★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Bus tour · Lakes
Bus tour to Issyk-Kul from Almaty
4.9 · 24 reviews
A four-day bus journey from Almaty to the pearl of Kyrgyzstan — Lake Issyk-Kul. Hot springs, Ak-Bermet Canyon, and overnight stays on the shore with mountain views await you.
WhenBy schedule
Duration4 days / 3 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $145/person
Program
Issyk-Kul tour program by hour
06:00
Meeting and departure from Almaty
Meeting the group at Almaty-1 Railway Station. Boarding a comfortable bus, briefing.
08:30
Border crossing
Passing through control at the Korday checkpoint. The driver assists with formalities.
12:00
Lunch on the road
A stop at a roadside café with national cuisine on the way to the lake. A set lunch is included.
15:00
Arrival at Issyk-Kul, check-in
Check-in at a guest house in Cholpon-Ata on the northern shore. Free time for a walk along the beach.
18:00
Ak-Bermet hot springs
Visit to thermal pools with mineral water. Water temperature +38...+40 °C.
Day 2, 09:00
Excursion to Ak-Bermet Canyon
Walking tour among red-yellow rocks. Photo session at viewpoints.
Day 3
Free day at Issyk-Kul
Beach, swimming and walks along the Cholpon-Ata promenade; optional extra excursions at your own expense.
Day 4, 13:00
Return departure to Almaty
Packing, lunch on the road. Arrival in Almaty approximately at 21:00.
What's included
What is included in the cost of the Issyk-Kul tour
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Bus transfer (tourist class) Almaty – Issyk-Kul – Almaty
- Accommodation for 3 nights in a guesthouse (2-3-bed rooms, shared facilities)
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches
- Services of a Russian-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets to Ak-Bermet hot springs
- Excursion to Ak-Bermet Canyon
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Dinners (optional, from 800 KGS)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Medical insurance (recommended to obtain)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Swimsuit/trunks for thermal springs
- Comfortable shoes for canyon walks
- Warm clothing for the evening (windbreaker, sweater)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Water bottle (water coolers available)
Team
Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Reviews of Issyk-Kul tour
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Diana R.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to go to Issyk-Kul, but it never worked out. This time I went with a friend, we chose a bus tour so we wouldn't have to think about transfers. The bus is comfortable, it was convenient to travel. The guide entertained us with stories the whole way, it wasn't boring. On site we were accommodated in a guesthouse, close to the beach. We swam, sunbathed, went to the springs — the water is warm, pleasant. The only thing is, I would have liked more free time at the lake. But overall everything was great, lots of impressions.
Kamila Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★First time on a bus to Kyrgyzstan. Thought it would be boring but it turned out fun. Aleksandr joked all the way.
Daniyar M.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with my brother, wanted a change of scenery for the weekend. The road was easy, the driver was careful. What I remember most are the hot springs: the water is hot, just what you need after the road. And the canyon — the rocks are red and yellow, beautiful. The guide showed and told us everything. Overall a great trip, I recommend it.
Elena P.
Google ·
★★★★★The bus was comfortable, and the AC worked. We stopped in Bosteri. I recommend it to everyone!
Perizat E.
Our website ·
★★★★★I went with a friend. I really liked the organization of the tour. The guide told interesting facts about the sea.
Vika L.
Our website ·
★★★★★I went with a colleague for the weekend to change the scenery. What I liked most was the Ak-Bermet canyon: the rocks are red-yellow, the air is clean, the views are stunning. The guide suggested where it's best to take photos, we got great shots. The thermal springs also impressed — warm mineral water, just what you need after the road. As for the minuses — in the guesthouse the amenities are on the floor, but we knew that in advance. Overall the trip was a success, thanks for the organization.
Lyazzat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to go to Issyk-Kul, and finally I got together with a colleague. We took this tour because the price suited us and there were no transfers. Everything went well: we were accommodated in a guest house not far from the shore, the guide suggested where the beach was calmer. We also went to the hot springs — the water is warm, you sit under the open sky, mountains around, beautiful. No regrets.
Aigerim M.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went to Grigorievka; it was beautiful! The water was clear but a bit cold. The tour company did a great job.
Kanat A.
Our website ·
★★★★★Great option for a budget vacation. The sea is warm, the beach is crowded but tolerable. Thanks to Madina for help with accommodation.
Aina K.
Google ·
★★★★★First time going to Issyk-Kul by bus. Very convenient, we left on time. Warm sea and mountains — beautiful!
Ilyas N.
Our website ·
★★★★★The tour met expectations. The sea is clean, sand. Anzhelika suggested where to buy souvenirs cheaper.
Bakhtiyar S.
Google ·
★★★★★It happened spontaneously: a friend invited me, and I agreed. I thought it would be tiring, but the bus is comfortable, so we got there fine, though I felt a bit motion-sick at the end. Once there, we went straight to the beach — the lake is beautiful. I liked the walk through the canyon, the rocks are bright, the photos are great. The guide organized everything clearly.
Saule A.
Google ·
★★★★★We went with the kids, they really liked it. The beach is gentle and shallow. The only thing was we waited a long time for lunch.
Miras B.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My friend and I took this tour to relax and see the lake. The views are gorgeous, mountains all around — beautiful. The downside — we left Almaty late, had to wait, but that's minor. Overall I liked everything, the guide did great.
Maxim D.
Google ·
★★★★★The beach in Cholpon-Ata was nice, the water was warm. Downsides: the queue for the cable car was long.
Nadezhda O.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really enjoyed the vacation. The bus was cozy, we made several stops. The guide told us a lot about Kyrgyzstan. I recommend this tour!
Ulzhan B.
Google ·
★★★★★Very pleased with the trip. The bus is comfortable, the driver is careful. Thanks to Madina for the organization!
Fariza N.
Our website ·
★★★★★Everything was super! I didn't expect it to be so cool. The guide was our escort, thanks to her.
Laura I.
Our website ·
★★★★★First time on a bus to Kyrgyzstan, I was worried. But everything went smoothly. The driver is a professional. Anzhelika suggested where to eat deliciously.
Galina T.
Google ·
★★★★★I went with a friend, we wanted to see the lake. We left Almaty early in the morning, everything according to schedule. I liked the beach, the views are beautiful. The guide told us everything along the way, it was interesting. We stopped at hot springs, water +40, very relaxing. On the way back we were tired but satisfied. Overall I liked the trip, the organization is good.
Olga V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Great option for a weekend. Grigorievka is a fairy tale! The water is icy but refreshing.
Zhanat S.
Our website ·
★★★★★The group gathered at the Almaty-1 railway station building — very convenient, everything was clearly organized. I went with my sister, we had both long wanted to go to Issyk-Kul. In the program, what I remembered most were the hot springs: water +38, we sat in an outdoor pool, mountains all around — beautiful. I also liked the walk through the canyon, the rocks are red-yellow, the photos turned out bright. Organization was top-notch: the guide told us everything, the driver was careful. A slight minus — the cafe took a long time to prepare lunch, we had to wait almost an hour. But overall the impressions are excellent, I recommend it.
Nurlan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★The bus is new, seats are comfortable. We left without delays. Madina organized the leisure time well.
Bekzat R.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with my sister, chose this tour because of the convenient schedule. Everything was well organized, but at the border the bus was delayed a bit, so we arrived later. The driver drove carefully, the guide helped with the formalities. I liked the hot springs — the water is warm, pleasant. Overall the trip was a success, but I took off a star because of the delay.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Issyk-Kul tour
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionA swimsuit or trunks will definitely come in handy — you will be going into thermal pools, and for a walk through the canyon you need comfortable shoes. For the evening, take a windbreaker or a sweater, it is cool by the lake, plus sunscreen, a hat and a bottle for water — coolers are available.
The group spends most of the time on the bus and at overnight stays, you walk only through the canyon and along the shore — the exertion is moderate. If your parents handle a long journey calmly and are ready for rooms with facilities on the floor, the trip will suit them. If you have doubts about health — write on WhatsApp, we will discuss the details of the route.
Yes: on the first day you arrive at Issyk-Kul at around 15:00, check into a guest house on the northern shore and have time for a walk on the beach, and in the evening you go to the Ak-Bermet hot springs. Next in the programme is a walk through the Ak-Bermet canyon, and on the last day the return departure is at 13:00, arriving in Almaty at around 21:00. We will confirm on WhatsApp how the free time by the water is spread across the days for your date.
The group gathers at the Almaty-1 railway station, the bus departs at six in the morning. It is better to arrive about twenty minutes before departure, so that you can board calmly and listen to the briefing. We will confirm the exact place and time on WhatsApp the day before departure.
$145 per person — this is the journey there and back, three nights in a guest house on the shore of the lake, breakfasts and lunches, a guide, entry to the thermal springs and an excursion to the canyon. Separately on site — only dinners, souvenirs and other personal expenses, as well as medical insurance, which we advise arranging in advance.
This tour is a group tour and runs by bus on a schedule, so you travel together with other tourists. If you want your own format and your own dates, write on WhatsApp — we will see what we can offer specifically for you.
We arrange the booking for this group departure by message on WhatsApp — simply write the date and the number of people, no prepayment is needed. You hand over the money on the day of the trip: Kaspi, by card or in cash, and cancelling the booking is free. If your plans change — let us know on WhatsApp, and we will remove the booking.
