The “Best Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour” is a 14-day exploration of Kyrgyzstan’s breathtaking landscapes and rich nomadic heritage.
The Highlights of “The Best Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour” includes:
- Two-day horseback journey through the spectacular scenery of Son Kul Lake
- Connect with the local family during yurt and guesthouse stays
- Learn how Kyrgyz Nomads train their eagles for hunting
- Scenic four-day trek in Tian Shan Mountains with it’s majestic alpine lake Ala Kul
- Hiking into a remote and strikingly beautiful high-altitude lake Kel Suu, nestled near the border with China.
Destination: Kyrgyzstan: Son-Kul, Naryn, Kel-Suu, Issyk Kul, Skazka canyon, Jety Oguz, Oguz Bashy Peak, Karakol, Ala Kul, Altyn Arashan
Start/Finish point: Bishkek city
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Accommodation: 2-night camping (tents) / 4-night guest house / 8-night yurt
Months Possible: June – early September
Service Level: Standard
Map of The “Best Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour”
Day 1. Bishkek to Kochkor village
Driving distance/time: 200 km, 3 hours
After breakfast, embark on a 3 hours city tour of Bishkek before traveling to Kochkor village. Along the way, stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest sights, the Burana Tower, and learn about this ancient architecture, rare in nomadic culture. The territory where the tower is located was once called Balasagyn town. This town had a strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found during excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, and become familiar with the collection of Balbals, Turkic grave marks. After, drive to Kochkor village for 2 hours. Arrival late afternoon. Soak in the stunning scenery of the area and savor a home-cooked traditional dinner. Tonight, stay in a guesthouse.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse
Meals included: Dinner Burana Historical Architectural Site
Day 2. Kochkor village – Kyzart pass – Chaar-Archa Pass -Kilemche yurt camp
Riding time: 5 hours
Transfer from Kochkor to Kyzart pass. Arrive at Kyzart pass, meet your guide’s team and horses and start the tour. Within sight of the road, cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3 061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley and eat a tasty lunch by the racing river, with views of holy 4400 m Baba-Ata Mountain. Ford the river and follow the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak (shyrdak is a Kyrgyz felt carpet). Dine and sleep in a yurt.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Riding towards Kilemche valley
Day 3. Kilemche to Son Kul lake
Riding time: 5 hours
After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), over the Song-Kol Mountains, and into the lake’s basin. The rocky and spectacular climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you traipse down the slopes, it gets larger and larger; the mountains on the other side get higher and higher until finally, the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it. After lunch at Jaman Echki, follow the lakeshore east to the yurt at Batai Aral. Upon arrival meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and overnight are in shepherd’s yurt.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Beautiful Son Kul lake in the background
Day 4. Son Kul lake – Naryn city
Driving distance/time: 115 km, 3 hours
Spend the day enjoying refreshing and well-earned rest at the lakeside. Watching and participating in the everyday life of shepherds: milking mares; making national milk products like kymyz (a fermented mare’s milk) or airan (a sour-dense milk product); tending cattle. Eat a delicious lunch here. Afternoon transfer to Naryn city, 4 hours drive.
Accommodation included: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5. Naryn city – Kell Suu lake
Driving distance/time: 150 km, 5-6 hours
After an early breakfast, we depart and continue our journey through Kyrgyzstan. Before leaving the city stop at a local supermarket to buy some snacks for a picnic lunch. Along the way, we get treated to some spectacular views over the At-Bashi range and the Eki-Naryn Canyon. We arrive in the valley around lunch. After stretching our legs from the long car ride, we will be accommodated at our yurt camps. There will be a little time to explore our new surroundings before having dinner.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Yurt camp near Kell Suu lake
Day 6. Day hike to Kell Suu lake
Trekking time/distance: 4-5 hours, 16 km
After having breakfast in the yurt camp, we go on a day radial hike (around 4-5 hours) to explore the stunning Kel Suu Lake. This lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful and unique alpine lakes, located at 3500 meters altitude. It looks like a winding canyon and was formed years ago by a strong earthquake. The lake is surrounded by hundreds of meters high cliffs that have numerous caves and alcoves. After having a picnic at the lake, we hike back to the yurt camp.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Kel Suu Lake
Day 7. Kell Suu lake to Issyk Kul lake
Driving time/distance: 8+ hours, 390 km
After having breakfast, we pack our luggage in the car and depart the Kell Suu towards Issyk Kul lake. Stop for lunch in the Naryn village. We arrive in Bokonbaevo village in the late afternoon. Take a stroll along the shore of Issyk Kul lake, and enjoy swimming in the second-largest alpine lake in the world. We spend the night in a yurt camp and enjoy a lovely dinner from the Kyrgyz cuisine.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Issyk Kul Lake
Day 8. Issyk Kul lake – Fairytale canyon – Barskon waterfalls – Jety Oguz valley
Driving time/distance: 4+ hours, 390 km
After breakfast, we continue our journey to Jety Oguz valley. Along the way, we have a stop at the “Fairytale Canyon” where we go on a short hike. The canyon is famous for its unique red “Mars” colors and its strange shapes and is a paradise for photographers. After wandering around the canyon and taking plenty of photos, we continue our little road trip to the Barskoon Gorge where we visit a beautiful waterfall in the forest. We get back in the car and finish our trip in the Kok Jaiyk gorge, where we spend the night in a yurt camp.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Traditional eagle hunting demonstration 
Day 9. Radial day hike towards the Oguz Bashy Peak – Karakol city
Trekking distance/time: 13km / 5-6 hours, Ascent: 340 meters
Today we will do a warm-up hike to see the panoramic view of Oguz Bashy peak. Leave the yurt camp early in the morning right after we eat breakfast. From the trailhead, we follow the roadbed along the tumbling Jety Oguz river. Stunning white mountain peaks slowly begin to appear as we gain elevation. Reach the viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and pose for stunning photos. Have lunch. After lunch, we hike back to the camp. Meet the awaited driver, get in the car and transfer to Karakol city, 1 hr. Have dinner in a fancy local restaurant and overnight in a hotel.
Accommodation included: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Oguz Bashy Peak on the horizon
Day 10. Hiking to Sirota Campsite
Trekking distance/time: 11km / 6 hours, Ascent: 600 meters
Transfer from Karakol city to the starting point through lush Karakol Valley with gushing rivers along. Drop off near the bridge where our hike starts towards the lunch spot. Enjoy walking in this gorge with green slopes decorated by evergreen trees. Spot grazing herd of horses beautifying the nature. After lunch, we hike in this serene environment up to Sirota Campsite standing at 3000 meters. After camping, take a walk around the area and relax in this solitude area surrounded by spruce trees.
Accommodation included: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hiking up to Sirota Hut
Day 11. Ala Kul Lake to Keldyke Valley over Ala Kul Pass
Trekking distance/time: 9 km, 7 hours, Ascent: +850m, Accommodation: tents
This day challenges you with strenuous walking through screws and boulders before you get to the lake, 3 hours. After a few hours of demanding ascent, be rewarded with the jewel of Ala Kul Lake standing at 3500 meters and fed by glaciers around. The view of this turquoise alpine lake takes your breath away. Lunch on the shore of the lake. After lunch, we head on to Ala Kul Pass standing at 3950 meters. Craggy and glaciated peaks of Terskey Ala-Too open on top of the pass. Give time to gaze at these towering peaks of the great Tian Shan Range. Descend the steep path towards the campsite at beautiful Keldyke Valley at (3200m).
Accommodation included: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overlooking Ala Kul lake from Ala Kul Pass 3900m
Day 12. To Altyn Arashan Valley and Hot Springs
Trekking distance/time: 11 km, 4 hours, Ascent: – 750m
After breakfast, we head on to our yurtcamp along lush green pastures with gently flowing rivers of Altyn Arashan Valley, 3-4 hours. At some point, you will cross one of the streams, but the level is low. Arrival at our yurt camp standing at 2450 meters. In fact, Altyn-Arashan means ‘Golden Spa’ and this valley is famous for its hot sulfur springs. We take a bath in hot spring pools after three long days of hiking to relieve muscle pains.
Accommodation included: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Altyn Arashan valley
Day 13. To Ak Suu village – Karakol City
Trekking distance/time: 10 km / 4 hours, Descent: – 450m,
We take a hike around the area to visit wild springs before leaving the campsite at lunchtime. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka at 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. Afternoon, we hike to Ak Suu village (4 hours) where we will be picked up by our driver to get to Karakol city (30 minutes). The trail goes most of the time along a beautiful river gushing through the valley. Accommodation at your hotel.
Accommodation included: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Wooden Dungan Mosque at Karakol city
Day 14. Karakol City – Bishkek
Driving distance/time: 410 km, 6-7 hours
We enjoy one last breakfast together before we departed for Bishkek. Expect a long day of driving (around 7 hrs). En route, we will stop at the open-air petroglyphs museum at Cholpon Ata town. Lunch in a cafe. Arrive in Bishkek, and be accommodated at your hotel. Take a rest, and in the evening, we will have a farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata
Price The “Best Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour”:
| Number of people | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Price per person in USD | 2775 | 1960 | 1682 | 1550 |
| Included | Not included |
| – Transport throughout the program – Accommodation in Guesthouse/Yurt/Tents – Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the tour – English-speaking guide – Porters for the trek – Horses to ride – Bottled water – Border permits |
– Hotels and meals in Bishkek – Alcoholic, soft, coffee, mineral drinks – Tips are not included but would be appreciated – Health/Travel insurance – Items not mentioned above |
*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.
Price upon request: Email or WhatsApp
Join the following groups for summer 2024
(If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us, we will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you)
Client details:
| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 |
| Moritz | Gabriella | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
Book your place now on WhatsApp or by Email.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Bishkek to Song Kul via Burana Tower
Day 2. Son Kul lake – Naryn city
Day 3. Naryn city – Kell Suu lake
Day 4. Day hike to Kell Suu Lake
Day 5. Kell Suu lake to Issyk Kul lake via Kochkor
Day 6. Issyk Kul Lake to Karakol via Skazka Canyon, Barskon Waterfall, Jety Oguz
Day 7. Hiking to Sirota Campsite (Ala Lake Trek starts)
Day 8. Ala Kul Lake to Keldyke Valley over Ala Kul Pass
Day 9. To Altyn Arashan Valley and Hot Springs
Day 10. To Ak Suu village – Karakol City – After transfer to Bishkek
Day 11. Karakol City – Bishkek via Cholpon Ata city
Practical Information for The “Best Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour”
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In small villages, you will be accommodated in a family guesthouse. They are not luxury but we make sure they offer you a truly authentic experience. Expect to share a room with 3-5 people. You will be provided with a bed and warm blankets. Toilets are shared, and often outside. Hot showers are available almost in all of the homestays. In the cities like Karakol and Naryn, we stay in 3* star hotels.
Sleeping in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt is a highlight for many travelers. The yurt nights are on a multi-share basis, normally with 5-6 people and you will sleep on mats on the ground with blankets piled on top. Toilets are outside, so be sure to have a headlamp with you to navigate there at night.
The climate in Kyrgyzstan is continental because it is located so far from the ocean, but the general climate of Kyrgyzstan is quite pleasant, with four defined seasons. Although the summer in the cities can get quite hot, at higher altitudes, the temperature remains cool and never reaches very high. Because of heavy snowfall in the winter, many passes and trails can be not accessible, because of it many destinations and trekking paths can only be reached in the summer months. The pleasant weather for trekking season normally starts from early July till the end of September.
On warm summer days, the temperature in the Tian Shan Mountains might reach up to +20 to +25 degrees during the day, and +10 to +15 at night. But if it rains it will get a bit chilly but not freezing cold. Generally, the weather in July, August, and September is mostly sunny and dry, nevertheless, occasional rainy days should be expected.
Most of the meals on this tour are home-cooked and provided by a yurt camp or guesthouse. These traditional Kyrgyz meals usually include some sort of meat (often mutton) served with potatoes, rice, or homemade noodles. Fresh bread rounds are also a must at every meal and you’ll often find homemade jams and traditional sour cream to go with this.
In cities, we go out to eat at the fancy local restaurants where some western food and salads can be treated.
When camping you will also be served a simple hot meal at dinner. Lunch on the trail is usually a picnic made composed of bread, meat, vegetables, fruit, and other snacks.
We are able to cater for vegetarian diets. Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or have food allergies. If your dietary requirements are especially strict, you are advised to bring a sufficient supply of your required food types with you to ensure you are provided for.
During the hike, there are clean mountain springs along the trail that are possible to drink, for refilling please bring your water bottles. To avoid any stomach pain or diarrhea you should also carry water purification tablets and water filters. Furthermore, boiled or safe drinking water is available to purchase in guesthouses or in yurt camps.
When traveling between the cities and regions there are a lot of side shops to buy water and snacks. We always stop for market upon entering or before leaving the city.
In your daypack, you will carry a rain/down jacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables, and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm, etc. Horses or porters carry all group gear and your trek pack.
• Warm clothes and layers as it gets warm during the day, but can go below freezing at night and when it rains
• Good trekking shoes
• Day pack to carry a camera, water, sunscreen, etc.
• Sun protection as the sun is very strong at altitude: Sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 30 or above), and a sun hat /cap
• Water and windproof jacket and pants. It gets especially windy on the mountain passes
• Walking sticks are recommended (available at 6 USD per day)
• Medical kit for treating blisters, traveler’s diarrhea, and other minor illnesses.
• Water purification tablets or drops if you want to clean the spring water
• Refillable water bottle
• Lip balm: your lips get chapped very easily in the mountains
• Wet wipes and/or anti-bacterial gel to clean hands
• Hat and gloves to wear at night for warmth
• Headlamp to navigate campsite and yurt camps at night
• Warm sleeping bag (available at 5 USD per day). Yurts and homestays provide blankets.
• Long pants, helmets, and half chaps for horse riding
Note: we will provide you with a saddle bag to put your gear in it and carry on the horses. While on the trek, the gear should be packed in a rucksack or Duffel Bag, which will be easy to carry by the horses. No suitcase!))
In general, Kyrgyzstan has excellent internet access throughout the country. All the hotels and most guesthouses in the cities or towns offer free WiFi. However, purchasing a local Sim Card upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan can also be an option. The best mobile service provider in Kyrgyzstan is “MegaCom”. Not only do they have the best coverage in the country, but they also have the most choice in terms of data packs and are relatively cheap. You can find the MegaCom sales offices right at the airport or in the city centers. While trekking WiFi may be available in most guesthouses, but high in the mountains, the phone reception simply does not work. So you should expect to trek for a couple of days without access to the internet. Your tour guide will offer you some advice on when and where you will get a connection.
Please note that during the tour electricity won’t be available in the yurt camps so make sure to charge your devices during your guesthouse or hotel stay. And also no electricity while camping in tents. Past travelers have found portable solar chargers to be very useful.
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