5 days Altyn Arashan, Son Kul and Issyk Kul Lakes





Description
5-day tour to Son-Kul Lake, Issyk-Kul Lake, and Altyn Arashan offers a perfect blend of adventure, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences, making it a truly unique journey. 1. Remote Beauty of Son-Kul Lake Experience the untouched wilderness of Son-Kul Lake, a high-altitude alpine lake surrounded by rolling green meadows and dramatic mountains. 2. Stay in a traditional yurt, immerse yourself in the nomadic lifestyle, and enjoy homemade Kyrgyz cuisine prepared by local shepherd families. 3. The Jewel – Issyk-Kul Lake Discover the world’s second-largest alpine lake, often called the "Pearl of Central Asia" due to its stunning blue waters and surrounding snow-capped peaks. 4. Wild Beauty of Altyn Arashan Trek or take a rugged 4x4 ride through the stunning Altyn Arashan Gorge, known for its lush green valleys, snow-capped peaks, and alpine forests. This 5-day journey will give you an unforgettable taste of country’s wild beauty, traditions, and adventure!
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from any location in the city
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(34)
We just got back from a 5-day tour and it was truly a wonderful experience from start to finish. The organization was flawless: every transfer, every stop, every detail was handled perfectly, and it made the whole trip completely stress-free. The accommodations were one of the highlights. Each place had its own charm and really added to the sense of adventure. The days were full and packed with activities, but our guide Max managed everything with incredible flexibility, always adjusting the pace to what we needed. Max was extremely knowledgeable about the region, its culture, and its landscapes, and honestly, traveling with him felt less like being on a tour and more like traveling with a good friend. For part of the journey we also met the guide Mary, and she was fantastic too — warm, upbeat, and full of energy, the kind of person who makes everything feel fun
This 5-day tour was beyond amazing! We had an incredible guide, Maksat, who became a friend along the way. Everything was perfectly organised, and the guesthouses were not only comfortable but also in absolutely beautiful locations. As a vegetarian, I was a little unsure about the food beforehand, but Maksat always went the extra mile to make sure I had good options. And I have to say, the vegetarian selection was much better than I expected! The tour itself takes you through such a beautiful variety of landscapes, and Son-Kul Lake was definitely one of the highlights. Spending the night in a yurt, surrounded by mountains, horses and endless open landscapes, was such a special experience. Every day brought a new glimpse of just how incredibly diverse and beautiful Kyrgyzstan is. I couldn’t recommend this tour more. So grateful for this unforgettable experience!
For us this turned into a trip of a life time. Maksat (Max) picked us up on time and from the outset made our trip an unforgetable experience. His love for his country is infectious, and he brought every place we visited to life with his knowledge, warmth, and genuine personality. He took us to the breathtaking, unbelievable landscapes of Song-Kul, Altyn Arashan Valley fairy tale canyon and many more that we’ll never forget. Max has a genuine interest in preserving the culture and environment of Kygyzstan while showcasing its true beauty. The accomodation and food was varied, fun, and of a high standard. An unforgettable experience with a truly exceptional guide!
We had an absolutely incredible experience on our Kyrgyzstan tour, and it exceeded all expectations. The true highlights of our journey were Son Kul and Altyn Arashan, both of which are simply breathtaking and unlike anything we have ever seen before. The landscapes there are on another level and made this trip truly unforgettable. Everything throughout the tour was perfectly arranged. The food was consistently excellent, the car was comfortable, and the accommodations were not only great but also unique and authentic. Traveling as a group of four with a guide was very smooth and enjoyable. Staying in yurts at Son Kul was without a doubt one of the most special experiences of the trip, and horse riding in such an incredible setting is something we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Kyrgyzstan. However, the absolute highlight of our entire journey was our tour guide, Maksat (Max). He speaks excellent English and organized every detail of the trip flawlessly. Over time, he became much more than just a guide and truly felt like a friend. Thanks to him, we were able to fully enjoy every moment of this unforgettable adventure. We cannot recommend this tour highly enough to anyone considering visiting Kyrgyzstan.
I had an incredible time on my 5 day tour of Kyrgyzstan, led by the fantastic guide Mars. The itinerary was very well thought out, ensuring that each day provided enough great activity and balancing travel time across the country. Mars was highly knowledgeable about Kyrg history, culture, and geography and ensured that we received a truly personalized experience. I had originally considered a self guided tour, but ended up being very happy that I chose to go with a guide. I would highly recommend both Atlas KG and Mars as a guide to anyone considering a guided tour of Kyrgyzstan.
If Kyrgyzstan isn’t on your bucket list yet, add it immediately! It is a hidden gem filled with stunning snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, ,& pristine lakes. . We had an absolute blast on this tour, largely thanks to our wonderful guide, Maksat. He was incredibly knowledgeable, answered all our questions, & his great sense of humor made the entire experience so much fun!
We had a very memorable 5-day tour which captured some of the the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. Although the weather was disappointing for the first few days, it did not stop us from enjoying each of the destinations. We particularly enjoyed Son Kul, Altyn Arashan and Issyk Kul. The tour was well-paced, and there were just enough things to do every day without the tour becoming rushed and tiring. Our guide was Maksat, who is kind, considerate, resourceful, and 100% reliable. He drove us through floods, snow, mug and windy roads with excellent skill. In his interactions with us, he would always put us first and often went out of his way to give us a better experience. He was calm and highly organised when we had an unexpected medical emergency. He was also very patient and never chased us at photo stops. He would join us for food and treat us as VIPs. In sum, we could not have asked for a better guide or better Kyrgyz hospitality. The tour price is actually quite reasonable as we were offered high-end accommodation and meals each day. We would only be taken to decent restaurants with a variety of food options. Also, Maksat's car is well maintained, clean, and stable. All things considered, we would say that this is a luxury tour in Kyrgyz terms. We highly recommend this tour to all those who would like to explore the beautiful landscape of Kyrgyzstan but don't want the hassle of driving through the rugged territories or planning infinitely variable logistics. We booked the tour through Atlas KG's official website (which is cheaper than some other sites). There was one more thing - we were only asked a few days before the tour whether we would be happy for the tour to start a day earlier than scheduled. As we had to reschedule our plans, Atlas KG kindly offered us a wonderful hotel stay, with which we were very pleased. Atlas KG also offered extensions of the trip at little/no extra cost for us to see more of Kyrgyzstan. All in all, we are truly grateful for this 5-day adventure and our time and friendship with Maksat.
This 5-day tour was without a doubt the highlight of my trip to Central Asia and one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken. From the moment we left Bishkek, I was blown away by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan. Sleeping in the traditional yurt by the stunning Son-Kul Lake surrounded by endless green pastures, soaking in the dramatic mountain scenery of Altyn Arashan, and experiencing the incredible views around Issyk-Kul felt like stepping into a different world. Every day brought a new landscape that was even more breathtaking than the last. What made the trip truly special was our guide, Maksat (Max). Max was much more than a guide — he became a friend throughout the journey. He was warm, patient, knowledgeable, and always looking out for us. Whether it was sharing stories about Kyrgyz culture and global topics, finding the best photo spots, making sure we were comfortable, or adjusting plans when needed, he consistently went above and beyond. Travelling through remote mountain roads and staying in traditional accommodations can sometimes be challenging, but with Max taking care of everything, we could simply relax and enjoy the adventure. His passion for his country was infectious, and it made us appreciate Kyrgyzstan even more. The memories of the peaceful Son-Kul lake, hiking in the spectacular Altyn Arashan valley, and driving through some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen will stay with me for a very long time. A huge thank you to Max for making this trip so special. If you are considering a tour in Kyrgyzstan, don't hesitate — you will experience incredible scenery, genuine hospitality, and an adventure you'll never forget. Highly recommended!
My experience with Atlas.kg is absolutely amazing! The service is great, accomodations they booked are comfortable, the FOOD is amazing and i experienced to have lunch at the Dungan Family house. They knew the best spot to enjoy and take the pics. My guide is Maksat who is really good at driving and always be safe, very friendly, helpful, and also knowledgeable about the area we visited. Because of it, i would like to recommend Altas.kg to my friend if they go to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is a spectacular country and safe to visit, especially guided by Altas.kg!
I was with the guide Msksat and it was a really delicious 5 days. The accommodation was very satisfying, and the meals served were very good. The vehicle was also spacious and comfortable as a Toyota off-road vehicle. And especially the guide wrote a lot of kindness and care and traveled comfortably.



