May-Sept: via Karkara Valley, Temirlan Stones and Charyn Canyon. Oct-Apr: via Chumish petroglyphs. Border crossing can take up to 45minutes. Kazak visa essential, even if transiting.

2 routes: northern Issyk-Kul via Burana Tower and the petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata OR southern Issyk-Kul via the Altyn Oimok handicrafts NGO in Bokonbaeva (if requested). Lunch in a cafe at Balykchi included (or picnic lunch if preferred).

Along Kyrgyzstan's most beautiful highway, crossing two of its highest road passes. This transfer takes the longer route, avoiding roads that cross through Uzbek territory. Buses go either via Tashkent or south through Kyrgyzstan. Many Kyrgyz buses pass through Uzbek territory in any case, causing visa problems.

Particularly poor roads may attract a small supplement. Minimum daily distance of 150km/ZIL/day and 250km/minibus or car/day for vehicle hire of 2 days or more. A negotiable daily standing fee is levied when distance is likely to be less than this amount (up to a maximum daily fee of $50).

Bishkek - $12/buddy/up to 4 hours, $17/buddy/4-8 hours, $22/buddy/8-12 hours (up to 10 clients per buddy).
Karakol - $12/buddy/up to 4 hours, $17/buddy/4-8 hours, $22/buddy/8-12 hours (up to 10 clients per buddy). FREE for clients who have spent more than $10 pp at Turkestan.
Extra costs: buddy's travel (by public transport) to meet you, buddy's travel costs to accompany you, cost of any tickets or travel arrangements you ask them to buy on your behalf. Time counted from your pre-booked meeting time.

A travel buddy is a local person in Bishkek or Karakol who assists foreign visitors in making travel arrangements by public transport or taxi. Buddies are at your service to help you make any travel arrangements. They can assist with hiring taxis for day trips, with long distance train and bus travel, with finding out travel information, or simply with getting out and about in Bishkek.