3-Day Issyk Kul Lake Tour: Yurt Stay, Eagle Hunting, and Kyrgyz Culture Exploration

Experience the best of Kyrgyz culture and nature on our 3-day adventure around stunning Issyk-Kul Lake! Book now and make unforgettable memories!

Duration: 3 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Bishkek - Burana Tower - Boom Gorge - Eagle Hunting Show - overnight stay in yurt

Bishkek - In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel to begin your exciting tour. We’ll head towards Burana Tower in the small town of Tokmok (80km from Bishkek). As you drive along the border with Kazakhstan, you’ll be treated to the stunning scenery of the Tien Shan mountains, weather permitting. Tokmak, once the second-largest industrial city in Kyrgyzstan during Soviet times, still showcases some Soviet monuments as you pass through. You’ll also drive through several small, picturesque villages, offering a glimpse into local life outside the capital.

Burana Tower - Your guide will introduce you to the mausoleums and other structures unearthed by archaeologists. You’ll have the opportunity to climb the ancient tower for a breathtaking view of the Chui valley and the Tien-Shan mountains. Visit the small museum displaying various archaeological artifacts and an open-air museum featuring ancient gravestones, rock drawings, and other historical objects found in the region.

Boom Gorge - The Boom Gorge connects the Chui valley with Yssyk-Kul lake. The Chu River, one of the largest rivers in Tien-Shan, flows through this large and picturesque gorge. Boom Gorge is known for its diverse landscapes, with wooded and green slopes giving way to arid clay canyons. The gorge’s complex terrain is also notable: narrow and winding in the west, it broadens significantly in the east to form a wide valley. We’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy national puff cakes with sour cream and tea brewed in a Russian samovar, offering a unique taste.

Bokonbayevo - Kyrgyzstan is renowned as the birthplace of eagle hunting. The Berkutchi (eagle’s owner) will share his extensive knowledge about eagles and hunting. You’ll meet his eagle, ask questions, and take photos with the Golden Eagle. This will be followed by a live Eagle Hunting Show, featuring the eagle flying, catching prey, and hunting. Additionally, the Berkutchi will demonstrate Kyrgyz archery and taigan dogs hunting. Together, the Golden Eagle and taigan dogs can even fend off a wolf.

Tong - After a long day, we’ll arrive at our yurt camp, enjoy a nice dinner, and spend the night in a yurt on the shore of Yssyk-Kul lake.

Yurt camp - Canyon Skazka - Barskoon Waterfall - Jeti Oguz - Karakol

Tong - Start the second day with breakfast in the yurt before driving to our next destination, Skazka Canyon.

Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks) - Jeti-Oguz Canyon, also known as Seven Bulls Rocks, is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous landmarks, featuring impressive natural sandstone formations. The canyon is celebrated in poems, paintings, and music videos. Part of the canyon resembles seven bulls, giving it its name, while another formation is called “broken heart.” We’ll stop at Seven Bulls and continue into the Jeti-Oguz Valley. As we ascend, we’ll reach the Kok-Dzhayyk plateau, offering stunning views of the gorge and the Valley of Flowers, adorned with poppies.

Karakol - After a long day, unwind in natural hot springs surrounded by mountains. Later, enjoy dinner at a top-notch restaurant and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.

Karakol - Grigoriev gorge - Semyonov Gorge - Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek

Karakol - Discover the best of Karakol by exploring its colorful streets, vibrant markets, and popular local spots. Learn about the town’s diverse history and the stories behind its main sites, including the Dungan Mosque, Russian Orthodox Church, and Bugu Bazaar. Your English-speaking guide will share fascinating details and legends about Karakol, offering insights you won’t find in any guidebook.

Grigoryevka - Grigoriev Gorge (Chon Aksu) is one of the most beautiful sights around Issyk-Kul Lake. Enjoy the mountain slopes covered with red poppies and the sound of mountain streams. You’ll also see the beautiful Tien-Shan spruce. Sample Kyrgyz national cuisine in a yurt, learn about the culture and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz people, and enjoy horseback riding through the scenic landscape. Experience folk music and drink kumys to fully immerse yourself in the Kyrgyz atmosphere. The stunning mountain scenery and crystal-clear rivers will leave a lasting impression.

Semenovskoye Canyon - We’ll continue through Grigoriev Gorge until we reach Semenovskaye Gorge. These two gorges are connected, allowing us to enter one and exit the other. Semenovskaye Gorge is rich in spruce forests and fragrant herbs, with breathtaking landscapes.

Cholpon Ata - The highlight of the tour is a boat ride on the world’s second-largest alpine lake. Enjoy the captivating view of the lake surrounded by the snowy Tian Shan mountains. Swimming enthusiasts can take a short dip in the cool, clear water (safety vests provided). After this wonderful experience, we’ll visit the spiritual center Rukh Ordo, a unique place that combines the religions and cultures of different nations and eras.

Bishkek - We’ll return to the city around 9-10pm, where your driver and guide will drop you off at your hotel (not included). This marks the end of our intense but amazing tour. Thank you very much!

What's Included
  • Eagle hunting
  • Archery masterclass
  • Horseback riding
  • Boat riding
  • Hot springs
  • English speaking guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • One night in the yurt
  • One night in hotel
What's Not Included
  • Personal expenses and health insurance
  • Accommodation on the 3rd night
Additional Information

Experience the best of Kyrgyz culture and nature on our 3-day adventure around stunning Issyk-Kul Lake! Savor traditional cuisine, ride horses to waterfalls, witness eagle hunting, sail on the endless lake, and sleep in a cozy yurt. Discover wild animals, visit museums and parks, and explore stunning canyons and gorges. Your unforgettable vacation starts here - book now and make unforgettable memories!

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(29 Ratings)
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1 star
Phi0101
Jul 1, 2024
Amazing well organised tour - Amazing service, personalised to your own pace and liking. Excellent english-speaking guide, ask for Azamat! Definitely recommend if you want to see Kyrgyzstan in the most enjoyable way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
151sungk
May 25, 2024
Intensive but most enjoyable 5 days in the nature in Kyrgyzstan - An amazing and exhilating intensive 5-day trip in Krygyzstan! The trip was individually customized by Datka and turned out to be one of the best travel experience we've had, as it was different from others and allowed us to be in the nature, sampling a nomadic life style. Issyk Kul was a vast ocean, except for the face it was surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Staying in a yurt next to the lake and waking up to a sunset across the lake was memorable. Datka founder, Talgat, proved to be both professional and personable guide and offered us an understanding of the rich history, culture and customs of the land and mountains. Could not recommend the company higher. Sung K.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jizhan_g
May 20, 2024
Wonderful trip, a little expensive - Full three day's wonderful trip, Ulan, our guide, speaks english well, we have no communicate problem, we got excellent experience around the Issyk Kul lake and kwen a lot about kyrgyzstan.
Review provided by Viator
Liz
May 4, 2024
Amazing Kyrgyzstan - Amazing 3 day tour in Kyrgyzstan with more adventures and awe inspiring moments than we could ever have imagined. We have travelled to nearly 120 countries and this tour company cannot be faulted. From our first communication, payment and the tour itself everything was perfect. The tour is action packed and show cases the best Kyrgyzstan has to offer. We loved meeting the Eagle Hunter, our night in the Yurt Camp and our amazing horse riding in the mountains which was great even though we are novices. The tour ended with hot springs (much appreciated after the horse riding!) and a jump into the famous Lake Issyk-Kul. We also arranged transfers with this company from Kazakstan which were seamless and not over priced. In summary this is one of the best tours we have ever been on and we would highly recommend Talgat and his team.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin
Apr 26, 2024
Worth the Price - you will not be disappointed ! - What can I say - a fantastic way to get to see the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan! Yes - it’s pricey for the region - but our guide Urmat knows the area like no other! When you breakdown what you get, where you go, where you stay, all in the comfort of a clean fast car - hard to beat a private tour by Urmat! The restaurants he took us to - the food was phenomenal and the service outstanding - no way you could possibly know of these places without him. In the end - it was money well spent. I hope to meet up with them again - and I would thank them for the lifelong memories made even better by the friendship of the employees of Dakta Travel. Much success and all the best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ed17_uk
Feb 29, 2024
Comprehensive 3 day tour of Kyrgyzstan - Excellent tour that showcases the natural beauty of the different places around Issyk Kul lake. Beautiful country, comprehensive and fun activities, flexible itinerary, good food and nice places to eat, great tour guide. Perfect for those with limited time to explore Kyrgyzstan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frederick
Feb 28, 2024
Compact tour - The tour was a good way to experience Kyrgyzstan. It is a compact tour for 3 days and yet we are able to see the beauty of sceneries surrounding Issyk Kul lake. At the same time we had opportunity to eat delicious food of Kyrgyzstan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thesidman
Nov 21, 2023
Dakta Travels - highly recommended - Dakta Travel made our experience in Kyrgyzstan especially memorable. I loved the genuine care they had for us, as well as the thoughtfulness in planning the itinerary. English speaking guides was so helpful and I’d happily re-visit Kyrgyzstan in a heartbeat, thanks to Dakta Travels!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Relax48864675967
Oct 21, 2023
Awesome Tour in Kyrgystan - Everything was as advertised. The accommodations and food were excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the activities that were planned for us, and would recommend the tour to our friends. The car was clean and very well maintained, the tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. However, he did drive faster than what most Westerners would be comfortable with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A5876hj_
Oct 9, 2023
This is a tour run by a great travel company - We had a great tour with a very nice guide. They supported us perfectly. We were able to experience the shores of Lake Issyk Kul and Kyrgyz culture through traditional meals and yurts. I was able to experience the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the unique traditions of nomads.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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