T
Great day
Trip was cancelled cause I was the only participant. They offered me change of date, refund or other tour (canyon + lake) I took the other tour and it was amazing!
Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek
+28 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 9–11 hours
- Price from
- $80 / person
- Location
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Rating
- 4.0 / 5 · 12 reviews
- Languages
- RU, EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Budget Nomad Tours Kyrgyzstan
- Meeting point
- The meeting point is the Main Train Station in Bishkek (Prospekt Erkindik 1). Transport depends on group size: Sedan (3–4), Minivan (4–6), or Bus (6+). One day before the trip, our support manager will confirm the driver/guide details and the meeting time and point via WhatsApp or email.
Description
Escape the city and discover the beauty of Issyk Kul Lake on this small-group day trip from Bishkek. Begin with a visit to Burana Tower, a historic minaret from the ancient Silk Road, before heading to the crystal-clear waters of Issyk Kul. Take in breathtaking mountain views on a scenic boat ride (May–September), then unwind in natural hot springs, known for their relaxing and healing properties. This perfect blend of nature and history makes for an unforgettable Kyrgyz adventure!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 AM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 9
- Adult (ages 18–80)
- $80
- Youth (ages 13–17)
- $80
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $80
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Bishkek
Your journey begins at 7:40 AM, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow travelers at the designated meeting point in Bishkek. After a short introduction, you’ll board a comfortable minibus and set off for a full-day adventure to Issyk Kul Lake, passing through beautiful mountain landscapes along the way.
Burana Tower
The first stop is Burana Tower, a historic minaret from the 11th century, once part of an ancient Silk Road city. Climb to the top for stunning views, visit the small museum, and explore ancient stone carvings (balbals) scattered around the site. Your guide will share fascinating stories about its history and importance in Kyrgyzstan’s past.
Arriving at Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world, you’ll first enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, tasting traditional Kyrgyz cuisine. Afterward, set sail on a scenic boat tour (May–September), where you can admire the clear blue waters and stunning mountain views from the lake.
Cholpon Ata
Next, explore Cholpon Ata, the cultural and historical heart of Issyk Kul. Visit the Petroglyphs, an open-air museum showcasing ancient rock carvings dating back thousands of years. Then, explore the Rukh Ordo Cultural Complex, an impressive open-air museum combining Kyrgyz traditions, history, and spirituality. To end the day, relax and unwind in natural hot springs, enjoying the warm mineral waters known for their healing properties.
Bishkek
After a full day of exploring historical landmarks, cultural sites, and natural wonders, it’s time to head back to Bishkek. Sit back and relax in the comfortable minibus, reflecting on the breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences of the day. Enjoy the scenic drive through mountain landscapes, watching the sunset over the Kyrgyz countryside. Upon arrival in Bishkek, you’ll be dropped off at the original meeting point, marking the end of your adventure.
What's included
Included
Professional English-speaking guide
Comfortable sedan/minibus during the day
Bottled water
Admission tickets to Burana Tower, Boat Tour, and Petroglyphs
Small-group tour (min 3 and max 15 passengers)
Not included
Food
Admissions to Ruh Ordo and Hot Springs (around 6USD per person)
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.0
12 reviews
How it compares in Bishkek
- Starting price $80 is 38% below the typical $130 for tours of similar length in Bishkek
Excurgo comparison of 228 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek take?
Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek lasts about 9–11 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek cost?
Prices start at $80 per person for this Bishkek experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM.
How much does Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $80, adults from $80.
Can I cancel Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The meeting point is the Main Train Station in Bishkek (Prospekt Erkindik 1). Transport depends on group size: Sedan (3–4), Minivan (4–6), or Bus (6+). One day before the trip, our support manager will confirm the driver/guide details and the meeting time and point via WhatsApp or email. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek offered in?
The experience is available in RU, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Explore Issyk Kul: Small-Group Day Trip from Bishkek worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.0 out of 5 across 12 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Budget Nomad Tours Kyrgyzstan.
Reviews(12)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
Andrei was such an...
Andrei was such an amazing guide, very informative, friendly and was soooo accommodating. He made sure I was taken care of.
H
Relax.
A very relaxing tour because the entire lake area will provide another look into Kyrgyzstan. A walk on the lake with music and very nice people and a look at an outdoor museum where all religions are mirrored for a relaxing bath in the hotsprings
D
Highly recommended
Had a very nice time with the tour. The guide Anvir is very knowledgeable and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and he explains every places that we went to and answered all our questions when asked. Overall it's worth every money spent. Totally recommended.
Operator response
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Issyk Kul tour and found Anvir so knowledgeable and friendly. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Kyrgyzstan soon!
K
Amazing Day Trip for Unforgettable Views
Wonderful trip, Adelit was a great tour guide , very thoughtful and knowledgeable. The views during the drives are absolutely stunning. Lunch stop was great too. Highly recommend!
Operator response
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and the stunning views along the way. It’s wonderful to know that Adilet made your experience thoughtful and informative, and that you enjoyed the lunch stop as well! Best regards, Adilet
P
Krygisthan trip
Amazing trip and visiting the lake is a must things to do. The recommended place to see were worth of our time specially watching the train on the way
Operator response
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip to Issyk Kul Lake and found the recommended stops worthwhile. It’s wonderful that even the train sighting along the way added to your experience. We hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in Kyrgyzstan! Best regards, Adilet
D
No response, incorrect pickup time
No response from operator through Viator nor emailing them through their website. Driver was 40 minutes late from stated meetup time. Got a refund and joined another tour.
Operator response
Dear David, Thank you for your feedback. The pickup time in the program was unfortunately listed incorrectly — it has now been corrected to 8:00 AM. On the day of your tour, the driver arrived at 8:02 AM, but we understand you had already decided not to continue and joined another tour instead. For this reason, we immediately issued you a full refund. We apologize for the confusion and truly appreciate your comments, as they help us improve our communication and service for future guests. Warm regards Adilet | Budget Nomad Tours Kyrgyzstan
J
A day trip to Issy Kul
A long drive to the lake and back. Plan to stay overnight to get full lake experience... Wonderful lake and surroundings. Petrogluphs were not very impressive.
R
Great day around Yssyk Köl Lake
So I was taken on time by the driver and guide Eldar. So we headed off to our first point Burana Tower. Eldar explained a lot about the history. Afterwards we went the ruins of Balasugun City, where we walked around at our own pace. Then we visited a Thermal Spa, which was a nice experience, they even sold bathing cloths, if you didn't consider to visit it before, that was super handy. Last point was a ferry ship trip on Issyk kul, which was also very nice and rounded off this relaxed trip. Eldar wasn't always able to describe everything in English, but he was a safe driver and an affectionated as well as an attentive guide. Highly recommended!
M
Not a serious provider
This company should be excluded from viator. They sent me a message cancelling my tour less than 12 hour before the trip and told me point blank: “we wont give your money back”. Avoid it
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Dear Mauricio, Thank you for sharing your review. The trip was cancelled due to weather conditions at Issyk-Kul Lake — as mentioned in our program, there is always a chance that tours may be cancelled for safety reasons. I also sincerely apologize for the confusion in my message. What I meant to write was “I will now make the full refund,” but I mistakenly typed “not.” This was my error, and I am very sorry for it. The full refund was, of course, issued the same day. Warm regards, Adilet | Budget Nomad Tours Kyrgyzstan
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from$80
4.0(12) Free cancellation