Colors of Kyrgyzstan

Private tour

Price

from $995

Availability

June – September

Duration

10 days

Difficulty

Middle

Tour type

Outdoor

Overview

This 10-day journey takes you through Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful landscapes! We begin in Bishkek, where we’ll visit Ala Archa National Park and the city’s key sights. Explore the ancient Burana Tower and ride horses in Chon-Kemin valley. Experience nomadic life at Son-Kul Lake, witness eagle hunting at Ak-Sai canyon, and stay in yurts by Issyk-Kul lake. Discover the famous Fairytale (Skazka) canyon, hike to Barskoon waterfall, and enjoy horseback riding in Karakol gorge. Explore the wonders of Jyrgalan, marvel at Djety-Oguz Red Rocks, and unwind in hot springs. Explore Kok-Jaiyk valley and its waterfall, and take a walk through the stunning Kok-Moynok canyon before returning to Bishkek.

Highlights

Visit 3 famous canyons: Kok-Moynok, Fairytale(Skazka) & Ak-Sai canyons
Visit 2 famous lakes: Son-Kul & Issyk-Kul lakes
Horseback riding & Hiking during the trip
See eagle hunting show
Visit waterfalls
Stay in traditional yurts
Visit National parks
Try different traditional cuisines
Relax in hot springs

Itinerary

Day 1. Bishkek city - Ala-Archa National Park - Bishkek city

Morning pick up from the airport or the place we agreed beforehand in Bishkek city (it can be a hotel, guesthouse, etc.)

Today, we’re heading to Ala Archa National Park, a peaceful place known for picnics and easy walks, surrounded by 20 glaciers. You can enjoy a relaxed walk by the river or climb the mountains for a stunning view of the valley. We’ll also get to see and feed wild birds and squirrels there.

Later on, we’ll come back to Bishkek for lunch. After that, we’ll explore Bishkek, visiting spots like the statues of Manas, Kurmanjan Datka, and Lenin, Oak Park, the Opera and Ballet Theater, Victory Square, and important government buildings like the Parliament and the White House.

We’ll finish our day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Total Drive: 80 km / 2 hours
Meal: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2. Bishkek city - Burana tower - Chon-Kemin valley

After breakfast, we’ll head out to visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun built by the Karakhanids. Alongside the tower, you’ll see grave markers, ancient earthworks, and remnants of a castle and mausoleums. You can explore a small museum and view Balbals, ancient stone markers.

Next, we’ll journey to the Chon-Kemin valley for lunch at a guesthouse. Then, we’ll go horseback riding to enjoy the tranquility of the area.

Dinner and stay overnight in a guesthouse with a local family.

Total Drive: 160 km / 2.5 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 3. Chon-Kemin valley - Son-Kul lake

After breakfast, we’re heading to Son-Kul Lake, an alpine lake located at 3016 meters above sea level, making it the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan. It’s surrounded by vast summer pastures and mountains, offering a glimpse into the traditional nomadic way of life.

At Son-Kul Lake, men spend their days riding horses and looking after cattle brought from nearby villages, while women manage household tasks like cleaning, cooking, baking bread, and making dairy products from cow and horse milk. You’ll see many horses freely grazing and breeding in this natural setting.

In the afternoon, we’ll reach Song-Kol Lake and settle into a yurt camp by the lakeside. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking views and take part in optional activities such as horseback riding and hiking. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the yurt camp.

Total Drive: 200 km / 3 hours

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp

Day 4. Son-Kul lake - Ak-Sai Canyon - Bokonbaevo

In the morning, we’ll head to Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake globally. Along the way, we’ll stop at Ak-Say Canyons on the lake’s southern shore, where you can explore and watch golden eagle hunters show their hunting skills with eagles.

Afterward, we’ll hike up to the Ak-Sai canyon viewpoint, offering stunning views of the lake, mountains, and the canyon itself. The scenery is truly amazing, and you’ll enjoy every moment of it. Finally, we’ll arrive at Bokonbaevo village in the late afternoon and settle into the next yurt camp by the Issyk-Kul lake shore. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the yurt camp.

Total Drive: 240 km / 4 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp

Day 5. Bokonbaevo - Fairytale canyon - Barskoon waterfalls - Karakol

Today, we’re leaving Bokonbaevo to explore the natural beauty of the south shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Our first stop is the captivating Fairytale Canyon, known for its breathtaking scenery in Kyrgyzstan. After admiring the canyon and taking numerous photos, we’ll journey to Barskoon valley.

In Barskoon valley, we’ll hike to the waterfalls for about an hour, enjoying the picturesque surroundings and capturing memorable moments with our cameras. From there, we’ll continue our drive to Karakol.

There, we’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Total Drive: 180 km / 3 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 6. Karakol - Djety-Oguz - Kok-Jaiyk - Karakol

Today, our adventure takes us to Djety-Oguz, where we’ll explore the striking red rocks, hike to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the impressive Seven Bulls Rocks, and snap some memorable photos.

Later, we’ll drive to Kok-Jaiyk valley, tracing a mountain river through forests and scenic mountains. After lunch at a yurt camp, we’ll embark on a 2-hour hike to reach a beautiful waterfall. After soaking in the stunning scenery and the waterfall’s beauty, we’ll return to Karakol for dinner and an overnight stay.

Total Drive: 80 km / 1.5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 7. Karakol - Karakol gorge - Hot springs - Karakol

Today, we’re going to explore the Karakol gorge. We’ll start with a horseback riding trip for the day, enjoying the beautiful views as we ride through the gorge.

For lunch, we’ll have a nice meal in nature surrounded by forests, rivers, and big mountains. After horseback riding, we’ll relax at the Ak-Suu Hot Springs. It’s a great way to unwind and ease your muscles after a day of outdoor activities, soaking in the warm water with the mountain scenery around you.

Later, we’ll drive back to Karakol, have dinner, and spend the night.

Total Drive: 50 km / 1 hour
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 8. Karakol - Jyrgalan valley - Karakol

Today, we’re going to start our journey to the Jyrgalan valley. Once we get there, we have a fun plan to ride horses around the area. This way, we can explore the beautiful waterfall and a lake known as Turnaly Kol.

We’ll also get to see a famous rock called Tulpar Tash. The scenery from these spots is just amazing. You’re really going to love what you see.

If riding horses isn’t your thing, don’t worry—we can go for a walk to these places instead.

After, we’ll head back to the city of Karakol. Once we arrive, we’ll find a nice place to have dinner. Then, we’ll spend the night there, resting up for whatever comes next.

Total Drive: 130 km / 3 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse

Day 9. Karakol - Kok-Moynok - Bishkek

After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to Bishkek. Along the way, we’ll stop at Kok-Moynok Canyon to take beautiful photos and go for a short hike.

Later, we’ll visit a local café to enjoy traditional Kyrgyz Kattama with sour cream. Kattama is a tasty puff pastry with a crispy outside and a soft, juicy inside.

Upon arriving in Bishkek, we’ll have our final dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Finally, we’ll say goodbye, hoping to meet again someday!

Total Drive: 380 km / 5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 10. Bishkek - Airport

After breakfast, we’ll gather at the hotel and visit a souvenir shop to pick up some Kyrgyz traditional keepsakes. Then, we’ll head to the airport. It’s time to say goodbye, and we hope to see you again soon!

Total Drive: 40 km / 1 hour
Meal: Breakfast

Prices

Number of people	2	3	4	5	10
Price per person (USD)	1760	1475	1195	1130	995

To get prices for other group sizes, please Request the Tour or Get in Touch with Us.

Included / Excluded

Accommodation – as per program
English speaking driver/guide
Meals – as per program
Entrance fees
Transport services during all the tour
Eagle hunting show
Drinking water
All activities

Personal expenses
Single room supplement*
Alcohol and soft drinks
International airfares
Travel insurance
Tips for driver and guide(optional)

*Except the yurt camps

Map

Gallery

Additional info

Clothes & Equipment

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.

Recommended:

Rain-coat
Waterproof pants
Sweater/fleece
Wind-stopper
Enough t-shirts and other underwear (think of taking smth with long sleeves to avoid sunburns)
Power bank (to charge devices)
Hat (remember – the sun can be violent)
Sun-screen cream (30 or higher)
Insect repellent (skin + clothes)
Good, waterproof trekking boots for easy hikes in the mountains.
Walking shoes (don’t need heavy ones) for the city walks
Personal first aid kit (most likely problems: blisters, sunburns, allergy, diarrhoea, sore muscles after hikes. Take painkillers, anti-histaminic, antibiotics of general action, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions).
Personal hygiene kit (disinfection gel is highly recommended) + some toilet paper.
A small towel
Swimming suit (for Issyk-Kul)
Sunglasses
A smaller backpack, except for your normal suitcase.
Flash light (torch)
Walking poles if needed