- Experience nomadic life in a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling boz-ui (yurt)
- Meet the local Kyrgyz eagle hunters
- Discover the beautiful south shore of Ysyk-Kol Lake
- A perfect combination of history, culture and easy hiking
- Learn about the history of the Islam Renaissance in Central Asia exploring Burana Tower
Day 1. Bishkek – Burana – Karakol
• This morning, you will start explore the country with a drive towards Karakol city in the eastern part of Ysyk-Kol Lake. The first stop on the map is archaeological and architectural complex “Burana Tower” registered on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Founded in the 11th century, the Burana tower was the minaret of a mosque in the city of Balasagun, the capital of the once largest empire – Khara-Khanid Khanate of local Turkic-speaking tribes in Central Asia. While except of the tower none of the original city stands above ground today, there is a museum onsite that explains the history of this important site and showcases some of the archaeological discoveries. Take a tour of the ruins in the surrounding hills and then visit the top of the tower with a view of Chui Valley.
Next, you will have a lunch at the local authentic café with a local famous food “kattama” and continue your trip driving along the main coastal road with Ysyk-Kol Lake on one side and the Kungey Ala-Too mountain range on the other. Along the way, you will stop to visit the famous Kyrchyn (Grigorievka) valley, where the World Nomad Games were hold. You will be able to hike around the area and there will be many opportunities for you to snap some great photos.
Later, continue your trip on to Karakol. Founded in 1869 by the Russian settlers, now Karakol is the main tourist city of the country. At the end of the day, you will head to restaurant for dinner.
Transfer:
Total: 300 km – 5-6 h.
Asphalt: 240 km
Dirt road: 60 km
Meals:
breakfast at yurt
lunch at restaurant
Dinner at restaurant
Overnight: Yurt (2600m)
WC: Sharing WC outside
Internet: No
Notes:
NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
Day 2. Karakol – Jety-Oguz – Barskoon – Fairy-Tale (Skazka canyons) - Bokonbaev
• Early in the morning, leave Karakol behind as you travel to the west along the south shore of Ysyk-Kol Lake. Your destination for today is the village of Bokonbaevo, located on the south shore.
• On your way, you’ll discover some of the most beautiful and popular sites on the southern shore, starting with a transfer west to the Jety-Oguz mountains. Jety-Oguz is one of the most gorgeous sites in Kyrgyzstan, a rich valley home to many impressive waterfalls and canyons. It is also a national zoological reserve, where many species of animals and birds live.
• Then it’s on to Barskoon gorge. Barskoon Gorge (also Barskaun) is one of the most beautiful gorges on the southern shore of Ysyk-Kol, famous for its high waterfalls and dense spruce forests. Here, you will go for a short hike to the first waterfall and enjoy a lunch at a yurt with outstanding views of the valley.
• Your journey continues to the Fairy-Tale canyons. The red and yellow cliffs here, towering above a lunar-like landscape, are immense, and the area is perfect for some easy hiking.
• Upon arrival at the yurt camp by the lake, you can rest until dinner, walking along the sparkling water of Ysyk-Kol Lake. Enjoy supper under a starry night sky in this beautiful landscape and get ready to spend your night in a boz-ui – a traditional yurt of the Kyrgyz people.
Transfer:
Total: 300 km – 5-6 h.
Asphalt: 240 km
Dirt road: 60 km
Meals:
breakfast at yurt
lunch at restaurant
Dinner at restaurant
Overnight: Yurt (2600m)
WC: Sharing WC outside
Internet: No
Notes:
NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
Day 3. Ysyk-Kol – Bishkek
• This morning you’ll drive to Boz-Salkyn valley for a short hiking tour to the Shatyly panorama, offering a majestic view of Ysyk-Kol Lake. The smooth, easy hike provides opportunities to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes.
• Once you reach the summit, enjoy the breathtaking vista—a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning shots of the lake and mountains against each other.
• After the hike, drive to Bokonbaev village for lunch. Following your meal, you’ll meet a local hunter with his golden eagle. He will explain the tradition of eagle hunting and demonstrate the bird’s skills. For those who prefer, the demonstration can be done using a fox skin instead of live prey.
• The experience concludes with photo opportunities where you can hold the eagle on your wrist. Finally, finish your 3-day Kyrgyzstan adventure with a drive back to Bishkek.
Transfer:
Total: 300 km – 5-6 h.
Asphalt: 240 km
Dirt road: 60 km
Meals:
breakfast at yurt
lunch at restaurant
Dinner at restaurant
Overnight: Yurt (2600m)
WC: Sharing WC outside
Internet: No
Notes:
NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
