I was born in Karakol and live in Switzerland. This winter, join me in the snowy mountains of my hometown: four ski days for every level, horses, yurts and hot springs. Small groups, from CHF 1,690.
I was born in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, and have lived in Switzerland for 10 years. I organise every trip myself, so you see my country the way Kyrgyz people live it, in comfort: yurts, horses, home cooking and the places I love.
Looking for summer? Yurts, horses and high mountain lakes from May to September.
See summer tripsDreaming of snow? Discover the Winter Fairytale in Karakol, December to March.
See the Winter FairytaleKyrgyzstan gets a lot of snow, and in winter its mountains turn into a real fairytale. Ski in a spruce forest and on brand-new slopes, ride up the mountain on horseback, and if you like, take a snowcat to wild powder where no one else goes. Beginners enjoy gentle slopes, experts get adventure, and everyone warms up in hot springs and Kyrgyz hospitality.
Are you ready to dive into the snow? I'm from Karakol, and I'll show you my snowy hometown the way locals live it. A driver and a local English-speaking guide are with you everywhere.
After years of hosting friends and family in my hometown, this winter I'm opening my trips to everyone. The first groups get a founding-season price, and in return I'd love your honest feedback, photos and stories. Prices will be higher from next season.
The first two departures (11 December and 15 January) cost CHF 1,690 instead of CHF 1,820. Booking with a friend? You each save CHF 100.
This is not a resort holiday with a Kyrgyz decor. It is winter the way people in Karakol live it.
You are welcomed into homes as a guest, not processed as a tourist: dinners with local families, tea with the horsemen, and a team that knows every road and every village.
Ride up the valley with local horsemen, sleep in a felt yurt heated by a stove, sweat in a Russian banya and roll in the snow, and meet a berkutchi who hunts with his golden eagle.
You stay in a local guesthouse in Karakol, not an international hotel, and eat Kyrgyz and Dungan food: hand-pulled noodles, beshbarmak, fresh bread and endless tea.
19–26 March: celebrate Nooruz, the Kyrgyz New Year, on 21 March, with a festive dinner and traditional sumolok. Small groups of up to 10 travellers. No departures over Christmas and New Year.
Prices in EUR and USD are approximate, based on November 2026 exchange rates. You pay in Swiss francs (CHF).
First departure shown. Other dates follow the same programme.
Salamatsyzby! I'm Aiga.
I'm originally from Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, my home country. I studied in the USA and in Europe, and for the past 10 years I have lived in Switzerland. Now I share my home country with travellers from Switzerland, on trips I organise myself.Now I share my home country with travellers from all over Europe, on trips I organise myself.
Everyone you meet on the trip, from drivers and guides to host families, are people I have known since childhood. Because I am local, I open doors that tourists rarely see.
I hold a bachelor's and a master's degree in economics, and I speak English, French, Russian and Kyrgyz.
I promise you the most authentic experience and true Kyrgyz hospitality: local cuisine, natural food, wild mountains and nomadic culture, memories you will never forget.
The wild Kyrgyzstan, without the hassle. Here is what is included in every trip.
Pick-up and drop-off at Manas Airport in Bishkek, and support from arrival to departure.
A comfortable Toyota Sequoia 4×4, or a minivan for bigger groups, with a professional driver, free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, power banks and drinking water to refill your bottle.
A local Kyrgyz guide who speaks English, Russian and Kyrgyz, and knows the people and places on the route.
Boutique hotels, charming guesthouses and yurts with proper beds and heaters, all reserved for you. Prices are per person in a shared room, for 2 or sometimes 3 people; a single room is available for CHF 60 per day on the winter trip.
Workshops, tastings, horse riding and every experience in the programme, at no extra charge. Optional extras, such as cat skiing, are marked.
You book your own flight, and I share tips on the best connections.
Before your trip, I send you a detailed agenda and clear instructions: what to pack, what to expect each day and who will meet you on arrival.
Would you like to talk first? We can have a video call, or meet for a coffee in Switzerland, with me, to answer all your questions.
Last checked in November 2026. Always confirm entry rules with the Swiss FDFA before you travel.
Swiss citizens can enter visa-free. Under the new rule you may stay up to 30 days within any 60-day period (it used to be 60 days). Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
There are no direct flights. Most travellers fly Turkish Airlines via Istanbul to Manas Airport (FRU) in Bishkek, about 10 to 12 hours. You book your own flight, and I share tips.
Kyrgyzstan is on UTC+6 all year: 5 hours ahead of Switzerland in winter, 4 hours in summer.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but bring some cash too, for markets, hot springs and tips. Bring euros or US dollars to exchange; Swiss francs are hard to change outside Bishkek.
Sockets are type C and F (230 V). Two-pin Swiss plugs fit, but three-pin Swiss plugs (type J) do not.
Best for treks, yurt stays and high lakes. Spring and autumn suit cities and the south. Winter is for skiing near Karakol.
I want the next generation to find Kyrgyzstan as wild as I knew it as a child. On every trip, my team and I follow these rules.
We take all our rubbish back with us, from every camp and every picnic.
Every traveller gets a reusable bottle, refilled from our large water containers. Our guesthouses do not hand out disposable plastic slippers or mini toiletries, so please bring your own house slippers.
Our groups are small, and we stay on existing tracks: on foot, on horseback and by car.
We wash with biodegradable soap, away from the water, and our camp toilets are placed far from lakes and streams.
No picking flowers or plants, and we watch animals from a distance.
We cook on gas stoves and never cut living trees.
In nature reserves, we camp only where it is allowed and follow every rule of the rangers.
Local horsemen, cooks, guesthouses and food: tourism should help the families who look after these mountains.
I brief my whole team before each season, and I ask you to help too: a small rubbish bag in your daypack makes a big difference.
Kyrgyz people are famous for their hospitality. A few simple gestures show respect, and open every door.
Never enter a home or a yurt with your shoes on: it is one of the biggest signs of disrespect. Take them off at the door. This is why your own house slippers are so useful.
When you enter a yurt, step over the wooden threshold, never on it. Never step over the tablecloth with food (the dastorkon), and do not point your feet at it.
Never throw bread away, put it upside down or leave it on the floor. If a piece falls, pick it up.
Most Kyrgyz are Muslim, in a relaxed and welcoming way. Pork is almost never served. Alcohol is available in cities, and you can always politely say no. In a mosque, cover your shoulders and knees; women also cover their hair.
Hosts offer more food than you can eat. Taste a little of everything: you do not have to finish. The place of honour, furthest from the door, is for elders and special guests.
Accept at least one cup. Hosts pour a little at a time and refill often: it keeps the tea hot and is a sign of care.
Greet elders first and let them sit and speak first. Men often shake hands with both hands; with a woman, wait until she offers her hand.
Ask before you photograph people, especially women and elders. In villages, modest clothes are appreciated.
Visiting a family? A small gift from Switzerland, such as chocolate, is always welcome. If your trip falls during Ramadan, some people fast during the day: please be discreet when eating in front of them.
Visa, health, food, money and everything else to know before you travel. Last checked in November 2026.
No, if you are Swiss or from the EU. Citizens of 55 countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa and stay up to 30 days within any 60-day period. This rule applies since 1 January 2026; before, it was 60 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. You can check your nationality on the official portal evisa.e-gov.kg.
No. Within your visa-free stay, you do not need to register.
Most travellers fly Turkish Airlines from Geneva or Zurich via Istanbul to Manas Airport (FRU) in Bishkek. Many flights land early in the morning: we meet you whatever time you arrive. Please book your flight only after your trip is confirmed, and send me your flight details.
Yes, it is required. It must cover medical emergencies, evacuation and repatriation. For the winter trip it must also cover skiing and off-piste skiing; for riding trips, horse riding. Please send me proof before departure.
In summer: layers (evenings at 3,000 m are cold, even in August), a warm jacket, good walking shoes, a hat and strong sunscreen, swimwear for the hot springs, a head torch, a reusable water bottle, light house slippers (tapochki) and your own towel. For the winter list, see the Winter Fairytale section. I send you a full packing list before the trip.
On the winter trip we drive, so luggage and skis travel with us in the car. Summer routes with a domestic flight (Two summits, Silk Road) use small planes with lower allowances: a soft bag of about 20 kg is ideal, and I confirm the exact allowance when you book.
No vaccinations are required to enter Kyrgyzstan from Switzerland or Europe. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about recommended vaccinations 4 to 6 weeks before you leave.
We recommend filtered, boiled or bottled water. Our car carries large refillable water containers, so you can fill your own bottle at any time.
Some places are above 3,000 m, such as Song-Kul lake (3,016 m). Our routes climb gradually. Drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you have a headache. If you have a heart or lung condition, ask your doctor before you book.
Bring enough for the whole trip in your hand luggage, with the prescription. In the mountains, pharmacies and clinics are far away.
Kyrgyzstan is known for its hospitality. As everywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in markets. Our cars carry a first-aid kit and our team knows every route. Please also read the Swiss FDFA travel advice before you go.
Kyrgyz food is generous and home-made: meat (mostly lamb and beef), noodles, fresh bread, dairy such as kaymak cream, salads and, in summer, lots of fruit. Horse meat and kymyz (fermented mare's milk) are local specialities: always optional.
Tell me when you book, and again before you travel. I inform every cook, guesthouse and restaurant in advance, and I can give you an allergy card in Russian and Kyrgyz. If your allergy is serious, bring your own emergency medicine, such as an adrenaline pen: some places are far from a hospital.
Yes, with advance notice. Vegetarian meals are easy everywhere. Vegan and gluten-free meals are possible but simpler, especially in yurt camps. Kyrgyzstan is a mainly Muslim country and pork is rare; tell me if you need strictly halal food.
Yes, in cities and most restaurants. Toasts are an important tradition at Kyrgyz tables.
It is not required, but it is appreciated. Many travellers leave a tip for the guides, drivers and camp crew at the end of the trip. I can suggest an amount.
A local SIM card is cheap and can be bought at the airport. There is good coverage in towns, but often no signal in the mountains, for example at Song-Kul or in the high valleys.
It depends on the route. The classic loop has easy walks and an introductory horse ride. The winter trip suits every ski level, and non-skiers too. The trek with two summits is for very fit hikers. Each itinerary shows its level.
Felt walls, real beds with warm blankets and a stove for cold nights. Toilets are usually outside, and showers are simple or absent in the highest camps.
Yes. Prices are per person in a shared room, for 2 or sometimes 3 people. Solo travellers are welcome: you can share a room with other travellers of the same gender, or book a single room (CHF 60 per day on the winter trip). Families are welcome on the classic loop: tell me the children's ages so I can adapt the programme.
You pay the full price by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in Swiss francs, when you book. Prices in EUR and USD on this website are approximate.
Yes! Any trip can be a gift card, for Christmas, a birthday or an anniversary. Just contact me with the trip you would like to give, and I'll send you a beautiful gift card to print or email. The person you give it to then chooses the date that suits them.
You get 80% of the price back if you cancel, at any time. Just send me a message on Instagram (@mykyrgyzdream). Or, if you prefer, you move your booking to another date, free of charge, and you lose nothing: everything you paid counts for the new date. I recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover.
I let you know in good time and offer you another date or a full refund. Guaranteed departures, even with one traveller: 11–18 December, 15–22 January and 22–29 January in winter, and 29 May–7 June and 19–28 June in summer.
Of course. We can have a video call, or meet for a coffee in Switzerland, with me.
Another question? Write to me
These are the same terms you accept when you book a trip.
This contract sets out the terms and conditions for participation in the group trip to Kyrgyzstan organised by AGY Tours (the "Organizer"). All participants (the "Participant") must read and accept this agreement.
Participants send the registration form, send proof of health and travel insurance, and have read the trip schedule. By accepting, the Participant confirms that they have read, understood and agree to the above terms and conditions.
Small groups of up to 10 travellers, 10 days in Kyrgyzstan, organised by me, in comfort, with a professional driver and a local English-speaking guide. After booking, you buy your own flight to Bishkek.
Prices in EUR and USD are approximate, based on November 2026 exchange rates. You pay in Swiss francs (CHF).
High mountain yurt camps such as Song-Kul are open from June to mid-September. If the season starts late, the May trip follows a lower-valley route with Issyk-Kul, canyons and Silk Road sites.
Riding Sary-Chelek with Aiga, two dates only: 31 July and 14 August 2027. 12 days, hosted by me personally, for up to 8 travellers: five days riding through the lakes and walnut forests of Sary-Chelek, then Arslanbob and Osh, with two nights in a five-star hotel in Bishkek (spa and massage included) and private camps. See the riding itinerary
First departure shown. Other dates follow the same programme.
Please read the participation agreement before you pay.
This contract sets out the terms and conditions for participation in the group trip to Kyrgyzstan organised by AGY Tours (the "Organizer"). All participants (the "Participant") must read and accept this agreement.
Participants send the registration form, send proof of health and travel insurance, and have read the trip schedule. By accepting, the Participant confirms that they have read, understood and agree to the above terms and conditions.
A little background on the places you will discover with me.
Issyk-Kul means "warm lake" in Kyrgyz: even in the coldest winters, it does not freeze. It is about 182 km long and up to 60 km wide, at around 1,607 m, and up to 668 m deep. It is the second-largest mountain lake in the world, after Lake Titicaca.
The sunny north shore has beaches and resorts such as Cholpon-Ata. The wilder south shore has red canyons, eagle hunters and quiet villages. In summer you can swim; in winter, the hot springs along the shore are a treat.
Karakol lies at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul, at about 1,745 m, with around 84,000 people. It was founded in 1869 as a Russian garrison town and was called Przhevalsk for much of the 20th century, until 1991.
Don't miss the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral with its golden domes, and the colourful Dungan mosque, built between 1904 and 1910 by Chinese craftsmen without a single nail. On Sunday mornings, the animal market is an unforgettable sight. And try ashlan-fu, the cold noodle soup the town is famous for.
Driving time from town
Six things not to miss
From frontier outpost to mountain town
Not a big hotel, on purpose
The Karakol Ski Base is about 30 minutes from town. In Soviet times it was a training base for Olympic athletes, and it was modernised in the 2000s. Slopes run from about 2,300 m to over 3,000 m, with around 20 km of pistes through spruce forest, so you can ski even on cloudy days.
It is best for intermediate skiers and freeriders, and the lift passes are cheap. The season usually runs from late November to March, with the best snow in January and February. To be honest, the lifts are older and slower than in the Alps. It is authentic, not polished, and that is its charm. We avoid the busy New Year week.
Ala-Too means "colourful mountains". It is a huge new ski project in the Jyrgalan valley, about 45 minutes from Karakol, famous for its deep snow. The first phase, with modern Doppelmayr lifts, is planned to open in December 2026.
Over the coming years, it should grow across three mountains, Jyrgalan, Boz-Uchuk and Ak-Bulak, to around 250 km of slopes, which would make it the largest ski area in Central Asia. Opening dates for new resorts can change, so I confirm everything before your trip.
About 94% of Kyrgyzstan lies above 1,000 m, and around 40% above 3,000 m.
Victory Peak (Jengish Chokusu) is the highest of three peaks over 7,000 m.
Kyrgyzstan has around 1,900 lakes, many of them above 3,000 m. Issyk-Kul alone holds most of the water surface.
Thousands of glaciers cover about 4% of the country and feed the great rivers of Central Asia.
One of the longest epic poems in the world, recited from memory by storytellers called manaschi. A performance can last up to 13 hours. It is on the UNESCO list since 2013.
The red flag shows a golden sun with 40 rays, for the 40 Kyrgyz tribes. In its centre is the tunduk, the wooden crown of a yurt.
Kok-boru, the horseback game, the felt carpets shyrdak and ala-kiyiz, and the craft of the white felt hat ak-kalpak are all on UNESCO’s heritage lists. Kalpak Day is celebrated on 5 March.
Kyrgyzstan created the World Nomad Games in 2014: the Olympics of the steppe, with horse games, eagle hunting, wrestling and archery.
Kyrgyzstan is a mountain country, like ours. More than 90% of it is mountains, and the valleys are open to walkers and riders.
Short clips from the road. Hover or tap a clip to watch it move.
Ski slopes, snowy forests, yurts, hot springs and cosy evenings in Karakol: this is what winter in Kyrgyzstan looks like.Every photo here was taken on the road: yurt camps, mountain rivers, summer pastures and the people and horses I met along the way.
From the shores of Issyk-Kul to the walnut forests of the south, each one with a note on how it compares to home.
Nomad culture is still part of everyday life here. These are the moments my travellers talk about when they get home.
Wool felt walls, a stove in the middle and the tunduk, the yurt's wooden crown, open to the stars. Herding families host guests from June to September.
Horses are how people cross the high pastures. Multi-day rides suit beginners too, with local guides and sturdy, calm mountain horses.
Hunting with golden eagles is a tradition passed from father to son. Watch a demonstration on the south shore of Issyk-Kul.
A fast and wild team game played on horseback, the national sport. Summer festivals bring it to villages all over the country.
Spend an afternoon with women's felt cooperatives and take home a carpet or cushion you helped to make.
The national dish of noodles and slow-cooked meat, shared from one big plate. Wash it down with kymyz, fermented mare's milk.
Choose a starting point. I adapt every route to your pace and holiday dates.
The exact agenda, with times for each day, will be sent to you before the trip.
The programme may change because of weather and/or human factors that the organiser cannot control. In that case, we will always offer you an equivalent alternative.
Dreaming of snow? Tell me about your winter trip, or any other season: your dates, your interests and how active you'd like to be. I'll plan it just for you and reply personally.
Send me a message on Instagram. I usually reply within a day.
DM me on Instagram@mykyrgyzdream