arakol-ski
SIX-DAY TOUR AROUND ISSYK-KUL LAKE
The six-day tour around Issyk-Kul Lake is an unforgettable adventure that will immerse you in the magical world of Kyrgyzstan's nature. Starting from the city of Bishkek, you will embark on an exciting journey that covers many breathtaking locations.
Your route will take you through the "Boom Gorge" around the most beautiful lake in Kyrgyzstan—Issyk-Kul. You will visit the Konorchak Canyon, the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, and then ascend to Son-Kul Lake, where you will spend the night in a yurt camp.
On the second day, your day will begin with breakfast and a walk in the surroundings of the camp. After lunch, you will head to Issyk-Kul for the next stop on our journey—the Salt Lake. You will swim in the saltwater lake, and in the evening, you will check into a yurt camp, where you will sleep to the sound of the waves of Issyk-Kul.
On the third day of the tour, you can stroll through the Ak-Sai Canyon and enjoy swimming and sunbathing at the "Rocky Coast," one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern shore of the lake, taking in the majestic views of Issyk-Kul. Next, you will visit the Fairy Tale Gorge and then the Barskoon Gorge, where stunning nature and unique landscapes await you.
Afterward, you will visit the city of Karakol and have dinner at an ethno-cafe. You will spend the night in a cozy guesthouse, where breakfast will be served in the morning to prepare you for the next leg of your journey.
On the fourth day, your path will lead you through the Jeti-Oguz Gorge to the Kok-Jaiyk Valley, where you can hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls, "Maiden's Braids." You will also visit the Jeti-Oguz cave, walk through the gorge, climb to the viewpoint, and see the famous "Seven Bulls" and "Broken Heart" rocks.
In the evening, you will visit hot springs to soak and relax in stone pools after an active day.
On the fifth day, a thrilling trip by off-road vehicle will take you deep into the Tian Shan mountains to the Altyn-Arashan Valley, where you can walk and swim in the hot springs. The fifth day of your adventure will begin with kayaking, exploring the waters of Issyk-Kul from a new perspective.
Continuing on the sixth day of your journey, your route will take you through the Grigorievskoye and Semenovskoye Gorges, where breathtaking natural beauty awaits, along with lunch in a national yurt by the river and stunning views. To conclude your adventure, you will visit the Kok-Moynok Canyon before returning to Bishkek.
Join this unique six-day tour and discover the most beautiful corners of Issyk-Kul!
Route:
Bishkek, "Boom" Gorge, "Konorchak" Canyon, "Orto-Tokoy" Reservoir, Son-Kul Lake, Issyk-Kul, Salt Lake, "Ak-Sai" Canyon, Yurt Camp, Rocky Shore, "Fairy Tale" Gorge, "Barskoon" Gorge, "Jeti-Oguz" Gorge, Karakol, "Altyn-Arashan" Gorge, Hot Springs, Grigoryevskoe Gorge, Semenovskoye Gorge, Cholpon-Ata, "Kok-Moynok" Canyon, -
Bishkek.
Overnight stay in a guesthouse.
Day One:
08:00 - 10:00 Transfer from Bishkek to Boom Gorge, approximately 100 km.
10:00 - 14:00 Hiking in Konorchek Canyon.
14:00 - 15:00 Lunch at a café in the gorge.
15:30 - 16:00 Stop at Orto-Tokoy Reservoir for a walk and photo session.
16:00 - 19:00 Transfer to Lake Son-Kul, approximately 160 km.
20:00 - Check-in at the yurt. Time for rest and dinner.
For the day: approximately 300 km by car, 6-7 km on foot.
Note: In case of bad weather, we will skip Konorchek Canyon, as the road through the narrow gorge may become impassable. Instead, we will visit Kok-Moinok Canyon.
Day Two:
08:00 - Breakfast. Walk around the area.
10:30 - 14:30 Transfer from camp to the Salt Lake (summer season only), approximately 180 km.
14:30 - Swimming in the Salt Lake, lunch.
16:30 - 17:30 Transfer to the yurt camp, approximately 10-30 km, depending on road conditions.
17:30 - Check-in at the yurt. Time for rest and dinner.
For the day: approximately 200 km.
Day Three:
08:00 - Breakfast.
08:30 - 09:30 Tour of the "Ak-Sai" Canyon.
10:30 - 11:30 Transfer to the "Rocky Shore" wild beach on the southern coast.
Stop in Kadji-Sai village to buy lunch supplies, approximately 55 km.
11:30 - 14:30 Swimming, picnic.
14:30 - 15:30 "Fairy Tale" Canyon, walking in the surroundings.
15:30 - 16:10 Transfer to Barskoon Gorge, approximately 40 km.
16:00 - 17:30 Hiking to the waterfall in Barskoon Gorge.
17:30 - 19:00 Transfer to Karakol, approximately 97 km.
19:00 - Dinner at an ethnic café.
21:00 - Check-in at a guesthouse.
For the day: approximately 190 km.
Day Four:
08:00 - Rise, breakfast.
09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Jeti-Oguz Gorge, approximately 25 km.
10:00 - 11:00 Stop at the "Broken Heart" rock, ascent to the panorama.
11:00 - 11:30 Transfer within the gorge from the "Broken Heart" rock to the "Kok-Jayik" valley.
11:30 - 13:30 Hike to the "Maiden’s Braids" waterfall.
13:30 - 14:30 Descent through the gorge to the "Broken Heart" rock.
14:30 - 15:30 Transfer to Karakol.
15:30 - 18:30 Lunch at a café, souvenir shopping, visit to the Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque.
18:30 - 19:00 Transfer to Ak-Suu village for hot springs, approximately 12 km.
19:00 - 20:30 Evening bath in the springs.
21:00 - Return to the guesthouse.
For the day: approximately 100 km.
Day Five:
08:00 - Rise, breakfast.
09:00 - 11:00 Transfer from Karakol to Altyn Arashan Gorge, approximately 20 km.
11:00 - 17:00 Walk in the gorge. Bath in the hot springs.
17:00 - 19:00 Transfer back to Karakol.
19:00 - Dinner at an ethnic café.
21:00 - Return to the guesthouse.
For the day: approximately 40 km.
Note: If the ascent to Arashan is not possible due to avalanches, washed-out roads, etc., we will visit Saruu Gorge instead.
Day Six:
08:00 - Rise, breakfast.
09:00 - 11:00 Transfer to Semyonov Gorge.
11:00 - 15:00 Visit Semyonov Gorge, lunch in a yurt, visit Grigoriev Gorge.
15:00 - 17:00 Transfer to Kok-Moinok Canyon.
17:00 - 19:00 Walk in the canyon, dinner at a café in Boom Gorge.
19:00 - 21:00 Transfer to Bishkek.
For the day: 453 km.
Alternatively, we can replace the canyon walk with kayaking on Lake Issyk-Kul.
Kayak rental is charged separately.
08:00 - Rise, breakfast.
09:00 - 09:30 Transfer from Karakol to the Karakol Pier beach.
09:30 - 12:30 Instruction, kayaking on the lake.
12:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Semyonov Gorge.
14:00 - 17:00 Visit Semyonov Gorge, lunch in a yurt, visit Grigoriev Gorge.
17:00 - 22:00 Transfer to Bishkek, with a stop at Boom Gorge café along the way.
For the day: 453 km.
Note: The entire route includes stops for photography and enjoying the natural beauty. Travel time and distances are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions and weather. Participants in a private tour are not required to strictly follow the specified route and may choose to spend additional time at locations they particularly enjoy. You can also stay for several days and nights at any place of interest. The main thing is to arrange this in advance when booking.
Tour cost.
1 person 100,000 KGS (sedan + UAZ for up to 4 passengers)
Group of 2 people 109,000 KGS, 54,500 KGS per person (sedan + UAZ for up to 4 passengers)
Group of 3 people 119,000 KGS, 39,670 KGS per person (sedan + UAZ for up to 4 passengers)
Group of 4 people 142,000 KGS, 35,500 KGS per person (minivan for up to 7 people + UAZ for up to 9 people)
Group of 5 people 153,000 KGS, 30,600 KGS per person (minivan for up to 7 people + UAZ for up to 9 people)
Group of 6 people 169,000 KGS, 28,160 KGS per person (minivan for up to 7 people + UAZ for up to 9 people)
Group of 7 people 185,000 KGS, 26,500 KGS per person (minivan for up to 7 people + UAZ for up to 9 people)
Included in the cost: All transfers, overnight stays in yurts, guesthouses, comfortable double or triple rooms with amenities, and delicious breakfasts.
This tour is conducted in Russian or Kyrgyz. If you require the services of a guide-interpreter, it is available for an additional fee of 9,000 KGS per day.
Additional required expenses: Lunches and dinners 500–700 KGS per person per meal, hot spring bathing 250–300 KGS per person.
The tour can start from Manas or Issyk-Kul airports.
From June 15 to August 30, the tour price increases by 25%.
To book the tour, a 30% deposit of the total tour cost is required. If you wish to cancel the tour ten days before the start, 50% of the deposit will be refunded. If there are less than ten days left before the tour, the deposit is non-refundable
For any questions, feel free to reach out.
