Stay overnight in a yurt camp

Staying overnight in a yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan is a truly unique cultural experience, where you can really immerse yourself in the nomadic lifestyle.

Most yurts are fairly simple inside, with raised beds and traditional décor. In colder areas there is usually a wood-burning stove for heating. Most camps have communal toilet and shower facilities, and hearty meals are served in the communal dining hall or tent. At some camps electricity may be limited to daylight hours.

One of our favourite places to get a taste of the real nomadic experience is Son-Kul Lake. Due to the remote location and the higher altitude, the camp is only open from the beginning of June to the end of September every year. The yurts here are simple and traditionally decorated but very cosy, and the shared facilities are kept spotlessly clean.

There are also a selection of yurt camps along the southern side of Lake Issyk-Kul, although some of these are a bit more commercialized.

For a yurt camp with a bit of added comfort, the Karkara Valley Yurt Camp, located along the Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan border a couple of hours east of Karakol, offers all ensuite yurts, with a limited supply of extra spacious and stunningly decorated luxury VIP yurts.