TRIP ESSENTIALS
- Tour Type: 4×4 Off-Road & Cultural Expedition
- Total Duration: 5 Days
- Availability: June – September (Optimal for high-altitude passes and yurt stays)
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate (Altitudes up to 3,446m; mixture of hiking and rugged driving)
- Start and End Point: Bishkek
- Transport: Specialized 4WD SUV
Overview
This 5-day tour is a great way to see the main highlights of Kyrgyzstan in a short time. You will visit two famous lakes, Song-Kul and Issyk-Kul, and learn about the real life of local nomads. The trip includes an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, an eagle hunting show, and an easy hike in colorful red rock canyons. You will also travel by 4×4 vehicle to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs and visit the town of Karakol, known for its history and culture.
Day 1. Bishkek — Burana Tower — Song-Kul Lake
Our journey begins with a departure from Bishkek toward the Chuy Valley. Ourfirst stop is the Burana Tower, an 11th-century UNESCO-protected minaret. You can climb the narrow, dark spiral stairs to the top for a panoramic view of the valley and explore the nearby “balbals”—ancient stone warrior carvings. After a local lunch, we begin our ascent to Song-Kul Lake (3,016m) via the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (3,446m). As the asphalt ends, we enter the world of the nomad. Song-Kul is a vast alpine lake surrounded by lush pastures where Kyrgyz shepherds spend their summers. Upon arrival, we will settle into a yurt camp, enjoy a traditional dinner, and experience the silence of the high mountains.
- Meals: Lunch Dinner
- Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Special information
Today involves approximately 6 hours of driving (280 km) via the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,446 m). Due to the high altitude, it can be quite cold in the evenings, so please have your warm clothes ready. At the lake, experience a true disconnect: there is no mobile signal and electricity is limited, so ensure your power banks are fully charged. Facilities tonight are basic, with shared outdoor bathrooms and no showers.
Day 2. Song-Kol Lake — Ak-Say Canyon — Bokonbaevo
In the morning, there is time for a short horse ride by the lake to explore the area. After breakfast, the drive down from the mountains begins. In the afternoon, you reach the south shore of Issyk-Kul. Stop at Ak-Say Canyon for a 1-hour walk. The ground is sandy and the red clay rocks are shaped like castles. Later, arrive in Bokonbaevo village. You will meet an Eagle Hunter (Berkutchi) for a private demonstration. You will see how the eagle flies to the hunter’s hand on command and learn about how these birds are trained and fed. You can take photos with the eagle and talk to the hunter about his work. You will stay in a guesthouse in the village.
- Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
Special information
Today involves about 5 hours of driving (220 km). After the off-grid experience of Song-Kul, you will have access to electricity, hot showers, and Wi-Fi
Day 3. Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Barskoon – Jeti-Oguz – Karakol
After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the South Shore’s diverse landscapes. Our first destination is Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, an area of striking red sandstone formations. Centuries of wind and water erosion have created a natural gallery of ridges and spires that offer some of the best photography opportunities in the country. We then drive to the scenic Barskoon Gorge, famous for its ancient spruce forests and the cascading “Tears of a Leopard” waterfall. We will take a short hike to the falls and stop by the Yuri Gagarin monument, a tribute to the first man in space who often came here for rest. The final stop is Jeti-Oguz, where we view the iconic “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” red rocks before arriving in Karakol.
- Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
Special information
Today’s drive is about 4 hours (220 km) with multiple scenic stops.The hike to the waterfalls in Barskoon involves some uphill walking on forest paths
Day 4. Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Karakol
Today is all about the high mountains. We switch to a specialized heavy-duty 4×4 vehicle for a thrilling and rugged climb to the Altyn-Arashan Valley (2,600m). The drive is bumpy but spectacular, passing through pine forests and along a rushing river. At the top, you will see a wide alpine valley surrounded by peaks over 4,000m. You can enjoy the views of the Palatka Peak, then relax in natural hot springs (indoor baths). In the late afternoon, we descend back to Karakol.
- Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
Special information
The round-trip drive takes about 3.5 hours. The road is extremely bumpy and rocky, so please be prepared for a rough mountain ride
Day 5. Karakol — North Shore of Issyk-Kul — Bishkek
After visiting the famous Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Church in Karakol, we begin our return journey to the capital along the North Shore of Issyk-Kul. This route offers a different perspective of the lake with the water on one side and the towering Kungey Alatau mountains on the other. We will pass through the scenic Boom Gorge and enjoy lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will have a farewell dinner together to celebrate the end of our journey. Our team will then drop you off at your hotel or the airport in the evening
- Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
Special information
Today involves about 400 km and 7–8 hours of driving. The journey is long but comfortable as the road is mostly paved. Arrival in the city is usually between 20:00 and 21:00, depending on traffic.
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Kyrgyz Landscapes — See you in the mountains!