Kyrgyzstan in 6 Days: Issyk-Kul, Altyn-Arashan, Skazka Canyon and Song-Kul
A private 4x4 round trip from Bishkek: Burana Tower, a canyon hike at Konorchek, the shore of Issyk-Kul, the Altyn-Arashan valley, the red rocks of…
Issyk-Kul Express in 3 Days: Chon-Kemin, Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon
A private 4x4 trip from Bishkek, all year: the Chon-Kemin valley, the north shore of Issyk-Kul to Karakol, the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon. English-speaking driver-guide, a guesthouse and a hotel, all meals included. Any date from 1 November 2026.
About this trip
Three days for Issyk-Kul when time is short, in any season. From Bishkek you drive to the green Chon-Kemin valley, follow the north shore of the great lake to Karakol, and come back along the south shore past the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz and the wind-carved Skazka Canyon. The route keeps to the valleys, so it runs all year: Issyk-Kul never freezes, and in winter the lake lies between two snow-covered ranges.
The tour is private: your own 4x4 with a driver-guide who speaks everyday English, for up to 4 travellers. You sleep in a family guesthouse in Chon-Kemin and a hotel in Karakol, and every meal from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3 is included.
The route at a glance
| Day | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishkek – Chon-Kemin | Guesthouse, Chon-Kemin |
| 2 | Chon-Kemin – Issyk-Kul – Karakol | Hotel, Karakol |
| 3 | Karakol – Jeti-Oguz – Skazka Canyon – Bishkek | — |
Good to know
- When: any start date, all year, from 1 November 2026. Low season runs from 1 November to 30 April and high season from 1 May to 31 October; the start date sets the price.
- Winter: Issyk-Kul never freezes, and every road on this route stays open all year. From December to February the days are short and cold: bring warm layers.
- Group size: 1 to 4 travellers in one 4x4; the price per person falls as more of you travel. For 5 to 8 travellers we use two cars: message us for a price.
- Rooms: twin rooms. One traveller can have a twin room to themselves: choose it when you book.
- Book at least 3 days ahead, or 45 days ahead with a language guide (60 days for July and August).
- Horse riding in Chon-Kemin is an option when you book, weather permitting in winter; in August the rides go in the morning or evening.
- Visa: many nationalities visit Kyrgyzstan without a visa. Please check the rules for your passport.
Travelling in summer and want the high pastures too? See the 7-day Kyrgyzstan Classic with Song-Kul.
Day by day
- Day 1
Bishkek – the Chon-Kemin valley
Pick-up at your hotel in Bishkek or at Manas airport, and a drive east to the Chon-Kemin valley, a national park of meadows, spruce forest and small villages between two mountain ranges. Time to walk in the valley and see village life. Night in a family guesthouse.
- Day 2
Along Issyk-Kul to Karakol
A morning in Chon-Kemin, with horse riding as an option, then the drive along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, the great mountain lake that never freezes, with photo stops by the water and the snow peaks of the Tian Shan behind it. Karakol, at the eastern end of the lake, by late afternoon. Night in a hotel.
- Day 3
Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon and back to Bishkek
A walk among the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz, the Seven Bulls, then west along the south shore to Skazka, the fairy-tale canyon of wind-carved sandstone. A long drive back to Bishkek, about 450 km in all, with drop-off at your hotel or the airport in the evening.
What's included
- 4x4 off-road vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide for the whole tour, fuel included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Bishkek or Manas airport
- 2 nights: 1 in a guesthouse in Chon-Kemin and 1 in a hotel in Karakol; twin rooms
- 3 meals a day, from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3
- Entrance fees on the route
Not included
- International flights, and a Kyrgyzstan visa if your passport needs one
- Hotels in Bishkek before or after the tour
- Horse riding and a professional or language guide (see the options)
- A room to yourself (an option when you book)
- Drinks other than with meals, tips, travel insurance and personal expenses
Other trips you may like
Kyrgyzstan Classic in 7 Days: Small-Group Tour Every Saturday from Bishkek
Join a small group, at most 4 travellers in each 4x4, on the classic Kyrgyzstan loop: Burana Tower, Issyk-Kul, the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan,…
Kyrgyzstan Classic in 7 Days: Issyk-Kul, Altyn-Arashan Hot Springs, Kok-Jaiyk and Song-Kul (Private)
The classic Kyrgyzstan loop from Bishkek in your own 4x4: Burana Tower, Chon-Kemin, Issyk-Kul, the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan, Jeti-Oguz and the…