Chunkurchak
A comfortable mountain resort and a horse ride in the valley. Surrounded by peaks with wide views, it's the perfect place to slow down for the first night.
The Kyrgyzstan we want to share with you
Issyk-Kul Loop × Autumn Valleys
This trip is designed for travelers who love a slow pace, rest, nature and nomadic culture. It takes you deep into Kyrgyzstan's most unspoiled and moving valleys and lakes. Alongside the classic highlights, we add experiences arranged only by Bek & Ruby, so the journey has more warmth and depth.
We travel in small groups and run only a few departures each year. We care about quality and depth of experience, and make sure every traveler is well looked after.
It's especially well suited to families with children or older travelers. Daily driving times are moderate, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, photograph the morning and evening light, or simply slow down and rest in nature.
Chon Kemin in autumn
In autumn, Chon Kemin's birches and meadows turn gold, and you feel the real rhythm of Kyrgyz village life.
Altyn-Arashan hot springs
Ride a 4WD deep into a Tien Shan valley, where natural hot springs rise from the ground: the most relaxing moment of the whole trip.
Life in Karakol
The town where Bek and Ruby have spent much of their lives. Hike and picnic in the spruce forest and feel the warmth of this mountain town at a local pace.
Around Issyk-Kul
Steppe, red-rock canyons, lakeside forests and alpine meadows one after another: Kyrgyzstan's most iconic landscapes in one trip.
Nomad culture × crafts
Eagle-hunting culture, plus crafts and a traditional dance lesson with Bek's mother.
Route
From Bishkek, all the way around Issyk-Kul
BishkekStart
ChunkurchakDay 1
Chon KeminDay 2
BokonbaevoDay 3
KarakolDays 4–5
Altyn-ArashanDay 6
Cholpon-AtaDay 7
BishkekDay 8
Before you book
Departures and booking
We adjust the plan flexibly to the season, weather and conditions, so that each trip sees the best scenery and the most meaningful experiences at the right time.
Please read our travel Q&A carefully before booking. Go to the travel Q&A →
Who it's for
Travelers who love a slow, relaxed pace, nature and nomadic culture. Especially good for families with children or older travelers, with moderate driving each day.
Small groups
Only a limited number of departures each year. We focus on quality and depth, and make sure every traveler is well looked after.
Season
All year. The route mostly stays at low to mid altitudes, so every season has its own scenery, and we adjust to the season, weather and conditions.
Registration dates
📅 10 Oct · Private tours open for registration
📌 First round of forms collected until 25 Oct
📅 2 Nov · Group tours open for registration
Private trips
From 6 people, all year, with flexible dates. We can adapt the route to the season, your energy and your interests: ideal for families, friends and small groups.
How to book
Before you register, please take our short tour survey (about 2 minutes). If the tour fits you, the registration form opens right away. Questions? Email us at bekruby.kg@gmail.com.
Day by day
Comfort at a glance
Yes
Limited / shared
None
Not confirmed
| Day | Overnight | Shower | Toilet | Wi-Fi / signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Hotel in Bishkek (included) | Hot shower in your room | Private | Wi-Fi |
| Day 1 | Mountain resort in Chunkurchak Valley | Yes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Yes, in your room | Yes |
| Day 2 | Modern yurt stay with beautiful mountain views, Chon Kemin Valley | Yes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Yes, in your room | Yes |
| Day 3 | Altyn Oimok or Elestet, Bokonbaevo | Shared; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Shared | Yes |
| Day 4 | 78 Hotel or Matsunoki, Karakol | Yes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Yes, in your room | Yes |
| Day 5 | 78 Hotel or Matsunoki, Karakol | Yes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Yes, in your room | Yes |
| Day 6 | Yurt at a mountain guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan | Shared; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Shared | No phone signal |
| Day 7 | Hotel in Cholpon-Ata | Yes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short | Yes, in your room | Yes |
| Day 8 | End of the trip, or a hotel in Bishkek | Yes, in your room | Yes, in your room | Yes |
Issyk-Kul vs. Song-Kul: how are the two lakes different?
This trip focuses on Issyk-Kul and does not go to Song-Kul. The comparison below is only to help you choose the trip that suits you.
Issyk-Kul Lake This trip
- About 1,600 m above sea level
- Towns, hotels and cafés by the lake, with more comforts
- Good for families, older travelers and first visits to Kyrgyzstan
- Lakeside walks, canyons, hot springs and cultural experiences
- A relaxed, comfortable trip
Song-Kul Lake Not on this trip
- About 3,000 m above sea level
- High pastures and yurts: real nomadic life
- Reached by a long drive or on horseback; more remote
- Good for travelers who love nature, riding and adventure
- Needs more stamina and adjustment to altitude
Spring (March–May)
Snow starts melting on the peaks, the grasslands turn green, and wildflowers and poppy fields bloom in the valleys (mid-May). Days are cool and mornings and evenings still cold, so bring warm layers. Good for easy hikes, flowers and photographing sunrise and sunset.
Summer (June–August)
Valleys and lakes are at their greenest, Issyk-Kul is warm, and nomad families move up to the high pastures. Days are warm and nights a little cool. Good for riding, hiking, relaxing by the lake and nomad culture.
Autumn (September–November)
The high pastures turn gold and orange, the morning and evening light is beautiful, and the lake reflects the autumn colors. Cool, dry and quieter: the best time for photos and slow travel.
A final word
We look forward to meeting you in Kyrgyzstan
Travel isn't only about reaching a new place; it's about letting a journey slowly become part of your life. For us, Kyrgyzstan isn't a destination. It's our home, our everyday life, and the place where our story began.
We are a family from Taiwan and Kyrgyzstan. Because we love this land, we share its wind, valleys, culture and people with you through companionship, filming and an open heart. On this journey you'll walk into villages we've known since childhood, visit friends we trust, and taste food made by family hands, full of memories.
We believe travel shouldn't just be about ticking off sights. It's a way of seeing life, and seeing yourself. A little slower, a little deeper, a little more real: that is Bek & Ruby's way of traveling.
We hope to meet you among the snowy peaks, meadows, lakeshores and forests. Welcome to Kyrgyzstan.
Day by day
Daily itinerary
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Day0
Arrival in Bishkek
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan
All our tours start on Day 0, and this night is included in the trip. Arrive in Bishkek, check in to your hotel in the capital, enjoy a comfortable hot shower and rest well before your journey through Kyrgyzstan begins.
- ArrivalManas Airport, transfer to your hotel
- OvernightHotel in Bishkek (included)
- ShowerHot shower in your room
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Day1
Bishkek → Osh Bazaar → Chunkurchak
From the city into an autumn valley
Start with everyday life in the capital, head into a mountain valley and ride across the open grassland: your Central Asian journey begins.
After breakfast, your guide walks you through the map of the whole 8-day route and today's plan.
In the morning we visit the lively Osh Bazaar: spices, dried fruit, the meat hall and bakeries pulling fresh nan from clay ovens, real Kyrgyz city life among the crowds.
Lunch is at a restaurant built in traditional Kyrgyz style, with yurt-inspired architecture and authentic dishes.
In the afternoon we drive about an hour to Chunkurchak Valley and switch to horses for a ride of about 2 hours deep into the valley. In autumn the slopes and meadows turn gold and brown, and the rhythm of the city stays behind.
In the evening we check in to a mountain resort in the valley for dinner and a good rest on the first night of the trip.
- DrivingBishkek → Osh Bazaar: about 10–15 km, 40 minutes
Osh Bazaar → Chunkurchak: 45 km, about 1–1.5 hours - Horse ridingAbout 2 hours
- MealsBreakfast, lunch at a restaurant in traditional Kyrgyz style, dinner
- OvernightMountain resort in Chunkurchak Valley
- ShowerYes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
Good to know
Today you ride: wear long trousers and bring sun protection.
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Day2
Chunkurchak → Burana Tower → Chon Kemin
From a Silk Road tower to valley life
Morning views in the mountains, a Silk Road tower, and a quiet evening in Chon Kemin.
Early risers start with photos at a viewpoint and a short hike above the resort, followed by breakfast.
We then drive to Burana Tower. Standing alone on the steppe, it was once part of the Silk Road city of Balasagun. Climb the tower for views over the plain to the distant Tien Shan, and hear the story of the Silk Road civilization that once flourished here.
Lunch is in a local family's home near Burana, where the hosts cook a home-style meal for us.
In the afternoon we continue to Chon Kemin Valley. We check in to a modern yurt stay with beautiful mountain views, with time to walk through the meadows and enjoy the snowy peaks before dinner.
- DrivingAbout 130 km, about 4 hours
- MorningViewpoint photos and a short hike
- MealsBreakfast, home-cooked lunch at a local family's home near Burana, dinner
- OvernightModern yurt stay with beautiful mountain views, Chon Kemin Valley
- ShowerYes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
- VideoWatch the video
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Day3
Chon Kemin → Bokonbaevo
Chon Kemin hike & the eagle hunter
We start the day in the mountains. After breakfast, we set out on a morning hike in Chon Kemin, with time to walk slowly through the valley's meadows and forests, breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy the views before we leave.
Lunch is home-cooked at our stay in Chon Kemin. Afterwards we drive to Bokonbaevo on the south shore of Issyk-Kul. The scenery changes from the northern valleys and steppe to the wider lake and mountain views around Issyk-Kul, and we stop every two to three hours, so the drive stays comfortable.
In the afternoon we meet a local eagle hunter for a traditional eagle-hunting demonstration. With the hunter's introduction and demonstration, you get close to this long-standing nomadic tradition. For a hunter, a golden eagle isn't just a hunting tool. It's a partner that takes years of time, training and trust, and a way of life passed down through generations.
Dinner is home-cooked at a local guesthouse, and then we check in to Altyn Oimok or Elestet in Bokonbaevo, to rest by the south shore and get a feel for village life far from the city.
- Driving270 km, 3.5–4.5 hours
- HikingMorning hike in Chon Kemin
- LunchAt our stay in Chon Kemin
- AfternoonTraditional eagle-hunting demonstration
- DinnerHome cooking at a local guesthouse
- OvernightAltyn Oimok or Elestet, Bokonbaevo
- ShowerShared; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletShared
- Wi-FiYes
- VideoWatch the video
Good to know
We stop every two to three hours on the way, so the long drive stays comfortable.
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Day4
Bokonbaevo → Skazka Canyon → Barskoon → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol
A day in nature
Colorful canyons, a forest waterfall and red-rock cliffs: the day with the most varied landscapes of the trip.
After an early breakfast we drive to Skazka, the Fairy Tale Canyon. Layers of orange-red, ochre and light-brown rock have been shaped by wind and rain into castles, ridges and fantasy creatures, with the deep blue lake behind them.
Lunch is home-cooked at a local guesthouse.
In Barskoon Valley we hike about 2 hours along a pine-forest trail to Barskoon Waterfall. You can stop at the first waterfall or continue up to the second.
Late in the afternoon we reach the red-rock canyon of Jeti-Oguz. The car takes us up, and we walk about 15 minutes back down through the canyon, past the famous "Seven Bulls" rocks, while hearing the local legends of the valley.
In the evening we arrive in Karakol for dinner at a restaurant with refined Central Asian dishes, then check in to our hotel.
- DrivingBokonbaevo → Skazka Canyon: 30 km, 40 minutes
Skazka Canyon → Barskoon Waterfall: 70 km, about 1.5 hours
Then on to Jeti-Oguz and Karakol - HikingBarskoon Waterfall, about 2 hours; Jeti-Oguz walk down, about 15 minutes
- MealsBreakfast, lunch at a local guesthouse, dinner at a restaurant in Karakol
- Overnight78 Hotel or Matsunoki, Karakol
- ShowerYes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
Good to know
It's a long outdoor day with a late check-in (around 21:00). Bring a sun hat and sun protection.
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Day5
Karakol → Karakol Gorge → Karakol
Karakol Gorge & a day of many cultures
A hike in Karakol Gorge, a picnic barbecue, and the many cultures of Karakol.
After breakfast we drive into Karakol Gorge for a hike of about 2.5 hours through spruce forest beside the mountain river.
Lunch is a picnic in the gorge, the Kyrgyz people's favorite way to relax outdoors. Depending on conditions, it's a barbecue picnic or a simple picnic.
In the afternoon we visit Karakol's two remarkable buildings: the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral, built by Russian settlers, and the Dungan Mosque, built without a single nail in a blend of Chinese and Islamic styles. Then we browse local crafts at the One Village One Product shop and stop at the market for snacks for tomorrow.
Dinner is Dungan food: tangy, slightly spicy cold noodles (ashlan-fu) and pirozhki.
- DrivingAbout 25 km, 40 minutes
- HikingKarakol Gorge, about 2.5 hours
- MealsBreakfast, barbecue or simple picnic lunch (depending on conditions), Dungan dinner
- Overnight78 Hotel or Matsunoki, Karakol
- ShowerYes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
- VideoWatch the video
Good to know
The order of the day is flexible: depending on the weather, the Karakol Gorge hike and the barbecue or picnic may be after breakfast or after lunch, and we visit the town at the other time.
Tomorrow (Day 6) we go up to Altyn-Arashan for one night, so tonight please pack a small overnight bag. Your big luggage stays in the vehicle.
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Day6
Karakol → Ak-Suu hot spring → Altyn-Arashan
Ak-Suu hot spring & a hidden Tien Shan valley
A morning soak in a hot spring, then up a rough mountain track to a hidden valley below snowy peaks.
After breakfast we relax at the Ak-Suu hot spring for about two hours.
Then we climb by 4x4 (for groups of four or more, a Soviet military truck) on a rough 30 km track to Altyn-Arashan, an alpine valley at about 2,500 m, where wooden cabins and yurts are scattered between meadows and snowy peaks.
After lunch at the guesthouse, the afternoon is free to relax or take an easy walk in the valley. Dinner is at the guesthouse, and at night the sky is clear enough for stargazing.
- DrivingKarakol → Altyn-Arashan: 30 km, about 2 hours (off-road: very bumpy but a classic)
- Hot springAk-Suu, about 2 hours
- AltitudeAbout 2,500 m
- MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner at the guesthouse
- OvernightYurt at a mountain guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan
- ShowerShared; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletShared
- Wi-FiNo phone signal
- VideoWatch the video
Good to know
The off-road track is very bumpy; groups of four or more travel in a Soviet military truck. Bring a swimsuit for the hot spring.
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Day7
Altyn-Arashan → Karakol → Cholpon-Ata
From the mountains back to the lake
Walk down from the mountains, then back to the shore of Issyk-Kul.
After breakfast, you can say goodbye to Altyn-Arashan on foot: a walk of about 2.5 hours down the valley to a viewpoint halfway, where the car picks you up. You can also ride all the way.
We drive down to Aksu village and have lunch at a fish restaurant.
Then we follow the north shore of Issyk-Kul for about three hours to Cholpon-Ata. After checking in, we walk through the park to the lakeshore, and dinner is at a local Kyrgyz halal restaurant, a favorite of the locals (no alcohol is served).
- DrivingAltyn-Arashan → Karakol: 30 km, about 2 hours (off-road)
Karakol → Cholpon-Ata: 140–150 km, about 3 hours - HikingWalk down, about 2.5 hours (optional)
- MealsBreakfast, lunch at a fish restaurant, dinner at a local Kyrgyz halal restaurant
- OvernightHotel in Cholpon-Ata
- ShowerYes, in your room; hot water is limited, so please keep showers short
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
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Day8
Cholpon-Ata → Balykchy → Bishkek
A boat on the lake, a petroglyph museum, and back to the city
A boat on the lake, ancient petroglyphs, and back to the city.
After breakfast we go out on Issyk-Kul by boat for about an hour, with the snowy peaks of the north shore stretching above the water.
Back on shore, we visit the Cholpon-Ata open-air petroglyph site, where rock carvings from the Bronze Age through the nomadic era are preserved. If you like, there's also time for the local history museum.
We drive to Balykchy for lunch, then on to Bishkek, arriving in the early evening for a farewell dinner at a restaurant.
After the tour, we take you back to your hotel in the capital to rest (or, if you have an evening flight, we take you to the airport for free).
- DrivingCholpon-Ata → Bishkek: 270 km, about 4 hours
- BoatIssyk-Kul, about 1 hour
- MealsBreakfast, lunch in Balykchy, farewell dinner in Bishkek
- OvernightEnd of the trip, or a hotel in Bishkek
- ShowerYes, in your room
- ToiletYes, in your room
- Wi-FiYes
- VideoWatch the video
How to register
Is this tour right for you?
Before you register, take a short survey (about 2 minutes). If the tour fits you, the registration form opens right away.
Start the survey
- 1Take the survey
- 2See if the tour fits you
- 3Register for the tour
Why is this survey required?
- Our tours go to remote mountains: simple stays, long drives, altitude and changing weather.
- Your answers help us make sure the trip is safe and enjoyable for you and the whole group.
- We can only confirm a registration after the survey.
Food
Authentic Kyrgyz dishes and fresh seasonal fruit
On the trip, you may taste these classic dishes:
Beshbarmak
Hand-cut noodles with boiled meat. The most iconic Kyrgyz dish, served for celebrations and to honor guests.
Kuurdak
Fried lamb or beef with potatoes and onions: everyday nomad home cooking.
Plov
Rice slow-cooked with carrots and meat, rich and fragrant.
Lagman
Hand-pulled noodles with vegetables and beef, a favorite across Central Asia.
Samsa
Meat pastries baked in a traditional clay oven, crisp outside and juicy inside.
Shashlik
Skewers grilled over charcoal in the open air: the smell you'll meet most often on the road.
Snacks and drinks
- Boorsok: fried dough pieces that are a must at every nomad feast; with jam and hot tea, they're the locals' favorite afternoon snack.
- Maksym / Chalap / Jarma: traditional fermented grain drinks, refreshing and slightly sour, loved by locals every day.
- Kymyz: fermented mare's milk, the classic nomad drink, slightly sour and good for digestion.
Seasonal fruit
- Summer: cherries (June), apricots (July, famous across Central Asia), melons, and all kinds of berries (raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, blueberries).
- Autumn: apples from around Issyk-Kul, juicy pears, and the sweetest grapes in September.
Price
What's included and not included
Included
- All accommodation and meals for the whole trip
- Guide speaking Chinese, English, Russian and Kyrgyz
- Private transport for the whole itinerary (incl. airport transfers)
- All entrance fees on the itinerary
- One horse-riding experience
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
How to choose
Private tour or group tour?
Private tour
From 6 people you have your own group, at your own pace
Who it's for
- You already have 6 or more friends or family coming
- Family trips with grandparents or children: we can adjust the itinerary to your needs
- Travelers with special wishes for stays or plans, or who value privacy
Group tour
Better value, and new travel friends from around the world
Who it's for
- 1–2 travelers, or a group of friends smaller than 6
- You want a friendlier budget and the best value
Departs with 10 people, max 12: a small group, never crowded
Chinese or English guide?
中
Chinese-speaking guide
No language gap: you'll understand every story about Central Asian history and culture. Best for families travelling with grandparents or children.
EN
English-speaking guide
A professional, international guide. Great if you're comfortable in English, enjoy meeting travelers from around the world and want to go deeper.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Email us directly and we'll get back to you soon.