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 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 Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon, an optional eagle show and a night in a yurt at Song-Kul. All meals included. 15 May – mid-October.
About this trip
Six days, one loop and the best of Kyrgyzstan's mountains in a short trip. You leave Bishkek for the Burana Tower and a hike through the red Konorchek Canyon, follow the north shore of Issyk-Kul to Karakol, and ride a 4x4 up into the Altyn-Arashan valley. The way back runs along the south shore, past the Seven Bulls of Jeti-Oguz, the Barskoon waterfalls and the wind-carved Skazka Canyon, to the eagle hunters of Bokonbaevo and a night in a yurt by Song-Kul, a lake at about 3,000 m surrounded by summer pastures.
The tour is private: your own 4x4 with a driver-guide who speaks everyday English, for up to 4 travellers. You sleep in a hotel in Karakol and in guesthouses and a yurt camp elsewhere, and every meal from lunch on day 1 to the morning of day 6 is included.
The route at a glance
| Day | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishkek – Burana Tower – Konorchek Canyon – Chon-Kemin | Guesthouse, Chon-Kemin |
| 2 | Chon-Kemin – Cholpon-Ata – Karakol | Hotel, Karakol |
| 3 | Karakol – Altyn-Arashan – Karakol | Hotel, Karakol |
| 4 | Jeti-Oguz – Barskoon – Skazka Canyon – Bokonbaevo | Guesthouse, Bokonbaevo |
| 5 | Kochkor – Song-Kul | Yurt, Song-Kul |
| 6 | Song-Kul – Bishkek | — |
Good to know
- When: any start date from 15 May to 10 October. Song-Kul opens in mid-May, and the last tours finish by 15 October.
- 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 and shared yurts. Travelling alone, or three of you? One traveller can have a twin room or yurt 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 at Song-Kul is an option when you book; in August the rides go in the morning or evening, out of the midday heat.
- Visa: many nationalities visit Kyrgyzstan without a visa. Please check the rules for your passport.
Want the classic version with Kok-Jaiyk and the Altyn-Arashan hot springs? See the 7-day Kyrgyzstan Classic.
Day by day
- Day 1
Bishkek – Burana Tower – Konorchek Canyon – Chon-Kemin
Pick-up at your hotel or Manas airport. The first stop is the Burana Tower, the 11th-century minaret left from the Silk Road city of Balasagun, with its field of old stone grave figures. Then a 2–3 hour hike through the red sandstone gorges of Konorchek Canyon, and on to the green Chon-Kemin valley for the night in a family guesthouse.
- Day 2
Along Issyk-Kul to Karakol
A scenic drive along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, the great mountain lake that never freezes, with a stop at Cholpon-Ata. In the afternoon you reach Karakol at the eastern end of the lake. Night in a hotel.
- Day 3
Altyn-Arashan valley
The 4x4 climbs a rough track into the Altyn-Arashan valley, an alpine meadow under the peaks of the Terskey Ala-Too. Free time to walk up the valley, then back down to Karakol for a second night in the hotel.
- Day 4
Jeti-Oguz, Barskoon and Skazka Canyon
A walk among the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz, the Seven Bulls. Along the south shore you hike to the Barskoon waterfalls and explore Skazka, the 'fairy-tale' canyon of wind-carved sandstone. Night in a guesthouse in Bokonbaevo.
- Day 5
The road to Song-Kul
If you added the eagle show, the morning starts with a local eagle hunter and his golden eagle; then the mountain road through Kochkor and over the passes to Song-Kul, a lake at about 3,000 m where herders bring their horses and sheep for the summer. Walk by the lake in the evening. Night in a yurt camp.
- Day 6
Song-Kul – Bishkek
A morning walk by the lake, lunch, then the drive back down to Bishkek. 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
- 4x4 trip to Altyn-Arashan
- 5 nights: 2 in a hotel in Karakol, 2 in guesthouses and 1 in a yurt at Song-Kul; twin rooms and shared yurts
- 3 meals a day, from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 6
- 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)
- The eagle hunter's show in Bokonbaevo, 1 hour (an option when you book)
- A room or yurt to yourself (an option when you book)
- Drinks other than with meals, tips, travel insurance and personal expenses
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