3日間のイシククル湖とチョンケミン：イーグルショー、乗馬

We booked an 8-day private tour for 2 people with Atlas KG (contact: Begimai) for $2,500. Following a normal pickup on Day 1 in Bishkek, the 3-day horse trek from Kyzart to Song-Kul turned into an absolute nightmare. Here is the chronological account: - Day 2 – Transfer Chaos & Abandonment: After confusing and delayed communications, a taxi dropped us off at the horse station in Kyzart. There was no contact person, and we were left waiting aimlessly for 2–3 hours. Wrong Bookings: Only after calling Begimai did a 22-year-old guide appear. He falsely claimed we had only booked 2 days instead of the confirmed 3 days. Zero Safety Briefing & Broken Promises: While other groups were equipped with helmets, we were given no helmets. There was zero instruction on horse handling, steering, or stopping. Despite paying for a private tour, we were merged into a 20-person group and forced along a dusty dirt track, while independent groups rode scenic trails. Illegal Child Labor: After the first stage, the 22-year-old guide vanished completely. We were abandoned in the wilderness with an 11-year-old boy who spoke neither English nor Russian, his reading skills were bad. Leaving an overwhelmed minor as our primary guide, is a crime. His name was Arsan and he loved playing Volleyball. He should be in school!!! Substandard Accommodation & Overpricing: At Song-Kul, we were placed in the worst yurt camp—1 km away from the lake with no sanitation—while all other tours stayed lakeside with proper facilities. Other travelers paid $150–$200 per person for the exact same 3-day trek with professional adult guides. Injured Animal & Life-Threatening Passage: My horse had an injured hoof (photos documented), was severely exhausted, and stumbled repeatedly. After a near-fall along the lake’s edge, I refused to continue. The child called his older brother, who lied over the phone that help was on the way.To make up for lost time, the child led us along a dangerous shortcut: a precarious, narrow ledge dropping hundreds of meters down a sheer cliff. We feared for our lives and screamed in panic, while the child was preoccupied herding two loose horses from a local farmer. Denial and Lies: After aborting the tour and requesting a fair partial refund of $600 for the 2.5 days, Atlas KG refused flatly, offered us a discount about 200 Dollar, thats a joke, brushing off mortal danger and child labor as mere "lack of comfort." Later via WhatsApp, they falsely claimed they had advised us against the horse trek.Atlas KG operates with gross negligence, exploits child labor, and demonstrates zero regard for safety. All in all: Fortunately, we had only paid the 50% deposit of $1,300 in advance before aborting the tour after Day 4—yet paying $1,300 for effectively 4 days of trauma was absolute price gouging for what was delivered. Never book through an overarching agency or organization like Atlas KG. Instead, book a reputable hostel or guesthouse directly on-site (e.g., in Bishkek or Kochkor). These local accommodations arrange experienced horse guides directly, transparently, and reliably :) The lanscape though is outstandingly beautiful and absolutely worth.

It was 5 out of 5 tour. We were a little bit anxious about accommodation at first, but both( 1st day and 2day) places had decent toilets, shower rooms and bedroom. Our tour guide, Tologon, was a chill guy and a good story teller. Cool musics played in the car and good conversations. He made our time in Kyrgyz very enjoyable and comfortable. The places we visited were all very beautiful. You’ll be able to see exactly what you expect to see in Kyrgyz in this tour. If you easily get motion sickness I strongly recommend taking medicine. There will be many bumpy roads.

+2

Had a wonderful trip, all was perfectly organized and Malik is a great guide. He knows a lot, is taking good care of me as a guest and is an excellent driver! Would recommend this trip to anyone who would like to see the highlights around Issyk Kul lake!

We honestly cannot recommend this tour enough and a huge part of that is because of our guide Zamir. From the very first minute he made both of us feel welcome. He is such a genuine, funny and entertaining person, truly the life of the party. He always kept the atmosphere positive, made us laugh every day and made sure both of us felt included and happy. What impressed us the most was how incredibly caring and helpful he was. There was literally nothing he wasn’t willing to organize or help us with. Whether it was getting us something we needed, answering questions, making extra stops, or simply making sure everyone was comfortable, he always went the extra mile with a smile. The tour itself was absolutely amazing. Every place we visited was breathtaking, and thanks to Zamir we didn’t just see Krgyzstan, we really got to experience it. We truly feel like we got to see the very best side of this beautiful country and we are sincerely grateful for that. The guesthouses were all spotless, cozy, and beautiful and the food was excellent throughout the whole trip. Everything was well organized and we never had to worry about anything. If you’re thinking about booking this tour, ask for Zamir if you can. He made an already incredible trip unforgettable. We honestly couldn’t have wished for a better guide and we recommend him with all our hearts. Чын жүрөктөн чоң рахмат, Замир :) We hope to come back one day! Elnur & MiauMiau

+17

We had a wonderful trip with Ermek this May! Everything went super smooth and worry free. The booking via Atlas was very easy and we got fast replies. Ermek picked us (two girls) up directly from the airport. He is very kind, speaks perfect English and has a great taste in Music :-) Your rodtrip playlist is safe and we can only highly recommend! Kirgistan is stunning and the vibe magical - book it already ☺️

It was a really nice three days trip. We received an upgrade of the car and it was super comfy for the rides. We spent a lot of time in the car, so it this waa essential. Accomodation was nice and clean, but rather modest. Food was fantastic wherever we were. The highlight of the trip was our guide, Maksat, who was extremly nice, helpful and flexible to our needs. We laughed and sang together all the time and it felt as if he was part of our group. Thank you Maksat for everything, without you, it woukd not be this great experience!

A three-day tour to Issyk-Kul by Atlas KG is 10 out of 10! There were three of us, and everyone really enjoyed it. Honestly, we didn't expect to see such incredible beauty - nature is just fascinating. Special thanks to guide Ali for his attentiveness and sensitivity, there was a sense of individual approach, all wishes were taken into account. The route is excellent, we have been to very beautiful places, and the load was light. The only downside is, I think they gained a few kilos 😄 But there's nothing to be done, the Kurd was too good 😋 Definitely recommended!

If you want to spend an unforgettable time in Kyrgyzstan (or, as we often say in Russia: Kyrgyzstan), you're here. Our remarkable journey lasted three days. In a comfortable Lexus car with an attentive family member and a well-known guide to our homeland, Ali, we traveled the mountains, stopped at Issyk-Kul, participated in activities such as: hunting berkut (fox skin), archery, horseback riding, a trip to the falls and many, many delicious food. The beautiful views of Kyrgyzstan have left no one indifferent, nor has our soul guide. If you don't know this land well and want to get to know its wonderfully diverse nature and hearty and delicious food, here you go.

+1

It was a tour that far exceeded our expectations. It was a five-day tour. For us, the unforgettable parts of the trip were the beautiful nature in Jyrgalan, the friendly atmosphere of the guesthouse and its welcoming owners, horseback riding, archery, and the eagle show. Visiting a country with such magnificent nature made me feel constantly grateful. The places we visited and the places we stayed were carefully chosen. For us, as two sisters traveling together, feeling safe is an important detail, and we always felt safe; we never had to worry. Our guide, Maksat abi, was also very good. Brother Maksat always made sure we ate our meals and gave us breaks at the necessary and appropriate times without us having to ask. He was always very attentive and made sure we lacked nothing. They took us to the right places, even for shopping, places that weren't tourist traps. However, the people were very nice; they never tried to deceive us by saying we were tourists. He gave us information about everything, and since we are Turkish, we could even speak Turkish with him! We taught each other Turkish and Kyrgyz. Our conversations were always friendly. We travelled as if we were going on a trip with a friend. Everything was perfectly planned. I think we've seen everything Kyrgyzstan has to offer at this time of year. It would be better to go in the summer, as the atmosphere is more beautiful with melted snow and gurgling streams, and since Son Kul and Kel Su are closed to traffic during this season, visiting them is only possible in the summer. You can buy the tour with complete confidence. We decided to come again in the summer, to visit places we couldn't go before, and to drink kumis (fermented mare's milk). We will be staying in a real dormitory-style accommodation. I will never forget this country with its constantly smiling people and beautiful places, and the people I met during this trip. They will always have a place in my heart. I wish them all happiness in their lives.

+5

We had an amazing and truly memorable experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. The trip was full of activities all the time from an incredible eagle hunting show to authentic local experiences, beautiful nature, and unique overnight stays. Everyone we met was incredibly kind and welcoming. I have personally traveled a lot around the world, but this trip honestly surpassed all my previous experiences. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience real Kyrgyz culture! A special thanks to our guide, Tologan, who made the whole trip absolutely fantastic 🙌🏻 Greetings from two friends from Norway 🇳🇴

+7