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.
8 stops
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.
See all tours led by this guide →Things people ask
To book an EcoNomad tour, fill out the contact form with your dates, group size and the tour you have in mind. We send a tailored quote within 48 hours. Your booking is confirmed once a 30% deposit is paid; the balance is due 30 days before departure.
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date is required. Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and Australia travel visa-free for stays of up to 60 days. Some border zones (China, Tajikistan) require a special permit — EcoNomad helps you arrange these.
The main season runs from May to October. June–August is ideal for nomadic tours and high-altitude jailoos (summer pastures). July–August suits the high passes (above 3,500 m). March and April offer quieter spring landscapes. EcoNomad also runs ski-touring trips from December to March.
Our tours come in three grades: Easy (2–4h of walking a day, little elevation gain, family-friendly), Moderate (4–6h of walking or riding a day, passes above 3,000 m) and Demanding (technical hikes of 6–8h a day, passes above 3,500 m). Each tour page states the level required.
Accommodation varies by tour and stage: traditional yurts in the high mountains (summer), guesthouses or homestays in the villages, and 3-star hotels in the cities. This mix is intentional — it brings you closer to local people and the nomadic way of life.
All our tours include full board. Kyrgyz cuisine is generous: soups, grilled meats, fermented dairy and home-baked bread. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request at the time of booking. In the mountains, meals are prepared at camp by our team.
Travel insurance covering medical costs, repatriation and outdoor activities is mandatory. We recommend providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Travel or an equivalent. Make sure your policy covers horse riding and high-altitude trekking.
Several of our tours reach passes or camps above 3,500 m. Altitude sickness (AMS) is rare when acclimatisation is gradual — our itineraries build in gentle ascent days. Your guide explains the symptoms from day one and carries a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter.
The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek, Karakol and Osh have ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard. In the mountains and remote villages, only cash is accepted. Bring the equivalent of €200–300 in soms for personal expenses.
4G covers Bishkek and most towns. Remote valleys and yurt camps have little or no signal. Your guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies in areas without coverage. Take the chance to truly disconnect.
Bring a day pack (20–25 L) and a soft duffel or travel bag for baggage transfers. A detailed packing list tailored to your tour is sent once your booking is confirmed. Golden rule: walk in already broken-in boots, not new ones.
Standard cancellation terms: 30% non-refundable (deposit), 50% of the total between 60 and 30 days before departure, 100% under 30 days. Free changes before the deposit is paid. In case of force majeure (extreme weather), we offer a postponement or a credit note.
