2-Day Issyk Kul Lake Tour from Bishkek: Yurt Stay & Eagle Show

Nomadic camp on the shore, ancient waterfalls, and a golden eagle in flight

A 2-day tour from Bishkek to Issyk Kul, the world's second-largest alpine lake, with overnight stay in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp, live eagle hunting presentation, and guided exploration of Fairy Tale Canyon and Barskoon Waterfalls. The tour includes all meals, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking guide. Pickup from Bishkek is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Burana Tower and Issyk Kul Lake visit

• Visit Ancient Burana Tower
• Drive through Boom Gorge
• Explore Issyk-Kul Lake
• Arrive at Bokonbaevo town
• Watch Golden Eagle presentation
• Stay overnight in yurt camp

Day 2: Canyon, Waterfalls and return to Bishkek

• Visit Fairy Tale Canyon
• Drive via gorge and stop at Gagarin statue
• Hike to Barskoon Waterfalls
• Rest at wild beach with red sands
• Drive back through Boom Gorge to Bishkek

The experience

The tour starts with a drive from Bishkek through Boom Gorge, a mountain pass that climbs to 1,700 meters and connects the capital to the lake region. You'll stop at the 11th-century Burana Tower ruins in the old city of Balasagun, where a museum holds artifacts and petroglyphs from the area's ancient kingdoms. The gorge itself is the gateway, once you pass through, the landscape opens to the alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped Tian Shan peaks. Issyk Kul never freezes, even in winter, and sits at 1,607 meters elevation, 182 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide.

On the first night, you stay at a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp on the southern shore near Bokonbaevo, a town known for its nomadic heritage and eagle hunting traditions. Dinner is Kyrgyz home cooking, and the camp puts you directly on the lake's edge. The next morning brings the live eagle hunting demonstration (a centuries-old practice unique to the region), where trained hunters work with golden eagles. If you're a moderate hiker, a guided walk to two waterfalls and a gorge is offered as part of the day. You'll then visit Fairy Tale Canyon, a formation of red rocks and sculpted stone formations that shift color throughout the day depending on the light. Barskoon Waterfalls, a series of cascades up to 24 meters high, sit in a gorge surrounded by forests and alpine meadows. A stop at a wild beach with red sand breaks the drive before you head back to Bishkek through Boom Gorge.

Breakfast is included both mornings, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the full route. The guide speaks English and manages the pace. Minimum age is 15. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. You're back in Bishkek by evening on day two.

What’s included

• All meals (Kyrgyz traditional dinners and breakfasts).
• overnight stay in a Kyrgyz yurt camp or traditional guest house on the lake shore.
• live golden eagle hunting demonstration.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 to 65 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Atlas.kg

Is this one for you?The tour involves moderate hiking as an optional activity on day two, and the full route covers mountain passes and gorges with stops for walking and exploration. If you have limited mobility or prefer minimal walking, confirm the hiking option before booking. The rest of the tour is accessible by vehicle.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 the eagle hunting demonstration like on this tour?

The live eagle presentation showcases Salbuurun hunters, who practice the ancient art of eagle hunting that has been part of Kyrgyz culture for centuries. Bokonbaevo, where you stay, is famous for these demonstrations, and the tour includes watching trained golden eagles in action as part of the nomadic experience.

How much hiking is involved on the 2-day Issyk Kul tour?

A moderate guided hike to two waterfalls and a gorge is offered as an optional activity on day two. The rest of the tour involves driving and short stops for sightseeing, so hiking is not mandatory.

What does the yurt camp stay include?

The overnight stay is in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp or guest house on the shore of Issyk Kul lake near Bokonbaevo. Dinner and breakfast are included. The camp provides an authentic nomadic experience with meals prepared in the traditional Kyrgyz style.

What is Fairy Tale Canyon, and how long do you spend there?

Fairy Tale Canyon is a formation of red rocks and sculpted stone structures on the southern shore of Issyk Kul, not far from the lake. The canyon's colors shift throughout the day depending on the light, and you'll stop there for exploration and photography on the return drive to Bishkek on day two.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Bishkek?

Yes, pickup from Bishkek is included. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle handle the full route, and you return to Bishkek by evening on day two.

What are Barskoon Waterfalls like?

Barskoon Waterfalls are a series of cascades in a gorge on the southern shore of Issyk Kul, with the tallest reaching 24 meters. The gorge is surrounded by dense forests, rocky cliffs, and alpine meadows, making it a scenic stop for photography and a short walk on the second day of the tour.