Nomadic Kyrgyzstan: Lakes & Yurts
Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Kochkor and Son-Kul
Eight days around Issyk-Kul and up to the high-altitude lake Song-Kul – with nights in yurts, an eagle hunter show and genuine nomadic hospitality.
Route: Bishkek → Burana Tower → Boom Gorge → Konorchek canyons → Bishkek
East of Bishkek, near the town of Tokmok, stands the Burana Tower – the remains of an 11th-century minaret and one of the few surviving monuments of Balasagun, an important city on the Silk Road. Around it lie the outlines of the ancient settlement, a small museum and a field of balbals, carved stone figures from the Turkic period. You can climb the narrow stairway inside the tower for a view over the Chuy valley.
The second half of the day belongs to nature. Beyond the Boom Gorge a track leads to the Konorchek canyons, a maze of red and ochre sandstone walls, towers and narrow passages. With your guide you hike for about three to four hours through the canyons – one of the most striking landscapes within reach of Bishkek and still far less visited than the famous sights. In the evening you return to the capital.
Pick-up at your hotel around 8:00 and a drive of about 1.5 hours to the Burana Tower. Visit the tower, the balbal field and the small museum. Continue through the Boom Gorge and switch to a 4x4 for the track to the Konorchek canyons. Hike of about 3–4 hours through the canyons with a picnic lunch, then return to Bishkek in the early evening.
Prices per person in USD. The final price is confirmed with your booking. Child (2–11 years): −20%.
The cancellation terms for this tour are confirmed in writing together with your booking, before you pay anything.
Read our cancellation & refund policyIt is a moderate hike of about 3–4 hours with some short steep sections on loose ground. No climbing skills are needed, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain. The guide can shorten the route if needed.
Yes. A shorter half-day trip to the Burana Tower is possible as a private tour. Mention it in your request and we will send you an offer.
Children who are used to walking usually enjoy the canyons very much. For small children we recommend a shorter walk – please tell us their ages in your request.
Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Kochkor and Son-Kul
Eight days around Issyk-Kul and up to the high-altitude lake Song-Kul – with nights in yurts, an eagle hunter show and genuine nomadic hospitality.
Ala-Archa National Park and the Karakol valleys (Ala-Kul, Altyn-Arashan)
A compact but demanding mountain trip: acclimatisation in Ala-Archa, then the classic trek over the Ala-Kul pass to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs.
Ala-Archa National Park, Chuy region (about 40 km from Bishkek)
A guided day in the mountains just an hour from Bishkek: spruce forests, a glacier river and the Ak-Sai waterfall trail, with lunch in the park.