5 days in Kyrgyzstan

Lake Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul

5 days in Kyrgyzstan
(Lake Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul)

If you have a short vacation, but want to see most of the country, then we are pleased to offer you this tour of Kyrgyzstan, which captures the northern and central parts of the country. In just 5 days you can see the popular, amazing and unique alpine lake Issyk-Kul, you can swim in its blue waters and bask in the rays of the mountain sun on a sandy beach.

You can also go around it, see small cities that are interesting for their colorfulness, where people live a measured life, plant gardens and raise livestock. You can see historical and cultural attractions, natural beauties: waterfalls, mountain lakes, gorges and rocks.

Then you will be taken to the high mountain Son-Kul lake, where you will stay overnight in the national Kyrgyz yurts. Son-Kul is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and it is located at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. From late September to mid-June, it is covered with ice and modern nomads bring cattle here only for the summer months. The wildlife of Son-Kul is extremely diverse. In summer, different types of ducks, gulls and other waterfowl nest here. Only in summer you can fully enjoy the blue waters of the lake, get acquainted with the life of nomads, live in Kyrgyz yurts and taste the national dishes of this hospitable people.

On the banks and surrounding slopes, a huge amount of grass grows. Here is a real paradise: fresh and clean mountain air, glades of edelweiss under your feet and at night a myriad of stars, like sparkling beads scattered across the sky.

Available Dates

24 - 28 July 2022 | 9 places Book
15 - 19 August 2022 | 7 places Book

Trip details

Level 1

Season Autumn, Spring, Summer

Begins in Bishkek

Ends in Bishkek

Airport Airport Manas (FRU)

Airport out Airport Manas (FRU)

Wildlife Marmots, Birds, Predator birds, Rodents, Hares

Price: $ 600 (≥ 8 people)

≥ 6 people in the group: $ 650 per person

≥ 4 people in the group: $ 700 per person

≥ 2 people in the group: $ 750 per person

Great for

On this tour in just 5 days you will get acquainted with the country, its culture and way of life of local people, spend a couple of nights in the Kyrgyz national yurts, try the national cuisine and enjoy the breathtaking mountain sceneries of our country. You will see two of the largest lakes - Issyk-Kul Lake and Son-Kul Lake; You will visit the mountain gorges, take short walks and horseback riding, see historical and cultural monuments, and most importantly relax from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Join us

What's Included:

Transport according to the program (2-4 people - Mitsubishi Delica - 7 seats, 5 people and more – Mercedes Sprinter – 14 seat van)
Accommodation (except Bishkek)
Cholpon-Ata - “Raduga” 4 * (or similar) - 1 night
Karakol - "Green Yard" 3 * (or similar) - 1 night
Kaji-Sai – Art-Hotel Al-Hayat - 1 night
Son-Kul - yurt camp (yurt for two people) - 1 night
Meals according to the program - full board (except Bishkek)
Excursions and entrance tickets (except for those indicated in additional options)
Water 1 l. per day per person

What's not included:

Any changes to the program
Alcohol beverages
Excursions not included in the program
Tipping for staff

Additional options:
Eagle Hunting show a in the village of Bokonbaevo - 50 USD per group
Horse riding in Djety-Oguz gorge and Son-Kul lake – 15 USD per person

Day

Airport - Cholpon Ata (250 km / 4h) . Arrival at Manas Airport and transfer to the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way we will visit the historical and archaeological complex of Burana Tower. Further, the road will lead us to the vast Issyk-Kul basin in the center of which lies the Kyrgyz Sea - the blue Issyk-Kul.

Today we will visit a unique monument of the Bronze Age – an open air museum of stone inscription (petroglyphs), as well as the historical museum of Cholpon-Ata and the amazing religious complex “Rukh-Ordo”. Rest on the shore of the pearl of Kyrgyzstan; today you should definitely swim in its blue waters, bask in the sun on the hot sand. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. 

Day

Cholpon Ata - Karakol (150 km / 2.5 h. This morning you can visit the hot springs and then we will continue our way to the city of Karakol. Along the way, you will visit the Grigoryevsky Gorge and will definitely make a short walk to the mountain lake, where a picnic will be organized. Arrival at the city of Karakol. Here you will visit the “Church of the Holy Trinity” and the Dungan Mosque, as well as the Przewalski museum. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. 

Day

Karakol - Djeti-Oguz - Kadji-Sai (150 km / 2.5 h). After breakfast, we will be transferred to the Djeti-Oguz gorge along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Djeti -Oguz gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. In the spring and summer months there is a real flower festival, among which silver stars of edelweiss, alpine daisies and asters stand out. In autumn, the gorge erupts with colorful paints, since in addition to coniferous cover there are also many deciduous trees growing in the gorge.

Here we will take a short horseback ride to the waterfall with the romantic name “Girl’s braids”, as well as see the rock ensembles of “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart”. The next stop will be in the "Fairy Tale" (Skazka) gorge, which almost immediately opens in its splendor and scenery to the visitor. Right away you will be surrounded by scenery created by nature, by multicolored rocks frozen in bizarre forms as if after an eruption. Next, transfer to the village of Kadji-Sai and accommodation in a guest house.

Day

Kadji-Sai - Kochkorka - Son-Kul (290 km / 5h). In the morning you will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo. Here you will see the local felt factory and the house of the eagle hunter, who will tell you about these birds, show them and let you hold them in your hands and take pictures with them. Then we will go to the shore of Issyk-Kul, where we will have lunch in the yurt camp. After that, we will continue our journey to Son-Kul Lake. Arrival at the place, dinner, rest. Accommodation in yurts.

Day

Son-Kul - Bishkek (400 km / 6-7h). This morning, you can try yourself as a horse rider and enjoy the view of the lake. Closer to lunch, we will head back to Bishkek. For lunch we will stop in the village of Kochkorka. Having eaten well, we will see the Shirdak-Show (the process of making national Kyrgyz carpets for national housing - yurts), as well as visit the ethnographic museum where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and relatives. Arrival in Bishkek in the evening. The end of the program.