# Kyrgyzstan Grand Tour - 10 Days Ride for two days from Kyzart to Song-Kul, go off-road to the Kok-Kiya valley and walk to Kel-Suu, then cross to Issyk-Kul. The last three days are on foot: up the Altyn-Arashan gorge, over to Ala-Kul and out to Ak-Suu. Three nights each in yurts, guesthouses and hotels. - Duration: 10 days - Type: Combined - Best season: May to October - Starts and ends in: Bishkek - Pace: Moderately paced - Activities: Horse riding - 2 days, trekking - 3 days - Accommodation: 3 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at hotel, 3 nights at yurt - Total driving: 1580 km - Price: on request (depends on group size, season and options). Free quote, no prepayment to enquire. - Group: small group or fully private, with a local English-speaking guide - Page: https://azattours.com/tours/kyrgyzstan-grand-tour-10-days/ ## Highlights - Two days on horseback from Kyzart to Song-Kul - Off-road to the Kok-Kiya valley and a 14 km walk to Kel-Suu - A day on the south shore of Issyk-Kul - Three days on foot: Altyn-Arashan, Ala-Kul and out to Ak-Suu ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Drive to Kyzart Village & horse-ride to Kilemche Your journey begins with a drive to Kyzart Village, near Song-Kul Lake. On arrival you sit down to a homemade lunch at a local homestay and get a short riding lesson from your guide. In the afternoon you set off on a gentle horseback ride along the Chaar-Archa River, through wide valleys and quiet mountain scenery, to Kilemche. The path is easy, a good chance to settle into the saddle and bond with your horse. By early evening you reach a yurt camp run by a local herder family. Walk the surrounding hills, breathe the mountain air, and watch the daily rhythm of nomad life before dinner. - Transfer: 280 km · 4-5 h - Activity: Horse riding · 21 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (2700 m) ### Day 2: Horse-ride to Song-Kul Lake After breakfast you ride up toward the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3300 m), a challenging but rewarding climb with sweeping views and your first distant glimpse of Song-Kul Lake. The descent winds past nomad yurts and grazing herds down to the lakeshore, where you arrive around midday. The afternoon is yours to rest and explore the shore. If the sky is clear, Song-Kul offers some of the best stargazing in Kyrgyzstan. - Activity: Horse riding · 17 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 3: Drive to Tash-Bashat Village A scenic drive follows the lakeshore and climbs the Terskey-Torpok Pass (3300 m) with dramatic switchbacks. You stop in Naryn city for a rest and lunch. Continuing to Tash-Bashat Village, you settle into a hotel, a welcome comfort after the mountain yurts. Spend the evening exploring the village or hiking nearby, then gather for dinner and a bonfire under the stars. - Transfer: 170 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch at restaurant, dinner at hotel - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 4: Off-road to Kok-Kiya Valley Today you drive deep into the Kok-Kiya Valley, gateway to the hidden Kel-Suu Lake. The route threads through the villages of the At-Bashy region, framed by dramatic ranges. You picnic by a river in the Bosogo Valley, then cross the high Kyndy Pass (3900 m). The track passes traditional yurts and grazing herds on the Ak-Say summer pastures, reaching your guesthouse in Kok-Kiya by early evening, time for a relaxed walk before dinner. - Transfer: 180 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse (3200 m) ### Day 5: Trek to Kel-Suu Lake A morning trek (about four hours round trip) leads from Kok-Kiya to the spectacular Kel-Suu Lake, following a sparkling river through alpine meadows with peaks all around. You may share the trail with grazing horses and yaks; the final stretch includes a few river crossings. After taking in the lake, and an optional boat ride, you return to the guesthouse for lunch, then drive back to Naryn for the night. - Transfer: 150 km · 4-5 h - Activity: Trekking · 14 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 6: Drive to Issyk-Kul Lake via Kochkor A day of scenic driving and culture toward the great Issyk-Kul Lake. You pass traditional villages and climb the Dolon Pass (3030 m) for panoramic views. In Kochkor you stop with a local Dungan family to help cook lagman, a hand-pulled noodle dish. Arriving at a lakeside yurt camp, you can swim and relax, then head out to the striking Ak-Say Canyons for sunset. - Transfer: 190 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt ### Day 7: Explore the south shore of Issyk-Kul The day starts with an eagle-hunting demonstration by a local Kyrgyz hunter, then a drive to the surreal Fairy-Tale Canyon to explore its red rock formations. You have lunch in Tamga village, at the home of Soviet-era mountaineer Lyubov Danichkina, then visit the Barskoon Waterfalls and the red cliffs of the Jeti-Oguz Valley. By evening you reach Karakol, with an optional city tour before dinner. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 8: Trek to Altyn-Arashan Gorge From Ak-Suu village near Karakol you begin the trek into the Altyn-Arashan Gorge, following a sparkling river through alpine forest with mountain views opening up around you. You break for a riverside picnic before a gentle uphill stretch. By early evening you reach Altyn-Arashan and check into a guesthouse. After a full day on foot, the natural hot springs are the perfect reward, soak, then dinner under the stars. - Transfer: 30 km · 30 min - Activity: Trekking · full day - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 9: Hike to Ala-Kul Lake The most challenging, and most spectacular, day. From Altyn-Arashan you can go on foot or horseback, following the river before turning up a demanding forest trail. You climb to the Keldike Gorge with grand alpine views, then up a slippery final stretch to the Ala-Kul Pass (3900 m) and the turquoise lake below, before descending back to Altyn-Arashan. Unwind with a hot-spring soak before dinner. - Activity: Trekking · 19 km · 7-8 h - Meals: Breakfast & dinner at guesthouse, picnic lunch - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 10: Trek out to Ak-Suu & drive back to Bishkek After breakfast you trek back down to Ak-Suu, retracing the river trail through alpine forest, a last chance to take in the scenery. Lunch is in Karakol town. The drive home follows the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the "Pearl of Central Asia", with sparkling water and mountains the whole way. You arrive in Bishkek in the evening, the end of a journey of horseback riding, trekking, hidden lakes and nomad hospitality. Note: the drive is long but on asphalt, so we leave Altyn-Arashan early; expect to reach Bishkek around 8-9 PM. - Transfer: 420 km · 6-7 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 10 days, starting and ending in Bishkek. **When is the best time to go?** The season runs May to October. June to September brings the warmest days, and the high-pasture yurt camps are open. **How fit do I need to be?** It's moderately paced, with 2 days Horse riding and 3 days trekking. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing. **Do I need horse-riding experience?** No. Our guides match each horse to your level and keep the first day gentle, so complete beginners ride this route every season. **Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 3 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at hotel, 3 nights at yurt. ## How to book Send your dates and group size and we confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours: https://azattours.com/tours/kyrgyzstan-grand-tour-10-days/#book - WhatsApp and phone: +996 502 888 001 (https://wa.me/996502888001) - Email: azatbeyshenaliev1@gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azattourskg/ - Enquiry form: https://azattours.com/#plan - Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan