Bishkek — Issyk-Kul — Song-Kol — Kel-Suu
Kyrgyzstan in 10 Days: Mountains, Lakes and Nomads
10 daysModerateSummer
from$1,700/ person
Book nowClassic Kyrgyzstan in 6 Days
Bishkek and Ala-Archa, Burana Tower, Issyk-Kul, Jeti-Oguz, eagle hunters in Bokonbaevo and a night in a yurt at Song-Kol.
Duration
6 days
Difficulty
Easy level
Season
Summer
Group
Private tour
Itinerary
A short route through the main places of the country. We start with Bishkek and Ala-Archa, see Burana Tower on the way to Issyk-Kul, sleep in Karakol, then drive the south shore past Jeti-Oguz to Bokonbaevo for an eagle-hunting demonstration and a night with a local family.
On day four we go up to Song-Kol (3,016 m) for a night in a yurt, kumys and homemade dairy. On the way back, in Kochkor, we meet the women who make shyrdak and ala-kiyiz felt carpets. A good fit if you are short on time.
Day 1
Arrival in Bishkek, Ala-Archa
- We check into the hotel and see central Bishkek: Oak Park, Osh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square and Victory Square. After lunch we drive to Ala-Archa National Park, a mountain gorge with a river and spruce forest.
- Overnight: hotel in Bishkek
- Meals: not included
Day 2
Bishkek – Burana – Issyk-Kul – Karakol
- On the way to Issyk-Kul we stop at Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and all that is left of the Karakhanid city of Balasagun. Then we drive the north shore with stops in the Grigorievka and Semenovka gorges. If time allows, we visit the history museum in Cholpon-Ata. Dinner in Karakol is with a local Uyghur family.
- Overnight: hotel in Karakol
- Driving: about 450 km, 7–8 hours
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Karakol – Jeti-Oguz – Bokonbaevo
- In the morning, Jeti-Oguz gorge: the red rocks called the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart, spruce forest and meadows. Then we drive along the south shore to Bokonbaevo, where an eagle hunter shows how he hunts with his bird and talks about the tradition.
- Overnight: homestay in Bokonbaevo
- Driving: about 200 km, 3–4 hours
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Bokonbaevo – Song-Kol
- We drive up to Song-Kol Lake at 3,016 m. Around it are summer pastures where herders live in yurts with their horses. At the camp we try kumys (fermented mare's milk) and homemade dairy.
- Overnight: yurt camp at Song-Kol
- Driving: about 250 km, 4–5 hours
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 5
Song-Kol – Kochkor – Bishkek
- We come down from Song-Kol over the passes. In Kochkor local craftswomen show how they make shyrdak and ala-kiyiz felt carpets. After lunch we drive to Bishkek; the evening is free.
- Overnight: hotel in Bishkek
- Driving: about 360 km, 7–8 hours
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 6
Departure from Bishkek
- Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
- Meals: not included
Included
- Twin or double rooms, early check-in on Day 1
- A night in a homestay and a night in a yurt camp
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Transport for the whole tour
- English-speaking guide, except for the airport transfer on Day 6
- Sightseeing and entrance fees for the places and museums in the itinerary
- Mineral water on the road
- Felt-carpet workshop in Kochkor
- Eagle-hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and consular fees, visa support and registration, where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Single-room supplement
- Extra hotel services
- Early check-in after Day 1 and late check-out
- Horse riding and other optional activities
- Photo and video fees at sites that charge them
- Tips and personal expenses
Good to know
- In the cities we stay in hotels, in Bokonbaevo with a local family, at Song-Kol in a yurt camp.
- At the homestay the bathroom may be shared. At the yurt camp the toilets are shared and outside.
- The road to Song-Kol crosses high passes and depends on the weather.
- Meals follow the itinerary. Where it says not included, you pay yourself.
- Horse riding is optional and paid separately, if horses are available locally.
| Group | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,980/ person |
| 2 people | $1,300/ person |
| 3 people | $1,150/ person |
| 4–10 people | $950/ person |
Prices in USD per person, depending on group size. We will confirm the exact price for your dates.
Upcoming departures
Dates on request — the tour runs whenever suits you.
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Route map
Route stops in order. Tap a number to see the place name.
- 01Bishkek
- 02Ala-Archa National Park
- 03Burana Tower
- 04Cholpon-Ata
- 05Grigorievka Gorge
- 06Semyonovka Gorge
- 07Karakol
- 08Jeti-Oguz
- 09Bokonbaevo
- 10Song-Kol
- 11Kochkor
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