From the Tian Shan Mountains to the Shores of Issyk-Kul
From the Tian Shan Mountains to the Shores of Issyk-Kul
Eleven days across Kyrgyzstan: Son-Kul, the Susamyr valley, both shores of Issyk-Kul and the gorges of the Tian Shan.
Multi-day journey from Authentic Travel Community
About the tour
A grand journey across Kyrgyzstan bringing together the most impressive natural locations in the country: the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, the endless Susamyr valley, the southern and northern shores of Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Chon-Kemin and the scenic gorges of the Tian Shan. The route is designed for guests who want to see Kyrgyzstan as fully as possible, combining comfortable accommodation, national culture, mountain landscapes and unique natural landmarks.
- FormatMulti-day journey
- Duration11 days / 10 nights
- DifficultyEasy. Suitable for families, couples and travellers of any age
- Pricefrom 2500 USD per person
RouteBishkek → Chunkurchak → Too-Ashuu → Susamyr → Son-Kul → Bokonbaevo → Fairy Tale Canyon → Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol → Cholpon-Ata → Chon-Kemin → Bishkek
Main impressionsBishkek · Chunkurchak Gorge · Susamyr valley · Lake Son-Kul · Horse rides · Southern shore of Issyk-Kul · Bokonbaevo · Fairy Tale Canyon · Barskoon waterfalls · Jeti-Oguz · Karakol · Karakol Gorge · Ruh Ordo · Cholpon-Ata · Chon-Kemin · Kyrgyz national cuisine
Included in the priceAccommodation according to the programme · Breakfasts · Lunches · Dinners · Private transport along the whole route · Driver services
Accommodation2 nights in Bishkek, 1 night glamping in Susamyr, 2 nights in a yurt camp at Son-Kul, 1 night in Bokonbaevo / Ton, 2 nights in Karakol, 1 night in Cholpon-Ata, 1 night in Chon-Kemin
11 days, day by day
Tour programme
Guests are met at Manas airport, transferred to the hotel and taken on a sightseeing tour of Bishkek, including Ala-Too Square, Oak Park and the central landmarks of the city. A welcome dinner closes the first day, with the night in Bishkek.
- Route: Manas airport → Bishkek
- Meals: Welcome dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
After breakfast the group drives to Chunkurchak Gorge, where panoramic views open onto the Kyrgyz Range. The day is spent on photo stops and walks along the valley, with lunch at a mountain restaurant and free time to rest. In the evening the group returns to Bishkek for dinner and the second night in the capital.
- Route: Bishkek → Chunkurchak → Bishkek
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
The route crosses the Too-Ashuu pass with panoramic stops along the way, then descends into the wide Susamyr valley. Lunch is followed by a walk through the valley and time to settle into a glamping camp. Dinner is served at the camp, and the night is spent in glamping tents under the mountain sky.
- Route: Bishkek → Too-Ashuu pass → Susamyr valley
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Glamping in Susamyr
A transfer day to the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, with lunch on the road. On arrival at the yurt camp there is a walk along the lake shore and an introduction to nomadic life on the jailoo, where shepherds still spend the summer with their herds. Dinner and the first night in a yurt.
- Route: Susamyr → Son-Kul
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Yurt camp at Son-Kul
A full day at the lake: a horse ride across the jailoo in the morning, then free time for rest and photo sessions. Lunch is followed by national tea and snacks in the yurt, and the day builds towards sunset over Son-Kul, one of the strongest impressions of the whole route. Dinner and a second night in the yurt camp.
- Route: Son-Kul
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Yurt camp at Son-Kul
The group descends from the high pastures to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, with lunch on the road. On arrival in the Ton district near Bokonbaevo there is time to rest by the lake and free time before dinner. Night at a hotel on the shore.
- Route: Son-Kul → Ton / Bokonbaevo
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Bokonbaevo / Ton
A day of the classic southern shore landmarks: the sculpted red rock of Fairy Tale Canyon, then Barskoon Gorge with a walk to the waterfalls. After lunch the route continues to Jeti-Oguz, the Seven Bulls rock formation, with panoramic platforms and photo stops. The group arrives in Karakol for dinner and the night at a hotel.
- Route: Bokonbaevo → Fairy Tale Canyon → Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Karakol
The morning goes to Karakol Gorge and a climb to its panoramic viewpoints. After lunch there is a sightseeing tour of the town itself, including the wooden Dungan Mosque and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Dinner is served at a national restaurant, with a second night in Karakol.
- Route: Karakol → Karakol Gorge → Karakol
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner at a national restaurant
- Overnight: Hotel in Karakol
The group visits Kyrchyn Gorge and crosses through Chon-Ak-Suu on the way west along the northern shore. After lunch and arrival in Cholpon-Ata there is a visit to the Ruh Ordo cultural centre on the lakefront, then free time by the water. Dinner and the night at a resort hotel.
- Route: Karakol → Kyrchyn → Chon-Ak-Suu → Cholpon-Ata
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Resort hotel in Cholpon-Ata
A transfer to the Chon-Kemin valley, lunch on arrival and a horse ride through the valley in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free before dinner and the night in a guest house among the villages.
- Route: Cholpon-Ata → Chon-Kemin
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight: Guest house in Chon-Kemin
The final morning is the return to Bishkek, with a stop at souvenir shops and craft workshops. After lunch the transfer to the airport closes the programme.
- Route: Chon-Kemin → Bishkek → airport
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Tour cost
Per person, double occupancy
Based on double occupancy
from 2500 USD per person
Everything you need to plan
Tour details
Included in the price
- ✓Accommodation according to the programme
- ✓Breakfasts
- ✓Lunches
- ✓Dinners
- ✓Private transport along the whole route
- ✓Driver services
- ✓Transfers
- ✓Mineral water
- ✓Basic tour coordination
Not included
- —International flights
- —Medical insurance
- —Spa and hot springs
- —Horse rides (where charged separately)
- —Personal expenses
- —Tips
We are always in touch
Questions and answers
Accommodation according to the programme; Breakfasts; Lunches; Dinners; Private transport along the whole route; Driver services; Transfers; Mineral water; Basic tour coordination.
International flights; Medical insurance; Spa and hot springs; Horse rides (where charged separately); Personal expenses; Tips.
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for families, couples and travellers of any age.
11 days / 10 nights. Route: Bishkek → Chunkurchak → Too-Ashuu → Susamyr → Son-Kul → Bokonbaevo → Fairy Tale Canyon → Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol → Cholpon-Ata → Chon-Kemin → Bishkek.
Send a request through the form on this page, or write to us on WhatsApp or Telegram at +996 990 404 550. We will confirm the dates, the group size and the final conditions.
