Issyk-Kul
Five winter days on the shores of a lake that never freezes, with hunters and their golden eagles.
Kyrgyzstan in winter is a different country. The lake stays open, the crowds are gone entirely, and the canyons that are merely photogenic in August become extraordinary under snow.
The heart of this trip is two days with a family of berkutchi — eagle hunters — near Bokonbaevo on the southern shore. This is not a staged show for coach parties. You spend a morning with the birds, watch them work on open ground, and eat lunch in the family house afterwards.
We run it as a private tour only, for two to six people, in January and February. Days are short, temperatures sit between minus five and minus twenty, and every night is in a heated guesthouse.
Open any day to see where you sleep, how far you travel and what the day actually feels like.
Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel. Short city walk if the weather allows, a kit check for the cold, and dinner with your guide to run through the week.
East through the Boom canyon to Issyk-Kul, which is open water even at minus fifteen. Afternoon arrival in Bokonbaevo and a first meeting with the hunting family and their birds.
A full morning on the hillsides above the village watching the eagles work, with time to talk to the hunters about training and the season. Afternoon at Skazka canyon, which is at its best under snow.
Transfer east to Karakol and a day on the mountain. The resort tops out at 3,040 m and the tree skiing is genuinely good. Non-skiers spend the day at the Jeti-Oguz frozen waterfalls instead.
A last morning in Karakol for the Dungan mosque and the animal market if it is a Sunday, then the drive back along the northern shore. Bishkek by evening, airport transfer whenever you fly.
Expect minus five by day and minus twenty at night. Bring proper insulated boots and a down jacket; we can lend you the rest if you would rather not buy it.
These are working birds hunting on open ground, and wildlife does not perform on demand. What you always get is time with the hunters; what you see the birds catch is up to the day.
This route runs as a private departure for two to six people. Prices are per person based on four travelling — ask us for a quote for other group sizes.
Send us a note and we will reply within one working day with availability and the exact plan.
Other routes that cover similar ground or pair well as an extension.
Son-Kol, Kel-Suu, Issyk-Kul and Ala-Kul in one week — the most action-packed route we run, with hiking, horses and two nights in yurt camps.
From
€1,190
per person
Bishkek, Song-Kol and Kel-Suu in one loop — horse riding, two nights in yurts and two of the most striking lakes in Central Asia.
From
€890€1,040
per person
The short version of the classic Kyrgyz trip: over the Too-Ashuu pass, two nights in yurts at Song-Kol, and back with time for an evening in Bishkek.
From
€560
per person