Kyrgyzstan Highlights: Issyk-Kul, Song-Kol & Kel-Suu — 10 Days
About this tour
This ten-day journey shows you the highlights of Kyrgyzstan. You travel along the north and south shores of Issyk-Kul, with its historical sites and dramatic gorges, take part in a felt-making workshop in Kochkor and meet an eagle hunter to learn about this ancient tradition.
Hiking and horse riding are part of the trip: you walk up to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan and ride at Song-Kol, the great alpine lake at 3,016 m, where you sleep in a yurt and share the life of the nomads on their summer pastures. Then you cross into the remote south, close to the Chinese border, to the turquoise Kel-Suu lake, before returning to Bishkek through spectacular mountain scenery.
Highlights
- Ala-Archa National Park on your first day
- Hike to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan
- Jeti-Oguz red rocks and the Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon
- Eagle hunting show on the south shore of Issyk-Kul
- Felt-making workshop with a family in Kochkor
- Yurt night and horse riding at Song-Kol lake (3,016 m)
- The remote turquoise Kel-Suu lake near the Chinese border
Itinerary
01
Day
Arrival in Bishkek – Ala-Archa National Park
Arrival in Bishkek and time to rest. After a short sightseeing tour of the city and lunch, we drive to Ala-Archa National Park (40 km): an alpine gorge with the fast-flowing Ala-Archa river, forested slopes and tall snow-covered peaks.
Overnight: Plaza Hotel, Bishkek.
02
Day
Bishkek – Cholpon-Ata – Karakol
After breakfast we drive east to the Issyk-Kul region. Lunch in Cholpon-Ata, on the north shore of one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. In the afternoon we continue towards Karakol, stopping in the Grigorievka and Semenovka gorges, where your guide makes coffee for you with a view of the valley. Dinner at the Dastorkon ethno restaurant in Karakol.
Overnight: guest house in Karakol. (About 460 km by road.)
03
Day
Hike to Altyn-Arashan
Today we head for the Altyn-Arashan valley. Our luggage goes up in a special off-road truck (an old Soviet Ural), while we hike along the Arashan river and up through the forest to the valley of hot springs — an easy trail of about 4 hours at an average pace. Picnic lunch in the mountains and a soak in the natural hot springs.
Overnight: Elza lodge, Altyn-Arashan. (About 18 km on foot.)
04
Day
Karakol – Jeti-Oguz – Skazka canyon – south shore
The Ural picks us up and takes us back down to Karakol. We visit Jeti-Oguz, the valley of intensely red rocks below snow-capped mountains, and then drive along the south shore of Issyk-Kul with a picnic by the lake. In the afternoon we walk in the Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon with its colourful eroded rocks and watch an eagle hunting show.
Overnight: local guest house, Bokonbaevo area. (About 160 km by road, 3 km on foot.)
05
Day
Bokonbaevo – Kochkor – Song-Kol lake
After breakfast we drive to Kochkor village, where a local family welcomes us for lunch and a workshop in making shyrdak, the traditional handmade felt carpets. Then we cross the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (about 3,400 m) to the north shore of Song-Kol and settle into a yurt camp. Dinner and night in the yurt.
Overnight: yurt camp, Song-Kol. (About 260 km by road.)
06
Day
Song-Kol lake – Moldo-Ashuu pass – Naryn
A morning to enjoy the vastness of Song-Kol: go hiking or horse riding along the lake. After lunch we drive to Naryn over the Moldo-Ashuu pass, one of the most scenic mountain roads in Kyrgyzstan. Dinner in the city.
Overnight: Khan-Tengri Hotel, Naryn. (About 5 km on foot or horseback.)
07
Day
Naryn – Kel-Suu lake
Today we travel to Kel-Suu, a lake in the far south of Kyrgyzstan near the Chinese border — real remoteness, with views of snow-capped mountains all the way. The area is a border zone; we arrange the permits for you in advance. The last part of the way to the lake is on horseback.
Overnight: yurt camp near Kel-Suu. (About 8 km on horseback.)
08
Day
Kel-Suu lake – Naryn
After breakfast we explore the area around the lake on foot. After lunch we drive back through the mountains to Naryn (about 5 hours).
Overnight: Khan-Tengri Hotel, Naryn.
09
Day
Naryn – Kochkor – Bishkek
We drive back to Bishkek via Kochkor and the Boom gorge. Free time in the city in the afternoon.
Overnight: hotel in Bishkek.
10
Day
Departure
Free time until your transfer to Manas airport. End of the Kyrgyzstan Highlights tour.
What's included
Included
Transport by SUV or a vehicle suited to the group size
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in hotels, guest houses and yurt camps
English-speaking guide
Eagle hunting show
Entrance fees
Border zone permit for Kel-Suu
Horse riding (a few hours at Song-Kol and Kel-Suu)
Drinking water
Not included
International flights
Travel insurance
Who is this tour for?
- First-time visitors who want to see the best of Kyrgyzstan in one trip
- Travellers who enjoy easy hikes and short horse rides, without a hard trek
- Anyone curious about nomadic life, yurts and local crafts
Difficulty & safety
Most of the trip is by road, with easy hikes and short horse rides; no previous riding experience is needed. Song-Kol (3,016 m), Kel-Suu (about 3,500 m) and the passes on the way are high — move slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel a headache. Nights in the yurt camps are cold even in summer.
What to bring
Passport (needed for the Kel-Suu border permit)
Warm jacket and fleece for cold nights at Song-Kol and Kel-Suu
Comfortable hiking shoes
Rain jacket
Swimwear for the Altyn-Arashan hot springs
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
Small day pack and personal medicine
Pricing by group size
FAQ
What is the price for fewer than 8 people?
The prices shown are per person for groups of 8 to 12. For smaller groups or a private trip, send us a request and we will send you a quote within 24 hours.
Do I need a permit for Kel-Suu?
Yes, Kel-Suu is in the border zone near China. We arrange the permit for you — we just need a copy of your passport about a month before the trip.
Do I need riding experience?
No. The horse rides at Song-Kol and Kel-Suu are short and at a walking pace, with local horsemen leading.
Where do we sleep?
In hotels in Bishkek and Naryn, guest houses in Karakol and on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, a lodge in Altyn-Arashan and yurt camps at Song-Kol and Kel-Suu.
