Route: Bishkek → Burana → Cholpon-Ata → Karakol → south shore of Issyk-Kul → Kochkor → Son-Kul → Bishkek
This journey is the perfect introduction to Kyrgyzstan. From Bishkek you travel past the 11th-century Burana Tower to Issyk-Kul, the vast "warm lake" that never freezes, framed by snow-capped peaks. You explore the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, the bizarre formations of Skazka canyon and the multicultural town of Karakol.
The second half of the tour takes you deep into nomadic life: a felt-making workshop in Kochkor, a falconer demonstrating his golden eagle, and two nights in a yurt camp on the shore of Song-Kul at 3,016 m, where horses and sheep graze on endless alpine meadows. Comfortable, well paced and suitable for any reasonably fit traveller.
Meet your guide at Manas International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After some rest, take a walk through the green heart of Bishkek: Ala-Too Square, the changing of the guard at the national flag, Oak Park and the lively Osh Bazaar. Welcome dinner with traditional Kyrgyz dishes such as beshbarmak and lagman.
Drive east through the Chuy valley to the Burana Tower, a minaret of the ancient Karakhanid city of Balasagun, surrounded by a field of mysterious balbal stone figures. Continue through the Boom Gorge to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. In the afternoon visit the open-air petroglyph museum in Cholpon-Ata, with rock carvings up to 3,000 years old, then enjoy a swim in the lake.
Continue to Karakol at the eastern tip of the lake. See the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral and the colourful Dungan Mosque, built without a single nail. In the afternoon drive into the Jeti-Oguz gorge to admire the red cliffs known as the "Seven Bulls" and the "Broken Heart". In the evening you are invited to dinner by a Dungan family – try their famous ashlyan-fu.
Travel along the quieter southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Near Bokonbaevo a local berkutchi shows how golden eagles are trained to hunt – a tradition going back centuries. Afterwards explore the Skazka ("Fairy Tale") canyon, whose wind-carved red and ochre rocks look like castles and dragons. Overnight in a yurt camp right by the lake.
In the village of Kochkor, local women demonstrate how shyrdak and ala-kiyiz felt carpets are made, and you can try it yourself. After lunch with a local family, a 4x4 takes you over the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (3,446 m) with its spectacular serpentines to Song-Kul. Settle into your yurt and watch the sunset over the lake.
Spend a whole day on the high pastures. Ride along the shore on a sturdy Kyrgyz horse (about two hours, suitable for beginners), help the shepherd family milk mares and taste fresh kymyz. In the afternoon, relax, hike up a nearby hill for panoramic views or simply enjoy the silence. After dark the Milky Way is breathtaking.
Say goodbye to your hosts and drive back to Bishkek through the Kochkor valley and the Boom Gorge (about 6 hours with stops). In the afternoon there is free time for souvenir shopping – felt goods, ak-kalpak hats and local honey. Farewell dinner with folk music in a traditional restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel and, depending on your flight time, some free time in Bishkek. Transfer to Manas International Airport for your flight home.
Prices per person in USD. The final price is confirmed with your booking. Child (2–11 years): −25%.
The cancellation terms for this tour are confirmed in writing together with your booking, before you pay anything.
Read our cancellation & refund policyYes. Yurt camps are simple but comfortable, with beds or mattresses, blankets and shared toilets. It is a gentle tour for any reasonably fit traveller; just bring warm clothes for the cold nights at Son-Kul.
No. The 2-hour ride at Son-Kul is optional and suitable for beginners; you can also go for a walk along the lake instead.
Yes, on any date in the season. The price per person depends on the group size, as shown in the price table.
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.
Chuy valley: Burana Tower near Tokmok and the Konorchek canyons near the Boom Gorge
Silk Road history and red-rock scenery in one day: the 11th-century Burana Tower with its balbal stones, then a hike through the Konorchek canyons.
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Kyrgyzstan
