Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs
An open-air field of boulders with ancient carvings of animals and hunters in Cholpon-Ata, on the north shore of Issyk-Kul. Up to 1 hour 15 minutes on site while the driver waits, for +$35 by sedan or +$45 by minivan.
How to get from Karakol to Bishkek
A private car from Karakol to Bishkek covers about 400 km in 5 to 6 hours without stops, along the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, with no border to cross. We pick you up at your hotel or home in Karakol and drive you to any address in Bishkek. The price is per car: sedan $150, minivan $185; drop-off at Manas Airport costs $25 / $35 extra. For groups of 8 or more, a private bus starts at $300.
- Distance
- ~400 km
- Travel time
- 5–6 h
- without stops
- Road
- Issyk-Kul north shore
- no border
- Price
- from $150
- per car
There is no border on this route. On the way the driver makes 2 free photo stops of up to 15 minutes by the road, for example at Boom Gorge. A paid stop is a detour with up to 1 hour 15 minutes on site, driver waiting included. Entrance tickets are paid on the spot.
Route and travel time
About 400 km and 5 to 6 hours without stops. We agree the departure time with you based on your date, stops and flight time.
Karakol
Pickup at your hotel or home
Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs
Optional, +$35 / +$45
Issyk-Kul north shore
Along the lake
Balykchy, Green City beach
Optional, +$35 / +$45
Konorchek Canyon
Optional, +$35 / +$45
Boom Gorge
Free photo stop, up to 15 min
Burana Tower
Optional, +$35 / +$45
Bishkek
Drop-off at any address
Manas Airport
Optional, instead of an address in Bishkek, +$25 / +$35
Going to a flight at Manas Airport
- Choose drop-off at Manas Airport (+$25 / +$35) and add your flight time when you book; we work out the departure time from Karakol with you.
- Plan to reach the airport 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one, and check your airline's requirements.
- The plan allows for any stops you choose.
What you see on the way
Balykchy, Green City beach
The Green City beach in Balykchy, at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul: time to rest by the water or swim in season. Up to 1 hour 15 minutes while the driver waits, for +$35 by sedan or +$45 by minivan.
Konorchek Canyon
Red rock canyons off the road between Boom Gorge and Balykchy, with a walk between the cliffs. Up to 1 hour 15 minutes on site while the driver waits, for +$35 by sedan or +$45 by minivan.
Boom Gorge
A narrow canyon where the Chu River cuts through the mountains, one of the most scenic stretches of the road between Bishkek and Lake Issyk-Kul. One of the 2 free photo stops of up to 15 minutes can be here.
Burana Tower
An 11th-century minaret near the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, with an open-air collection of old stone figures (balbals). Up to 1 hour 15 minutes on site while the driver waits, for +$35 by sedan or +$45 by minivan.
Drop-off at Manas Airport
Flying on from Bishkek? We drive you to Manas Airport instead of an address in the city, for +$25 by sedan or +$35 by minivan. Plan to reach the airport 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one.
Included
- Professional local driver
- Fuel and all transport costs
- Pickup at your hotel or home in Karakol
- Drop-off at any address in Bishkek
- 2 free photo stops of up to 15 minutes
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance tickets at sights (paid on the spot)
- Personal travel insurance
Transfer from Bishkek to Karakol
Same prices and stops in the other direction, from your hotel or home in Bishkek to any address in Karakol.
See the Bishkek to Karakol transferQuestions about the Karakol to Bishkek transfer
How much is a private transfer from Karakol to Bishkek?
The same as in the other direction: a sedan for up to 4 passengers costs $150 and a minivan for 5 to 7 passengers costs $185. The price is per car, not per person, and includes fuel, pickup at your hotel or home in Karakol, and drop-off at any address in Bishkek. For groups of 8 or more, a private bus starts at $300.
Can I book a private taxi from Karakol to Bishkek?
Yes. You book the whole car: we pick you up at your address in Karakol and drive you to your address in Bishkek or Manas Airport without changes. The price is fixed when you book and is per car, not per passenger.
How long is the drive from Karakol to Bishkek?
The route is about 400 km along the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Allow 5 to 6 hours without stops; each stop adds time. There is no border on the way.
Can you take me to Manas Airport?
Yes. Drop-off at Manas Airport instead of an address in Bishkek costs $25 extra by sedan or $35 by minivan. Add your flight time when you book and we work out the departure from Karakol with you; plan to reach the airport 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. Burana Tower, Konorchek Canyon, the Green City beach in Balykchy and the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs cost $35 extra by sedan or $45 by minivan each. Each one is a detour with up to 1 hour 15 minutes on site, driver waiting included. The driver also makes 2 free photo stops of up to 15 minutes by the road, for example at Boom Gorge. Entrance tickets are paid on the spot.
Does the transfer run all year?
Yes. The road along the north shore of Issyk-Kul has no border crossing and we run it in every season.
How do I book and pay?
Choose your vehicle and any stops on this page, then send the request on WhatsApp or Telegram. We confirm availability and the final price. A prepayment of 40% to 100% is required depending on the route, and cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the trip with the prepayment refunded in full.