3 days trip around Issyk Kul
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
3 days trip around Issyk Kul Highlights
Experience three unforgettable days around Issyk-Kul Lake, the “Pearl of the Tien Shan”. On the way from Bishkek you visit the 11th-century Burana Tower and enjoy a homemade lunch with a Dungan family in Iskra village, before following the lake shore to the charming town of Karakol.
Along the south shore you take in the red sandstone cliffs of Jeti-Oguz, walk to the waterfalls of Barskoon Gorge and wander through the surreal rock formations of Skazka Canyon. Spend a night under the stars in a traditional yurt on the Boz-Salkyn high pasture, hike or ride to the sweeping Shatyly viewpoint above the lake and witness the ancient art of eagle hunting near Bokonbaevo, an authentic taste of Kyrgyz nomadic heritage.
Difficulty: Easy Sightseeing tour with short walks (Barskoon waterfalls, Skazka Canyon) and a half-day hike to the Shatyly viewpoint (or an optional horse ride). Long drives of 430 km (6–7 hours) on day 1 and 280 km on day 3, partly on dirt roads, and one night in a simple nomad yurt on a high pasture with shared WC and no shower.
Tour Itinerary
Begin your journey early in the morning with departure from Bishkek. Your first stop is the Burana Tower near Tokmok, an 11th-century minaret and an important monument of the ancient Silk Road city of Balasagun. Explore the surrounding ruins, climb the tower for panoramic views and see the historic stone balbals nearby. Continue to Iskra village, home to a Dungan community. Enjoy a homemade lunch with a local family while learning about Dungan culture and tasting a unique blend of Chinese and Central Asian cuisine. After lunch, travel east along the scenic shores of Issyk-Kul Lake toward Kyrchyn Gorge, the former venue of the World Nomad Games, known for its vast green meadows and traditional yurts. Continue onward to Karakol, where you enjoy dinner and settle into a comfortable hotel for the night. Total distance: 430 km, about 6–7 hours (410 km asphalt, 20 km dirt road).
Burana Tower, Karakol
- Bishkek → Karakol (430 km)
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a short city tour of Karakol, discovering its history and local culture. Then drive along the scenic southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, stopping at the striking red sandstone cliffs of Jeti-Oguz Gorge. Continue to Tamga village for a traditional Russian lunch at the home of renowned Soviet alpinist Lyubov Danichkina, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and homemade dishes. Later, visit Barskoon Gorge for a leisurely walk to its picturesque waterfalls, set against stunning alpine scenery. In the afternoon, explore the unique rock formations of the Fairy-Tale Canyon (Skazka). By early evening, journey to the high mountain pastures of Boz-Salkyn to experience authentic nomadic life. Breathe the fresh mountain air, soak in the peaceful surroundings and spend the night in a traditional yurt under the stars. The yurt in Boz-Salkyn belongs to a nomadic family and offers a more authentic experience (shared WC, no shower, no internet). Alternatively, you can stay in more comfortable yurt accommodation by Issyk-Kul Lake. Total distance: 150 km, about 3–4 hours (120 km asphalt, 30 km dirt road).
Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Barskoon Valley, Skazka Canyon
- Karakol → Boz-Salkyn (150 km)
Overnight: Boz-Salkyn (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up in a traditional yurt at the high-altitude Boz-Salkyn pasture and begin a half-day hike to the scenic Shatyly Panorama (or ride there on horseback as an optional extra). The picturesque route passes through alpine forests, rolling hills and wide open meadows, offering a true taste of nomadic life. From the viewpoint, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Issyk-Kul Lake, framed by dramatic mountains, deep canyons and small lakeside villages. On the opposite side, admire the snow-capped peaks of the Kungey Ala-Too Range rising above the horizon. After time to relax and take photos, return to the trailhead and continue by vehicle to Bokonbaevo village. Near the village, meet traditional Kyrgyz eagle hunters (optional) and enjoy an impressive eagle hunting demonstration. After lunch at a local guesthouse, drive back to Bishkek, concluding your journey. The eagle hunting experience is a demonstration with explanations and staged hunting on animal skins; real hunting on horseback is available only in winter. The demonstration is optional and can be skipped. The hike is included and horse riding is an optional extra; you may also skip the outdoor activities altogether and travel directly to Bishkek for a guided city tour. Total distance: 280 km, about 4 hours (260 km asphalt, 20 km dirt road).
Shatyly viewpoint, Issyk Kul Guide, Bokonbaevo
- Boz-Salkyn → Bishkek (280 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $805 |
| 2 travelers | $541 |
| 3 travelers | $426 |
| 4 travelers | $380 |
Optional extras
Airport transfer (one way, per car up to 4 people): $20 per group
Eagle hunting demonstration: $70 per group
Horse riding at Boz-Salkyn: $30 per person
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- All transfers during the program
- A permanent English-speaking guide
- All accommodation (hotel in Karakol, nomad yurt at Boz-Salkyn pasture)
- All meals as per program, full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a set menu
- Entrance fees and scheduled visits
Not included
- International flights and travel insurance
- Airport transfers (optional add-on: 20 USD per car one way, 1–4 people)
- Your hotel in Bishkek
- Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on the last day
- Tips for the guide, alcohol, bottled water and personal expenses
- Optional eagle hunting demonstration: 70 USD in total for the whole group
- Optional horseback riding at Boz-Salkyn pasture: 30 USD per person
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Karakol
Hotel in Karakol or similar
-
Night 2
Boz-Salkyn
Boz-Salkyn nomad yurt or similar
What to bring
- Clothing: warm layers (fleece or down jacket) for chilly mornings and evenings, lightweight clothes for daytime (t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts), a waterproof and windproof jacket, a hat or cap for sun protection, gloves and warm socks, a scarf or buff for wind, and comfortable trekking boots
- Other essentials: sunglasses and sunscreen, a small daypack, a reusable water bottle, personal toiletries and a towel, a basic first aid kit and personal medications, a camera or smartphone, a power bank and charging cables, and your passport, ID and copies of travel documents
- Optional: binoculars for wildlife spotting, light snacks for trekking, and a notebook or travel journal
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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