Discover Kyrgyzstan through a 5-day trek starting from Bishkek to Song Kol Lake. Explore Burana Tower and experience nomadic life at a yurt camp. Witness eagle hunting in Ak-Say Canyon and enjoy scenic hikes and hot springs at Altyn-Arashan in Karakol. End your journey at Cholpon-Ata’s Petroglyphs Museum before heading back to Bishkek, taking with you cherished memories of this captivating adventure.
Morning pick up from the place we agreed beforehand in Bishkek city (it can be the airport, a hotel, etc.) Today, we leave Bishkek for Lake Song-Kol at 9:00 a.m. On the way, we’ll pause at Burana Tower, an ancient site with grave markers, earthworks, and castle ruins from the city of Balasagun, dating back to the 11th-13th centuries.
In the afternoon, we arrive at Song-Kol Lake and settle into a yurt camp by the lake. Enjoy the stunning views and optional activities like horseback riding and hiking. Dinner and overnight stay at the yurt camp.
Total Drive: 300 km / 4-5 hours
Meal: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
In the morning, we’ll have fun by the lake, riding horses(optional for extra pay) or taking walks to experience the local nomadic lifestyle. The views are stunning, trust me. After lunch, we’ll go to Issyk-Kul Lake, which is the second-largest alpine lake in the world.
On the way, we’ll stop at Ak-Say Canyons on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul to explore and watch golden eagle hunters demonstrate their hunting skills with eagles. Then, we’ll reach the village of Bokonbaevo in the late afternoon and settle into the next yurt camp. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the yurt camp.
Total Drive: 240 km / 4 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Today, we’re heading to Karakol. During our journey, we’ll stop at Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, Barskoon Waterfall, and Jeti Oguz Gorge for quick hikes and photo sessions.
We’ll have a picnic lunch amidst the natural surroundings before reaching Karakol in the late afternoon. We’ll stay at a guest house for accommodation and have dinner at nearby cafes.
Total Drive: 170 km / 3 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guest house or Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll set off on an off-road adventure and hike to the Altyn-Arashan mountain valley. Our journey will begin from Ak-Suu village, where we’ll trek 16 kilometers to reach Altyn-Arashan. Once we arrive, we’ll relax in the hot springs and enjoy a delicious lunch.
The resting place is surrounded by stunning mountains, a flowing river, and lush forests, creating a picturesque setting. Later in the afternoon, we’ll be picked up directly from Altyn-Arashan Gorge by an off-road vehicle, taking us back to Karakol. We’ll stay overnight in a guest house and have dinner at local cafes.
Total Drive: 2 hours
Total Hiking: 4-5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guest house or Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll begin our trip back to Bishkek. On the way, we’ll pause in Cholpon-Ata to visit the Petroglyphs Open Space Museum, filled with ancient stone circles, tombs, statues called balbals, and many petroglyphs. These drawings on rocks are from long ago, dating from the 2nd millennium BCE to the 4th century AD..
Next, we’ll make a stop at a local café to taste traditional Kyrgyz Kattama which is a tasty puff pastry that’s crispy outside and soft and juicy inside. Once we reach Bishkek, the tour will conclude. We’ll bid farewell, eagerly anticipating our next meeting!
Total Drive: 400 km / 5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
To get prices for this tour, please Request the Tour or Get in Touch with Us.
*Except the yurt camps
You can bring everything you need. Remember that in the summer, Bishkek can get as hot as 40 degrees Celsius, and it can be as cold as minus 5 degrees Celsius in the mountains. Be ready for sudden changes in the weather.
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