Kyrgyzstan 4x4 Expedition

DAY 1: BISHKEK – BURANA – CHON-KEMIN

Driving distance/time: 200 km, 4 hours (including stops)
Hiking distance/time: 6 km, 4 hours

After breakfast, depart from Bishkek and head toward the scenic Chon-Kemin Valley. On the way, you will make an essential stop at Burana Tower, one of the most famous historical landmarks in Kyrgyzstan. You will spend about one hour here exploring the tower itself, the small museum, and the archaeological complex.

Afterward, continue to Chon-Kemin. Upon arrival, check in at the guesthouse and enjoy a homemade lunch. After lunch, take a short rest of around 15 minutes, then gather with the group for a light walk to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Chon-Kemin Valley at sunset. This will be a beautiful first introduction to the landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and a very atmospheric start to the journey.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a guest house
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

DAY 2: CHON-KEMIN – SONG KUL

Driving distance/time: 200 km, 4 hours (including stops)

After breakfast, continue your journey to Song-Kul, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous alpine lakes. The road passes through beautiful mountain landscapes, wide pastures, and scenic highland views.

Upon arrival at the yurt camp, lunch will be served with views of the lake. After lunch, check in and enjoy some free time to rest. If you wish, an optional horseback ride can be arranged in the surroundings of Song-Kul. It is a wonderful way to experience the nomadic atmosphere, see the lake from a different perspective, and enjoy the endless summer pastures on horseback.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), traditional Russian-style sauna (banya) – available at an additional cost for 500 KGS, western-style toilets

DAY 3: SONG KUL – OIURMA PASS – NARYN

Driving distance/time: 130 km, 2.5 hours (including stops)
Hiking distance/time:  10 km, 3-4 hours

In the morning, take a short drive to the starting point of today’s hike. Then begin a scenic trek over Oiurma Pass, which offers spectacular views over Song-Kul Lake and the surrounding alpine meadows. The trail gradually climbs to the pass and then descends through green valleys with mountain streams, forest patches, and open pastureland. Along the way, you may encounter shepherd camps and grazing livestock, which adds even more atmosphere to the experience.

After completing the hike, meet your driver and continue to Kurtka village, where you will enjoy a traditional homemade lunch with a local family. In the afternoon, continue on to Naryn. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and relax after an active day.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a hotel
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

DAY 4: NARYN – KOK KYIA VALLEY

Driving distance/time: 190 km, 4-5 hours (including stops)

After breakfast, depart toward the remote and impressive Kok-Kyia Valley. As this region lies close to the Chinese border, you will need to pass through border control on the way.

First, the group will head toward the Kok-Kyia Canyons, where you will have time for a walk and to enjoy the dramatic and unusual landscapes of the area. Lunch will be served with views of the canyons. After that, continue onward to Kok-Kyia Valley itself.

Upon arrival, check in at the guesthouse and rest. If you wish, you may take a short walk around the valley and enjoy the silence, fresh air, and atmosphere of one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remote corners.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), traditional Russian-style sauna (banya) – available at an additional cost for 500 KGS, western-style toilets

DAY 5: KOK KYIA VALLEY – KEL SUU – KOCHKOR

Driving distance/time: 270 km, 5-6 hours (including stops)
Hiking distance/time: 8 km, 5 hours

Today you will visit one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remarkable natural wonders — Kel-Suu Lake. In the morning, drive to the starting point of the trek, then begin the hike toward the lake. The trail follows a wide high-altitude valley through dramatic cliffs, open pastures, and wild mountain scenery. Along the way, you may see yaks, horses, and nomadic camps.

After reaching Kel-Suu, you will have time to enjoy its turquoise waters framed by towering rock walls. Then hike back to the vehicle. After returning, lunch will be served at the guesthouse. Following lunch, continue the drive to Kochkor. Upon arrival, check in and rest.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a guest house
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

DAY 6: KOCHKOR – BOKONBAEVO

Driving distance/time: 150 km, 4-5 hours (including stops)
Hiking distance/time: 1 km, 1.5 hours of light walking

After breakfast, you will enjoy a traditional shyrdak felt-carpet demonstration, a wonderful introduction to Kyrgyzstan’s handicraft heritage and nomadic culture.

After the show, continue toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way, visit Ak-Sai Canyon, where you will have time for a walk and light hiking. Lunch will be served in the canyon with views toward Issyk-Kul Lake. Later, you will meet a local eagle hunter and watch a demonstration of eagle hunting — one of the most important cultural traditions of the Kyrgyz people, passed down from generation to generation.

After the demonstration, continue to your yurt camp on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy some free time. If you wish, you may take a walk around the area and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere near the lake.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

DAY 7: BOKONBAEVO – KOK JAIYK VALLEY

Driving distance/time: 180 km, 6 hours (including stops)
Hiking distance/time: 2 km, 2 hours in total

This day is dedicated to the most beautiful natural highlights of Issyk-Kul’s southern shore. Your first stop will be Skazka Canyon, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous and photogenic sites. You will spend about one hour walking among its colorful red and orange sandstone formations.

Next, continue to Barskoon Gorge, where you will hike to two beautiful waterfalls and visit the monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut of the USSR. Lunch will be served in the gorge, surrounded by nature. Afterward, return to the vehicle and continue to another iconic landmark — Jeti-Oguz Canyon, known as the Seven Bulls. Here, there will be a short and easy walk in the area.

After that, continue to Kok-Jaiyk Valley. Upon arrival, check in at the yurt camp and rest. If you wish, you may take a gentle walk around the valley and enjoy the peaceful alpine scenery.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), traditional Russian-style sauna (banya) – available at an additional cost for 500 KGS, western-style toilets

DAY 8: KOK JAIYK VALLEY – KARAKOL

Driving distance/time: 45 km, 1 hour
Hiking distance/time: 12 km, 6 hours

Today is one of the most memorable days of the program. After breakfast, begin a 5–6-hour hike to a panoramic viewpoint facing one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful peaks — Oguz-Bashy, also known as Yeltsin Peak. The trail passes through scenic mountain landscapes and offers impressive views of peaks, pastures, and valleys.

Lunch will be served during the hike with views of the peak — one of the most memorable moments of the journey. After returning to the yurt camp, continue to Karakol. Upon arrival, enjoy a short city tour including the Dungan Mosque and the Orthodox Church. After the tour, dinner will be served in a national restaurant, where you can try traditional local cuisine. Then transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a hotel
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

DAY9: KARAKOL – BISHKEK

Driving distance/time: 400 km, 8 hours (including stops)

Today is the final day of your journey. After breakfast, depart for Bishkek along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The drive takes around eight hours, including stops for photos, rest breaks, lunch, and time to enjoy the last views of the lake.

Upon arrival in Bishkek in the evening, the group will enjoy a farewell dinner — a warm and cozy ending to the trip, a chance to remember the brightest moments of the journey and share final impressions. In just a few days, travelers often begin to feel like one family, which is why saying goodbye is always a little emotional. After dinner, there will be a final group photo, followed by a transfer to a comfortable hotel.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a hotel
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), hot shower, and western-style toilets

Price for the Song Kul & Kel Suu Horse Expedition

*Our group tours run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16 travelers.
If the group size is smaller, we’ll contact you to offer alternative options — such as joining another group or confirming the tour at a different rate.
Private tours are available upon request at a different cost.

Included:

– Comfortable transport 4×4 with AC from/to Bishkek
– All the accommodations
– Meals: B, L, D (full board)
– Meals of personnel
– Border permit for Kel Suu lake
– Eagle hunting show
– Felt making demonstration
– Demonstration of Kok Boru national game
– Entrance fee to Burana Tower

Not included:

– Meals and hotels in Bishkek city before and after the tour
– Alcoholic drinks
– Services out of the program
– Tips
– Bottled water
– Insurance

*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.