About this tour
Duration: 8 days
Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September
Hiking level: Easy. Comfortable trekking or hiking shoes are required for walks. A hat and sunglasses are recommended. Please bring a rain jacket, as Tien Shan mountain weather can be unpredictable.
Meals: Full board (3 meals per day)
Transportation: For groups we use a 13-seat Mercedes Sprinter minibus. For 4–5 travelers, a Hyundai Starex or similar 4WD vehicle is provided.
Route: Bishkek – Kaji-Sai – Skazka Canyon – Barskoon Gorge – Jety-Oguz Valley – Karakol – Teploklyuchenka – Grigoriev Gorge – Cholpon-Ata
Issyk-Kul Lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic natural landmarks and a symbol of the country.
The lake is surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges, snow-capped peaks, and spectacular alpine gorges. Its shoreline lies at over 1,600 meters above sea level. Rich natural diversity, authentic nomadic culture, folklore shows, мастер classes, and delicious national cuisine attract travelers from all over the world. Mountain valleys lead to high passes offering breathtaking panoramas of Issyk-Kul and unforgettable landscapes.
Welcome to Issyk-Kul!
Program
Meet and greet at Bishkek Airport. Transfer to a 4★ hotel. Traditional Kyrgyz welcome. Dinner at an ethnic teahouse-restaurant.
Drive to Issyk-Kul via the scenic Boom Gorge. Excursion to the Kok-Moinok canyons en route. Stops along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul for photos and stories about the lake’s geography and history.
In Bokonbaevo village you will enjoy an engaging introduction to Kyrgyz traditions. At the Salburun Ethno Center you will learn about traditional falconry, watch archery demonstrations, and see a golden eagle hunting show.
After the Salburun show, transfer to the small town of Kaji-Sai and hotel check-in.
After a short rest, excursion to Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon. Return to hotel. Dinner.
Early departure to Barskoon Valley to visit its famous waterfalls. Photo stops and guide commentary about the Tien Shan mountains.
Continue to Jety-Oguz Gorge to see its striking red sandstone formations. Lunch in a traditional yurt.
Drive onward to Karakol — the tourism capital of Kyrgyzstan. Hotel accommodation. Dinner at a restaurant.
Excursion to Teploklyuchenka village to visit a private local history museum. Then drive into the scenic Ak-Suu Gorge. After enjoying the alpine nature, return to Karakol. Lunch at a restaurant.
City tour of Karakol and visit to the memorial museum of the great explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky.
Overnight at hotel.
Morning drive via Tyup village to the picturesque Grigoriev Gorge. Photo stops and time to enjoy the landscapes.
Lunch at a trout farm restaurant featuring fresh trout dishes.
Continue to the resort town of Cholpon-Ata. Check-in at a lakeside hotel on the shore of Issyk-Kul.
Dinner at a restaurant.
Free day. Optional activities: beach отдых, boat trip on Issyk-Kul, excursion to the Nomadic Civilization Center with traditional hospitality ceremony, national cooking мастер-class, and felt handicraft мастер-class.
Dinner at a restaurant.
Morning leisure time: beach and relaxation. Afternoon departure to Bishkek.
En route visit the Burana Tower historical and architectural complex (UNESCO heritage site).
Arrival in Bishkek. Hotel check-in. Dinner at an ethnic teahouse-restaurant.
Transfer to the airport for departure
Price
1/2 DBL price
Price Upon Request
Included / Excluded
- Transportation throughout the tour
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program
- Hotel accommodation
- Full board (3 meals per day)
- мастер classes (traditional crafts & cuisine)
- Traditional Kyrgyz welcome ceremony
- Golden eagle hunting show
- Airport transfers
- International flights
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Single room supplement
- Beverages and bar expenses
