Individual off-road tour around Issyk-Kul

Day One:

Golden Eagle Hunting, Skazka Canyon, and Jeti-Oguz Gorge

We’ll meet in Bishkek and head toward the town of Bokonbaevo, located on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. The journey will take about 4.5 hours. Along the way, we’ll visit the Orto-Tokoi Reservoir and cross the Kubaky Pass at 2,160 meters above sea level to enjoy panoramic views.

Upon arrival, you’ll experience an exciting eagle hunting show. You’ll also have the chance to try your hand at archery. Afterwards, we’ll stop at one of the town’s best cafés to enjoy a delicious traditional Kyrgyz meal.

Next, we’ll visit the Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, famous for its otherworldly landscapes and vivid contrasts. Over hundreds of years, soil erosion has created bizarre formations from clay and stone. Enjoy the surreal scenery of multicolored clay, minerals, and rock layers.

Jeti-Oguz Gorge

Located on the northern slopes of the Teskey Ala-Too range surrounding Issyk-Kul, this is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. It is renowned for the Seven Bulls rock formation, a protected natural monument, and is surrounded by expansive alpine meadows.

In the evening, we’ll arrive in the town of Karakol and stay overnight in a cozy guesthouse.

For dinner, you’ll try the famous Karakol specialty — Ashlyan-fu.

Day Two:

Przewalski Museum, Semyonov and Grigoriev Gorges, Hot Springs

After breakfast, we’ll visit several historical landmarks in Karakol. You’ll see the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, built in 1895, and the early 20th-century Dungan Mosque, designed by a Chinese architect. Then we’ll visit the Przewalski Memorial Museum, where documents, photographs, and personal belongings of the famous traveler, geographer, and naturalist are on display. A historian guide will give you an in-depth overview of his life and expeditions.

We’ll then travel to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, stopping by the Semyonov Gorge — named after the Russian explorer Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky. This gorge stretches about 30 km and is known for its stunning views: a fast-flowing river of crystal-clear glacial water and lush slopes covered with Tien Shan firs.

After filling our lungs with fresh mountain air, we’ll cross a low pass into the Grigoriev Gorge — also one of Issyk-Kul’s top destinations. We'll admire two snow-capped peaks over 4,000 meters tall. Finally, we’ll head to the town of Cholpon-Ata, where you’ll have a chance to soak in healing hot springs and grab a bite to eat. On our way back to Bishkek, we’ll make one last stop to enjoy some of the best national cuisine Kyrgyzstan has to offer.

Related Tours

• Climbing to the Peaks and Discovering Tastes: An Adventure in the Mountains near Bishkek
• Panoramas of Issyk-Kul and Canyons of the Tien Shan