From the Tian Shan to the Fergana Valley
A 14-day cultural-and-mountain tour following the historical road from the Tian Shan jailoos south to the silk-weaving city of Margilan.
Who it's for
Travelers seeking a balance of mountain life and Silk Road culture. Half-day horse rides; no technical mountain skills needed.
Guides
French-speaking Kyrgyz lead guide; Uzbek local guide for the Fergana portion.
Accommodation
Mix of yurts at Song-Kol, family guesthouses in mountain villages, and 3* hotels in Osh and the Fergana cities.
Luggage
Soft duffel + daypack; main bag stays in vehicles.
From the Tian Shan to the Fergana Valley
A 14-day cultural-and-mountain tour following the historical road from the Tian Shan jailoos south to the silk-weaving city of Margilan.
From the Tian Shan to the Fergana Valley
14 days connecting the alpine pastures of central Kyrgyzstan with the silk-weaving heritage of the Fergana Valley. Includes Lake Song-Kol, Tash Rabat, the medieval Uzgen minaret and the artisan workshops of Margilan and Rishtan.
14 days, 14 camps
Bishkek arrival
Arrival in Bishkek, transfer to hotel, evening orientation walk on Ala-Too Square.
Bishkek to Kochkor via Burana
Drive east stopping at the 11th-century Burana Tower (the surviving minaret of medieval Balasagun). Continue south to Kochkor; visit the women’s felt cooperative.
Kochkor to Lake Song-Kol on horseback
Transfer to the trailhead, then 5-hour horseback ride over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,446 m) to the lake.
Song-Kol — full day
Walks and rides along the lake shore. Eagle-hunting demonstration. Sunset over the water.
Song-Kol to Naryn
Horseback descent then transfer by road to Naryn city.
Naryn to Tash Rabat
Drive south through At-Bashy pasture to the medieval Tash Rabat caravanserai. Walk in the surrounding valleys.
Tash Rabat to Osh (long drive
Long descent toward southern Kyrgyzstan, crossing several mountain passes. Late arrival in Osh, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities.
Osh — Sulayman-Too sacred mountain
Climb Sulayman-Too (UNESCO) for the panorama over the Fergana Valley. Visit the Jayma Bazaar.
Osh to Fergana (flight
Border crossing into Uzbekistan, then flight from Andijan to Fergana (or scenic drive). City tour of Fergana — Mustakillik street, Skobelev residence.
Fergana — Margilan — Rishtan
Day in the Fergana Valley: silk-weaving workshops at the Yodgorlik factory in Margilan; ceramic master-class in Rishtan.
Fergana to Tashkent (flight
Flight or scenic drive over the Kamchik Pass to Tashkent. Half-day city tour: Khast-Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, the modernist metro.
Tashkent — full day
Continue Tashkent: Amir Timur square, the State Museum of History, and the old town quarter around Khast-Imam.
Departure
Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for the international return flight.
Notes
- The itinerary may be modified due to weather or border conditions.
Included
- National-park permits and entry fees
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Local guide on each day
- All ground transport during the trip
Not included
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
- La location de horses (à titre indicatif prévoir un coût de 25 euros pour 2 hours de balade, payable sur place en euros)
Where you sleep
3* hotels in Bishkek, Naryn, Osh, Fergana and Tashkent; family homestays in Kochkor; yurt camps at Song-Kol and Tash Rabat.
Ulan
Ulan is the co-founder and executive director of our tourism company. Passionate about mountains, nomadic culture, and sustainable tourism, he has been guiding travelers across Kyrgyzstan for many years, sharing both the natural beauty of the country and the daily life of local communities. Specialised in adventure travel, trekking, horseback expeditions, and ski touring, Ulan combines deep field experience with strong organisational skills and a modern vision of responsible tourism. Fluent in Russian, French, and English.
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