Route: Bishkek City → Ala-Archa → Burana → Karakol Ski Base → Bishkek.
City culture, snowy mountains and skiing in one trip. Ski pass and equipment rental are not included.
MorningMeeting at your hotel. Ala-Too Square and the changing of the guard, the 10 m Manas Monument, the eternal flame on Victory Square, Oak Park with its Soviet sculptures, the White House and the Philharmonic Hall. The story of nomads and Soviets.
AfternoonOsh Bazaar, the biggest in Bishkek — mountains of spices, dried fruit, kymyz, Soviet medals, shyrdak carpets. The National Museum of Fine Arts, if open, for Kyrgyz painting.
EveningWelcome dinner at the Supara ethno-restaurant — try beshbarmak, the national dish of horse meat or lamb, with live komuz music. Overnight in Bishkek.
Bishkek, hotel
MorningDrive 40 km to Ala-Archa National Park — a winter fairy tale of snow-covered firs, a frozen river, ice formations and white 4,000 m peaks.
AfternoonAn easy 2-hour hike to the frozen Ak-Sai waterfall or the Broken Heart rock. Snowshoes provided if the snow is deep; hot tea from a thermos in the mountains. You may even spot snow leopard tracks (rare).
EveningReturn to Bishkek, free evening.
Bishkek, hotel
MorningDrive to Burana Tower — in the snow the minaret looks like a castle at the North Pole. Climb it for a view over the winter steppe.
AfternoonA long but beautiful 400 km drive to Karakol along Issyk-Kul — thanks to its salt the lake never freezes, even at −20 °C. Photo stop at the lake with snowy mountains behind.
EveningGuesthouse in Karakol — a family house with an optional Russian banya.
Guesthouse in Karakol
MorningTransfer to Karakol Ski Base, the best ski resort in Kyrgyzstan: base at 2,300 m, top at 3,040 m, 12 runs from green to black and 3 lifts. Tian Shan powder and no crowds compared to the Alps. Ski or snowboard all day.
AfternoonLunch at the mountain café at the top station with a panorama of the Terskey Ala-Too range and Issyk-Kul. An instructor is available for beginners ($20/h); freeride zones with powder when there is snow.
EveningAfter skiing — the Ak-Suu hot springs 10 km from Karakol: natural pools of 40–50 °C under the open sky surrounded by snow. Or a free evening in Karakol's well-known cafés.
3040 m Guesthouse in Karakol
MorningIf time allows — the snow-covered Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, mysterious in winter.
AfternoonDrive back to Bishkek (400 km) along the north shore with a lunch stop.
EveningArrival in Bishkek around 19:00.
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
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.
Dates on request
from · per person
$898
