AROUND ISSYK-KOL LAKE
Accessible all year round, this route offers a gradual immersion into the Kyrgyz landscapes, culture and way of life, while remaining adapted to the climatic realities. It is also ideal for travellers who wish to enrich their experience by combining Kyrgyzstan with a trip to Uzbekistan, particularly in spring or autumn. This combination creates a balanced itinerary between mountains and historic cities, wilderness and ancient heritage, for a complete journey to the heart of Central Asia.
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL IN BISHKEK
Arrival at Bishkek International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your English-speaking guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel to rest after your journey.
Depending on your arrival time, you will have your first taste of the Kyrgyz capital, a green city nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains. You will visit the National History Museum, ideal for gaining a better understanding of the country’s history, culture and traditions. Then, immerse yourself in local life at the Osh Bazaar, one of the liveliest markets in Central Asia, where colours, spices, dried fruits and scenes of daily life mingle.
Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bishkek.
DAY 2:
BISHKEK – CHON KEMIN
Departure around 8:30 am towards the Chon-Kemin Valley, one of the most beautiful natural regions in northern Kyrgyzstan. En route, stop at the Burana Tower, the remains of an ancient 11th-century minaret, a witness to the Silk Road. Visit the site and the small open-air museum.
Lunch with a Dungan family, an opportunity to discover unique cuisine and authentic hospitality.
Arrival in Chon-Kemin in the afternoon. Check-in at the guesthouse, then walk around the village, among alpine meadows, forests and mountains. Free time to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in Chon-Kemin.
Elevation gain: +700 m
DAY 3:
CHON KEMIN – KARAKOL
Departure for Lake Issyk-Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. You will travel along the northern shore of the lake, offering superb panoramic views of turquoise waters and snow-capped peaks.
Stop at Cholpon-Ata to visit the open-air petroglyph museum, a fascinating site featuring rock carvings dating back several millennia.
Arrival in Karakol. Visit the Dungan Mosque, built without nails, and the wooden Orthodox church, symbols of the region’s religious diversity.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Karakol.
Elevation: +200 m
DAY 4:
KARAKOL – ALTYN ARASHAN – KARAKOL
In the morning, depart in a Soviet 4×4 to reach the Altyn Arashan Valley, nestled at an altitude of 2,400 metres in the heart of the Tian Shan Mountains. This wild region is famous for its alpine landscapes and natural hot springs.
Free time for a mountain walk, admiring the magnificent panoramas and relaxing in the thermal pools: a unique experience in the heart of nature.
At the end of the day, return to Karakol by the same route.
Dinner in a restaurant.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Karakol.
Elevation: -600 m / +600 m
DAY 5:
KARAKOL – BOKONBAEV
Departure for the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famous for its red rock formations, then the Skazka Canyons (‘Fairy Tale Canyons’), with their astonishing shapes and colours.
Arrival in Bokonbaev, a village renowned for its eagle hunting tradition. Take part in an eagle hunting demonstration, showcasing this ancestral skill passed down from generation to generation.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt near Bokonbaev.
Elevation: -100 m
DAY 6:
BOKONBAEV – BISHKEK
Return to Bishkek, skirting Lake Issyk-Kul one last time. En route, stop for a walk in the Ak-Say canyons, an impressive natural site that is still relatively uncrowded.
Arrival in Bishkek at the end of the day.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bishkek.
Elevation: -900 m
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