Grand Silk Road: Torugart to Osh — 13 Days
About this tour
The Great Silk Road was one of the greatest achievements of world civilisation: a vast network of caravan routes linking the Mediterranean with China, carrying trade and ideas between East and West. Three of its branches crossed Kyrgyzstan, leaving caravanserais, ancient cities and minarets along the way.
The longest part of the Silk Road crossed Central Asia — here is your chance to follow in the footsteps of the ancient caravans. From the Torugart pass (3,752 m) you travel past Tash-Rabat and Song-Kol to Karakol and Issyk-Kul, through Bishkek and Ala-Archa, over the passes to Toktogul and Sary-Chelek, and finish in Osh and Uzgen before continuing to Uzbekistan.
Highlights
- Torugart pass (3,752 m) and Tash-Rabat
- Song-Kol, Karakol and the Jeti-Oguz red rocks
- Sutt-Bulak lake walk in the Ak-Suu gorge
- Ala-Archa National Park and the Ak-Sai waterfall
- Sary-Chelek, Osh and Uzgen
Group departures
Join a group on one of these dates, or propose your own. A departure is guaranteed once 2 travellers have joined, and the price per person drops as the group grows.
Join a group: choose your date
Publish your dates and other travellers can join you. They go live as soon as you confirm your email.
- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Torugart – Tash-Rabat – Naryn
Meeting at the Torugart border post (3,752 m) and drive to the Tash-Rabat caravanserai (3,000 m). Then on to Naryn. Night in a guesthouse.
02
Day
Naryn – Song-Kol
Drive to Song-Kol (3,016 m). Night in a yurt or tent.
03
Day
Song-Kol – Karakol
Drive to Karakol along the south shore of Issyk-Kul. Night in a guesthouse.
04
Day
Karakol – Jeti-Oguz
Karakol sights: the mosque built like a Buddhist pagoda, the Orthodox church, the Przhevalsky memorial and the bazaar. Afternoon at the 'Seven Bulls' red rocks of Jeti-Oguz. Night in Karakol.
05
Day
Karakol – Ak-Suu – Cholpon-Ata
Drive to Cholpon-Ata with an easy walk to Sutt-Bulak lake (2,200 m) in the Ak-Suu (Semyonovka) gorge. Night at a hotel or resort on Issyk-Kul; swimming.
06
Day
Cholpon-Ata – Burana – Bishkek
Drive to Bishkek via the petroglyph museum (2nd millennium BC) and the 11th-century Burana Tower among the ruins of Balasagun, capital of the Karakhanids. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.
07
Day
Bishkek – Ala-Archa
Bishkek sights, the History Museum and the bazaar, then Ala-Archa National Park (2,100 m) with a walk to the Ak-Sai waterfall.
08
Day
Bishkek – Toktogul
Drive to Toktogul over the Too-Ashuu (3,586 m) and Ala-Bel (3,184 m) passes. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.
09
Day
Toktogul – Sary-Chelek
Drive to the Sary-Chelek biosphere reserve (1,873 m). Night in a guesthouse.
10
Day
Sary-Chelek
A day of rest at Sary-Chelek lake.
11
Day
Sary-Chelek – Osh
Drive to Osh. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.
12
Day
Osh – Uzgen – Osh
Osh sights — Sulaiman-Too mountain and the history museum — and a visit to the 11th-century minaret and tower in Uzgen.
13
Day
Departure
Continue to Uzbekistan along the Great Silk Road.
What's included
Included
Private transport for the whole route, including meeting you at or taking you to the border post
English-speaking guide
12 nights in hotels, guesthouses or yurt camps (shared twin rooms)
Breakfast and dinner every day
Border-zone permits
Entrance tickets and park fees
Not included
International flights
Visa fees (if you need a visa)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement: $360 (12 nights × $30), if you prefer a room of your own
Lunch
Transport on the Chinese or Uzbek side of the border
Drinks and snacks
Tips for your guide and driver
Personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
- Travellers with average fitness — there are no particular difficulties on the route
- First-time visitors who want the highlights by road
- Travellers continuing to Uzbekistan
Difficulty & safety
The highest point of the route is about 3,752 m (mountain passes and Song-Kol/Tash-Rabat). Nights there are cold even in summer; move slowly if you feel the altitude and drink plenty of water.
What to bring
Warm clothes — nights at Song-Kol and Tash-Rabat are cold
Comfortable walking shoes
Rain jacket
Sunscreen and sun hat
Sleeping bag (for yurt and tent nights)
Pricing by group size
FAQ
Do you meet us at the border?
Yes, we meet you at the Kyrgyz side of the border post. Crossing rules at Torugart and Irkeshtam change from time to time — tell us your nationality and dates and we will confirm the current requirements.
