Kyrgyzstan Cycling Tour: Son-Kol, Naryn & Issyk-Kul — 5 Days
About this tour
Ride high pastures, a legendary serpentine pass and wild river valleys, with a support vehicle carrying your luggage and covering the long transfers.
In five days you cycle up to Son-Kol lake at over 3,000 m and sleep in a yurt, fly down the famous '33 Parrots' switchbacks from the Moldo-Ashuu pass, follow the quiet Eki-Naryn valley between spruce forest and red cliffs, and finish with rides above Issyk-Kul and in the gorges of its north shore.
Highlights
- Cycle into the summer pastures of Son-Kol and sleep in a yurt at over 3,000 m
- The long gravel descent of the '33 Parrots' serpentine from the Moldo-Ashuu pass
- Eki-Naryn valley — spruce forest, red cliffs and almost no traffic
- Shatyly viewpoint over Issyk-Kul and the Tien Shan
- Jeti-Oguz: the red Seven Bulls rocks and the Broken Heart
- Support vehicle for luggage, bikes and all long transfers
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.
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- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Bishkek – Kochkor – Son-Kol lake
Morning drive from Bishkek through the Boom Gorge to Kochkor, where we stop for lunch. After lunch we get on the bikes and ride towards Son-Kol, climbing into open jailoo (summer pasture) at over 3,000 m. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp on the lakeshore.
Cycling: half day. Overnight: yurt camp.
02
Day
Son-Kol – 33 Parrots pass – Naryn
We start riding in the morning, leaving the lake and crossing the Moldo-Ashuu pass. Then comes the highlight of the day: the long descent of the '33 Parrots' serpentine, its switchbacks dropping into a forested gorge. We ride about 45 km to the asphalt road, then transfer by car to Naryn.
Cycling: about 45 km, mostly gravel and downhill. Overnight: guesthouse or hotel in Naryn.
03
Day
Naryn – Eki-Naryn – Bokonbaevo
A short drive brings us to Eki-Naryn, where the Big and Small Naryn rivers meet. We cycle for 4–6 hours through the valley, with spruce forest, red cliffs and almost no traffic. The support vehicle then takes us on the long drive to Bokonbaevo on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, arriving late in the evening.
Cycling: 4–6 hours. Overnight: guesthouse or yurt camp in Bokonbaevo.
04
Day
Bokonbaevo – Boz-Salkyn – Jeti-Oguz – Karakol
In the morning we ride through the Boz-Salkyn valley up to the Shatyly viewpoint, with a panorama over Issyk-Kul and the Tien Shan ranges. Afterwards we drive along the south shore to the Jeti-Oguz valley to see the red Seven Bulls rocks and the Broken Heart, then continue to Karakol.
Cycling: half day. Overnight: guesthouse or hotel in Karakol.
05
Day
Karakol – Semenovka & Grigorievka gorges – Bishkek
We drive back to Bishkek along the north shore of Issyk-Kul. On the way we stop at the Semenovka and Grigorievka gorges for a final ride through alpine meadows and fir forest beside a mountain river. Arrival in Bishkek in the evening. End of the tour.
Cycling: 2–3 hours, optional.
What's included
Included
4 nights accommodation (yurt camp, guesthouses/hotels)
Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5
Support vehicle with driver for the whole route, including fuel and all transfers
Luggage and bike transport in the vehicle
Not included
International flights and visa
Bike rental, helmet and cycling gear
Cycling guide
Travel and medical insurance
Alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks
Entrance and national park fees
Tips and personal expenses
Accommodation in Bishkek before and after the tour
Single room supplement: $120 (4 nights × $30), if you prefer a room of your own
Who is this tour for?
- Cyclists who are comfortable on gravel and long climbs at altitude
- Riders who bring their own bike (or rent one in Bishkek) and want the logistics taken care of
- Travellers who want to combine cycling with yurt nights and nomadic life
Difficulty & safety
The route reaches over 3,000 m at Son-Kol and the Moldo-Ashuu pass, so take the first climb slowly and drink plenty of water. Much of the riding is on gravel, including the long, steep descent of the 33 Parrots serpentine — control your speed and check your brakes. Weather in the mountains changes quickly and nights at Son-Kol are cold even in summer. The tour does not include a cycling guide; the support vehicle and driver accompany the group along the route.
What to bring
Your bike (or a rental from Bishkek) — a mountain or gravel bike with wide tyres
Helmet and gloves
Spare tubes, a pump and basic tools
Warm layers and a windproof jacket for the passes
Rain jacket
Sunglasses, sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
Warm clothes for the cold nights at Son-Kol
Pricing by group size
FAQ
Is a bike included?
No — bring your own bike, or rent one in Bishkek before the tour. Bike rental, helmet and cycling gear are not included in the price. The support vehicle carries your bike and luggage on the transfers.
Is there a cycling guide?
No. The tour includes a support vehicle with driver for the whole route, who carries your luggage and bikes and covers the long transfers. A cycling guide is not included.
How hard is the riding?
Moderate. The daily rides are half a day to 6 hours, mostly on gravel, with a climb to over 3,000 m on the first day and a long descent on the second. You can skip the optional ride on the last day.
