bazaar (central market): Osh Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia. Walk through the bazaar rows, where you can find everything from spices and dried fruits to textiles and souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the oriental bazaar, observe trade and local life. This is a great place to buy souvenirs and local products.

Dinner at a national restaurant in Osh: Osh is famous for its restaurants with traditional cuisine. You can enjoy dishes such as Osh plov, manty, shashlik, samsa and other local delicacies. Many restaurants offer a cozy atmosphere and traditional interiors.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Continuation of getting acquainted with Osh, delving into the history and culture of the city.

Visiting the Suleiman-Too Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve (inside the mountain): Visiting the cave museum located inside Suleiman-Too mountain. The museum exposition tells about the history of the mountain, archaeological finds associated with this place, and its role in the culture and religion of the region.

Ravat Abdullakhan Mosque (16th century): Visiting the ancient Rawat Abdullakhan Mosque, built in the 16th century. This mosque is an example of traditional architecture of the Fergana Valley, with elements of Central Asian style.

Asaf ibn Burkhiya Mausoleum (11th-17th centuries): Visiting the Asaf ibn Burkhiya Mausoleum, another historical monument of Osh, dating back to the 11th-17th centuries. The mausoleum is a place of worship and an important object of cultural heritage.

Day:

Lunch in a teahouse or cafe in the old city of Osh: Continue your acquaintance with local cuisine by having lunch in a cozy teahouse or cafe in the historical part of Osh. Try lagman, manty, shashlik or other local dishes.

Visiting the G. Aytiev Museum of Fine Arts: If you are interested in art, you can visit the G. Aytiev Museum of Fine Arts, which presents a collection of paintings by Kyrgyz and Soviet artists, as well as works of decorative and applied art. (Visiting the museum is optional and depends on the museum’s opening hours).

Free time in Osh: You can walk around Osh parks and squares, visit local shops, relax at the hotel or explore places of interest on your own.

Evening:

Master class on cooking Osh plov (optional, for an extra fee): Participate in a master class on cooking real Osh plov – the hallmark of Osh cuisine. Learn the secrets of cooking this famous dish from a local chef and, of course, try the plov cooked with your own hands. (Master class must be booked in advance).

Dinner in a restaurant with Uyghur cuisine: Uyghur cuisine is also popular in Osh. In the evening, you can have dinner in a restaurant specializing in Uyghur dishes, such as manty, lagman, plov, guiru lagman and others.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from the hotel in Osh. Check that you have not forgotten your belongings in the room.

Transfer from Osh to Arslanbob village. Arslanbob is located approximately 3-4 hours drive from Osh. The road passes through picturesque foothills and valleys.

On the way, stop in Uzgen city.

Visiting the Uzgen Architectural Complex (minaret and mausoleums of the 11th-12th centuries): The Uzgen architectural complex is a historical monument including a minaret and three mausoleums dating back to the 11th-12th centuries, the era of the Karakhanids. Exploring the complex, the guide will tell you about the history of this place and the architectural features of the monuments.

Day:

Continue the journey to Arslanbob.

Arrival in Arslanbob village and accommodation in a guesthouse. In Arslanbob, accommodation is usually in guesthouses, offering simple but cozy accommodation in a rural atmosphere.

Lunch at the guesthouse in Arslanbob (homemade cuisine).

Walk around Arslanbob village: Getting acquainted with Arslanbob village, located at the foot of the world’s largest walnut forest. Arslanbob is a unique place known for its natural beauty and traditional way of life. Walk around the village, communicate with locals, get acquainted with village life.

Visiting the sacred Lake Kol-Mazar (optional, easy hike): For those who wish, you can take an easy hike to the small sacred Lake Kol-Mazar, located near the village. The lake is considered a sacred place and is associated with local legends. (Hike to the lake is optional and depends on the time and physical fitness of the group).

Evening:

Dinner at the guesthouse in Arslanbob (homemade cuisine).

Evening time in Arslanbob. Rest, communication with the guesthouse owners, enjoying the silence and rural atmosphere. Possibly a folklore performance by local residents (upon request and for an additional fee).

Morning:

Breakfast at the guesthouse in Arslanbob.

The day is dedicated to exploring the natural beauty of Arslanbob and its surroundings.

Hiking in the Arslanbob walnut forest: Arslanbob walnut forest is the largest walnut forest in the world. Hiking through the forest, getting acquainted with the unique flora and fauna, enjoying the fresh air and beauty of nature. The guide will tell you about the features of the walnut forest, its importance for the region and efforts to preserve it.

Visiting Arslanbob waterfalls (Big and Small waterfalls): There are several waterfalls in the vicinity of Arslanbob. We will visit the two most famous ones – the Big and Small Arslanbob waterfalls. Easy trekking to the waterfalls, enjoying views of the waterfalls and surrounding nature. In summer, you can swim in the cool waters at the foot of the waterfalls (optional and with caution).

Day:

Picnic lunch in the walnut forest or lunch in a cafe in Arslanbob: You can organize a picnic in a scenic spot in the walnut forest (lunch boxes from the guesthouse) or have lunch in a cafe in Arslanbob after a walk in the forest and to the waterfalls.

Free time in Arslanbob: You can continue walking through the walnut forest, visit other waterfalls (if there is desire and time), go horseback riding in the vicinity of the village, or just relax at the guesthouse.

Evening:

Dinner at the guesthouse in Arslanbob (homemade cuisine).

Evening time in Arslanbob. Possibly participation in the traditional Kyrgyz game “Ulak-Tartysh” (goat dragging), if the game will be held during your visit (seasonal games, need to check in advance). Or just relax and enjoy the village silence.

Morning:

Breakfast at the guesthouse in Arslanbob and check-out from the guesthouse.

Transfer from Arslanbob to Lake Sary-Chelek. The road to Sary-Chelek is a scenic mountain road. Travel time is approximately 4-5 hours.

On the way, stop at the Abshir-Say Canyon.

Visiting Abshir-Say Canyon and the Holy Key waterfall: Abshir-Say Canyon is a narrow gorge with steep cliffs and a river flowing along the bottom. The “Holy Key” waterfall, flowing directly from the rock, is also located here. Walk through the canyon, explore the waterfall and surroundings.

Day:

Continue the journey to Lake Sary-Chelek.

Arrival at Lake Sary-Chelek and accommodation in a guesthouse or holiday homes near the lake (in the protected area). Accommodation in the Sary-Chelek area may be simpler than in hotels in cities, but provides proximity to nature. Examples of guesthouses: “Sary-Chelek Guesthouse”, “Guest House in Arkit” (in Arkit village, nearest to the lake).

Lunch at a guesthouse or cafe near Lake Sary-Chelek (homemade cuisine).

Walk to Lake Sary-Chelek: First acquaintance with Lake Sary-Chelek. Lake Sary-Chelek is a high-altitude lake of incredible beauty, located in the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve. Walk to the lake from the accommodation, enjoying views of the lake surrounded by mountains and forests.

Evening:

Dinner at the guesthouse in the Lake Sary-Chelek area (homemade cuisine).

Evening time at Lake Sary-Chelek. Rest, walks along the shore, enjoying the silence and nature of the reserve. Possibly stargazing – the sky is very clear in the reserve.

Morning:

Breakfast at the guesthouse in the Lake Sary-Chelek area.

The day is dedicated to exploring Lake Sary-Chelek and the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve.

Boat trip on Lake Sary-Chelek (optional, for an extra fee, depends on season and weather): For those who wish, a boat trip on Lake Sary-Chelek can be arranged (needs to be arranged in advance, especially off-season). A boat trip allows you to see the lake from different angles, enjoy its beauty and silence.

Easy trekking around Lake Sary-Chelek (hiking trails in the reserve): There are several hiking trails of varying difficulty in the Sary-Chelek Reserve. You can choose one of the routes for a walk through the forest, to observation decks or other lakes of the reserve (for example, Lake Iiri-Kel). The guide will help you choose a suitable route.

Enjoying the nature of the Sary-Chelek Reserve: Sary-Chelek Reserve is a place of untouched nature, with diverse flora and fauna. Enjoy the fresh air, silence, views of mountains, forests and lakes.

Day:

Picnic lunch on the shore of Lake Sary-Chelek or lunch at the guesthouse (lunch boxes or homemade cuisine).

After lunch – return to Osh. The return transfer to Osh takes about 6-7 hours. The road from Sary-Chelek to Osh is also very scenic.

Arrival at Osh Airport for departure. We recommend choosing evening flights from Osh so that you have enough time for transfer and check-in at the airport.

Evening:

Departure from Osh Airport

End of the tour “Southern Kyrgyzstan – Osh, Arslanbob and Sary-Chelek (6 days)”.