Silk Road: Torugart to Osh via Song-Kol & Suusamyr — 7 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.
This route starts at Torugart and visits the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, Song-Kol, the Kokomeren river and the Suusamyr valley — 'an Eldorado for herders' — and the Naryn, the largest river of the Tien Shan, before reaching the ancient southern cities of Osh and Uzgen.
Highlights
- Tash-Rabat caravanserai
- Yurt night on the Song-Kol shore
- Kara-Keche pass and the Kokomeren river
- Suusamyr valley — 'an Eldorado for herders'
- Sulaiman-Too in Osh and the Uzgen minaret
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 and drive to the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, then on to Naryn. Night in a guesthouse.
02
Day
Naryn – Song-Kol
Drive to Song-Kol (3,016 m). Night in tents or yurts on the shore.
03
Day
Song-Kol – Suusamyr
From Song-Kol over the Kara-Keche pass and along the Kokomeren river into the Suusamyr valley. Night in tents or yurts.
04
Day
Suusamyr – Toktogul
Drive to Toktogul. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.
05
Day
Toktogul – Osh
Drive to Osh. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.
06
Day
Osh – Uzgen – Osh
Osh sights — sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain and the history museum — and Uzgen's 11th-century minaret and tower.
07
Day
Departure
Continue to Uzbekistan, or return to Bishkek for your flight home.
What's included
Included
Private transport for the whole route, including meeting you at or taking you to the border post
English-speaking guide
6 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: $180 (6 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
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.
