# Kyrgyzstan Overland Road Trip - 7 Days A week by road at a brisk pace: a yurt night and a short ride at Song-Kul, Tash-Bashat, the walk to Kel-Suu, then a long drive to Issyk-Kul. You see the south shore and go off-road to Altyn-Arashan before heading back to Bishkek. - Duration: 7 days - Type: Road trip - Best season: May to October - Starts and ends in: Bishkek - Pace: Fast-paced - Activities: Horse riding - optional - Accommodation: 1 night at yurt, 2 nights at hotel, 3 nights at guesthouse - Total driving: 1660 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-overland-road-trip-7-days/ ## Highlights - A yurt night and a short ride at Song-Kul - The 14 km walk to Kel-Suu from Tash-Bashat - The south shore of Issyk-Kul - Off-road up the Altyn-Arashan gorge ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Road trip to Song-Kul Lake We begin at the historic Burana Tower, then call on a Dungan family to share a traditional lagman lunch. From there the road climbs through Kochkor Village and over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3400 m. By late afternoon you reach Song-Kul, high on its mountain plateau. A yurt waits on the shore, with time for a walk by the water before dinner and a night under wide-open skies. - Transfer: 320 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 2: Ride at Song-Kul & drive to Tash-Bashat The morning is for an easy horseback ride along the shore of Song-Kul, a gentle way to take in the lake and the nomad camps that dot the grassland. After lunch you leave over the Terskey-Torpu Pass, with its dramatic zig-zag switchbacks, and drive on through Naryn to the rural village of Tash-Bashat. A comfortable hotel and an evening stroll round off the day. - Transfer: 170 km · 3-4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 8 km · 2 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at yurt, dinner at hotel - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 3: Trek to Kel-Suu Lake An early, rugged drive carries you through the At-Bashy region and over the Kyndy Pass at 3200 m into the remote Kok-Kiya Valley, where you leave your bags at the guesthouse. From there a scenic trek follows the river to the spectacular Kel-Suu, a lake hidden among sheer cliffs. There is time to linger, perhaps take a boat out, before walking back for dinner and the night. - Transfer: 180 km · 4-5 h - Activity: Trekking · 14 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse (3200 m) ### Day 4: Long drive to Issyk-Kul This is the longest driving day of the trip. You retrace the route toward Naryn for fuel and lunch, then continue over the Dolon Pass at 3030 m and past Kochkor Village. A short stop at the Ak-Say canyons breaks the journey before you arrive at a guesthouse in Bokonbaev, on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, by evening. - Transfer: 390 km · 7-8 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 5: Explore the south shore of Issyk-Kul The day opens with an eagle-hunter demonstration, then a visit to the dramatic rock formations of the Fairy-Tale Canyons. Lunch is with a well-known mountaineer's family in Tamga Village. In the afternoon you take in the Barskoon Waterfalls and the striking red rock of the Jety-Oguz Valley before reaching Karakol for a short city tour. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 6: Off-road to Altyn-Arashan Gorge Today you swap the car for a Soviet UAZ truck and rumble up a bumpy mountain track, following the river through dense pine forest into the Altyn-Arashan Gorge. The afternoon is for soaking in the hot springs, wandering the trails, and taking in the view of Peak Palatka at 5200 m. Dinner and the night are at a simple guesthouse in the valley. - Transfer: 30 km · 2-3 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 7: Return to Bishkek A morning ride back down by UAZ brings you to Karakol for lunch at a local restaurant. From there the road home begins. The route runs along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the "Pearl of Central Asia," reaching Bishkek in the evening and bringing the road trip to a close. - Transfer: 440 km · 6-7 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 7 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 fast-paced, with Horse riding - optional. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing. **Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 1 night at yurt, 2 nights at hotel, 3 nights at guesthouse. ## 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-overland-road-trip-7-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