Pearl Of Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul Lake With Canyons
About this tour
Bishkek, Tokmok-Burana,Balykchy, Cholpon Ata, Karakol,Jeti Oguz,Tamga, Skazka, Bokonbaev,Kyzyl Tuu-Kara-Kol-Salt Lake, Bishkek-Ala Archa- Chunkurchak
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Upon your arrival at Manas airport in Bishkek, we will arrange for your pickup and transfer to your hotel in the capital. After taking some rest, we will begin our trip with breakfast. Our journey will start by getting into our minibus and driving from Bishkek to Tokmok-Burana.During our visit to Tokmok, we explore the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret, and the Balbans open-air museum, which features stone warriors. After Burana Tower we will drive to Balykchy city.Balykchy in Soviet times was industrial city. We stop for sightseeing and have coffee break. Our next destination is Cholpon Ata City. We will drive approximately 70 km along the northern shore of Issyk Kul lake to reach there. Upon arrival, we will take a one-hour coffee break before going on an excursion to the Petroglyphs. This open-air museum displays various depictions of animals such as wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, snow leopards, as well as scenes of sacrifices and hunting, which date back to 500 BC-100 AD. After the excursion, we will have lunch at the local cafe. Later, we will visit the unique cultural center and museum called "Ruh Ordo," which means "Spiritual Center". This center, was built in 2002, aims to enhance guests' spiritual growth while providing knowledge about various cultural and religious aspects of the region. After the visit, you will have some free time to spend as you please. Finally, we will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2: Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Early in the morning after breakfast we will have free time for swimming, boat trips in Issyk-Kul Lake at will. Than we will have our lunch after we check out from hotel and continue our trip to Karakol city .We will drive around 100km. Our next stop will be the city of Karakol, fourth largest city where we will enjoy coffee break at a local cafe. After we will visit the museum of M.V. Prejevalsky, one of the most celebrated explorers who discovered over 4000 animals and crossed the great Taklamakan desert. Our sightseeing tour will include a visit to the Karakol historic museum, Dungan Mosque built-in Chinese style without using any metal nails, and an old Orthodox Church. Then we will have dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
After having breakfast, we will drive to Jety Oguz Gorge, situated 28 km southwest of Karakol. The name "Jety Oguz" translates to "Seven Bulls" in Kyrgyz, symbolizing the seven huge reddish-brown cliffs standing together. Jeti-Oguz rocks are a protected natural monument. On the approach to Jety-Oguz there is another rock formation resembling a broken heart. Legend has it that this is the heart of a beautiful woman who died of a broken heart after two suitors killed each other while fighting for her. These two rock formations have become symbols of the Issyk-Kul region and are a favorite image for photographs and paintings. Jety Oguz is also renowned for its hot springs that produce radon and hydrogen sulfide-enriched hot water, believed to have therapeutic properties for gastric and nervous disorders. There are resorts at an altitude of 2200m where you can experience these hot springs.We stop for lunch after we keep driving to Tamga Village, which is located on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. We will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 4: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
After having breakfast in Tamga we will visit Tamga Gorge which is located on the southern shorn of IssyKul lake.In the gorge there are 3 stones,placed at 1 km each other with Tibetan rock inscription, The closest stone is two kilometers away from the village of Tamga, it is called "Tamga-Tash" (stone with letter). Stone is on a high level ground, in the old trail, which runs along the river Tamga. The stone closed with plants and you can notice it in close distance ,it has a Buddhist mantra engraved on it-OM MANI PADME HUM-it is a kind of pray, used for any case. The inscription on the stone is dated Dzungarian (Kalmyk) period (XV-XVII centuries). The interpretation of the mantra: "Oh! The Pearl in the lotus ", but it is rarely understood in this sense. Very characteristic is that this stone was used for ritual purposes long before the emergence of Buddhism. Tamga-Tash most famous three stones is not only a historical monument. Therefore, visit these stones requires a conscious relationship. After we will embark on a hiking trip to Skazka Canyon, located on the South Shore of Issyk Kol lake, which is also known as Fairy Tale Canyon due to the imaginative shapes that have been carved into the red sandstone by centuries of wind and water erosion. The shapes include dragons, snakes, castles, and other fantasy-like features that can be seen using your mind's eye. Following the canyon hike, we will drive to Bokonbaevo we stop for lunch. Bokonbayevo is a picturesque village on the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Located in the middle between the Teskey Ala-Too Mountains and the shore of Issyk-Kul, Bokonbayevo interesting for visitors with its combination of natural beauty and traditional Kyrgyz mentality. Bokonbayevo become a center of eco-culture-tourism. Bokonbayevo is also well known with some shows like Eagle hunting hosts, carpet weavers, felt artisans, master chefs talented performers and expert riders. See how handicrafts are made, buy souvenirs, taste the best of local dishes, enjoy dance and music, and cheer on horse games and races. Bokonbayevo is also well known for its yurt camps and guest houses, some of which are right on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Dinner at the local café and spend the night in a cozy yurt, and next day in the morning start the day by watching the sunrise with boorsok (fried dough) and kumis (mare’s milk).
Day 5: Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning after breakfast we keep driving from Bokonbaevo to the Vilage Kyzyl Tuu. We will stop at Kyzyl-Tuu village. Kyzyl-Tuu is one of the most famous villages in Kyrgyzstan by quantity and quality of produced yurts by local people. Most of the villagers are involved in production of yurts and its decorations, most of yurts are exported to abroad. We will be invited for the yurt show at Kyzyl-Tuu, master will show how they produce yurts, also you can join in installation of a small yurt ,after we will have lunch. Then we drive to Salt Lake-Kara Kol. The Salt lake Kara-Kul is one of the reservoirs that remained in natural basins after Issyk-Kul left its shores as a result of a significant decrease in the level of the water surface. The two lakes are separated by a 400-meter isthmus, from the top of which both water areas are perfectly visible. Kara-Kul gained its popularity due to the high mineralization of water and therapeutic mud, which helps to get rid of dermatological problems and joint pain. The lake is called "dead" due to the fact that in it, except for several types of bacteria, there is nothing alive. The reason for this is the high salt content in the water, which is reflected in unacceptable living conditions for representatives of aquatic flora and fauna. At the same time, this level of saline concentration endows the reservoir with healing properties. Many compare it with the Dead Sea in Israel, although this statement is controversial - there is a commonality, but there are much more differences. We can swim and enjoying time in there for two hours We will then resume our journey towards the city of Bishkek (200km), making a stop for lunch and passing through the breathtaking Boom gorge.Then we drive to Bishkek , where we will have dinner and spend the night at a hotel
Day 6: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Welcome back to Bishkek. We will convene in the hotel after breakfast in the morning and head to Ala- Archa National Park, which is located 40 km away. Ala-Archa National Park offers impressive glaciers, waterfalls and high peaks. We will spend around few hours exploring the park and taking in the sights. Afterward, we will return and travel for 10 km before turning onto a mountain road that leads to Chunkurchak Gorge. Chunkurchak is the alpine gorge closest to Bishkek, which is popular among Bishkek residents and guests of the capital. In Kyrgyz language "chunkurchak" means "depression". During the drive, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Chuy valley. Once we arrive, we'll indulge in a lavish lunch at the ethno-complex "Supara Chunkurchak" is also located in the gorge, which is situated on the mountains. Here you can try national dishes. Later in the afternoon, we'll head back to Bishkek and you'll have some free time for shopping. In the evening we will have dinner and preparing for next day. Day of departure.
Day 7: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Manas International Airport, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Today is our last day. Having breakfast early in the morning at the hotel we will organize city tour before checking out. We will visit some sights which are the face of Bishkek city. Here are the places where we will go: VICTORY SQUARE-OPERA AND BALET THEATRE-MUSEUM OF ART-HISTORICAL MUSEUM-ALA TOO SQUARE- JOGORKU KENESH (WHITE HOUSE)-PHILARMONIC-OSH BAZAAR. After we will have free time for shopping before dinner at a restaurant, then transfer to the airport for your departure. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again in the future. BYE BYE.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan