An eight-day fixed-date group tour of Kyrgyzstan with the country's headline sights: Chon Kemin and Issyk Kul, Karakol and Jeti Oguz, Barskoon and Skazka canyon, the remote Kel Suu lake and Son Kol at 3,000 metres. Rafting, horseback riding, yurts, eagle hunting.
This eight-day fixed-date group tour is the operator's fullest week-plus programme in Kyrgyzstan. It opens with a horseback ride and rafting in the Chon Kemin valley and the Kok Moinok canyon before reaching Cholpon Ata on Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. The route continues with a private ship ride, the Grigoriev and Semyonov gorges, Karakol and Jeti Oguz, the Barskoon waterfalls and Skazka canyon, and a night in the Bel Tam yurt camp on the wild south shore. Two nights follow at the high-altitude lakes Kel Suu, close to the Chinese border, and Son Kol at 3,000 metres. The tour runs from June to October for groups of 3 to 12 people.
1,500 US dollars per person for the all-inclusive package described in the inclusions section of the official page.
The operator lists the following summer and autumn departures for 2026, 2027 and 2028: June 1 - June 8; June 11 - June 18; June 21 - June 28; July 1 - July 8; July 11 - July 18; July 21 - July 28; August 1 - August 8; August 11 - August 18.
August 21 - August 28; August 31 - September 7; September 10 - September 17; September 20 - September 27; September 30 - October 7; October 10 - October 17; October 20 - October 27.
Duration: 8 days and 8 nights. Availability: June to October. Level of difficulty: easy to moderate. Format: group of 3 to 12 people with fixed departures.
Transport depends on group size and availability: comfortable 4x4 SUVs or a mini bus. An English-speaking tour leader or guide travels with the group.
This is a fixed-date group tour, so the dates above are shared with other travellers. The operator also runs shorter and longer itineraries based on the same regions, including an 8-day private version of the Kyrgyzstan programme.
A morning drive from Bishkek to the Chon Kemin valley (150 km) opens the tour. Here the group takes a two-and-a-half-hour horseback ride up to a panoramic point over the whole valley and has lunch in a valley restaurant with a 360-degree view. On the way out of Chon Kemin the group rafts the Chu river for about 1.5 hours and then makes a light hike in the Kok Moinok canyon. The day ends at Issyk Kul, with an arrival in Cholpon Ata on the north coast, dinner in a restaurant and a hotel (Olimp 3* or similar).
After breakfast the group boards a private ship for a two-hour ride on Issyk Kul, stopping at a depth of 120 m where swimming with life jackets is possible. The route then follows the north coast to Karakol, visiting the Grigoriev and Semyonov gorges and hiking up to the small hidden lake Suttuu Bulak (2.5 hours both ways) with tea on the green pastures. After lunch and a hotel check-in in Karakol (78 or similar), the group drives to the neighbouring village Ak Suu for the hot spring pools by the river and a forest, then returns for dinner.
A cable car at the country's best ski resort climbs to 3,040 m for views of the snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows and Issyk Kul. Back in Karakol there is a short city excursion to the Dungan mosque of 1910 and the Orthodox church of 1895, followed by lunch. The group then drives deep into the Jeti Oguz (Seven Bulls) valley, crossing several river bridges to a jailoo (alpine pasture), where local horses carry everyone up to the Maiden Braids waterfall (1.5 hours both ways). Return to the hotel in Karakol, dinner and free time.
The group moves along the south coast of Issyk Kul to the Barskoon valley and its three waterfalls for a hike. Lunch is followed by an easy walk in the Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon, whose claystone formations have been shaped by wind and rain into the 'Castles', the 'Chinese Wall' and animal silhouettes. Check-in is at the Bel Tam yurt camp on the wild beach of the lake, which has showers, toilets, laundry and a bar. Free time for swimming at sunset, then dinner in a big kitchen yurt where a local Kyrgyz family of artists performs national songs on traditional instruments, and a bonfire.
The tour moves into the Naryn region, the part of Kyrgyzstan closest to China. In Ak Sai village the group watches an eagle hunting demonstration and learns about this traditional Kyrgyz way of hunting, then takes part in archery; only an artificial animal carcass is used as prey. Next comes a light hike to the panoramic viewpoint of the Canyon of Forgotten Rivers and a picnic on the wild beach, with another swim in Issyk Kul. The drive to Naryn passes the Orto Tokoi water reservoir (2.5 hours), with a hotel (Khan Tengri or similar), rest and dinner.
A three-hour light off-road drive leads to Kel Suu, a remote alpine lake close to the Chinese border, through a border checkpoint with special permits. After lunch and check-in at a guesthouse of wooden cabins, the group rides horses to the lake itself (1.5 hours one way) and explores it from a motorboat, gliding along the turquoise water between rocky mountains on both sides. Return to the camp, dinner and a bonfire under the starry sky.
The group transfers from one high-altitude lake to another. The drive from Kel Suu back to Naryn takes three hours, with lunch in a restaurant, then the road climbs over the '33 parrots' mountain pass to Son Kol at 3,000 m above sea level (2.5 hours) and a yurt camp. Horseback riding on the vast green meadows is optional; the rest of the day is free for exploring Son Kol, dinner and stargazing.
The final day starts with more time at Son Kol, then an easy walk to a lovely waterfall before the descent from the mountains and a four-hour drive back to Bishkek. The group checks in at a hotel in the capital (Ambassador 4*, Solutel 4* or similar) with free time to rest, and gathers once more for a farewell dinner. The tour ends in Bishkek.
Fixed date Ventura Tours Central Asia A two-day group tour from Bishkek to the high-altitude Son Kol lake at 3,000 m: Burana Tower, the Konorchek canyon, a night in a yurt, horse riding on alpine meadows and full board.
Fixed date Ventura Tours Central Asia An express two-day group tour along the south coast of Issyk Kul: Burana Tower, the Konorchek canyon, a night at the Bel Tam yurt camp on the wild beach, Skazka canyon, eagle hunting and a picnic by the lake.
Multi-day Ventura Tours Central Asia A private six-day journey through the Issyk Kul region with a challenging two-day trek to the alpine lake Ala Kol at 3,600 m: Burana Tower, a ship ride on the lake, hot springs, Jeti Oguz, waterfalls, a yurt camp and eagle hunting.
Multi-day Ventura Tours Central Asia A private three-day tour from Almaty: the city's main sights, Panfilov Park and Kok Tobe, the Charyn canyon, and the alpine Kolsay and Kaindy lakes hidden among the Tien Shan conifer forests.
