Kyrgyzstan - The Flora & Fauna of the Celestial Mountains

Tour Code: KYR01

A 13-day wildlife journey through Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular Tien Shan Mountains, combining outstanding wildlife and dramatic high‑mountain scenery with warm nomadic hospitality.

£5,295

Flight Inclusive

£4,495

Land Only

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Carbon Footprint

2848kg CO2e

With International Flights

1172kg CO2e

Tour Only

What does this mean?

Highlights

Comprehensive natural history tour exploring the flora, fauna and landscapes of Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular Tien Shan ('Celestial') Mountains
Visits to iconic mountain locations including Ala‑Archa National Park, Son Kol Lake, Tash‑Rabat and Ala Kol Lake, set against dramatic snow‑capped scenery
Excellent chances of mammal encounters, including Grey Marmot and Large‑eared Pika, alongside abundant butterflies and other invertebrates
Rich birdlife throughout, with opportunities to see Himalayan Snowcock, Ibisbill, White‑winged Snowfinch, Güldenstädt’s Redstart and Altai Accentor
Exceptional alpine botany, with an outstanding diversity of high‑altitude plants including edelweiss, Snow Apollos’ larval foodplants, primulas, androsaces and many localised endemics
Exploration of a wide range of habitats, from semi‑desert and steppe to spruce forest, alpine meadows and high mountain scree
Travel through historic Silk Road landscapes and traditional nomadic regions, with nights spent in yurts as well as comfortable hotels and guesthouses

Summary

Kyrgyzstan – a land of soaring mountains, flower-filled meadows and a rich biodiversity – is one of Central Asia’s best-kept natural secrets. On this expertly guided tour, we explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Tien Shan, the 'Celestial Mountains', in search of their unique flora and alpine wildlife.

We begin in the northern Tien Shan, where we explore Ala‑Archa National Park before ascending to the high grasslands of Son Kol Lake, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most evocative landscapes. Here, vast open meadows, wetlands and surrounding peaks support a wealth of alpine plants, including edelweiss, Trollius, Smelovskia and numerous regional specialities, alongside butterflies such as Snow Apollos. Birdlife is equally impressive, with Himalayan Snowcock, White‑winged Snowfinch and Tibetan Sand Plover among the highlights.

Heading deeper into the interior, the journey follows ancient Silk Road routes to Tash‑Rabat and the mountains around Naryn, before crossing dramatic high passes en route to Issyk‑Kul. A series of carefully chosen excursions explore alpine meadows, scree slopes, spruce forests and semi‑desert habitats, each supporting distinct plant communities and bird assemblages. Sites such as Salkyn‑Tör Nature Park, Chon Ashuu, Barskoon Gorge and Ala Kol Lake provide superb opportunities to study Central Asian alpine flora at close quarters, while mammals such as Grey Marmot and Large‑eared Pika are frequently encountered.

The tour concludes with time in the scenic Chon‑Kemin Valley before returning to Bishkek, rounding off a richly varied exploration of one of Central Asia’s most rewarding mountain regions.

Outline Itinerary

Day

Outbound flight

Day

Arrive Bishkek

Days

3 - 4

Song-Köl Lake

Day

Tash Rabat Caravanserai; Naryn

Day

Salkyn-Tör Nature Park; Naryn

Day

Issyk-Kul Lake; Karakol

Day

Chon-Ashuu; Karakol

Day

Barskoon Valley; Karakol

Day

Ala-Kul; Karakol

Day

Chon-Kemin to Bishkek

Day

Inbound flight

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Itineraries

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Dates & Prices

2027

Flight Inclusive

£5,295

Land Only

£4,495

Single Supplement

£595

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Tour Leader

Erik Jansen

Erik’s passion for wildlife-watching began in his childhood in the Netherlands and has since taken him across the globe.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!