Time of year: June to September
Tour category: Most popular. Road trip
Duration: 5 days
📅 Time of Year
☀️ June – September
🧭 Tour Category
⭐ Most Popular | 🚙 Road Trip
⏳ Duration
📆 5 Days
💰 PRICE
💵 The price depends on several factors, including group size and travel season. Accessibility to some destinations may vary throughout the year, so a fixed price cannot be provided.
🗺️ Itinerary
📍 Bishkek
🏕️ Song-Kol Lake
🌊 Issyk-Kul Lake
🏔️ Karakol
♨️ Altyn-Arashan
🏙️ Bishkek
🛏️ Accommodation
⛺ 1 night in a yurt
🏡 1 night in a guesthouse
🏨 2 nights in a hotel
🎒 Useful Information
🧥 Weatherproof warm clothes
🧢 Hat
🕶️ Sunglasses & sunscreen
❤️ Why You Will Love This Tour
⛺ Experience authentic nomadic life in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt (boz-ui)
🕌 Discover the history of the Islamic Renaissance while visiting Burana Tower
🌊 Visit Kyrgyzstan’s two most famous lakes — Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul
🏜️ Explore the highlights of the south shore of Issyk-Kul: Fairytale Canyon, Barskoon Gorge & Jeti-Oguz Gorge
♨️ Relax in the natural hot springs of Altyn-Arashan
🐎 Enjoy horseback riding at Song-Kol Lake, one of the best places to experience nomadic life
📍 Day 1. Bishkek – Burana – Song-Kol Lake
🚐 Begin your journey through Kyrgyzstan with a scenic drive to the alpine Song-Kol Lake, the heart of the country's nomadic culture.
🕌 Your first stop is the famous Burana Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 11th century. Explore the ancient ruins of Balasagun, visit the museum, and climb the tower for panoramic views of the Chui Valley.
🍽️ Enjoy lunch at a traditional local café and taste the famous Kyrgyz pastry Kattama.
🏔️ Continue your journey toward Song-Kol, crossing Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,400 m) where you'll enjoy your first breathtaking view of the lake.
🐑 Drive through endless alpine meadows filled with grazing sheep, horses, goats, and cattle while observing the daily life of Kyrgyz nomads.
⛺ Arrive at the lakeside yurt camp. Spend the afternoon relaxing, walking along the shore, or enjoying an optional horseback ride.
🌌 End the day with a traditional dinner under the stars before spending the night in a Kyrgyz yurt.
📝 Notes: ⛺ Overnight in a yurt.
📍 Day 2. Song-Kol Lake – Bokonbaev
🌅 Wake up surrounded by the peaceful beauty of Song-Kol Lake.
🐎 After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing horseback ride along the lakeshore, watching herds of wild horses and experiencing the tranquil atmosphere of nomadic life.
🍽️ After lunch at the yurt camp, say farewell to your hosts and continue your journey toward Bokonbaev Village on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
🚐 Enjoy a scenic 5-hour drive through spectacular mountain landscapes before checking into a cozy guesthouse.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight in Bokonbaev.
📝 Notes: 🏡 Overnight at a guesthouse.
📍 Day 3. Explore the South Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake
🦅 Meet a traditional Kyrgyz eagle hunter in Bokonbaev and learn about the centuries-old tradition of hunting with golden eagles.
📸 Capture unforgettable photos with the majestic eagle after the demonstration.
🏜️ Continue to the famous Fairytale Canyon (Skazka Canyon), where colorful red and yellow rock formations create an extraordinary landscape.
💦 Visit Barskoon Gorge, famous for its beautiful waterfalls and dense spruce forests. Enjoy a short hike to the first waterfall.
🏔️ Explore the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic natural attractions, known for its dramatic red rock formations and alpine scenery.
🚐 Arrive in Karakol, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
🍽️ Dinner at a local restaurant.
📝 Notes: 🏨 Overnight at a hotel.
📍 Day 4. Off-Road Adventure to Altyn-Arashan
🚙 Today you'll switch to a legendary 4×4 Soviet UAZ vehicle for an exciting off-road adventure to Altyn-Arashan.
🌲 Travel through spectacular mountain landscapes along the Ak-Suu River, navigating scenic mountain serpentines.
♨️ Altyn-Arashan, meaning "Golden Spring", is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous mountain valleys, known for its dense spruce forests, stunning scenery, and natural hot springs.
🍽️ Arrive in time for lunch before spending the afternoon relaxing in the therapeutic hot springs.
🥾 Enjoy a peaceful walk through the valley before returning to Karakol.
🍽️ Finish the adventurous day with dinner at a local restaurant.
📝 Notes: 🏨 Overnight at a hotel.
📍 Day 5. Return to Bishkek
🚐 Enjoy a scenic drive back to Bishkek along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, surrounded by the majestic Kungey Ala-Too Mountains.
🏞️ Stop at the beautiful Kyrchyn (Grigorievka) Valley, home of the World Nomad Games, where you'll have time for a short walk and fantastic photos.
🍽️ Continue to Cholpon-Ata for lunch at a local restaurant.
🏙️ Upon arrival in Bishkek, enjoy a short city tour featuring:
🏛️ Ala-Too Square
🏢 Parliament House
🤍 White House
🛍️ Osh Bazaar
🥂 Celebrate the end of your adventure with a farewell dinner together with your guide.
ℹ️ Good to Know
🐎 No horse riding experience is required.
📆 We also offer 8–10 day tour options based on this itinerary.
💬 If you would like to receive a personalized quotation, please send us an inquiry, and we will prepare the best offer based on your group size and travel dates.
