Essential Kyrgyzstan: Mountains, Lakes & Canyons

In the morning, there is time for a short horse ride by the lake to explore the area. After breakfast, the drive down from the mountains begins. In the afternoon, you reach the south shore of Issyk-Kul. Stop at Ak-Say Canyon for a 1-hour walk. The ground is sandy and the red clay rocks are shaped like castles. Later, arrive in Bokonbaevo village. You will meet an Eagle Hunter (Berkutchi) for a private demonstration. You will see how the eagle flies to the hunter’s hand on command and learn about how these birds are trained and fed. You can take photos with the eagle and talk to the hunter about his work. You will stay in a guesthouse in the village.

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the South Shore’s diverse landscapes. Our first destination is Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, an area of striking red sandstone formations. Centuries of wind and water erosion have created a natural gallery of ridges and spires that offer some of the best
photography opportunities in the country. We then drive to the scenic Barskoon Gorge, famous for its ancient spruce forests and the cascading “Tears of a Leopard” waterfall. We will take a short hike to the falls and stop by the Yuri Gagarin monument, a tribute to the first man in space who often came here for rest. The final stop is Jeti-Oguz, where we view the iconic “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” red rocks before arriving in Karakol.

Today is all about the high mountains. We switch to a specialized heavy-duty 4×4 vehicle for a thrilling and rugged climb to the Altyn-Arashan Valley (2,600m). The drive is bumpy but spectacular, passing through pine forests and along a rushing river. At the top, you will see a wide alpine valley surrounded by peaks over 4,000m. You can enjoy the views of the Palatka Peak, then relax in natural hot springs (indoor baths). We will spend the night in the valley, surrounded by wild nature and fresh mountain air.

After breakfast in the peaceful Altyn-Arashan valley, you’ll descend back to Karakol by 4×4, enjoying one last rugged drive through the pine forests. After a relaxing lunch in town, you set off toward Chon-Kemin National Park, driving along the scenic northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The 3–4 hour
journey offers beautiful views of the water and the Kungey Ala-Too mountains. Upon arrival in Chon-Kemin, you’ll check into a local guesthouse for a homemade dinner and a quiet night’s rest surrounded by the fresh mountain air of the valley.

After breakfast, depart for the Burana Tower, an 11th-century UNESCO-protected minaret. After exploring the ancient Silk Road site, we continue to Bishkek. We will visit Ala-Too Square and, if time allows, the vibrant Osh Bazaar for souvenirs. The tour concludes with a drop-off at hotel or the airport.