Whispers of the Snow Leopard: Wilderness Adventure 2026

Bishkek: City Tour and Visit to Ala-Archa Park

This first day in Bishkek head to Ala-Archa National Park, located just a short 1 hour drive from the city at the altitude of 1 600 meters ASL in the majestic Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range. This stunning natural park is renowned for its breathtaking mountain scenery and lush landscapes. Here, you can embark on a leisurely hike along the scenic trails, surrounded by towering peaks and picturesque views. Whether you choose a short walk or a more extended trek, the pristine beauty of Ala-Archa will leave you in awe.

After your outdoor adventure, return to Bishkek to enjoy a delightful meal at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of traditional Kyrgyz cuisine.

Ala-Archa transfer: 1 hour one way

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Day 2

Bishkek – southern Issyk-Kul Lake

After breakfast, depart toward Bokonbaevo village on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Along the way, make an enriching stop at the Burana Historical Complex, an ancient site featuring a collection of historical artifacts, including a striking minaret and remnants of a once-thriving city. Continue driving along Issyk-Kul Lake with stop for an eagle hunting demonstration; spend time taking pictures with golden eagle and hunter. Lunch with a local family. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp on the southern shore of lake Issyk-Kul.

Driving time: 5 hours

Eagle hunting show: 1 hour

Day 3

Bokonbaevo – Uch-Koshkon (High Plateau)

After breakfast, we will drive to the Uch-Kochkon Village, which is located in the area of unique high-mountain steppes with permafrost soil. We will first see the Barskoon Gorge, the Sary Moynok Pass, the Barskoun Pass, and the Arabel Valley, which is the beginning of one of Central Asia’s largest rivers, the Syr Darya. Lunch will be a picnic at the Taragay River bank, depending on the time and weather. After stopping at the Kara Say Village for border registration, we will continue to Uch Koccon Village (3,150 msl). We will dine and spend the night at a guesthouse. Before dinner, we will travel (15 minutes) to the Ak-Shirak River Canyon, which is over 60 metres deep.

Driving time: 5-6 hours

Day 4

Uch-Kochkon village – Koyundu – Eshek Art Ranger station

After breakfast, we drive 18 kilometers to the Koyondu ranger station, where we will do horseback riding and receive safety instructions, deliver our baggage and horses. Then we enter one of Kyrgyzstan’s largest nature reserves, the Sarychat-Ertas reserve, which covers 150,000 acres. Our destination is the Eshek-Art ranger station. We ride over the Eshe-Art pass at an altitude of 4,200 meters, riding through high meadows with beautiful panoramic views of summits at 5,000 m and glaciers on the way, and we visit a mountain glacier on the way there. We have a picnic lunch on the road. Near the pass, we may see Marco Polo sheep, griffins, golden eagles. Upon arrival, we have tea at the ranger station and then hike to the banks of the Sarych river, which flows into the Tarym Basin in China. During this hike, we acclimate and see marmots, rabbits, eagles, vultures, and, depending on the season, ibisbills. Eagles have their nests in this area. Dinner and an overnight stay at the Eshe Art ranger station in a tent.

Day 5

Eshek Art Ranger station (3000 m asl) –Kashka Tor glacier (4100 m asl)

This day, we will see not only the glacier, but also some wild animals. This is a key area for watching Marco Polo. Rangers counted 1,500 Marco Polo sheep and 6 wolves near the glacier in December. Animals that can be seen: marco polo sheep, vultures, golden eagles, marmots, hares, eagles and vultures.

Day 6

Eshek Art Ranger station – Solomo gorge – Eshek Art Ranger station

After breakfast, we will ride to the Solomo Gorge. Along the way, we will see argali (arkharkulya). From the camp site, we will ride to the camera trap, where we will set the trap and download the photos. On our way to the camera and from there, we will also see argali, ibex, and other animals. If we’re lucky, we might even see them at a distance of 50 metres. From the trap point, we will observe the rocky slopes and use binoculars to observe the Sary Chat River and Ak Shyrak range peaks. In this area, we will look for snow leopard tracks and maybe even see a leopard. Rangers will point out their tracks, markers, and explain how the snow leopards live here. We will have a picnic at the camera trap. Then we will return to the camp and have dinner and spend the night in tents.

Day 7

Eshek Art Ranger station – Kara Kiya pass – Bokonbaevo village

Today we will first ride up 9 kilometers to Kara Kiya Pass (4,074 meters asl) to enjoy a great view of the Central Tien Shan peaks. After resting and having tea or coffee, we will ride another 3 kilometers to the main road, where we will get our vehicles and head to the yurt camp on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Lunch will be prepared by our chef in the wild. Dinner and sleep will be in a yurt. Driving time – 5-6 hours.

Day 8

Bokonbaevo – Bishkek

After breakfast, drive back to Bishkek. Lunch stop at a roadside café. Upon arrival, hotel check-in and free time to rest, shop for souvenirs, or walk around the city. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Driving time: 5 hours

Day 9

Bishkek City Tour & Departure

City sightseeing in Bishkek: visit central squares, parks, and museums, learn about Kyrgyz history and culture. Lunch at a café. Transfer to airport according to your flight schedule.

City tour: 3-4 hours

Airport transfer: 1 hour