Day 1: Bishkek → Karool-Dobo, 2-3 hours horseback, homestay. Day 2: pass crossing to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, transfer.
Highlights
Fast horseback crossing Chong-Kemin → Issyk-Kul
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1: Bishkek – Karool-Dobo – Chym-Bulak – Kol-Konur Lake (HBR)
Morning transfer from Bishkek to the Chong-Kemin valley, the village of Karool-Dobo ("Watch Hill"). On the way, visit the Burana Tower architectural complex (Silk Road landmark). On arrival at the Chym-Bulak Jailoo, mount up and start the ride along the Chong-Kemin river through the Bai-Kishi, Toguz-Bulak and Chym-Bulak gorges — slopes covered by fir forest. Lunch on the trail. Continue through the forest up to Kol-Konur Lake at 2500 m. Set up camp; dinner and overnight in a tent.
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Day 2: Kol-Konur – Tamchy Pass – Issyk-Kul (HBR)
Breakfast at camp. Continue on horseback from Kol-Konur/Kol-Tor up to the Tamchy Pass (3400 m) and cross it. Short break for lunch at the top. Descend to the Achyk-Tash jailoo, where a vehicle from Tamchy Village picks the group up and transfers them to the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. A refreshing swim after the ride. Dinner and B&B in a local home-stay. End of the tour.
Route and transfers
| Day | From → to | km | Time | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishkek → Burana Tower | 90 | 1.8 h | by car |
| 1 | Burana Tower → Karool-Dobo | 120 | 2.4 h | by car |
About 210 km in total. Distances and drive times come from our road map of Kyrgyzstan.