From Burana to Song-Kul, Karakol and the shores of Issyk-Kul
Along the way, travelers watch Kok-Boru horse games and an eagle show, try felt-making in Kochkor, walk through the colorful Skazka Canyon and explore culturally diverse Karakol with its wooden Dungan Mosque and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The journey ends along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul with Kyrchyn Gorge, the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center and the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs — leaving you with memories of high mountains, turquoise lakes, nomadic traditions and warm Kyrgyz hospitality.
The journey ends along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul with Kyrchyn Gorge, the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center and the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs — leaving you with memories of high mountains, turquoise lakes, nomadic traditions and warm Kyrgyz hospitality.
An easy and budget-friendly 8-day tour for travelers who want to experience the real Kyrgyzstan — the Land of Nomads — without a difficult expedition.
The route starts in Bishkek and the Chui Valley with the 11th-century Burana Tower, then rises into the mountains: horseback riding to the Kilemche high-mountain pasture and on to Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, with nights in traditional yurts among shepherds.
The route starts in Bishkek and the Chui Valley with the 11th-century Burana Tower, then rises into the mountains: horseback riding to the Kilemche high-mountain pasture and on to Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, with nights in traditional yurts among shepherds.
Day 1
Bishkek — Burana — Kyzart
Arrival in Bishkek and the road through the Chui Valley.
Welcome to the Kyrgyz Republic! Meet and greet at Manas International Airport.
The road passes through the wide Chui Valley with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
On the way, the group stops at Burana Tower — an 11th-century historical monument and one of the main symbols of the ancient city of Balasagun.
The road passes through the wide Chui Valley with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
On the way, the group stops at Burana Tower — an 11th-century historical monument and one of the main symbols of the ancient city of Balasagun.
Guests can explore the minaret, the ancient stone balbals and the small open-air museum.
The journey continues into the mountains to the village of Kyzart.
Arrival in Kyzart, dinner and overnight stay in Kyzart.
The journey continues into the mountains to the village of Kyzart.
Arrival in Kyzart, dinner and overnight stay in Kyzart.
Route: Bishkek — Tokmok — Kyzart
Distance by car: ~75 km to Tokmok, 250 km Tokmok — Kyzart
Elevation: Bishkek 800 m, Kyzart 2,000 m
Elevation gain: +1,250 m
Overnight: Kyzart
Meals: dinner
Distance by car: ~75 km to Tokmok, 250 km Tokmok — Kyzart
Elevation: Bishkek 800 m, Kyzart 2,000 m
Elevation gain: +1,250 m
Overnight: Kyzart
Meals: dinner
Day 2
Kyzart — Kilemche Jailoo
On horseback to the Kilemche high-mountain pasture.
Breakfast at the guesthouse and departure at 08:00 AM.
Horseback riding to the Kilemche High-Mountain Pasture (Jailoo), enjoying the scenic mountain landscapes and the traditional nomadic atmosphere.
Lunch on the way.
Arrival at Kilemche Jailoo, dinner and overnight stay in a traditional yurt.
Horseback riding to the Kilemche High-Mountain Pasture (Jailoo), enjoying the scenic mountain landscapes and the traditional nomadic atmosphere.
Lunch on the way.
Arrival at Kilemche Jailoo, dinner and overnight stay in a traditional yurt.
Kilemche Jailoo is a beautiful high-altitude pasture in Jumgal District, Naryn Region, located at 3,240 m above sea level. It offers stunning views of Song-Kul Lake, peaceful alpine meadows filled with wildflowers such as edelweiss, arnica and gentian, and the calm Kilemche River flowing through the valley.
During the summer, local shepherds from Kyzart village stay here with their yurts and livestock, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into traditional Kyrgyz nomadic life.
During the summer, local shepherds from Kyzart village stay here with their yurts and livestock, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into traditional Kyrgyz nomadic life.
Route: Kyzart — Kilemche
Distance: approx. 20–25 km on horseback
Kilemche elevation: 3,400 m
Elevation gain: +1,400 m
Overnight: traditional yurt at Kilemche
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Distance: approx. 20–25 km on horseback
Kilemche elevation: 3,400 m
Elevation gain: +1,400 m
Overnight: traditional yurt at Kilemche
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Day 3
Kilemche — Song-Kul
Riding over the passes to Song-Kul Lake.
Breakfast at the yurt camp and departure from Kilemche Jailoo.
Horseback riding from Kilemche to Song-Kul — a scenic ride through high-mountain landscapes and mountain passes.
Arrival at Song-Kul, lunch and dinner at the yurt camp, with free time to enjoy the lake and the surrounding landscapes.
Kok-Boru show / traditional horse games.
Overnight stay in a traditional yurt at Song-Kul.
Horseback riding from Kilemche to Song-Kul — a scenic ride through high-mountain landscapes and mountain passes.
Arrival at Song-Kul, lunch and dinner at the yurt camp, with free time to enjoy the lake and the surrounding landscapes.
Kok-Boru show / traditional horse games.
Overnight stay in a traditional yurt at Song-Kul.
Song-Kul Lake is one of the most spectacular high-altitude lakes in Kyrgyzstan, located at 3,016 m above sea level. It is the country’s second-largest lake, surrounded by vast green alpine pastures and majestic mountains, and home to a variety of birds, fish and mountain wildlife.
In summer, nomadic shepherds set up traditional yurts here. Visitors can experience authentic nomadic life, taste fresh kumis (horse milk), go horse riding or trekking and enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
In summer, nomadic shepherds set up traditional yurts here. Visitors can experience authentic nomadic life, taste fresh kumis (horse milk), go horse riding or trekking and enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Route: Kilemche — Song-Kul (on horseback)
Kyzart — Song-Kul by car: 100 km
Song-Kul elevation: 3,016 m
Overnight: traditional yurt at Song-Kul
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Included: Kok-Boru show
Kyzart — Song-Kul by car: 100 km
Song-Kul elevation: 3,016 m
Overnight: traditional yurt at Song-Kul
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Included: Kok-Boru show
Day 4
Song-Kul — Kochkor — Issyk-Kul
Felt-making in Kochkor and the colors of Skazka Canyon.
Breakfast at the yurt camp and return from Song-Kul to Kyzart, then continue by car to Kochkor — a village known for its traditional crafts and nomadic heritage.
Shyrdak demonstration and traditional felt-making experience.
Continue the scenic journey towards the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.
Shyrdak demonstration and traditional felt-making experience.
Continue the scenic journey towards the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.
Lunch with an opportunity to taste freshly prepared local fish.
Visit the spectacular Skazka Canyon, famous for its colorful rock formations and dramatic landscapes.
Continue along the southern shore to Sarala, enjoying beautiful views of Lake Issyk-Kul and the surrounding mountains.
Dinner and overnight stay in Sarala.
Visit the spectacular Skazka Canyon, famous for its colorful rock formations and dramatic landscapes.
Continue along the southern shore to Sarala, enjoying beautiful views of Lake Issyk-Kul and the surrounding mountains.
Dinner and overnight stay in Sarala.
Route: Song-Kul — Kyzart — Kochkor — Skazka Canyon — Sarala
Distance by car: 180 km
Issyk-Kul elevation: 1,600 m
Elevation change: −1,400 m
Overnight: Sarala
Included: shyrdak demonstration
Distance by car: 180 km
Issyk-Kul elevation: 1,600 m
Elevation change: −1,400 m
Overnight: Sarala
Included: shyrdak demonstration
Day 5
Sarala — Karakol
Aalam Ordo, Jeti-Oguz and an eagle show on the way to Karakol.
Breakfast in Sarala and drive to Karakol.
On the way, visit Aalam Ordo — an abandoned, large-scale cultural and ethnographic complex on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, now known for its striking post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
On the way, visit Aalam Ordo — an abandoned, large-scale cultural and ethnographic complex on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, now known for its striking post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
Stop in Jeti-Oguz for coffee and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.
Eagle show.
Lunch on the way.
Arrival in Karakol, dinner at a local café and overnight stay in Karakol.
Eagle show.
Lunch on the way.
Arrival in Karakol, dinner at a local café and overnight stay in Karakol.
Route: Southern shore of Issyk-Kul — Aalam Ordo — Jeti-Oguz — Karakol
Distance by car: 160 km
Karakol elevation: 1,690 m
Elevation gain: +90 m
Overnight: Karakol
Included: eagle show
Distance by car: 160 km
Karakol elevation: 1,690 m
Elevation gain: +90 m
Overnight: Karakol
Included: eagle show
Day 6
Exploring Karakol
Karakol — a culturally diverse city.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the Dungan Mosque — a unique wooden landmark built between 1907 and 1910, constructed entirely without nails using traditional joinery and known for its vibrant colors, intricate carvings and distinctive Dungan-Chinese design.
Visit the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral — a unique example of wooden architecture, one of the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in Kyrgyzstan and an iconic landmark of the city.
Visit the Dungan Mosque — a unique wooden landmark built between 1907 and 1910, constructed entirely without nails using traditional joinery and known for its vibrant colors, intricate carvings and distinctive Dungan-Chinese design.
Visit the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral — a unique example of wooden architecture, one of the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in Kyrgyzstan and an iconic landmark of the city.
Try the famous local Ashlyan-Fu.
Free time to explore Karakol, dinner and overnight stay in Karakol.
Karakol is a unique cultural melting pot where Kyrgyz, Dungan, Russian, Uyghur and Tatar heritage come together. It is also a major base for mountain trekking and skiing enthusiasts across Central Asia.
Free time to explore Karakol, dinner and overnight stay in Karakol.
Karakol is a unique cultural melting pot where Kyrgyz, Dungan, Russian, Uyghur and Tatar heritage come together. It is also a major base for mountain trekking and skiing enthusiasts across Central Asia.
Location: Karakol
Elevation: 1,690 m
Overnight: Karakol
Highlights: Dungan Mosque / Holy Trinity Cathedral / Ashlyan-Fu
Elevation: 1,690 m
Overnight: Karakol
Highlights: Dungan Mosque / Holy Trinity Cathedral / Ashlyan-Fu
Day 7
Karakol — Bishkek
Back to Bishkek along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.
Breakfast at the hotel and drive from Karakol to Bishkek.
On the way, visit Kyrchyn Gorge.
Visit the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon-Ata.
On the way, visit Kyrchyn Gorge.
Visit the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon-Ata.
Visit the Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs.
Continue to Bishkek.
Arrival in Bishkek.
Continue to Bishkek.
Arrival in Bishkek.
Route: Karakol — Kyrchyn Gorge — Cholpon-Ata — Bishkek
Distance by car: 400 km
Elevation: 1,690 – 800 m
Elevation change: −890 m
Overnight: Bishkek
Distance by car: 400 km
Elevation: 1,690 – 800 m
Elevation change: −890 m
Overnight: Bishkek
Day 8
Departure
Enjoy your final hours in Kyrgyzstan.
Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for souvenir shopping, a city walk or a final meal in Bishkek.
At the appropriate time, transfer to Manas International Airport for your departure.
At the appropriate time, transfer to Manas International Airport for your departure.
You leave Kyrgyzstan with memories of high mountains, turquoise lakes, nomadic traditions and the people who made the journey unforgettable.
Route: Bishkek — Manas International Airport
Meals: breakfast
Meals: breakfast
Tips
What to bring
What to bring 🎒
- Passport and travel documents
- Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
- Warm jacket / fleece — nights at Kilemche and Song-Kul can be cold
- Waterproof jacket or raincoat
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sun hat / cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)
- Comfortable, layered clothing
- Warm socks and extra clothes
- Small backpack for day trips and horseback riding
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medicines and basic first-aid items
- Lip balm and moisturizer — the mountain air can be dry
- Headlamp / flashlight
- Power bank
- Cash in Kyrgyz som for personal expenses
- Swimsuit if you plan to swim in Issyk-Kul
- Personal hygiene items
- Wet wipes and tissues
Important: at Kilemche and Song-Kul, temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer, so warm clothing is essential.
On request
Tour price
Not included in the tour price:
- Personal expenses and souvenir purchases
- International flights to and from Kyrgyzstan
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Additional hotel services and incidental charges
The tour price includes:
- Full board accommodation with three meals daily
- Experienced English-speaking guide throughout the journey
- All admission fees for attractions included in the itinerary
- Comfortable stays in double or twin-sharing rooms
- Private transportation throughout the tour, including airport pick-up and drop-off