Song-Kul & Issyk-Kul Nomadic Highlights

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). In the late afternoon, we descend back to Karakol.

After visiting the famous Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Church in Karakol, we begin our return journey to the capital along the North Shore of Issyk-Kul. This route offers a different perspective of the lake with the water on one side and the towering Kungey Alatau mountains on the other. We will pass through the scenic Boom Gorge and enjoy lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will have a farewell dinner together to celebrate the end of our journey. Our team will then drop you off at your hotel or the airport in the evening