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All of Kyrgyzstan in one epic journey: Bishkek, Ala-Archa, Chon-Kemin, a loop around Issyk-Kul, Karakol, the canyons and a horseback crossing to Son-Kul. If you have the time, take this one.
Route: Bishkek → Ala-Archa → Chon-Kemin → Cholpon-Ata → Karakol → Jeti-Oguz → Tosor → Skazka → Kochkor → Son-Kul → Bishkek.
Eight days: the capital and the mountains, the Silk Road, the gorges and waterfalls of Issyk-Kul, Kochkor's crafts and a night in a yurt at Son-Kul.
MorningAla-Too Square, Oak Park, the Manas Monument and Victory Square — an introduction to Kyrgyz history.
AfternoonOsh Bazaar — spices and souvenirs; try samsa. The Fine Arts Museum.
EveningWelcome dinner with beshbarmak.
Bishkek, hotel
MorningDrive 40 km to Ala-Archa National Park (2,200 m). Hike along the river through juniper and fir forest and alpine meadows.
AfternoonHike to the Ak-Sai waterfall or the Ak-Sai glacier viewpoint; eagles and marmots. Picnic.
EveningReturn to Bishkek.
2200 m Bishkek, hotel
MorningBurana Tower (11th century), the balbals (6th century) and the museum; climb the minaret.
AfternoonThe Chon-Kemin Valley national park — pine forests and rivers. A walk through the village and meeting the locals.
EveningFamily dinner and overnight in Chon-Kemin. Lunch and dinner included.
Meals: lunch, dinner Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin
MorningThe Cholpon-Ata petroglyph museum — 5,000 carvings from 2000 BC to the 4th century AD: ibex, hunters, snow leopards; Scythian art.
AfternoonDrive 150 km to Karakol for a city tour — the Dungan Mosque, built without nails in 1910; the wooden Orthodox church (1869); the Przhevalsky Museum.
EveningGuesthouse in Karakol.
Guesthouse in Karakol
MorningJeti-Oguz — the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart: a 45-minute hike, an optional horse ride and yurts.
AfternoonBarskoon Gorge — the Tears of the Leopard and Manas Bowl waterfalls, the Gagarin truck and a panorama of Issyk-Kul from 2,500 m.
EveningHomestay in Tosor.
2500 m Homestay in Tosor
MorningSkazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon — best at sunrise; explore the castles.
AfternoonEagle show in Bokonbaevo with a golden eagle and Taigan hounds; a shyrdak workshop in Kochkor, where women make felt carpets (UNESCO-listed heritage) — you can buy directly from them.
EveningGuesthouse in Kochkor.
Guesthouse in Kochkor
MorningDrive to Kyzart, then a 2–3-hour horseback crossing of the 33 Parrots Pass (3,400 m) to Son-Kul Lake (3,016 m) — a huge alpine lake 27 km long with hundreds of yurts and horse herds.
AfternoonNomadic life — milking mares, kymyz, riding around the lake, visiting families, playing ulak tartysh.
EveningOvernight in a yurt — beshbarmak for dinner and the Milky Way overhead.
3400 m Yurt at Son-Kul, 3,016 m
MorningSunrise over Son-Kul — horses in the mist, the best photos.
AfternoonDrive via Kochkor back to Bishkek (350 km).
EveningDrop-off around 19:00.
3016 m
30% deposit to book, the remaining 70% before the trip. Cancellation 14+ days before — 100% of the deposit refunded; 7–13 days — 50%; less than 7 days — non-refundable (except where required by law).
A manager will check availability and contact you. A request is not a confirmed booking.
Bishkek & Chuy Valley
Discover the essence of Kyrgyzstan in four unforgettable days — the perfect first journey: Bishkek and Ala-Archa, Burana Tower, Chon-Kemin, red canyons and the south shore of Issyk-Kul.
Dates on request
from · per person
$460
Issyk-Kul
Chon-Kemin, the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, Karakol, the Jeti-Oguz and Barskoon gorges and sunrise in Skazka Canyon — a loop around Issyk-Kul in four days.
Dates on request
from · per person
$460
Issyk-Kul
The old merchant town of Karakol, the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz and the Altyn-Arashan hot springs, reachable only by a 4×4 UAZ.
Dates on request
from · per person
$460
