Route from Bishkek around Lake Issyk - Kul

So let's get started. If you arrive in Bishkek in the morning, I recommend that you do not linger in the city but head straight to Lake Issyk-Kul. It is better to explore Bishkek on the way back; half a day will be enough for that.

For such a journey, it is advisable to hire a car with an experienced driver. The first location worth visiting on the way to Issyk-Kul is the Konorchek Canyons, also known as the Red Bridge Canyons. To get there, you need to stop in the Boom Gorge, near the railway bridge located 140 km from Bishkek. From there, you will need to walk for about an hour through a narrow rocky gorge, and the trail will lead you to the valley of the red rocks of Konorchek. You can stroll around there for quite a while, as the valley abounds with beautiful rocks and various fanciful shapes made of red clay.
One important detail: you need to keep a close eye on the weather, and if heavy rain begins, you should quickly return, especially if you are in the narrow gorge leading to the Konorchek Valley. Strong mudflows can occur in these areas, and if it rains while you are in the narrow gorge, you may need to sit on the rocks for some time and wait for the water level to drop. Be cautious during this trek and pay close attention to the weather; it’s best to take a local guide who knows all the weather quirks in the area.

So we continue our journey and head to the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Today, it is recommended to reach the town of Cholpon-Ata and stay in one of the cozy guesthouses, of which there are a vast number.

A bit of information about Cholpon-Ata: this small tourist town has cafes, shops, banks, and ATMs, hot springs, nice sandy beaches, a yacht club (for boat and yacht trips), as well as many hotels and guesthouses with various living conditions. All of this allows for quite a comfortable stay. The active tourist season in Cholpon-Ata lasts for 2 months – July and August. During this time, there are many people, and it is very challenging to book accommodation; prices are also very high during this period. At other times of the year, it is quite calm and inexpensive. I recommend visiting these places in May-June and September-October. During these months, there aren’t many people, and it's warm enough. You can swim in the lake in June and September, but the water will be cool in May and October. The weather during these months is warm, reaching up to +25°C.

The next interesting location is in the mountains above the town of Cholpon-Ata. Locals call this place the Archiev Plateau, where the Boktu Dolonotu Glacier is located in the upper reaches. This area is not touristy at all, as it is little-known, and you are unlikely to meet any tourists there. The road there is quite challenging, and not every driver will agree to go there. However, the views that open up will more than compensate for all the difficulties of the road. Overall, I recommend that you ascend to the plateau and then take a walk towards the glacier and see the canyon located on the left side of the Archiev Plateau.

This trip will take an entire day, so plan your time accordingly.

The next interesting location on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul is the Grigorevskoye and Semenovskoye Gorges. I recommend allocating a whole day to visit these sites, as there is much to see. Let me start by saying that these places are very popular among tourists, and during the season, there are many people; however, the expanses of the gorges are so vast that you will certainly find a secluded spot for yourself.

First and foremost, head up Grigorevskoye Gorge, with the turnoff located in the village of Grigorevka. You need to drive up to the lakes, which are approximately 25-30 km from the main highway. The road is well-traveled, but to reach the lakes in Grigorevskoye Gorge, you will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Try to reach the second lake, as it is the most beautiful. However, don't linger too long here; there’s still much more to explore. Begin descending down the gorge, and after crossing one bridge over the river, the road will turn left and lead to a small pass; after crossing it, you will find yourself in Semenovskoye Gorge. Here, you need to get to Lake Syutu Bulak; ask any local, and they will show you the way. You are unlikely to drive all the way to the lake since the road there is very poor. You will need to leave your car by the last house of a local shepherd, using a large rock on the mountain opposite the house (a rock about 10 by 10m) as a landmark. Then, you have to walk up the road, and in about 40-50 minutes, you will reach Lake Syutu Bulak. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit; it’s a place worth seeing.

Another interesting location on the northern shore is the Ala-Balyk trout farm in the village of Chon-Uryk. It’s easy to find; there is a sign on the main road marking the turn to the farm. It's worth visiting to eat very delicious mountain trout. They will catch it from the water right in front of you and prepare it in several ways. They have a cozy café and outdoor gazebos. I highly recommend it; it's very tasty!

Continuing our journey, we head to the city of Karakol. I recommend spending 2-3 days here. There are many interesting and beautiful locations around the city. The city itself has good infrastructure, including shops, cafes, and hotels. They prepare national cuisine very well here, and you will only find such delicious food here and in Bishkek, so plan to visit local cafes in the evenings. I recommend going to the Dastorkon café (https://www.instagram.com/cafe_dastorkon/), which has a rich selection of national dishes and good service. You can also have lunch at the Stels café: it's affordable, delicious, and cozy. However, keep in mind that cafés do not operate after 8 PM; the phone number for the Stels café is +996 555 453 039. In Karakol, you can also see the ancient Dungan mosque, a wooden church, and the Przhevalsky Museum.

Let’s start with Karakol Gorge, which begins at the upper part of the city. In Karakol, you can visit two locations at once. The first is the Karakol ski base: during the summer, the cable car operates on request. The chairlift will take you to an altitude of 3050 m, from where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Issyk-Kul Lake. So, without significant effort or time investement, you can reach an elevation above 3000m, take lots of beautiful photographs, and enjoy breathtaking views.

Let me point out some potential pitfalls of this activity. You must inquire and arrange your lift to the panorama in advance by calling this number: +996772534081 (Karakol base administration), as the lift does not always operate on certain days. Another nuance is that launching the lift just for you will cost around $100. It’s not cheap, so it’s better to coordinate with someone in advance.
The second location is the gorge itself, which you can drive about 25-30 km into. The road is quite tricky but passable in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The views in Karakol Gorge are very beautiful and diverse. From the upper part of the gorge, you can hike to Ala-Kel Lake, which is located at an altitude of over 3500 m. However, I must say that this hike will be challenging for unprepared tourists. You need to be in good physical shape, not afraid of hiking and weather difficulties, and also have the appropriate gear and clothing. In general, if you want to undertake such a hike, study this route and its challenges in advance; there is a lot of information on this topic available online and on YouTube.
Another interesting location near the city of Karakol is the Altyn Arashan Gorge. It is located about 15 km east of Karakol. This is a popular tourist spot, and during the season, there are many people there, but the road is very challenging; you can only reach it in a serious jeep, UAZ, or a truck. Such vehicles can be hired in Karakol.

The gorge itself is very beautiful, and further up the gorge, there are several hot springs. There are also yurt camps and guest hostels that allow you to spend the night in the mountains with minimal comfort.

Altyn Arashan serves as a base camp for various hiking routes. It is used as a stopover on the way to Ala-Kul, in the Ak-Suu gorge, or the Karakol and Jeti-Oguz valleys. It is also a wonderful place to relax amidst the untouched nature of the Tian Shan. A trip to the gorge will take almost the entire day. I also want to mention that at the beginning of the gorge, there are hot pools at Aksu Kench, and you can stop there on your way back to warm up and relax in the warm pools.

Another interesting place not far from Karakol is the Turgen Ak-Suu Gorge. This location is not very touristy, as it is about 60 km from Karakol; apparently, people are too lazy to go there, which is a shame. The gorge is very beautiful, and in the middle part of the gorge, there are stunningly beautiful river meanders of the Turgen River. Higher up the gorge, there are enormous boulders next to which a person seems like an ant. If you climb even higher, you will reach the Chon Ashu Pass, which is 3,805 meters above sea level. The views from the pass are incredibly beautiful, showcasing the Tian Shan mountains. The most appealing aspect is that the road there is unpaved but quite good, allowing almost any vehicle to pass. Agree, where else can you drive a regular car to an altitude of 3,800 meters in just two hours? In general, if you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting this location. Plan to spend a full day there.

We continue our journey and move to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The first location here is the Jeti-Oguz Gorge, located about 20 km west of Karakol. At the beginning of the gorge, you will see the red rocks of the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart. If you take a short walk, you can see the beautiful waterfall called "Daughter's Braids." I do not recommend driving further up the gorge considering the limited time; the views are beautiful but similar to the previous locations.

On the same day, you can also visit the Joku Gorge; it is better to go right into the gorge. The division into right and left will occur further up past the village, with a red rock featuring a small cave on the left side of the road. Try to drive as far up the gorge as possible; the views will be very beautiful and grand. After descending from the mountains, I recommend spending the night in the village of Tamga, where there are many guesthouses and hostels. You can find contact information online and on Booking.
Continuing our trip along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, today I recommend visiting the Barskoon Gorge, where you can see waterfalls. The most accessible one is the Chasha Manas waterfall, which is no more than a 20-30 minute walk from the car. The paths to the other waterfalls will take significantly more time, and the ascent along the narrow steep trail can be quite exhausting; it’s up to you to decide how interested you are in this.

In this gorge, there are several other beautiful spots that can be reached by car. The road will ascend, and after a while, it will lead you to a serpentine that will take you to an altitude of 3,408 meters, where there is a signpost. Opposite this sign, on the left side, there is a small plateau that offers a stunning view of the steep mountains and sheer cliffs. I recommend stopping here for a photo session, but remember that if it was warm by the lake, it will be cold and windy at this altitude, so bring warm clothes.

However, this road continues its winding ascent along steep serpentine paths. After driving a little further, you will see a large glacier on the right side of the road; it’s an epic sight, with ice chunks hanging above you. At the highest point, you will reach an altitude of 3,800 meters, and before you will be the Arabel Plateau. It is covered with small lakes, and if the weather is sunny, the views will be breathtaking. With the program for this location completed, you can start descending. You will have to drive about 50 km to reach the main road since you have climbed very high into the mountains. Another pleasant aspect is that the road in this gorge is unpaved but very good; it is constantly being repaired and updated because it leads to the high-altitude Kumtor factory. Be careful and don’t speed too much, as the steep serpentine roads hold many dangers.

Let me tell you another interesting feature of this place. When you turn off the main road and start climbing into the mountains, you will see high rocky mountains covered with snow, and at that moment, it’s hard to imagine that in a couple of hours you will be looking down at these snowy peaks from your car. Remember this when you reach the Arabel Plateau and look back at the seemingly impregnable summits.

On this day, you will also have time to visit another interesting and very beautiful location—the Skazka Canyon, which is located 20 km west of the turnoff to Barskoon, and there is a sign for this place on the highway. The distance from the highway to the canyon is about 3-4 km, and the road goes through hills and cliffs made of red clay. At the beginning of the path, there is a barrier where they charge 50 soms per person for entry into the canyon. There’s no point in describing the canyon itself; it’s better to see it for yourself, and there are many photos and videos of this popular spot online. I will just say that to get great photos, it’s best to arrive at sunset, and wandering around these places in the evening is much more comfortable, as it’s not as hot.

Today, I recommend spending the night in a yurt by the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. There are several yurt camps in the villages of Tosor, Ton, and Bokombaevo, and you can easily find their contact information online. One of them is called Beltam, located right by the water in the village of Ton. I think it would be amazing to sleep in a nomad's dwelling and listen to the gentle sound of the waves, and in the morning, take a swim in the clear waters of the lake and relax on the wild sandy beach.
The most interesting and beautiful places have been visited, and it’s time to return to Bishkek. The drive from the village of Ton to Bishkek will take no less than 5 hours. In 2021, road repairs began on the highway along the southern shore of the lake, and the section from the village of Kadzhisay to Balakchi is currently under active renovation, so you won't be able to speed much here. This segment will take more than 2 hours. After the town of Balakchi, the road improves significantly.

I recommend making a stop in Boom Gorge to have lunch at one of the cafes. Cafes like Fut Zone, Ular Too, or Ak Jol will work, as the food in the others is not very good.
If you arrive in Bishkek before 4 PM, I suggest visiting the Osh Bazaar. It is a real eastern market where you can buy souvenirs, fruits, spices, nuts, and sweets.
If you want to explore Bishkek in more detail, plan a whole day for it, and I recommend contacting the Adygine company at +996999388333; they organize great tours in Bishkek.
I hope my recommendations will be helpful in planning your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at +996553131532, and I will share useful information with you.