Kyrgyzstan in 9 Days: Issyk-Kul & Son-Kul Tour
Overview
Our most popular Kyrgyzstan trip and the one we recommend to anyone coming for the first time. The full loop of Issyk-Kul — petroglyphs, gorges, the Dungan mosque in Karakol, the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, the Fairy Tale canyon — then inland for an eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo, felt-making in Kochkor and a night with a shepherd family in a yurt on Son-Kul at 3,000 m.
A private tour for just your party, on your own dates from June to mid-September, with your own car and a Kyrgyz guide who has lived every one of these places, and the lake at both ends of the day.
Highlights
Is this trip for you?
- First-timers who want lakes, yurts and horses in one easy week
- Solo travellers — the tour runs privately from one guest
- Families with children over eight
- You need a private bathroom every night (three nights are guesthouses, one a yurt)
- You want serious trekking (take the 14-day trekking tour)
Our honest opinion
- Every yurt camp is run by a local family, not a tour company
- Issyk-Kul never freezes — swimming in June, snow peaks behind you
- Roads to Son-Kul and the south shore are gravel; allow for a bumpy hour or two
- Showers at yurt camps are basic or absent
July is high season on the lake; June and September are our favourite weeks for light and space.
The trip in numbers
Your route
Dotted lines show the road route.
Day by day
Airport pickup, Osh bazaar and Ala-Too square with your guide.
Burana tower and its stone warriors, a Dungan family lunch, then the north shore of Issyk-Kul and the lakeside resort.
Bronze Age petroglyphs, a walk in two alpine gorges, then Karakol’s Dungan mosque built without a single nail.
The Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart rocks, the Barskoon waterfalls and a south-shore guesthouse.
Skazka canyon at its best in the morning light, an eagle hunter and his bird, then the felt workshops of Kochkor.
Up to the lake at 3,000 m; yurt camp, horses, milk tea, the evening herds coming home.
Down the passes to the green valley; evening walk and a guesthouse dinner.
Horse ride in the morning, back to the capital by afternoon.
Airport transfer.
What’s included
What’s not included
Where you’ll stay
Or equivalent, depending on season.
Traveller reviews
What guests wrote
“Loved it. Guide and driver were great, the itinerary is well thought out. Four stars because the minibus was cramped for eleven people plus luggage on the long days — a bigger vehicle would have made a real difference. Son-Kul alone is worth the trip.”
“Nine days of lakes, mountains and some of the kindest people I have met anywhere. The yurt night at Son-Kul was cold, dark and perfect — a shepherd family, horses in the morning mist, milk tea, a sky I have never seen the like of. Guide Aigerim was wonderful and our group of eleven got on brilliantly. Roads to the lake are rough, be ready for that. The swimming in Issyk-Kul in July is glorious.”
“As a Swiss I am picky about mountains. Kyrgyzstan passed. Jeti-Oguz, the Fairy Tale canyon, Son-Kul — each different, each superb. Guesthouses are simple but spotless and the food is better than its reputation. The eagle hunter demo felt a little staged; the felt workshop in Kochkor did not.”
Good to know
Citizens of the EU, UK, US and about 55 other countries enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 30 days (reduced from 60 days in 2026). We check your passport at booking.
The Kyrgyz som (KGS). Cards work in Bishkek and Karakol; cash is needed at yurt camps, guesthouses and bazaars. ATMs are in towns only.
June and early September are the best weeks — mild days on Issyk-Kul and clear skies over Son-Kul; July–August is peak season. From October to May the Son-Kul yurt camps and the high pastures are closed.
Plug types C and F, 220 V — the same as most of Europe. Travellers from the UK, US and Asia need a standard Euro adapter.
Relaxed everywhere. Bring warm layers — nights at yurt camps drop close to freezing even in summer.
Good mobile coverage in towns; no signal at Son-Kul and in the mountains.
Free cancellation 40 days or more before departure. 39–30 days: 30% of the price is kept; 29–15 days: 50%; 14 days or less or no-show: 100%. One free change of dates or hotel category 45+ days before departure.
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We recommend a policy covering medical care, repatriation and cancellation, and we can suggest trusted providers.
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