Grand Kyrgyzstan Road Trip: Ala-Kol, Kel-Suu, Arslanbob & Sary-Chelek — 18 Days
About this tour
A long, off-the-beaten-track road trip through all of Kyrgyzstan with one guide-driver in a spacious SUV. It starts in Chon-Kemin, includes a 4-day camping trek from the Karakol gorge to Ala-Kol lake and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan, then follows the south shore of Issyk-Kul to Naryn, Kel-Suu and Tash-Rabat, crosses Son-Kul and the Central Tien Shan to Kazarman, and visits the walnut forests of Arslanbob, Sary-Chelek lake and the Toktogul reservoir before returning over the Too-Ashuu pass.
We drive long distances on scenic mountain roads, many of them unpaved, far from civilisation. On the trek, porters carry the food, tents and mattresses.
Highlights
- 4-day camping trek: Karakol gorge – Karakol peak view – Ala-Kol – Altyn-Arashan
- Boat on Kel-Suu lake
- Tash-Rabat caravanserai and Son-Kul
- Walnut forests of Arslanbob
- Sary-Chelek lake panorama trek
- Toktogul reservoir and the Too-Ashuu pass
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
Bishkek – Chon-Kemin
We drive to the wide, beautiful Chon-Kemin valley and the cosy, family-run Ashu guesthouse with a pool. After a hike, we try fresh boorsok.
Overnight: Chon-Kemin.
02
Day
Chon-Kemin – Cholpon-Ata – Karakol
Lunch and a swim in Issyk-Kul at Cholpon-Ata, then on to Karakol; tea with a Kyrgyz family on the way if you like.
Overnight: Karakol.
03
Day
Karakol gorge – Karakol peak viewpoint (trek)
From the first bridge in the Karakol gorge we start the Ala-Kol trek along the river, with a picnic lunch, and camp facing Karakol peak — a short walk takes you to ancient glaciers.
Overnight: tent.
04
Day
Karakol peak viewpoint – Ala-Kol lake (trek)
Down to the bridge and up towards Ala-Kol, with views of the Kurgak-Tor and Aiy-Tor gorges, to camp at the lake.
Overnight: tent at Ala-Kol.
05
Day
Ala-Kol – Altyn-Arashan (trek)
Up to the panoramic view of the turquoise lake and the mountains, then a long descent to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.
Overnight: tent or guesthouse.
06
Day
Altyn-Arashan – Ak-Suu – Karakol
All the way down through the untouched Altyn-Arashan gorge; we pick you up in Ak-Suu village.
Overnight: Karakol.
07
Day
Karakol – Juuku – Skazka – Jeti-Oguz – Bokonbaevo
Along the south shore: a short hike in the Juuku gorge, the Skazka canyon and the Jeti-Oguz canyons.
Overnight: Bokonbaevo.
08
Day
Bokonbaevo – Kochkor – Naryn
Over the scenic Dolon pass, with lunch with a local family and a handicraft shop in Kochkor.
Overnight: Naryn.
09
Day
Naryn – Kel-Suu lake
A picnic lunch and a walk of 1–2 hours on the way to Kel-Suu.
Overnight: yurt.
10
Day
Kel-Suu – Naryn
A boat trip on Kel-Suu and a walk around the lake, then back to Naryn.
Overnight: Naryn.
11
Day
Naryn – Tash-Rabat – Son-Kul
The Tash-Rabat caravanserai, the MELS and Moldo-Ashuu passes and on to Son-Kul, the summer home of hundreds of semi-nomadic families.
Overnight: yurt.
12
Day
Son-Kul – Kazarman
A long, scenic road through the Central Tien Shan to Kazarman.
Overnight: Kazarman.
13
Day
Kazarman – Arslanbob
Arslanbob, with the largest walnut forest in the world and a mix of nationalities like a little country of its own.
Overnight: Arslanbob.
14
Day
Arslanbob – Sary-Chelek
An interesting road all the way to Sary-Chelek, one of the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan.
Overnight: guesthouse in Arkyt.
15
Day
Sary-Chelek lake
We drive to the lake and trek up to the Sary-Chelek panorama.
Overnight: Arkyt.
16
Day
Sary-Chelek – Toktogul
Towards Bishkek, stopping at the Toktogul reservoir, beautiful against the mountains.
Overnight: Kok-Bel guesthouse, Toktogul.
17
Day
Toktogul – Too-Ashuu pass – Bishkek
A long drive over the Too-Ashuu pass, one of the highest highway passes, with views of the Suusamyr valley.
Overnight: Bishkek.
18
Day
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
What's included
Included
Guide-driver (one person) and SUV (Toyota Sequoia) for the whole trip
Trek days 3–6: tents, mattresses, porters (18 kg per porter) and cooking equipment
Entrance tickets and border permits
The guide-driver's meals, fuel and accommodation
Organisation
Not included
Meals (about $18 per person for lunch and dinner)
Accommodation (about $30 per person per night, except trek days 3–6)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement: $420 (14 nights × $30), if you prefer a room of your own
Personal expenses
Extra activities such as horse riding or rafting (horses about $16 per horse per day)
Who is this tour for?
- Travellers with time who want to see the whole country, including the remote south-west
- Small groups (2–4) happy with long driving days and simple roadside stops
- Hikers ready for a 4-day camping trek
Difficulty & safety
Long drives on unpaved mountain roads, and no toilets along the way — 'bush stops'. The Ala-Kol trek camps at high altitude; porters carry the camping gear. Bring a warm sleeping bag of your own if possible.
What to bring
A warm sleeping bag
Trekking boots
Warm layers — mountain nights are cold even in summer
Rain jacket
Comfortable hiking shoes
Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Personal medicine
Pricing by group size
FAQ
Why are meals and accommodation not included?
This trip is priced as transport, guiding, trek logistics and permits; you pay meals (about $18/day) and rooms (about $30/night) as you go. The price shown is based on 3 travellers ($4,400 in total).
Can we cook ourselves?
Yes — meals can be cooked by you, or we order them one day in advance.
