Pearls of Kyrgyzstan: Yssyk-Kol & Son-Kol Lakes (Year-Round Adventure)

Hot springs on the way & first village night

Morning departure from Bishkek. Stop at Ysyk-Ata for a soak in the hot springs, then on to the 11th-century Burana Tower and its open-air museum of stone Turkic warriors. Arrival at Chon-Kemin valley in the afternoon. Village walk or optional horse ride before dinner at the guesthouse.

•  Guide

•  Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin

•  Burana entrance

•  Lunch, Dinner

•  Bring swimwear and a towel

•  Optional horse ride

•  Ysyk-Ata hot springs fees (optional)

Petroglyphs, Karakol city tour & ashlyamfu

Drive east along the north shore of Issyk-Kul. Stop at the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs — Bronze-Age rock carvings on the lake shore. Karakol city tour of the wooden Russian Orthodox church and the Dungan mosque. Lunch and Dinner at a local café try Karakol ashlyamfu. Overnight at a family guesthouse.

•  Guide

•  Guesthouse in Karakol

•  Petroglyphs entrance

•  Breakfast

Trek up through pine forest to the hot springs

Transfer to the start of the Altyn-Arashan valley. Walk up through pine forest and alpine meadow to the Altyn-Arashan hot spring resort at 2,500 m, 15 km hike. Time to soak in the natural pools before dinner. Overnight at a mountain guesthouse.

•  Trekking guide

•  Mountain guesthouse

•  Hot spring access

•  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

•  Bring swimwear and a small towel

Trek out, south-shore canyons & yurt in Bokonbaevo

Early morning walk down from Altyn-Arashan to the vehicle. Drive west along the south shore of Issyk-Kul with a stop at the Jeti-Oguz “Seven Bulls” red cliffs and lunch at the local family. Continue to Skazka, the Fairy-Tale Canyon of red and orange sandstone. Arrive in Bokonbaevo in the late afternoon. Overnight at a family guesthouse.

•  Transport

•  Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo

•  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Canyon walk, eagle hunter & family lunch, Drive to Kyzart

Morning hike in the Ak-Say canyons, then a short drive into the mountain area for an eagle hunting demonstration with local hunters and a traditional archery show. Lunch is a home-cooked meal with a local family. Afternoon drive west along Issyk-Kul and south to Kyzart village, the gateway to Son-Kol.

•  Transport

•  Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo

•  Eagle hunting & archery demo

•  Family lunch

•  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3- days in the saddle & alpine lake Son-Kol  3016m

Meet the horses and horse guides. Start of the 3-day horse ride: Kyzart → Kilemche valley through jailoos (summer pastures) and past nomadic camps. Overnight in a yurt camp at Kilemche.

•  Guide

•  Horses and horse guides

•  Yurt camp at Kilemche

•  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

•  Riding gloves recommended

Full-day ride up to Son-Kol at 3,350 m Pass

A full day on horseback ascending to Son-Kol Lake at 3,016 m — a wide alpine lake ringed by rolling green hills. Time on the shore to meet nomadic families before dinner. Overnight in a traditional yurt camp on the lake shore.

•  Yurt camp at Son-Kol

•  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

•  Windproof jacket

Sunrise at Son-Kol & drive back to the capital

Morning at leisure for sunrise over Son-Kol. Ride back down to Kyzart village, farewell to the horses and guides. Afternoon drive to Bishkek and drop-off at the office. End of the tour.

•  Transport Kyzart – Bishkek

•  Guide

•  Breakfast, Lunch

•  Hotel in Bishkek or airport transfer on request