Trip Around Lake Issyk-Kul

7 Days / 6 Nights

Tour dates

May 1 – 7 June 6 – 12 July 18 – 24 August 8 – 14 August 15 – 21 September 5 – 11 September 19 – 25

Who This Tour Is For

This tour is designed for active travelers who love wild nature, enjoy long walks along mountain trails, and admire stunning mountain and canyon views. For those who want to taste delicious local cuisine and get acquainted with the culture of the nomadic people of Central Asia.

How the Tour Goes

Throughout the tour, we will travel by car to different gorges and hike along mountain trails of varying lengths and difficulty. In the evenings, we return to guesthouses.

We will breathe fresh mountain air, admire the incredibly beautiful landscapes of Kyrgyzstan’s wilderness, take many stunning photos, learn about nomadic culture, and enjoy delicious national food made from natural products.

During the 7 days, we will travel more than 1,500 km. You will experience different climate zones — from the hot summer of the Chui Valley to the cool mountain lakes and gorges. We will visit more than 10 different locations, see unusual red clay canyons with fantastic shapes and reliefs, drive up to an altitude of 3,450 m, take vivid photos against glaciers, swim in Lake Issyk-Kul, and spend a night in a real Kyrgyz yurt.

Every day you will see new, incredibly beautiful places — and even when it feels like you’re overwhelmed with emotions and views, we will surprise you again and again.

Route and Locations
Bishkek – Konorchek Canyon – Orto-Tokoy Reservoir – Lake Issyk-Kul – Bar Bulak – Ak-Sai Canyon – Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon – Barskoon Gorge – Manas Cup Waterfall – Joku Gorge – Jeti-Oguz Gorge – Seven Bulls Rocks and Broken Heart – Karakol Gorge – Old Mill Museum – Chon Uryukty Gorge – Trout Farm – Grigoryev Gorge – Boktu-Dolonotu Gorge – Hot Springs – Chu River Canyon – Bishkek

Transport & Guide

We use comfortable Mercedes Sprinter minibuses. Our drivers are experienced mountain drivers and also act as guides — explaining locations, showing the best spots, handling accommodation, managing timing, organizing meals, and assisting with any needs.

Meals

All breakfasts are included. Lunches are taken in the mountains and prepared by us: sandwiches with cheese and sausage, pâté, boiled eggs, samsa, fresh vegetables and fruits, cookies and sweets, tea from thermoses, honey, and jam.
Dinners on Days 1 and 2 are included. Dinners on other days are not included

Introduction to the culture

This trip will allow you to get acquainted with the rich, nomadic, multi-ethnic culture of Central Asia.

We will visit several museums, look at fascinating ancient monuments, listen to folklore music, exchange with local residents in their day-to-day life and spend a night in an authentic Kyrgyz yurt.

Program

Day 1.

Departure from Bishkek at 9:00 AM. In 2.5 hours, we reach Boom Gorge and start trekking in Konorchek Canyons.
● Hiking time: ~3 hours
● Distance: 8 km
● Elevation gain: 200 m
After the hike, lunch at a café, then we continue to Bar Bulak and stay overnight in a yurt camp on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Dinner at the yurt camp.

Day 2.

Then, we will visit 3 locations. In the morning, we go to Ak-Sai Canyon, hike up to a panoramic viewpoint, and have a photo session. Next — Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon: walking through the canyon, bright and unusual photos. Lunch by the lake.
After lunch, we head to Barskoon Gorge, drive up to 3,450 m, reach a panoramic viewpoint, and take photos with glaciers. Then we visit waterfalls, hike to them, take photos, return to the car, and go to the guesthouse. Check-in, rest and dinner.

Day 3.

In the morning, we head toward new adventures. We will visit Joku Gorge — the most beautiful location on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. We drive to the middle of the gorge and hike along a mountain trail.
● Distance: 8 km
● Elevation gain: 250 m
After hiking and taking photos, we will have lunch. Then we go to Jeti-Oguz Gorge to see the red rocks “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart,” followed by a short walk. After that, we drive to Karakol, check-in to a guesthouse, and have dinner at a local café.

Day 4.

After breakfast, we hike in Karakol Gorge.
● Distance: 9 km
● Elevation gain: 470 m
● Hiking time: ~3 hours
After the trek, we will have lunch at the national restaurant Dostorkon. Then we will visit the Old Mill Museum. After the museum, we return to the guesthouse and rest.

Day 5.

That day, we will travel to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. After a couple of hours, we will arrive at Chon Uryukty village and visit a trout farm. Fresh trout will be caught and cooked for us.
While the fish is being prepared, we hike into the mountains and climb to a viewpoint overlooking the valley and Lake Issyk-Kul. Afterwards, we will return to the trout farm for lunch.
After lunch, we will go to Grigoryev Gorge for a walk along the mountain river and to see spruce trees growing on rocks. Then we check-in to a guesthouse and have dinner at a local café.

Day 6.

On day 6, we will visit a very beautiful place — Boktu-Dolonotu Gorge.
● Active trek: 10 km
● Elevation gain: 560 m
● Duration: 4–5 hours
We will stop in the mountains for a packed lunch prepared in advance. After the trek, we go to relax in hot mineral pools. Free time and rest afterward.

Day 7.

In the morning, we will depart for Bishkek. On the way, we’ll make a short stop to visit the Chu River Canyon. In Tokmok city, we stop at a national café for lunch.
After lunch, we continue driving. If you fly out in the evening, we will take you to the airport. If you stay overnight in Bishkek, we will take you to your hotel and then to the airport the next day

Information

The price of the tour and what it includes

The price for a group

8-9 persons 899 $ – per 1 person

Price Includes

Transportation during the tour
● Group guide/driver
● Accommodation in hotels and yurts (6 nights)
● Meals: all breakfasts and lunches
● Dinners on Days 1 and 2
● Entrance fees to nature reserves and museums
● Hot springs visit (1 hour)
● Drinking water (1 liter per person per day)

Not Included

Alcoholic beverages
● Single-room accommodation
● Dinners on Days 3, 4, 5, and 6
● Overnight stay in Bishkek on the last day
● Flight tickets

Send me your details

Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Akhunbayeva str., 119/7

susanintours@gmail.com