Spring & Autumn Kyrgyzstan

Overview

Six days around Issyk-Kul in the most comfortable season — spring blossom or golden autumn, snowy peaks and no summer crowds. Two horse rides, a golden eagle show, the red canyons of the south shore and natural hot springs in Altyn Arashan.

Highlights

• Burana Tower — an 11th-century minaret of the Silk Road
• Horse rides in Chon-Kemin and Altyn Arashan
• Golden eagle show in Bokonbaevo
• Skazka canyon, Barskoon waterfalls and Jeti-Oguz rocks
• Natural hot springs in Altyn Arashan

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Burana & Chon-Kemin

   Departure from Bishkek to the Burana Tower, then the green Chon-Kemin valley: lunch and a 2–3 hour horse ride. Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

2. Day 2

   Eagles & the south shore

   The red canyons of Kok-Moinok, a golden eagle show in Bokonbaevo and sunset on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Night in a yurt camp by the lake.

3. Day 3

   Canyons & waterfalls

   Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon, the Barskoon gorge waterfalls and the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz — the Seven Bulls. Dinner and night in a hotel in Karakol.

4. Day 4

   Altyn Arashan

   Lunch in Karakol and an off-road ride up to the Altyn Arashan valley. Evening in the natural hot springs. Night in a mountain guesthouse.

5. Day 5

   Horse ride & Karakol

   Morning horse ride in the alpine valley, picnic, then back to Karakol: the Dungan Mosque and the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral. National dinner. Night in a hotel.

6. Day 6

   Gorges & Bishkek

   Drive along the northern shore with walks in the Grigoriev and Semenov gorges. Arrival in Bishkek in the evening.

Dates 2026 / 2027 & price

• April 17 – 22
• May 15 – 20
• May 29 – June 3
• September 25 – 30
• October 2 – 7
• October 16 – 21
• Price per person: $850 until February 1, 2027 · $1,000 after

In April and October there may be snow in Altyn Arashan — bring warm clothes.