# Family Tour: Lakes, Eagles & Yurts - 4 Days

An easy four days for all ages: Chong-Kemin national park, the canyons and the shore of Issyk-Kul, a visit to an eagle hunter, and a yurt night up at Song-Kul. There is no trekking, and the riding is optional.

- Duration: 4 days
- Type: Road trip
- Best season: May to October
- Starts and ends in: Bishkek
- Pace: Moderately paced
- Activities: Horse riding - optional
- Accommodation: 1 night at yurt, 2 nights at guesthouse
- Total driving: 850 km
- Price: on request (depends on group size, season and options). Free quote, no prepayment to enquire.
- Group: small group or fully private, with a local English-speaking guide
- Page: https://azattours.com/tours/family-tour-lakes-eagles-yurts-4-days/

## Highlights

- Chong-Kemin national park
- The canyons and the shore of Issyk-Kul
- A visit to an eagle hunter
- A yurt night at Song-Kul, with an optional ride

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Bishkek to Chong-Kemin National Park

You leave Bishkek and head into the countryside, stopping first at the Burana Tower, a thousand-year-old minaret left over from a Silk Road city, with old stone carvings scattered around its base. The kids can climb the narrow inner staircase for a view over the valley.

Lunch is with a Dungan family in Iskra Village, who serve homemade lagman, hand-pulled noodles that are a local favourite. From there it's a short drive on to Chong-Kemin National Park, where you settle into a guesthouse and can take an easy stroll through the village before dinner.

- Transfer: 170 km · 3-4 h
- Meals: lunch & dinner at guesthouse
- Overnight: Guesthouse

### Day 2: Canyons & the shore of Issyk-Kul

The morning starts at the Kok-Moinok canyons, an easy walk among ribbed red and ochre rock that's a good leg-stretch for the whole family. You then drive down to Balykchy for lunch at the western tip of Issyk-Kul, the great mountain lake that never freezes.

In the afternoon you follow the southern shore east and stop at the Skazka, or Fairy-Tale, canyons, wind-carved formations that really do look like castles and animals if you let your imagination run. You finish the day in Bokonbaev Village, where you stay the night.

- Transfer: 190 km · 3-4 h
- Meals: breakfast & dinner at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant
- Overnight: Guesthouse

### Day 3: Eagle hunter & up to Song-Kul

Your day opens with a visit to a local eagle hunter, who shows how these golden eagles are trained and flown, a tradition passed down through generations here. From Bokonbaev you drive on to Kochkor Village for lunch and a short rest.

The road then climbs into the mountains over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3400 m, with alpine lakes along the way, and drops you at Song-Kul, a high lake ringed by summer pastures. You spend the night in a yurt camp by the water; bring warm layers, as the evenings up here turn cold quickly.

- Transfer: 220 km · 4-5 h
- Meals: breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt
- Overnight: Yurt (3100 m)

### Day 4: Song-Kul ride & return to Bishkek

After a night under the open sky, there's the option of an easy horse ride around the lake, passing yurts and grazing herds, gentle enough for first-timers, with a longer mountain loop for anyone keen. Lunch is back at the yurt before you set off.

The drive home crosses the Tuz-Ashuu Pass, with stops at the Kilemche pastures and a few mountain viewpoints along the way. If anyone in the group isn't keen on heights, your guide can take the alternative Kalmak-Ashuu route back to Bishkek.

- Transfer: 300 km · 5-6 h
- Activity: Horse riding · optional
- Meals: breakfast & lunch at yurt

## Common questions

**How long is this tour?** It runs 4 days, starting and ending in Bishkek.

**When is the best time to go?** The season runs May to October. June to September brings the warmest days, and the high-pasture yurt camps are open.

**How fit do I need to be?** It's moderately paced, with Horse riding - optional. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing.

**Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 1 night at yurt, 2 nights at guesthouse.

## How to book

Send your dates and group size and we confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours: https://azattours.com/tours/family-tour-lakes-eagles-yurts-4-days/#book

- WhatsApp and phone: +996 502 888 001 (https://wa.me/996502888001)
- Email: azatbeyshenaliev1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azattourskg/
- Enquiry form: https://azattours.com/#plan
- Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan