A two-day private escape to Son Kol lake, 3,000 metres up in the Kyrgyz highlands. Burana Tower, Konorchek canyon, a night in a yurt camp, horseback riding on the summer pastures, a Kochkor lunch and a stop at the Orto Tokoi reservoir.
A short private trip to the complete wilderness of Son Kol at 3,000 m above sea level, where the operator says mystery intertwines with beauty. The first day leaves Bishkek for the Burana Tower at Tokmok — an 11th-century watching tower — and the Konorchek canyon, then climbs serpentine mountain passes to a yurt camp at Son Kol for horseback riding on the alpine meadows, dinner, a bonfire and stargazing. The second day starts with more time at the lake, including a swim in summer, before the descent to Kochkor town for lunch and a stop at the turquoise Orto Tokoi reservoir on the way back to Bishkek. The tour runs from May to October.
This is a private tour with published per-person rates for the all-inclusive package: 820 US dollars for a solo traveller, 455 US dollars per person for two people and 355 US dollars per person for groups of three and more. Larger groups are quoted on request.
The 'From' price of 355 US dollars on the official page corresponds to the rate for a group of three or more.
Only your group participates. Start time is 8 AM or coordinated with you. Duration: 2 days and 1 night. Availability: May to October. Level of difficulty: easy.
Group departures on the same route are available as a separate programme with a summer schedule.
The night is spent in a yurt at a camp on the shore of Son Kol; the yurt is shared by two to four people. Meals are on a full board basis, including dinner in the camp on the first day and breakfast and lunch on the second. Swimming at the lake is possible in the summer season.
After a hotel pick-up the group starts the four-hour drive to Son Kol through picturesque scenery. The first stop is Tokmok (80 km) and the famous Burana Tower, built in the 11th century as a watching tower, where about 40 minutes are spent on the superb view from the top, a walk among the balbals (gravestones with depictions) and a visit to the archaeology museum. The route continues to the picturesque Konorchek canyon for a light but awesome hike with otherworldly views, and lunch is taken on the way. The group then crosses serpentine mountain passes to Son Kol, checks in at a yurt camp and explores the lake, its green pastures and the landscape, with horseback riding on the alpine meadows, dinner, a bonfire, stargazing and the night in yurts.
After breakfast the group explores Son Kol a little deeper, with free time to walk around and, in the summer season, to swim. After several hours of perfect meditation the return journey begins with a descent through the mountain passes. Lunch is in Kochkor town, then the route continues with a stop at the turquoise Orto Tokoi reservoir. The last stretch brings the group to the capital city, with a drop-off at each hotel (not included). 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.
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