Family

Family Adventure in Kyrgyzstan

9 days of mountains, yurts and discovery for the whole family

Duration: 9 days
Route: Chon-Kemin – Issyk-Kul – Song-Kul
Group: 2–6 people, private tour
Season: June – September

Tour Highlights

A private family tour with a guide experienced with children.
Creative, felt-making and cooking workshops.
An explorer’s notebook and a treasure hunt at Burana Tower.
Searching for animals and hunters among ancient petroglyphs.
The red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon and the Barskoon waterfalls.
Meeting an eagle hunter.
Two nights in a yurt camp at Song-Kul Lake.
Horses, donkeys and traditional Kyrgyz games.
Swimming and beach games on Issyk-Kul.

Day-by-Day Programme

Day 01Arrival in Bishkek
- Meeting at Manas International Airport and hotel transfer.
- Time to settle in.
- A creative workshop for children.
- Each child gets an explorer’s notebook to use throughout the trip.
- Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 02Bishkek — Burana Tower — Chon-Kemin
- A stop at the 11th-century Burana Tower.
- A short treasure hunt with clues for children.
- Lunch with a local family.
- Traditional Kyrgyz games and outdoor activities.
- Overnight at a family-run guesthouse in Chon-Kemin National Park.
Day 03Chon-Kemin — Issyk-Kul Lake
- Drive to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.
- Children make a felt souvenir with a local craftsperson.
- Free time by the lake for swimming and beach games.
- Overnight at a guesthouse in Tamchy.
Day 04Cholpon-Ata — Karakol
- The ancient petroglyph field near Cholpon-Ata.
- Children search for animals and hunters among the rock carvings.
- In Karakol: the wooden Dungan Mosque and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral.
- An evening activity for children.
- Overnight in Karakol.
Day 05Karakol — Jeti-Oguz — Barskoon
- The striking red rocks of Jeti-Oguz — children count the Seven Bulls.
- Drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.
- A short walk to the Barskoon waterfalls and a picnic.
- A cooking workshop focused on Kyrgyz dishes.
- Overnight at a guesthouse in Barskoon.
Day 06Skazka Canyon — Bokonbaevo
- Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon with its colourful rock formations.
- Lunch at a yurt camp in Bokonbaevo and a nature walk.
- Optional horse ride.
- The highlight: meeting an eagle hunter, who introduces the bird and explains the tradition of eagle hunting in Kyrgyz nomadic culture.
- Overnight at a yurt camp.
Day 07Bokonbaevo — Kochkor — Song-Kul
- Via Kochkor to Song-Kul Lake, at around 3,016 m.
- Check-in at a yurt camp.
- Time on the mountain pastures.
- Optional ride on horseback or by donkey, subject to availability.
- Overnight at a yurt camp by Song-Kul.
Day 08Song-Kul: A Day of Nomadic Life
- A relaxed day without long transfers.
- Children ride horses, explore the lakeshore and meet local animals.
- How a traditional yurt is arranged.
- In the evening, we look back at the trip’s discoveries, and each young explorer receives a small prize.
- Overnight at a yurt camp.
Day 09Song-Kul — Bishkek
- A quiet morning by the lake: local animals or another optional horse ride.
- Lunch.
- Return to Bishkek and end of the tour in the evening.

What’s Included

Private vehicle with a driver throughout the route
Airport transfer on Day 1
English-speaking guide experienced in working with children
Games, creative tasks and a treasure hunt for young travellers
Creative workshop, craft activity and cooking session
Meeting with an eagle hunter
Horseback or donkey rides at Song-Kul, subject to availability
Four nights in family-run guesthouses and three nights in yurt camps
Meals as per the programme, from Day 2 through lunch on Day 9

What’s Not Included

Accommodation in Bishkek on the first night (can be arranged on request)
International flights
Travel insurance
Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Services not listed as included

On the map

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Good to know

Part of the route runs at about 3,000 m (Song-Kul). At this altitude headaches, weakness and poor sleep are possible.
If you have heart or lung conditions, or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before the trip.
Nights at Song-Kul are cold even in summer: bring warm clothes.
Please check the age limits for children and horse riding with our manager before booking.
We confirm the final list of services and accommodation details when you book.

Tour FAQ

01Is the tour suitable for children of different ages?

Activities are adapted to your children’s ages, and the route can be adjusted to suit your family. No demanding treks are planned — most walks are short. Difficulty is easy to moderate.

02What should we know about Song-Kul?

Song-Kul lies at about 3,016 m, and nights can be cold even in summer — pack warm clothes for the whole family.

03When does the tour run, and how much does it cost?

The tour runs from June to September. Price available on request; accommodation details and the final list of inclusions are confirmed at booking.