Yurt Stays in Kyrgyzstan

The yurt is the traditional home of Kyrgyz herders: a round felt tent on a wooden lattice frame that can be taken down, loaded on horses and moved to fresh pastures. Many families still spend summers on high pastures called jailoo, and some welcome visitors in yurt camps alongside their own homes. A night or two there shows a way of life that still shapes Kyrgyz identity.

Where to stay

Song-Kul

Song-Kul is a high-mountain lake surrounded by wide pastures, at about 3,000 metres. In summer, herding families set up camps around its shores, and several of them host guests. Reaching it involves a mountain road over passes, which adds to the sense of arrival. One or two nights is ideal.

Around Issyk-Kul and Karakol

Yurt camps along the south shore of Issyk-Kul and in valleys near Karakol are easier to reach and often have more comfortable facilities. They work well for families and for travellers who want the experience without high altitude.

Other valleys

Yurt camps also operate in valleys used for trekking and horse riding, where they serve as bases between hiking days. Our guide to trekking in Central Asia covers these routes.

What a yurt is like inside

A yurt is surprisingly spacious and warm. The floor is covered with felt carpets called shyrdak, walls are lined with embroidered textiles, and mattresses with thick quilts are laid out for sleeping. A stove in the centre or a nearby dining yurt keeps things warm in the evening.

Expect:

• shared yurts for several guests at many camps, with private yurts available on request where possible;
• outdoor toilets and simple washing facilities, sometimes a basic shower or banya;
• electricity from solar panels or a generator, limited in the evening;
• little or no mobile signal.

Food

Meals are home-cooked and hearty: soups, boorsok fried bread, fresh dairy, potatoes, meat and vegetables, and plenty of tea. In summer, many families make kymyz, fermented mare’s milk. It is lightly sour and slightly alcoholic; try a little before committing to a full bowl.

Vegetarian meals are possible if requested in advance.

Things to do

• Horse riding on the pastures or along the lake shore, with local horsemen.
• Walks and hikes to viewpoints above camp.
• Watching daily life: milking, herding, felt-making, preparing kymyz.
• Stargazing: with no light pollution, the night sky at altitude is spectacular.
• Demonstrations of nomadic games or eagle hunting can sometimes be arranged in some areas.

Weather and altitude

At Song-Kul, nights can drop close to or below freezing even in July, and weather can turn quickly from sunshine to rain or hail. Days can be warm with strong sun. Mild altitude symptoms such as headache or poor sleep are common on the first night; rest, hydration and a slow pace help.

What to pack

• Warm layers: fleece, down jacket, hat and gloves.
• Thermal base layers for sleeping.
• Waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm.
• Headlamp, wet wipes, hand sanitiser.
• Power bank, since charging may be limited.

Respecting your hosts

Remove shoes when entering a yurt. Accept tea and bread when offered. Ask before photographing family members. Dress modestly and keep noise down after dark, since your hosts work from early morning.

Add a yurt stay to your trip

Our Kyrgyzstan Nomads tour includes yurt nights, and they can also be added to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan programs in summer. Send us a request with your dates, and we will build a program and quote.