Son-Kul Yurt Stays
Spend two nights among the lake’s high-altitude pastures.
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8 Days · Lakes & Nomadic Culture · Issyk-Kul & Central Kyrgyzstan
Tour Around the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan
Son-Kul pastures, nomadic experiences and the shores of Issyk-Kul — an eight-day journey starting and finishing in Bishkek.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Season
- May 15 – September 25
- Group Size
- Up to 12 people
- Start / Finish
- Bishkek / Bishkek
- Accommodation
- Yurt camps & hotels
- Guide Languages
- English, German, Russian
Journey Overview
Two Lakes, Many Ways to Experience Kyrgyzstan
Travel from Bishkek to Ala-Archa and Burana before reaching the high pastures of Son-Kul. Spend time in a yurt camp and explore the lakeside on horseback.
Continue to Issyk-Kul for eagle hunting and yurt assembly demonstrations, canyon walks and visits to Barskoon and Jeti-Oguz. Discover Karakol and Kyrchyn, then relax on the north shore before returning to Bishkek.
Journey Highlights
What Makes This Journey Special
Horse Riding
Explore the Son-Kul lakeside from the saddle.
Nomadic Traditions
Experience eagle hunting and a yurt assembly demonstration.
Gorges & Canyons
Explore the scenic gorges and canyons of the region.
Issyk-Kul Shores
Enjoy lakeside time on both the southern and northern shores.
Your Route
Follow the Journey
A journey from Bishkek to Son-Kul and around Issyk-Kul, combining mountain landscapes, cultural experiences and lakeside stays.
Route at a Glance
Bishkek → Ala-Archa
Arrival and a walk in the mountain park.
Burana → Kochkor → Son-Kul
Heritage visit and two nights at a yurt camp.
Bokonbaevo → Skazka
Nomadic demonstrations and canyon scenery.
Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol
Waterfall walks and mountain viewpoints.
Kyrchyn → Cholpon-Ata
Kochmondor Village and lakeside relaxation.
Bishkek
City tour and airport departure.
Day by Day
Your Journey, Step by Step
Explore the route day by day, with a closer look at the experiences, overnight stays and rhythm of your journey.
Day01Manas Airport → Bishkek → Ala-Archa → Bishkek
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan
Arrive at Manas International Airport and transfer to Bishkek for hotel check-in and breakfast. Visit Ala-Archa Natural Park for a walk before returning to the capital for a free evening.
- Overnight
- Hotel in Bishkek
Day02Bishkek → Burana → Kochkor → Son-Kul
From Silk Road Heritage to High Pastures
Leave Bishkek early and visit Burana Tower. After lunch in Kochkor, continue to Son-Kul and settle into a yurt camp by the high-altitude lake.
- Overnight
- Yurt camp at Son-Kul
Day03Son-Kul Lake Area
A Day in the Saddle
Spend the day at Son-Kul with a horse riding excursion towards the lake. Enjoy the pasture landscapes before returning to the yurt camp for a second night.
- Activity
- Horse riding
- Overnight
- Yurt camp at Son-Kul
Day04Son-Kul → Bokonbaevo → Skazka → Issyk-Kul
Nomadic Skills & the Southern Shore
Travel to Bokonbaevo for an eagle hunting show and a yurt assembly demonstration, with lunch. Continue to Skazka Canyon before checking into a yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul.
Enjoy free time by the lake before dinner.
- Overnight
- Yurt camp by Issyk-Kul
Day05Issyk-Kul → Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol
Waterfalls & Mountain Viewpoints
Visit Barskoon Gorge for a waterfall hike with a packed lunch. Continue to Jeti-Oguz for a walk to a panoramic viewpoint before travelling to Karakol.
Check into a hotel and have dinner at a local cafe.
- Activity
- Hiking
- Lunch
- Packed lunch
- Overnight
- Hotel in Karakol
Day06Karakol → Kyrchyn → Cholpon-Ata
Culture & Time by the Lake
Visit Kochmondor Village in Kyrchyn before continuing to Cholpon-Ata. After lunch and resort hotel check-in, enjoy beach relaxation and free time.
- Overnight
- Resort hotel in Cholpon-Ata
Day07Cholpon-Ata → Bishkek
Back to the Capital
Return to Bishkek and explore the city on a guided tour. Check into a hotel for the final night of the journey.
- Overnight
- Hotel in Bishkek
Day08Bishkek → Manas Airport
Departure
Transfer to Manas International Airport for your departure flight.
- Finish
- Manas International Airport
Tour Details
What’s Included
A clear overview of what your journey includes and what to arrange separately.
Included
- English-, German- or Russian-speaking guide
- Transfers according to the itinerary
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Drinking water as specified in the program
- Entrance fees for visits included in the itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Medical insurance and related expenses
- Early hotel check-in on arrival day
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Changes or additions to the agreed itinerary
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Tour Around the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan
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