Eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan

Pick up at the airport and transfer to Bokonbaevo village (3-4hrs) located on the southern shore of the stunning Issyk-Kul Lake, pearl of Central Asia. On our route, we will visit the ruins of Balasagun, the capital of the medieval 10-13^th century Turkic Karakhanid capital which was once captured by Genghis Khan. From there we will pass through the beautiful Boom Gorge on our way to the lake. In the second half of the day you will have your first introduction to hunting with eagles and greyhounds.

Our hereditary hunters will show how their nomadic ancestors hunted many centuries ago. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and watch how the Kyrgyz greyhounds (taigans) climb up onto the backs of their masters’ horses to follow the soaring birds of prey as they hunt. You can even test your hand at archery. In the evening there will be a delicious roast. We will spend the night like real nomads in traditional Kyrgyz yurts.

Now that we know how to hunt, it is time to discover where it is done. From Bokonbaevo, we will go horseback to the Zyndan mountains. But first we will stop in Tuura-Suu village where the hunters and their golden eagles will be waiting for us. During the trip, we recommend you spend time with these berkutchi hunters to better immerse yourself in the culture of their nomadic civilization. They will tell you that the strongest predatory bird for hunters is the golden eagle, which can hunt everything from hares and foxes to wolves and mountain goats. They will also explain how the birds are raised and taught hunting. The connection that is born between the bird and the berkutchi is so strong that it lasts a lifetime.

After we have joined our hunters, we will hunt. Following a stop for lunch, we will set out into the Ak Tash mountains. In the evening, we will enjoy a dinner of game roasted on the fire and spend the night in the picturesque pasture of Uch-Unkur in shepherd’s yurts.

Hunting the golden eagles is a subtle art, any Berkutchi will tell you. Success depends on both the location of the hunt and bird selection. Your guides will share their wisdom and you will learn the most important techniques.

We will pass the day hunting in Kok-Sai Gorge among the wildlife and diverse landscapes, helping you to improve your skills. In total, we will cover about 30 km. For dinner we will have the most famous Kyrgyz dish besh barmak (five-finger dish). We'll spend the night in the yurt camp at Zhaichy.

On Day 4, we will transfer to the Jyldyz-Tor (Star Gorge) mountains by car where we will join the hunters and start exploring the mountains. Today is a day for getting closer the birds, handling them and gaining even more practice.

During your hunt you will experience the majesty and strength of these birds and appreciate their skills in helping you hunt. After the hunt we will return to Bokonbaevo village with our catch, where we will enjoy an incredibly tasty dish - kuurdak – cooked from the products of our hunt. We will spend the night in a guest house there.

Transfer to Bishkek. Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will stop at the hotel for a rest, and then we will go for a walk around the capital. On our walk, we will pass the central square of Ala-Too and examine the monument dedicated to the Kyrgyz folk hero “Manas”. We can also enjoy the exhibits of the State Historical Museum, the monument the Soviet politician Vladimir Lenin, the old square and government house, and the monument to the leader of the Alai Kyrgyz, Kurmanzhan Datka.

After the walk we will go to the central department store (TSUM), where you can buy souvenirs from the handicraft stalls. We will cap off our day with will have a farewell dinner of tash-cordo cooked according to the ancient recipe of hunters and accompanied by a folklore music presentation at Baibol teahouse. 

You will be transferred to the airport for your return home the following morning.