9 days · Groups of 2–12 · Tien Shan

9-Day Kyrgyzstan Adventure
From Song-Kol to Kel-Suu

Discover Kyrgyzstan's wild mountain landscapes, sleep in traditional yurts, ride horses to remote alpine lakes, meet local eagle hunters, and explore colorful canyons and natural hot springs. From the high passes above Song-Kol to the turquoise water of Kel-Suu at 3,500 meters — this is the deep, wild heart of the Tien Shan.

9
Days
8
Nights
3,500 m
Kel-Suu Lake
12
Max group size
Expert local guides
Groups of 2 to 12
Natural hot springs
8 nights in yurts & guesthouses
What makes this route

Wild, remote, genuinely Kyrgyz.

Nine days that climb from highland lake to highland lake, sleeping in yurts, riding horses and meeting the people who still hunt with eagles.

Kel-Suu by horseback

Ride into the Kok-Kiya Valley and up to a turquoise lake at 3,500 meters, ringed by cliffs and snow ridges.

Nights in a real yurt

White felt walls, wooden roof rings and a stove at the heart — plus family guesthouses along the way.

Eagle-hunting heritage

Watch a berkutchi work his golden eagle and learn the story behind Kyrgyz nomadic tradition.

Hot springs in the wild

Soak in the natural hot springs of Altyn-Arashan after a 14–15 km valley hike.

Canyons & high passes

Ak-Sai "Forgotten Rivers", the red rock towers of Skazka, Barskoon's waterfall and Kalmak Ashuu Pass.

Local guide & driver

An English-speaking guide and private 4×4 transport for the whole route, from Bishkek and back.

Day by day

Nine days, from lake to lake.

Each day is paced for adventure and breath — long enough to go deep, slow enough to actually feel it.

Song-Kol Lake with white yurts and horses on green alpine meadows Day 1
1

Bishkek to Song-Kol Lake

Song-Kol · 3,016 m

Leave Bishkek and travel through spectacular mountain scenery toward Song-Kol Lake at 3,016 meters. Cross Kalmak Ashuu Pass and arrive at the vast alpine meadows surrounding the lake. Enjoy time to explore the peaceful landscape before dinner and an overnight stay in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.

RouteBishkek – Kalmak Ashuu Pass – Song-Kol Lake
StayMuras Yurt Camp
MealsDinner
Remote mountain road and vast highland valley near Kok-Kiya Day 2
2

Song-Kol to Kel-Suu Region

Naryn · Kok-Kiya Valley

After breakfast, travel toward the remote Kel-Suu region. Pass through Naryn and continue across dramatic highland landscapes into Kok-Kiya Valley. Settle into your guesthouse and prepare for the next day's horseback adventure.

RouteSong-Kol – Naryn – Kok-Kiya Valley
StayKezgin Guest House
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Turquoise Kel-Suu Lake beneath towering cliffs and mountain walls Day 3
3

Horseback Adventure to Kel-Suu Lake

Kel-Suu Lake · 3,500 m

Ride on horseback to the breathtaking Kel-Suu Lake at approximately 3,500 meters, surrounded by towering cliffs and rugged mountain walls. Enjoy a picnic beside the lake before returning to Kok-Kiya Valley. A boat ride may be possible as an optional activity, depending on conditions and availability.

RouteKok-Kiya Valley – Kel-Suu Lake – Kok-Kiya Valley
StayKezgin Guest House
MealsBreakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
Scenic highland road and open steppe landscape near Kochkor Day 4
4

Kel-Suu Region to Kochkor

Kochkor · highland steppe

After breakfast, leave the remote Kel-Suu region and travel toward Kochkor through open steppe landscapes and mountain scenery. Arrive in the village, check in, and enjoy some free time before a homemade dinner and overnight stay.

RouteKok-Kiya Valley – Naryn – Kochkor
StayMountain View Guest House
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Ak-Sai Canyon rock formations, the Forgotten Rivers valley Day 5
5

Ak-Sai Canyon and Eagle Hunting

Ak-Sai · southern Issyk-Kul

Explore Ak-Sai Canyon, also known as Forgotten Rivers, on a short hike among striking rock formations. Continue to Bokonbaevo on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Experience a traditional eagle hunting demonstration and learn about this remarkable heritage of Kyrgyz nomadic culture.

RouteKochkor – Ak-Sai Canyon – Bokonbaevo
StayBel Tam Yurt Camp
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Red sandstone formations of Skazka, Fairy Tale Canyon Day 6
6

Fairy Tale Canyon, Barskoon Waterfall and Karakol

Skazka · Barskoon · Karakol

Discover the unusual red rock formations of Skazka, or Fairy Tale Canyon. Continue to Barskoon Gorge for a short hike toward its scenic waterfall. Travel along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake before arriving in Karakol for the night.

RouteBokonbaevo – Skazka Canyon – Barskoon Gorge – Karakol
StayBiyik House Guesthouse
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Altyn-Arashan Valley with forested mountains, alpine peaks and natural hot springs Day 7
7

Trek to Altyn-Arashan

Altyn-Arashan Valley

Head into the beautiful Altyn-Arashan Valley on a mountain hike of approximately 14–15 km. Surrounded by forests, alpine peaks, and fresh mountain air, enjoy the natural scenery and relax in the area's natural hot springs before spending the night in a mountain guesthouse.

RouteKarakol – Altyn-Arashan Valley
StayElza Guest House, mountain hut
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Clear blue water of Issyk-Kul Lake with green mountain valleys Day 8
8

Altyn-Arashan to Chon Kemin

Issyk-Kul · Chon Kemin

Hike down from Altyn-Arashan and continue by vehicle through the landscapes around Issyk-Kul. Stop at a designated lakeside swimming area, weather permitting, to enjoy a refreshing break. Then travel toward Chon Kemin Valley for dinner and an overnight stay in a cozy mountain guesthouse.

RouteAltyn-Arashan – Karakol – Chon Ak-Suu Valley – Chon Kemin
StayZhekshen Guesthouse
MealsBreakfast and dinner
Dramatic rock walls of Boom Gorge on the road to Bishkek Day 9
9

Chon Kemin to Bishkek

Boom Gorge · Bishkek

Enjoy the morning mountain scenery before driving through Boom Gorge toward Bishkek. Arrive in the capital, where the tour comes to an end.

RouteChon Kemin – Boom Gorge – Bishkek
StayTour ends in Bishkek
MealsBreakfast
The places you'll pass through

Landscapes that don't repeat.

Alpine lakes at two different altitudes, red canyons, a waterfall gorge, hot springs in the trees — and one very blue big lake on the way home.

Horses grazing on the highland meadows around Song-Kol
Song-Kol Lake
3,016 m · Yurt country
Riders on horseback along a mountain trail
Kel-Suu Lake
3,500 m · Horseback reach
Kyrgyz eagle hunter with a golden eagle
Eagle Hunting
Nomadic heritage
Waterfall in Barskoon Gorge above Issyk-Kul
Barskoon Gorge
Waterfall walk
Green mountain slopes of the Chon Kemin Valley
Chon Kemin Valley
Last night in the mountains
Traditional yurt camp in the mountains at dusk
Yurt Camps
Muras & Bel Tam
What's in, what's out

Everything you need, nothing to worry about.

One transparent price per person. No surprise charges. What you see is what you pay — and what you pay covers almost everything.

What's included

  • 8 nights in yurts and local guesthouses, based on double or twin sharing
  • Private transportation with an experienced driver
  • English-speaking local guide
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 1 picnic lunch beside Kel-Suu Lake
  • 8 dinners
  • Horseback riding to Kel-Suu Lake
  • Traditional eagle hunting demonstration
  • Natural hot springs in Altyn-Arashan
  • Entrance fees to listed sites and national parks
  • Daily mineral water

What's not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Lunches, except the picnic lunch on Day 3
Pack smart

What to bring.

Kyrgyzstan's weather swings from 30°C in valleys to snow at altitude — layers are your best friend. Pack light, dress smart.

20–30L daypack
Sturdy hiking shoes
Warm fleece & down jacket
Waterproof shell jacket
Camera + spare batteries
Personal first-aid kit
Passport (6+ months valid)
Power bank & headlamp
Sunglasses & SPF 50
Quick-dry towel
Cash (USD or KGS) for extras
Reusable water bottle
Group pricing

The more, the merrier. And the cheaper.

Two travellers pay the full rate — bring the group and the per-person price drops fast. All prices in USD, per person.

2 People
$1,850
per person
Full rate Book now
3 People
$1,400
per person
Save $450 Book now
4 People
$1,200
per person
Save $650 Book now
5 People
$1,000
per person
Save $850 Book now

All prices per person in USD, based on double or twin sharing · Group rates apply from 2 up to 12 travellers · Free quote for solo travellers or custom dates

Spots fill fast. Don't wait.

Summer departures and the Kel-Suu horseback days go first. Tap WhatsApp for the fastest reply — usually within 1 hour — or fill in the three quick fields below and we'll email you a personalized quote within 24 hours.

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  • Horseback ride to Kel-Suu included
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