5 Days Kyrgyzstan Tour from Bishkek with Issyk-Kul Lake: Essential Kyrgyzstan

Dear friends, welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Often called the "Switzerland of Central Asia," Kyrgyzstan is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and nomadic culture. Bishkek, the capital, is filled with Soviet-era charm and lush greenery.

Upon landing at Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek, your local driver will be waiting to transfer you to your downtown hotel. (Tip: the airport is about 32 km northwest of Bishkek, 40min to 1-hour drive). The rest of the day is free for you to explore the capital city on your own.

Free Time Ideas for your OWN EXPLORATION:

1. Visit Russian OrthodoxChurch (also called Holy Resurrection Cathedral). This is the largest Russian Orthodox church in Kyrgyzstan. The cathedral features sky-blue, onion-shaped domes and an intricately detailed, three-level iconostasis decorated with icons of saints and angels.
2. Choose a local restaurant to try traditional Kyrgyz dishes such as beshbarmak (the national dish), plov (pilaf), laghman (thick noodles with meat and vegetables), or various kinds of shashlik (meat skewers).
3. When night falls, take a walk along Chui Avenue. This main thoroughfare is lined with magnificent Soviet-era buildings and has a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers.

After breakfast, you will have time to explore the city highlights of Bishkek. Begin at the city's main square - Ala-Too Square. See the imposing statue of Manas, the legendary national hero, as well as the Government House and the national flagpole. At certain times, you may also witness military changing-of-the-guard ceremony.

From the square, walk to beautiful Oak Park, a quiet retreat in the city center with centuries-old oak trees and a collection of sculptures.

And then, move to Osh Bazaar. Experience local life and browse everything from fresh produce, spices, and dried fruits to traditional clothing, handicrafts, and carpets.

This afternoon, you'll drive to Ala-Archa National Park (30 km, 40 minutes to an hour), located southwest of Bishkek. Known as Bishkek's "backyard park," this alpine park in the Tian Shan Mountains offers scenery reminiscent of Switzerland. Majestic snow-capped peaks, blue skies, dense pine forests, alpine meadows, and picturesque river valleys. It's great for light hiking. You can follow the river to enjoy a memorable time here. Keep an eye out for animals like squirrels, red deer, wild goats, or even snow leopard (rare to see)! (Route Tip: There are three hiking routes to choose, we suggest you the easy one follow the riverbank for scenic views).

After the hike, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Bishkek.

After breakfast, your journey will take you east from Bishkek towards Issyk-Kul, the world's second-largest high-altitude lake.

En route, you'll visit the Burana Tower. This historic site, originally built in the 11th century, was once part of Balasagun, the ancient capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate. You can climb to the top of the tower to get a spectacular view of the surrounding ruins and the distant snow-capped mountains. On the ground, you can walk among the Balbals, stone figures that are medieval Turkic nomadic gravestones, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's ancient past.

Afterward, continue your drive to Cholpon-Ata (3-hour drive), on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. You'll check in to your hotel, and the rest of the day will be yours to relax and enjoy the beautiful lake.

Issyk-Kul is the "Pearl of Central Asia"! The lake's name means "warm lake" in Kyrgyz, as its saltwater composition keeps it from freezing even at an altitude of 1,607 meters. Its crystal-clear waters give you the feeling of being on the seashore.

Ideas for Free Time at Issyk-Kul Lake:

(1) Relax or Swim: Head to the golden sandy beaches to sunbathe or swim in the warm, clear water. (2) Take a Boat Trip: Go to the pier and take a boat out onto the lake to admire the magnificent views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. After that, you'll visit the Petroglyphs Museum. This open-air museum (42 hectares) is set on vast land with the majestic Tianshan Mountain range as backdrop. Here, you'll find ancient petroglyphs carved on massive black basalt stones, which are dated from the 2nd millennium BC until the 4th century AD. These carvings depict animals like wolves and snow leopards, as well as hunting and sacrificial scenes.

After that, you will be escorted back to Bishkek. It is about 4 hours’ drive.

Upon arrival in Bishkek, you'll have some free time to visit a local market to buy souvenirs. Enjoy a good night here.

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Bishkek. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home. Your 5-day Kyrgyzstan tour concludes here. (Tip: Please inform us of your flight details so we can arrange your airport transfer accordingly.)

Optional Extension:

Kyrgyzstan is part of a larger Central Asia tour. You can also cover other highlights in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. We can tailor Central Asia tour based on your preferred duration and interests.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Kyrgyzstan tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!