All in One Day: Burana Tower, Konorchek Canyon & Issyk-Kul Lake

All in One Day: Burana Tower, Konorchek Canyon and Issyk-Kul Lake

ABOUT TOUR

This tour is perfect for curious travelers who want to see the best of Kyrgyzstan in just one day. You’ll start with a visit to the 9th-century Burana Tower, where you can climb to the top and explore ancient petroglyphs. Then, enjoy a guided hike through the breathtaking Konorchek Canyons, famous for their dramatic red rock formations. After the hike, we’ll head to Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes, where you’ll have time to relax by the shore in the lakeside town of Balykchy and enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz lunch.

Ideal for nature lovers, history buffs, and adventurous travelers, this tour gives you a little bit of everything — history, hiking, scenery, and local culture — all in one carefully planned day from Bishkek.

What to expect

1

Bishkek

Your English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Bishkek in the morning and begin the journey toward the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan.

2

Burana tower

Your first stop is the historic Burana Tower, a well-preserved minaret dating back to the 9th century. You’ll have time to:

Climb to the top of the tower for scenic views
Visit the open-air museum of stone statues and petroglyphs
Learn the story of this ancient Silk Road site with your guide

3

Konorchek Canyons

After Burana, we continue toward the stunning Konorchek Canyons, where your guide will lead you on a 2.5–3 hour hike through winding paths and striking red sandstone formations.
It’s an active and scenic walk with plenty of time to enjoy the natural beauty and take amazing photos.

4

Issyk-Kul lake

We arrive in Balykchy, a quiet lakeside town on the western shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. You’ll enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz lunch at a local restaurant and then have time to relax by the lakeshore, take in the views, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this iconic lake.

5

Bishkek

After some time by the lake, we begin the drive back to Bishkek. You’ll return to your hotel in the evening, with amazing memories from a day full of history, nature, and culture.