TRIP ESSENTIALS
- Tour Type: 4×4 Off-Road Expedition
- Total Duration: 7 Days
- Availability: June – September (Best for high-altitude pass accessibility)
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Includes high altitudes (up to 3,514m), off-road driving, and staying in basic nomadic conditions. No special training is required.
- Start and End Point: Bishkek
- Transport: Specialized 4WD SUV
Overview
Experience the best of Kyrgyzstan on this 7-day 4×4 expedition. This route takes you to the country’s most famous and hidden lakes: the nomadic Song-Kul, the mystical glacial Kel-Suu, and the massive blue Issyk-Kul. Designed for true adventurers, this journey crosses high-altitude passes and leads you into the heart of nomadic culture. You will explore remote border zones, meet eagle hunters, and see the incredible contrasts of the Tian-Shan mountains from a comfortable off-road vehicle.
Day 1. Bishkek — Too-Ashuu Pass — Song-Kul Lake
Our journey begins with a drive through the stunning Too-Ashuu Pass (3,586m), which connects the north and south of the country. The road snakes up the mountain, offering breathtaking views of the Suusamyr Valley. After a local lunch in the valley, we continue toward Song-Kul Lake (3,016m) via the Kara-Keche Pass. As we reach the lake, you will see vast green meadows dotted with thousands of sheep and white yurts. We will settle into our yurt camp for a traditional nomadic dinner.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Special information
Today involves approximately 6-7 hours of driving (350 km). Crossing the Too-Ashuu and Kara-Keche passes involves steep serpentines. There is no electricity and mobile phone signal at the lake, so please ensure your power banks are fully charged. Bathroom facilities are outdoor and shared. There are no shower facilities available tonight.
Day 2. Song-Kul Lake (Free Day)
A free day at the lake to fully immerse yourself in nomadic life. You can watch shepherds milking mares, hike to nearby hills for a panoramic view of the lake, or try horse riding along the shore. This day is crucial for relaxation and acclimatization before we head to even higher altitudes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Special information
This is a slow-paced day. Physical activity includes optional hiking or horse riding (optional). Total disconnection from the internet and electricity continues.
Day 3. Song-Kul — 33 Parrots Pass — Kok-Kiya Valley
After breakfast, we depart Song-Kul via the spectacular Terskey-Torpok Pass, popularly known as the “33 Parrots Pass” due to its 33 dramatic hairpin turns. We pass through Naryn town to refuel and then head into the remote At-Bashy region. The landscape shifts into a harsh, lunar-like terrain of jagged cliffs as we enter the Kok-Kiya Valley near the border zone.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
Special information
Today involves 6-7 hours of off-road driving (260 km). We are entering a restricted military border zone; please have your original passport ready for inspection at checkpoints. Tonight’s accommodation is very remote and basic.
Day 4. Kel-Suu Lake — Naryn City
Today we explore the “Hidden Lake,” Kel-Suu (3,514m). This glacial lake is tucked into a massive limestone crevice. To reach the lake, we will go on horseback or hike, as the valley floor is often marshy. Kel-Suu is famous for its vibrant turquoise water and 500-meter-high cliffs. After exploring the canyon, we begin the drive back to Naryn for a night of comfort.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
Special information
Today involves a 4-hour excursion to the lake, followed by a 4-hour drive back to Naryn. This is your first opportunity for a hot shower and stable Wi-Fi in three days.
Day 5. Naryn — Ak-Say Canyon — Bokonbaevo
We leave the high mountains of the Naryn region and head toward the deep blue shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. Before reaching the village, we will explore Ak-Say Canyon. This hidden gem offers a stark, desert-like landscape of jagged peaks and dry clay hills. A short hike to the top provides one of the most spectacular panoramic views, where the golden-red desert rocks meet the shining blue waters of Issyk-Kul. Afterward, we continue to Bokonbaevo, where you will meet a Berkutchi (Eagle Hunter). He will demonstrate the ancient nomadic art of hunting with golden eagles and explain the deep bond between the hunter and the bird. We will finish the day by settling into a cozy guesthouse for a home-cooked dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
Special information
Today involves approximately 5-6 hours of driving (250 km). The hike in Ak-Say Canyon is relatively easy but can be hot, so ensure you have water and sun protection. This evening provides full comfort with access to a hot shower, electricity, and stable Wi-Fi.
Day 6. Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Barskoon – Jeti-Oguz – Karakol
After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the South Shore’s diverse landscapes. Our first destination is Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, an area of striking red sandstone formations. Centuries of wind and water erosion have created a natural gallery of ridges and spires that offer some of the best
photography opportunities in the country. We then drive to the scenic Barskoon Gorge, famous for its ancient spruce forests and the cascading “Tears of a Leopard” waterfall. We will take a short hike to the falls and stop by the Yuri Gagarin monument, a tribute to the first man in space who often came here for rest. The final stop is Jeti-Oguz, where we view the iconic “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” red rocks before arriving in Karakol.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
Special information
Today’s drive is about 4 hours (220 km) with multiple scenic stops.The hike to the waterfalls in Barskoon involves some uphill walking on forest paths
Day 7. Karakol — Burana Tower — Bishkek
On our final day, we drive back to the capital through the Boom Gorge. We will stop at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century UNESCO-protected minaret, to learn about the ancient Silk Road city of Balasagun. We arrive in Bishkek by the evening, where the tour concludes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
Special information
Today involves approximately 6-7 hours of driving (420 km). Drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
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Kyrgyz Landscapes — See you in the mountains!