Bishkek & Issyk-Kul
Bishkek and the Ala-Archa gorge, then the drive to Issyk-Kul for Cholpon-Ata's petroglyphs, Jeti-Oguz's red cliffs and a night in a yurt camp.
Trip at a glance
- Duration6 days / 5 nights
- Starts inBishkek
- RouteBishkek · Issyk-Kul
- Places2 destinations
- CountryKyrgyzstan
- Ideal forAdventure holidays, Family holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-12J0NJ
Best time to visit: May to September




Trip overview
Bishkek and the Ala-Archa gorge, then the drive to Issyk-Kul for Cholpon-Ata's petroglyphs, Jeti-Oguz's red cliffs and a night in a yurt camp.
The route spends 2 nights in Bishkek and 3 nights in Issyk-Kul, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits adventure holidays, family holidays and group tours, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Bishkek
- Arrive via Manas International Airport (FRU) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Hike in Ala-Archa
Day 2Bishkek: Ala-Archa National Park and Ala-Too Square
- Ala-Archa National Park: Glacier gorge with hiking trails, 40 km away
- Ala-Too Square: Central square with the changing of the guard
Day 3Bishkek to Issyk-Kul
- Travel from Bishkek to Issyk-Kul by private vehicle, with stops on the way
- Check in at your Issyk-Kul hotel
- Cholpon-Ata: Lakeside resort with beaches
Day 4Issyk-Kul: Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs and Jeti-Oguz
- Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs: Rock carvings up to 3,000 years old
- Jeti-Oguz: Red sandstone cliffs, the 'Seven Bulls'
Day 5Issyk-Kul: Karakol and Night in a yurt camp
- Karakol: Town with a wooden cathedral and Dungan mosque
- Night in a yurt camp
Day 6Depart from Issyk-Kul
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Road from Bishkek for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Activities booked with licensed, insured operators
- Fitness level and experience checked before we confirm each activity
- Weather and season buffers built in for outdoor days
- Travel insurance covering the activities strongly recommended
- Daily drives kept short, with stops for children
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Bishkek: Many travellers fly into Almaty and drive to Bishkek, then fly home from Bishkek.
- Issyk-Kul: Spend at least one night in a yurt camp; the starry sky over the lake is unforgettable.
Questions about this trip
Can I change this itinerary?
When is the best time for this trip?
How do I start the trip from Chennai?
How much does this package cost?
What documents do I need?
Similar itineraries
8D / 7NAlmaty · Bishkek · Issyk-KulAlmaty, Bishkek & Issyk-Kul
Almaty's lakes and Charyn Canyon, the road across the border to Bishkek, and two nights by the alpine lake of Issyk-Kul.
View itinerary →
9D / 8NTashkent · Samarkand · Almaty · BishkekUzbekistan, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
Three Central Asian countries in one trip: Tashkent and Samarkand on the Silk Road, Almaty's mountains, and Bishkek with the Ala-Archa gorge.
View itinerary →Read more about each stop
KyrgyzstanBishkek
Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan's green capital, laid out with parks and wide avenues against the snowy Kyrgyz Ala-Too range.
KyrgyzstanIssyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul is a vast alpine lake at about 1,600 metres, ringed by the snowy Tian Shan and so deep it never freezes.
Ready for Bishkek & Issyk-Kul?
Share your dates and we send a quote with hotels and a price on WhatsApp.
Request a free quote →Chat on WhatsApp