Northern Shore of Issyk-Kul • The Journey Begins
Meet your guide at the airport or hotel — first introductions, excited eyes, ski gear packed into the vehicle. The road follows the legendary northern shore of Issyk-Kul, a lake that never freezes, even in the dead of winter. On one side — endless turquoise water; on the other — the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan. A striking contrast: open water below, eternal snow above.
Stop at Kok-Moinok Canyon — your first taste of Kyrgyzstan’s “Martian” landscapes. Red and yellow rocks shaped by wind and time, an absolute silence broken only by the whisper of the wind. Then, an open-air petroglyph museum: ancient hunters carved animals, hunting scenes, and mysterious symbols into these stones thousands of years ago — a touch of eternity.
Lunch in Cholpon-Ata — a cozy resort town overlooking the lake. Afterward, the road turns toward the mountains. Asphalt gives way to dirt roads; the car winds higher up the serpentine. The air grows thinner, the temperature drops, but the excitement builds.
By evening, you arrive at the Karkyra Yurt Camp — a true oasis of comfort at 2,200 meters. White yurts lined up in rows, smoke rising from chimneys — the stoves are already lit inside. You’re greeted with hot tea and fresh boorsok (fried bread). Inside, thick felt walls, colorful carpets, and surprisingly soft beds await.
Dinner in the mountains: steaming shorpo soup, fresh vegetables, homemade honey. Darkness falls, and the night sky explodes with stars — the Milky Way glows like a silver river above.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: VIP Yurts in the Karkyra
