2-Day Horseback Riding at Issyk-Kul Lake: Canyons & Yurt Stay

Two days on horseback in the mountains above Central Asia's largest lake

A 2-day private tour from Bishkek combining horseback riding, canyon hikes and a yurt overnight on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Day one covers Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyons by vehicle and foot. Day two starts with a 1–2 hour horseback trek to a lake viewpoint, then moves to Skazka Canyons before the return drive to Bishkek. Includes an English-speaking guide, all transport, yurt accommodation, breakfast and dinner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek to Issyk-Kul via Burana Tower

• Pick up from hotel in Bishkek
• Visit Burana Tower and archaeology museum
• Climb Burana Tower for views
• Hike through Konorchek Canyons
• Arrive at yurt camp by Issyk-Kul Lake
• Dinner and bonfire at yurt camp

Day 2: Horse Riding and Return to Bishkek

• Breakfast at yurt camp
• Horseback ride to Issyk-Kul viewpoint
• Drive to Skazka Canyons
• Explore Skazka Canyons
• Lunch at yurt camp
• Drive back to Bishkek
• Drop off at hotel in Bishkek

The experience

Burana Tower sits 280 kilometers from Bishkek, and the drive there is your entry point. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and heads straight for this 11th-century ruin, part of the ancient city of Balasagun. You'll walk through the on-site archaeology museum to see Silk Road artifacts, then climb the tower itself for views across the Chui Valley and the Tien-Shan mountains. The balbals (stone markers carved with inscriptions and figures) stand nearby as silent witnesses to centuries of history.

From Burana, the route turns toward Konorchek Canyons in the Boom Gorge, where red sandstone walls rise like monuments. You'll hike through the canyon's dramatic passages, each bend opening onto another view, until you reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the whole formation. By late afternoon you arrive at the yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Dinner happens in the dining yurt, Kyrgyz food shared communally, and afterward you gather around a bonfire under the stars.

Day two begins with breakfast in the yurt, then you mount up for a 1–2 hour horseback ride into the surrounding mountains. The trek leads to a high viewpoint where Issyk-Kul spreads out below you, wide enough to feel like an inland sea. After riding back, a one-hour drive takes you to Skazka Canyons, also called Fairy Tale Canyons, where the rock formations shift through reds and oranges and the terrain looks almost Martian. You have an hour to walk among the structures and photograph the surreal landscape before heading back to the yurt camp for lunch. The return to Bishkek covers 230 kilometers and takes about five hours. You'll arrive at your hotel by 8 or 9 p.m.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• pickup and drop-off at your Bishkek hotel.
• comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for all transport.
• horseback riding into the mountains.
• guided hike through Konorchek Canyons.
• guided exploration of Skazka Canyons.
• one night accommodation in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Datka Travel

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours alone with your guide, and the horseback section suits anyone comfortable on a horse: no prior riding experience is required, and the trek lasts only 1–2 hours. The two-day format lets you sleep on the lake shore and wake up for the mountain ride, rather than rushing back to Bishkek the same day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Burana Tower and why does it matter?

Burana Tower is an 11th-century ruin from the ancient city of Balasagun, located along the historic Silk Road. You'll visit the on-site archaeology museum to see artifacts from that era, climb the tower for views of the Chui Valley and Tien-Shan mountains, and see the balbals, carved stone markers, that stand nearby as records of the region's past.

How long is the horseback ride on day two?

The horseback trek lasts 1–2 hours and takes you into the mountains above the yurt camp. It ends at a viewpoint overlooking Issyk-Kul Lake, where you can take panoramic photos before riding back down.

What are Skazka Canyons like?

Skazka Canyons, also called Fairy Tale Canyons, are natural rock formations with vivid reds and oranges that create an otherworldly, almost Martian landscape. You'll have an hour to explore the unique structures and photograph the surreal terrain before returning to the yurt camp for lunch.

What does the yurt accommodation include?

You stay one night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The yurt has a cozy interior, and meals are served in a separate dining yurt. Breakfast is included on day two before the horseback ride.

Does the tour include meals?

Yes. Dinner is served in the dining yurt on the evening of day one, and breakfast is included on day two before you ride. Lunch on day two is served back at the yurt camp after the Skazka Canyons visit. The operator can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free if you note them at booking.

What is the drive time from Bishkek to the yurt camp?

The first day's drive covers 280 kilometers and takes about four hours, including stops at Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyons. The return drive on day two is 230 kilometers and takes roughly five hours.