Day 1: The Karakhanid Empire and Alpine Meadows
Depart from Bishkek and head to the Burana Tower minaret, a historical site from the 11th century. Explore the remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, one of the capitals of the powerful Karakhanid Khaganate.
Next, enjoy lunch in the Chon-Kemin Gorge before embarking on a 3-4-hour horseback ride through the gorge. Follow routes used by nomadic tribes for centuries and see rare species of coniferous forests at an altitude of 2,500 metres.
Day 2: Mars on Earth and the Secrets of Issyk-Kul
After breakfast, depart the Chon-Kemin Gorge and head to the Ak-Sai and Skazka Canyons. See whimsical red clay castles created by millions of years of soil erosion.
Have lunch overlooking Issyk-Kul, the second-largest high-altitude lake in the world. Then, check in and spend the night at a yurt camp on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, sleeping under the dome of a “tunduk,” like a true nomad.
Day 3: Safari to the Golden Spring
Drive through Karakol to the Altyn-Arashan Gorge, a protected area. Transfer to Soviet-era SUVs (Ural/GAZ-66) for a 1.5-hour off-road safari. In the gorge, visit radon springs with temperatures reaching 50°C and enjoy stunning views of the mountain forest and Palatka Peak (4,260 m).
This pristine spa resort, created by nature at an altitude of 2,600 metres, offers a unique experience.
Day 4: Seven Bulls and Relict Forests
After breakfast at the guesthouse, descend to Karakol by special transport. Next, drive to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge and enjoy a hike through the mountains. Stop for photos at the “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” rocks.
Afterwards, ascend to the Kok-Zhaiyk jailoo (pasture) and have lunch in a yurt. Here, hidden among the 40-50-meter-tall Tien Shan spruce trees, is the powerful “Maiden Braids” waterfall. The hike to it takes an hour each way.
Dinner will be in Karakol, a city founded in 1869 that boasts a unique wooden church without a single nail and a Dungan mosque in the style of a Buddhist temple.
Day 5: Road to the “Lake of the Soul” – Son-Kul
Head to the heart of the Tien Shan. Son-Kul Lake is located at an altitude of 3,016 metres. There are no trees here – only endless edelweiss fields and mirror-like water. It is the largest natural freshwater reservoir in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no permanent buildings around, only summer camps of nomads. A night in a yurt camp will be the highlight of the tour: here, it feels like you can reach out and touch the stars.
Day 6: In the Saddle Along the “Heavenly Mirror”
Start the morning with a horseback ride along the shore of Son-Kul Lake. Experience the freedom that people from all over the world come here for. After lunch, descend along picturesque serpentine roads towards Bishkek.
The final chord is dinner in the Boom Gorge, the meeting point of the mountains and the great Chui Valley.
