Burana Tower Tours

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your Bishkek hotel to begin your journey east. Drive through the fertile Chui Valley and along the Kazakh border, enjoying views of the snow-capped Tien Shan Mountains and small local villages.Explore one of Kyrgyzstan’s most important historical monuments — the 11th-century Burana Tower, part of the ancient Silk Road city of Balasagun. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the valley, visit the small archaeological museum, and walk among the open-air collection of ancient balbals (stone warrior statues).

Boom Gorge

Continue your journey through the spectacular Boom Gorge — a natural gateway between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul. Here, the Chu River carves its way through red-rock cliffs and green valleys. Stop for lunch at a local café, where you can enjoy national puff cakes with sour cream and tea brewed in a Russian samovar.

Bokonbayevo

Arrive in Bokonbaevo on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake — the heart of Kyrgyz nomadic culture. Witness a live Golden Eagle Hunting Show, where a local berkutchi (eagle hunter) demonstrates ancient falconry traditions, Taigan hunting dogs, and Kyrgyz archery. Spend the evening in a cozy yurt camp by the lake, enjoying a traditional dinner under the stars.

Canyon Skazka

After breakfast drive to Skazka canyon.Explore this colorful red-sand canyon where nature has carved whimsical shapes resembling animals and castles — an unforgettable photo stop with views of Issyk-Kul Lake.

Barskoon Waterfall

Drive into Barskoon Valley, famous for its waterfalls cascading down from alpine forests. Visit the “Tears of a Leopard” waterfall and see the monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, who once vacationed here.

Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks)

Discover the scenic “Seven Bulls” — towering red-sandstone cliffs — and the “Broken Heart Rock.” Enjoy a short hike or horse ride amid the green meadows and mountain rivers before heading to Karakol.

Karakol

Karakol is the fourth-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, near the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 150 kilometres (93 mi) from the Kyrgyzstan–China border and 380 kilometres (240 mi) from the capital Bishkek. It is the administrative capital of Issyk-Kul Region.

Karakol

Explore Karakol’s charming mix of cultures and architecture. Visit the colorful Dungan Mosque (built without a single nail), the wooden Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, and the bustling local market.

Semenovka

On your return journey, travel along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul through these twin alpine gorges. Snow-capped peaks, pine forests, and crystal-clear streams make this area one of Kyrgyzstan’s most picturesque landscapes — perfect for scenic stops and photography.

On the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, 40 km to the east of the resort town of Cholpon-Ata, above the village of Semyonovka, is one of the most beautiful places in Issyk-Kul region – Kyrchyn Gorge (Semyonov Gorge). The gorge is 30 km long. The tumbling mountain river of clean glacier water Ak-Suu runs along the bottom of the gorge, and along the slopes grow majestic Tian-Shan spruce. During the spring and summer, the clean mountain air is filled with the scent of aromatic alpine grasses. Semyonov Gorge is one of the main tourist attractions in the Kyrgyz Republic and is an essential excursion for tourists vacationing at Issyk-Kul. In the summer yurts are constructed here, where all who wish can try traditional Kyrgyz dishes. Horse excursions in the gorge can also be arranged for those who love riding.