Cultural Tourism

Taking a Round to the Lake Issyk-Kul, the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan

Let's take a tour of Lake Issyk-Kul, which is known as the pearl of Kyrgyzstan!

Reservation
  • Travel Period
    5 days
  • Cost
    $940
  • Maximum
    30
  • Difficulty

Travel Introduction

"Taking a round to Lake Issyk-Kul, the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan"

Located in an altitude of 1600m above sea level, Lake Issyk-Kul has a nickname ‘Iss-Kul’, which means a hot lake, because it does not freeze even in winter. Lake Issyk-Kul is 182km wide and 60km long. It’s surface area is 6,236㎢, and the depth is 668m. The surface of the lake is three times larger than that of Jeju island, so you can guess its size.


According to a story that has been passed down from the distant past, there was a king who ruled this area. He had an worry that his years were long like a donkey. He ordered to kill all the barbers who knew his secrets in order to hide his secret. The last surviving barber disclosed the king’s secret to a well in the midnight. The well overflowed and became a lake. It’s really similar to the Korean traditional tale, “King’s ears are donkey ears”. There is also a legendary there had been a city sunken under the lake, which was revealed as true to some extent by investigation.


Not only Kyrgyz people but also Central Asians, as well as Russians and Turkish visit lake Issyk-Kul in summer. Sometimes it’s hard to find accommodation in the midsummer, because a large number of people visit Lake Issyk-Kul to enjoy their summer vacation. It’s a must-visit place for tourists traveling Kyrgyzstan.



Point of Travel

  • Social Distancing for Safe Travel
  • Eco-friendly Tour
  • Resting in Issyk-Kul, the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan
  • Safe Travel with Just a Small Group of People

Detailed Fee

Basic Fee
$940 (per person, 1Group/10People)
Points included
Transport, Korean-speaker guide, village guide, various experience fees, accommodation (2 people per room), dining, and other full-time tour expenses
Points not included
fee for flight ticket, travel insurance, tips for a guide and a driver, and other personal expenses

Detailed schedule

DAY 1  Burana Tower, Bokonbayeva Village

encounter first on the way to Lake Issyk-Kul, is an observatory made by Sogdians and it is nicknamed as ‘a lighthouse of the meadow’ due to the height of the top. Looking on the surrounding on the top of the observatory in spring and summer time, you will be astonished by the mountain covered with snow, meadow with beautiful yellow flowers.

In the village of Kyzzyl-Tuu, you can make your own yurt, a traditional house of Kyrgyz nomads. It’s also interesting to see how it differs from traditional Mongolian house, Ger. You will arrive in Bokonbayeva and rest. 

Lunch: Local Cuisine / Dinner: Local Cuisine 
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Traveling Distance: 270km in Total (4 hours in Total)
Road Condition: Good



Day 2  Skazka Canyon, Jeti-Oguz, Karakol

Since there are many sandstone areas around the lake Issyk-Kul, it has been shaved by rain and wind over a long period of time, creating various scenery. Among them, Skazka means "Valley of Fairy Tales" in the local language. You will really feel like you are in a fairyland if you go there. Jeti-Oguz means "seven bulls" in Kyrgyz, and seven red rocks will appear as if bulls are running at any moment. Karakol is also famous for winter sports, and even now, the ski resort is so popular with many skiers around the world so it is crowded in winter. You can also see old Chinese temples and Russian Orthodox church buildings as well.

Lunch: Local Cuisine / Dinner: Local Cuisine
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Traveling Distance: 230km in Total (3 Hours and 30 Minutes)
Road Condition: Good



DAY 3  Altyn-Arashan

Altyn Arashan, also known as “Alps of Central Asia”, is the most well-known Kyrgyzstan trekking course. After climbing Altyn-Arashan, you will take a light walkng on trails, and soak your body in a hot spring. It feels like all worries will disappear soon. It is necessary to bring thick clothes because it can be cold in night, even in summer. 

Lunch: Local Cuisine / Dinner: Local Cuisine

Accommodation: Guesthouse
Traveling Distance: 40km (20 minutes by car, 2 Hours by a Mountain Bus in One Way)
Road Condition: Mountain Road



DAY 4 Cholpon-Ata, Issykul Lake

There are plenty of petroglyphs in Kyrgyzstan. Among them, petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata has good accessibility and they are also well-reserved. You can feel like you go back to the past and talk to ancient people while walking down on the petroglyph park.

The attractive feature of Issyk-Kul tour is taking on a ferry, going to the middle of the lake, and looking at the surrounding land. You can watch peaks of the mountains covered with snow as well. The peaks of the snow-capped mountains and the harmony of the green fields and the blue sky will stay in your memory as fascinating Kyrgyzstan. After boarding on a ferry, we will go to Bishkek. 

Lunch: Local Cuisine / Dinner: Local Cuisine
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Traveling Distance: 180km in Total (4 hours and 30 minutes Including 2 hours by Mountain Vehicle)
Road Condition: Good



DAY 5  Bishkek

Bishkek, the number one city, the capital of Kyrgyzstan is the complex city with the population of 1.2 million. It is quite different with other cities in the tour program. You can see people walking with hurried steps, traffic congestion, and exhaust gas. Despite of these, the traditional market is a really good place to experience Kyrgyzstan. You can buy honey, dried nuts, conaq in there. Then, it’s time to go home. 

Lunch: Local Cuisine / Dinner: Local Cuisine
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Traveling Distance: 260km in Total (3 Hours and 30 Minutes)
Road Condition: Good


※ This schedule is subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances.

Travel Review

There are no written reviews yet. Please write a review.

Enter Password

Password

Regist

Are you satisfied with your trip?

Nickname
Review
Link1
Link2
Password

※ English+Number+Special Character 8 or more digits.
※ The password is used for review modification/deletion.