5-Day Cultural Trip Round Issyk-Kul Lake
About this tour
This tour gives you a glimpse of Kyrgyzstan’s stunning natural beauty, Kyrgyz history, and culture all in one trip. Hike in colorful rock formations, canyon, gorges, waterfalls, overnight in a yurt camp, and visit a hot spring. Learn about Kyrgyz traditions and eagle hunting, Kyrgyz felt carpet making. This trip has it all!
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Driving around Issyk-Kul lake
• Hiking in Barskoon gorge, Skazka canyon, Djeti-Oguz gorge, Ala Archa national park
• Swimming in Ak-Suu Kench
• Visiting Dungan mosque, Orthodox church, a museum of nomad civilization
• Visiting Kyrchyn and Grigorievka gorges
DAY 1. Manas airport – Bishkek – Burana Tower - Boom gorge – Barskoon gorge (along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake). 6 h of driving
DAY 2. Barskoon gorge – Broken Heart Rock - Djeti Oguz gorge (Seven Bulls Rock) –Kök Jaiyk valley, 3 h of driving
DAY 3. Kök Jaiyk valley - Karakol city - Altyn Arashan valley – Dzhergalan village
DAY 4. Dzhergalan village
DAY 5. Dzhergalan village – City tour - Kyrchyn gorge- Grigorievka gorge –a Museum of nomad civilization – an open-air
museum of petroglyphs - Chon Kemin valley, 6 h-7 h of driving
DAY 6. Chon Kemin – Bishkek - Ala Archa National park – Bishkek
DAY 7. Transferring to Manas airport
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: manas airport to Barskoon gorge
DAY 1. Manas airport – Bishkek – Burana Tower - Boom gorge – Barskoon gorge (along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake). 6 h of driving • Picking you up from the airport • Driving to the bank in Bishkek to change money. You have to give at least 70% of the cost since he needs money for the expenses • Driving to Bishkek to buy some food and snack in the supermarkets that you will need on the way to Barskoon gorge. • Visiting an 11-century UNSECO heritage – Burana tower • Hiking in Skazka canyon for 30 min or 1 hour • Dinner at the guesthouse • Overnight in a guesthouse in Barskoon gorge
Day 2: Barskoon gorge to Kök-Jaiyk valley
DAY 2. Barskoon gorge – Broken Heart Rock - Djeti Oguz gorge (Seven Bulls Rock) –Kök Jaiyk valley, 3 h of driving • Passing and seeing Broken Heart Rock and Seven Bulls Rocks. We will stop on the road and take pictures of the rocks. Seven Bulls located behind the Broken heart rock. • Staying in the yurt camp: walking around, hiking, or relaxing enjoying the Tian-Shan mountains
Day 3: Kök-Jaiyk Valley to Jyrgalan
DAY 3. Kök Jaiyk valley - Karakol city - Altyn Arashan valley – Dzhergalan village • Driving to Karakol city to try the popular Dungan dish - ash-lyanfu. Further, in Ak-Suu village another driver with his UAZ car will be waiting for us to get to Altyn-Arashan. It takes 2,5-3 hours or a bit more. • Having a picnic, walking around Altyn-Arashan • Driving back to Ak Suu village, get into the previous car and go to Ak Suu Kench hot spring. You can bathe for 40 or 45 minutes only since it is mineral water. It is limited. • Going to Dzhergalan valley to overnight in Dzhergalan village surrounded by mountains
Day 4: Jyrgalan
• Horse riding in Dzhergalan valley for 3-4 hours and overnight at the same guesthouse
Day 5: Jyrgalan to Chon-Kemin
Dzhergalan village – City tour - Kyrchyn gorge- Grigorievka gorge –a Museum of nomad civilization – an open-air museum of petroglyphs - Chon Kemin valley, 6 h-7 h of driving • Visiting two main attraction in Karakol city: Dungan mosque (please leave 40 som per 2 people as a charity and put it into a charity box), Orthodox church, and souvenir shops • You can buy food in a supermarket in Karakol. • Driving along the northern shore of the lake and going to Kyrchyn and Grigorievka gorges. They are so close and you can even do not distinguish which is Kyrchyn and which is Grigorievka. Grigorievka is small but beautiful. • Visiting a Museum of nomad civilization and An open-air museum of petroglyphs: on our way • Driving to Chon Kemin valley and overnight there
Day 6: Chon-Kemin to Bishkek
• Driving to Bishkek to take PCR TEST • Driving to Ala-Archa National Park to walk along the asphalt road till the open place where you will see flowing the Ala-Archa river • City tour: Ala-Too main square, where you will walk around to see White House, Historical Museum, Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Victory park.
Day 7: Bishkek to manas airport
Transferring to Manas airport
What's included
• All transfer • An experienced driver with 40*40 off-road vehicle and a guide • Accommodations: 7 nights in hotels/guesthouses and 1 night in a yurt camp • Full-board: can be some picnics in some places since not all places have cafes • Entrance fees to Skazka canyon, a museum of Nomad civilization, Ak-Suu Kench hot spring, Burana Tower, Ala Archa national park • Horse riding in Chon-Kemin valley • Bottles of water every day
-PCR test -Helmets for riding
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
manas airport to Barskoon gorge