Feel Nomad Yurt Camp — Hotel in Issyk-Kul Region

I chose Feel Nomad Yurt Camp because I loved the thought of staying in an authentic yurt next to an Alpine lake and close to the mountains.|It was everything I had hoped for.|I arranged transport with the yurt camp. They sent a driver to collect me from my hotel in Bishkek.|The drive takes a long time. Around 4 hours, as the roads close to Bishkek can be congested and the condition of the roads as you near the lake are in a state of disrepair.|The transport cost me US$85 one way|Before I visited I had wondered about the drive to Almaty. For anyone thinking the same it is about a 7 or 8hr drive from the camp. The driving time is also dependent on the time it takes for the border crossing into Kazakhstan. This can sometimes be a long process.|Once you arrive at the yurt camp it is every bit as amazing as the photographs suggest. |There are approximately 8 yurts and each yurt is well positioned. I happened to be given yurt number 4 and when I opened my door on a morning, I was rewarded with the most amazing sunrise.|The yurts are well constructed and have three single beds, a small table and a couple of chairs and a stove.|There is plenty of space. While I was there the temperature was starting to really drop on a night and so the stove was lit for you. It is very efficient heating and made the yurt very cosy.|The toilet / bathroom facilities are communal, very much like normal camping. They are good, clean facilities, although hot showers are only available daily between 8pm and 10pm.|Food is served in the main yurt. This is the place that guests come together and share food and their experiences. The food served is homemade, plentiful and delicious.|There are set food times, 8am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch and 7pm for dinner|My breakfast was included but I paid extra for lunch and dinner. |Electricity is available for 2hrs a day, between 8pm and 10pm and there is wifi, though the connection is not always reliable.|It’s a real get away from it all location. A short walk down to the lake on a sand pathway and you discover an endless beach next to the lake, which feels more like the sea. There are walks nearby or horse riding can be organised through the canyon with a guide or kayaking on the lake.|It is remote and once you’re here it is not easy to get elsewhere unless you ask the lady who runs the camp to organise transport for you. She speaks Russian and German and will use a translation app to speak with you. They will arrange trips to places like Fairy Canyon or the local town, all for an extra fee.|I spent two nights here and I think this is a good amount of time. I felt I had plenty of time and did the things I wanted to.|I have to also mention the puppy who lives there. Her name is Hunter and what a poppet she is. Once she knows you, she greets you so enthusiastically every time she sees you and will also happily accompany you on long beach walks. She was great company for me.|I really recommend a visit to this yurt camp as long as you know what to expect, it could be difficult otherwise.|The views and surroundings were...

We enjoyed our stay at Feel Nomad yurt camp very much. First time we stayed for 2 nights during our Culinary Tour. After the tour we returned for further 5 nights, because it was so great there.||Part 1: |During our Culinary tour in Kyrgyzstan, we had a two-night stay at Feel Nomad Yurt Camp. It is a little camp of 8 yours with additional bricked facility yurts, just 200 meters from the beach. The surrounding is amazing mid of Ak-Say Canyon. Nazgul was our chef and trainer for our cooking class. She explained us how to prepare plov, borsook, shurpa, and soup Young Bride. Mr. Ilich, her husband and the boss of the house, showed us how to make shashlyk. We enjoyed the cooking, but also the food very much. Thank you all.||Part 2: |After the food tour, we returned to the beach vacation for another 5 nights. The sandy/fine gravel beach is only 200 m from the campsite. There are no special facilities there, but it's almost entirely yours.||The camp is nice. All yurts are new, at very good conditions and very clean. Beds are comfortable. There is a table and two chairs inside. After 8:00 p.m. there is electric light. We had a 4-bed-yurt for two of us. There was enough space. At the camp there is a shower yurt with two cabins, and a toilette yurt with two cabins (WC). Additionally, there are 5 places for washing. Everything was clean, at good condition, and proper function. Further shower cabins and toilettes are under construction. ||The dining yurt is big, comfortable, and clean. The food served is fresh prepared and very delicious. Nazgul is a very good cook. She and her team (actually it’s her family) take care on their guests. All members are very friendly and helpful. A great and nice family. We enjoyed being there and would come again if possible. Thank...

We had a nice stay at Feel Nomad for two nights, but feel with a few simple changes it could be much better.

Pros: clean yurts and bathrooms. By the lake.

Cons: Staff were not friendly or welcoming. There was no warm welcome when we arrived. There was one guy who was friendly but he only spoke to us on the last day before we left. We were not aware of any activities or local walks nearby - a board with this information would be an easy fix. Staff didn’t explain anything. We didn’t even realise there was actual tea or coffee until our last day.

We arrived on a cloudy day and wanted to relax inside. We were told we couldn’t relax in the dining area but instead had to relax in the yurt which meant we’d have to just sit or lay in bed. They should allow guests to use the dining area indoors should they wish - especially for poor weather.

Food - they cater to vegetarians which is good. On the first night, guests were served chicken, potatoes and veg and vegetarians were given potatoes and veg. They should give a larger portion of potatoes for vegetarians since they aren’t having the meat. The second night we had plov and again larger portions were needed.

The beach area is nice but would be amazing with some sunbeds or benches. People would definitely stay here for longer if so.

Fire - I cannot believe they charge to put on a fire at night outside. This felt...