4-Day Issyk-Köl, Eagle Hunters & Nomad Life

Overview

This four-day journey pairs the great warm lake with the living traditions of the Kyrgyz south shore. You meet a berkutchi — a golden-eagle hunter — for a demonstration of a skill passed down for centuries, ride horses through gorges and summer pasture, and sleep a night in a yurt by the water. Along the way you take in the red rock of Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, the Barskoon waterfalls and quiet lakeside villages far from the resorts. We handle the logistics, keep groups small, and work only with local families and guides so your money stays in the communities you visit.

Highlights

• ✦A golden-eagle (berkutchi) hunting demonstration
• ✦Horseback riding on the south shore of Issyk-Köl
• ✦A night in a lakeside yurt
• ✦Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon and Barskoon waterfalls
• ✦Home cooking and nomad hospitality
• ✦Small group, private transport, Bishkek pickup

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 — Bishkek to Issyk-Köl

   Drive to the lake, stopping at Burana Tower en route; evening on the northern shore.

2. 2
   Day 2 — South shore & eagle hunter

   Cross to the south shore for the eagle-hunting demonstration and Skazka Canyon; overnight by the lake.

3. 3
   Day 3 — Horse riding & yurt night

   Horseback riding through gorge and pasture, Barskoon waterfalls, and a night in a shoreline yurt.

4. 4
   Day 4 — Return to Bishkek

   Morning by the lake, then the drive back to Bishkek.

Meeting point

📍 Bishkek — hotel pickup included

Frequently asked questions

How long is this experience?

4 days

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes — you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before it starts.

Where does it start?

Bishkek — hotel pickup included

What's included?

Vetted English- and Russian-speaking local guide · All transport from Bishkek in a private vehicle · Accommodation as per the itinerary · All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner) · National-park and conservation fees