✨ The "Turnaland" Tour Company.

8-Day Tour of Kyrgyzstan —
Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul & the Tian Shan

From Bishkek to the high-altitude steppe of Son-Kul — yurt camps, mountain passes, ancient gorges and the warmth of Kyrgyz hospitality.

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Mountain Routes

Breathtaking Treks Across the Most Beautiful Peaks of Kyrgyzstan

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Comfortable Accommodation

Cozy yurts and modern campsites in picturesque locations

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Experienced Guides

Professional guides with deep knowledge of the region

Itinerary

Our Most Popular Tour — Day by Day

A week of travel through the most beautiful corners of Kyrgyzstan — from Bishkek to the high-altitude lake Son-Kul

Arrival in Bishkek & Journey to Issyk-Kul
01 Day One

Arrival in Bishkek & Journey to Issyk-Kul

  • Arrival at Manas International Airport. Meet your English-speaking driver-guide.
  • Lunch in central Bishkek — a first taste of Kyrgyz national cuisine.
  • Drive through the Chuy Valley to the historic Burana Tower complex — the ancient Karakhanid capital of the 9th–11th centuries, destroyed by Genghis Khan.
  • Pass through the Boom Gorge with a stop at the Kok-Moinok canyon and its striking "Martian" landscapes.
  • Arrive at Chok-Tal village on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.
  • Check in at the guesthouse, dinner. Optional swim in the lake (water temperature up to 25 °C in summer).
Thermal Springs & Beaches of Cholpon-Ata
02 Day Two

Thermal Springs & Beaches of Cholpon-Ata

  • Breakfast at the guesthouse.
  • Visit the famous Issyk-Kul thermal springs — open-air pools with varying water temperatures (from ice-cold to 60 °C).
  • Transfer to the resort town of Cholpon-Ata (30 km).
  • Check in at a guesthouse, lunch on a café terrace.
  • Free time on the beach.
  • Evening stroll through town, dinner at a restaurant, optional nightlife.
Semyonovka Gorge & the Petroglyphs Valley
03 Day Three

Semyonovka Gorge & the Petroglyphs Valley

  • Breakfast.
  • Excursion to Semyonovka and Grigorievka gorges.
  • Optional activities: horseback riding, photo with a golden eagle, tasting glacier water.
  • Lunch inside a traditional yurt.
  • Return to Cholpon-Ata — visit the Petroglyphs Valley (open-air museum covering 42 hectares, under UNESCO protection).
  • Free time on the beach, dinner and relaxation.
Karakol city tour Kyrgyzstan — Orthodox church and Dungan mosque
04 Day Four

Karakol — Cultural Capital of Issyk-Kul

  • Breakfast.
  • Drive to Karakol (140 km from Cholpon-Ata, approx. 2 hours).
  • City walk: visit the wooden Orthodox church and the Dungan mosque.
  • Lunch: a tasting of Dungan, Uyghur, Uzbek, and Kyrgyz cuisines.
  • Check in at a guesthouse.
  • Visit the Ak-Suu thermal springs — relax in the mineral baths.
  • Dinner and rest.
Jeti-Oguz Seven Bulls rock formation and yurt camp Kyrgyzstan
05 Day Five

Jeti-Oguz, Barskoon & a Night in a Yurt

  • Breakfast, then drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.
  • Jeti-Oguz Gorge — the famous "Seven Bulls" rock formation, kumiss tasting in a yurt.
  • Barskoon Gorge: waterfalls and the Yuri Gagarin monument (the cosmonaut recuperated here after his spaceflight).
  • Lunch in the village of Barskoon.
  • Gorge walk and photoshoot at the waterfalls.
  • Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the lake.
  • Dinner at the yurt camp, overnight stay in traditional yurts.
Son-Kul high-altitude lake Kyrgyzstan — yurt camp at 3016 metres
06 Day Six

High-Altitude Lake Son-Kul

  • Breakfast.
  • Depart for the high-altitude Lake Son-Kul (over 3,000 m above sea level).
  • Journey through mountain passes — approx. 4.5 hours of driving.
  • Lunch in the town of Kochkor.
  • Arrive at Son-Kul, settle into yurts on the lakeshore.
  • Discover the lake's unique wildlife, especially its rich birdlife.
  • Dinner at the camp, stargazing in the high-mountain night sky.
Farewell dinner in Bishkek — Kyrgyzstan tour ending
07 Day Seven

Return to Bishkek & Farewell Dinner

  • Breakfast; optional sunrise walk on the shores of Son-Kul.
  • Morning stroll around the lake.
  • Drive to Bishkek — approx. 5 hours.
  • Arrive around lunchtime — free time for shopping at the Eastern markets and picking up souvenirs.
  • Farewell dinner with the company's founders.
  • Toasts to new adventures ahead.
Manas International Airport Bishkek — departure transfer Kyrgyzstan tour
08 Day Eight

Airport Transfer & Departure

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Transfer to Manas International Airport, accompanied by your driver-guide all the way to the terminal.
  • Farewell and best wishes for your next adventure — Kyrgyzstan will be waiting for you!

This off-road tour starts from $900

Book This Tour
Custom Tour

Can't find the right fit?

We can arrange any tour tailored to your wishes. Dates, route, destinations, comfort level, and budget — everything is planned individually. Tell us about the trip you've been dreaming of, and we'll put it together for you.

Plan Your Route

Questions about the tour

What does the tour include?

  • An all-encompassing journey through Kyrgyzstan's sights, with a fresh location to explore every day
  • Overnight stays in high-standard guest houses
  • Food & Dining
  • Expert driver-instructor
  • Insurance policy
Tour Price
From €900
Additional services are arranged separately or can be purchased on-site

Checklist: What to pack

  • Light athletic wear: shorts and T-shirts
  • Rain jacket (it can rain in the mountains)
  • Fleece jacket
  • Thermal wear (essential for cold mountain nights)
  • Two pairs of sneakers (one pair of trekking shoes for the mountains)
  • Flip-flops for the beach and shower
  • Swimwear (swimsuits and trunks). We will be swimming in warm lakes and hot springs
  • Towels and personal hygiene items
  • Comfortable cotton underwear. Trust us, you’ll thank us later after the horseback riding!
  • Passport and travel insurance policy
Travel light and avoid bringing a suitcase. Since this is an active trip, there won’t be any discos or fancy restaurant events. Instead, you’ll gain unforgettable impressions of the breathtaking Eastern nature.

Tourist Destinations of Kyrgyzstan

Kashka-Suu Gorge Kyrgyzstan — mountain gorge near Bishkek

Kashka-Suu Gorge

A picturesque mountain gorge with golden slopes and snow-capped peaks

Mountains
Chunkurchak Gorge Kyrgyzstan — alpine meadows and hiking near Bishkek

Chunkurchak Gorge

Green hills and alpine meadows surrounded by majestic mountains

Nature
Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan — 11th century Silk Road minaret near Tokmok

Burana Tower

An ancient 11th-century minaret — an architectural monument of the Great Silk Road

History
Kichi-Kemin Gorge Kyrgyzstan — mountain valley trekking route

Kichi-Kemin Gorge

A mountain road through coniferous forests and alpine valleys

Trekking
Petroglyph Valley Kyrgyzstan — ancient rock carvings 2000 years old

Petroglyph Valley

Ancient rock carvings dating back more than 2,000 years

Archaeology
Grigorievka and Semenovka Gorges Kyrgyzstan — mountain lakes near Issyk-Kul

Grigorievka and Semenovka Gorges

Crystal clear mountain lakes among sheer cliffs

Lakes
Karakol Orthodox Church Kyrgyzstan — historic wooden church built without nails

Karakol, Orthodox Church

A unique wooden church from the late 19th century built without a single nail

Architecture
Karakol Dungan Mosque Kyrgyzstan — Chinese-style mosque built without nails

Karakol, Dungan Mosque

A vibrant Chinese-style mosque built without any nails

Culture
Jeti-Oguz Gorge Kyrgyzstan — Seven Bulls red rock formation near Karakol

Jeti-Oguz Gorge

The famous red rocks "Seven Bulls" and "Broken Heart"

Geology