7-day Issyk-Kul Lake Tour

Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to the capital. Standard check-in at hotel after 14:00.

We start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square. After, we can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys.

After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market – Osh bazaar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people and a great variety of goods and colors.

In the evening, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek, where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

Meals included: no meals included

Accommodation: Hotel 3* 

Note: it is highly recommended to book an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure.

Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret located in Chuy Valle. The tower with funerary monuments remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

On the road, we stop in Iskra village to have lunch with the Dungan family. You learn the fascinating story of why this Muslim Chinese group immigrated to the region 140 years ago, and how families today keep their traditional culture and cuisine alive.

After we keep our way towards Chon Kemin valley. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse in Tar Suu village.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

After breakfast, we go towards Issyk Kul lake, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan.

We visit Grigoriev and Semienov gorges, located on the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, 60 kilometers from Cholpon Ata. These places are considered as one of the most famous attractions in the Issyk Kul region. You can walk, enjoy the wild nature around you, and have a pleasant pastime in this beautiful place.

Lunch on the road in the restaurant.

When we get to Karakol, we will visit its famous sights such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.  Dinner at a restaurant or in the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* 

After breakfast, we go towards Jeti Oguz gorge. The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Then we go to the Barskoon Gorge. The gorge is famous for its waterfalls. One of the best known is Tears of a Leopard. Here you find the monument for the first cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin, who was very fond of this place and rested in the nearby Tamga military sanatorium.

When we get Tamga, you will try a Russian sauna. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse in Tamga.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Breakfast in the guesthouse. Then we go towards Bokonbaevo by the south shore of the lake, where it is possible to meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey (option). Eagle hunting is one of the ancient traditions of nomads.

Along the way, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front
of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.

Then we go to the canyons of Ak Sai located 16 km from Bokonbaevo. You can walk there and climb to the panoramic point to have the magnificent view of the canyons.

After we drive back to Bokonbaevo, where we offer an optional visit with a local eagle hunter and his bird of prey (optional). Eagle hunting is one of the ancient traditions of nomads.

Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.

Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

The road to Bishkek passes again through the Boom gorge.

On the way, we offer an optional visit of Kyzyl Tuu village where the local family reveals the secrets of yurt production. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation (optional).

Upon arrival to Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* 

Optional activities: yurt show (80 USD per group). Must be booked in advance

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Meals included: Breakfast