# Kyzyl-Oi, Song-Kul & Chong-Kemin - 8 Days Start with a night in Kyzyl-Oi, then ride from Kyzart to Kilemche and on to Song-Kul, with two nights in yurts. After the south shore of Issyk-Kul you trek to Altyn-Arashan and out to Ak-Suu, and finish with a night in Chong-Kemin and a Bishkek city tour. - Duration: 8 days - Type: Combined - Best season: May to October - Starts and ends in: Bishkek - Pace: Moderately paced - Activities: Horse riding - 2 days, trekking - 2 days - Accommodation: 1 night at hotel, 2 nights at yurt, 4 nights at guesthouse - Total driving: 1130 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/kyzyl-oi-song-kul-chong-kemin-8-days/ ## Highlights - A first night in the village of Kyzyl-Oi - Two days riding from Kyzart to Kilemche and Song-Kul - The south shore of Issyk-Kul - A two-day trek through Altyn-Arashan, then Chong-Kemin ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Scenic drive to Kyzyl-Oi Village We leave Bishkek and head into the mountains, climbing the Too-Ashuu Pass at 3600 m where the views open out across range after range. A picnic lunch waits in the wide Suusamyr Valley. From there the road follows the river down to Kyzyl-Oi, a quiet village set among red rock. Your guide leads a short walk before dinner at the guesthouse. - Transfer: 200 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 2: Drive to Kyzart & horse-ride to Kilemche A short transfer brings you to Kyzart Village, where a home-cooked lunch and a few riding pointers get you ready for the saddle. The afternoon ride follows the Chaar-Archa River through open valleys and rolling hills to Kilemche. By evening you reach a yurt camp run by a nomad family, with time for a walk and a look at herder life before dinner. - Transfer: 90 km · 2 h - Activity: Horse riding · 21 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (2700 m) ### Day 3: Horse-ride to Song-Kul Lake Today's ride climbs steadily to the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3300 m, a demanding ascent that rewards you with Song-Kul shining far below. After a rest you drop down to a yurt camp for lunch, then ride west along the lakeshore to the Tuz-Ashuu pasture, where you settle in for the night. - Activity: Horse riding · 23 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 4: Ride back to Kyzart & drive to Issyk-Kul You leave the lake over the scenic Kara-Kiya Pass at 3300 m, taking in a last view of Song-Kul before the trail drops back down to Kyzart Village. After lunch and a rest, it is an afternoon drive to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul and the village of Bokonbaev, where a guesthouse waits for the evening. - Transfer: 200 km · 3-4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 20 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch & dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 5: Explore the south shore of Issyk-Kul The morning starts with an eagle-hunter demonstration, a window onto an old Kyrgyz craft. From there you visit the colourful Fairy-Tale Canyons and stop in Tamga for lunch at a mountaineer's home. The afternoon takes in the Barskoon Waterfalls and the red rock of the Jety-Oguz Valley before you reach Karakol in the evening, with an optional walk through town. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 6: Trek to Altyn-Arashan Gorge A short drive to Ak-Suu village, then you set off on foot up the valley to Altyn-Arashan. The trail follows a sparkling river through alpine forest, with a riverside picnic along the way. The path climbs gently to your guesthouse in the gorge. After a full day walking, sink into the natural hot springs before dinner. - Transfer: 30 km · 30 min - Activity: Trekking · 12 km · 5 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 7: Trek out to Ak-Suu & drive to Chong-Kemin A final morning on the trail retraces the river path down to Ak-Suu village. From there you drive to Karakol for lunch. The road then runs along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, through Cholpon-Ata and Balykchy, before turning into the green valleys of Chong-Kemin National Park, where a guesthouse waits for the night. - Transfer: 300 km · 4-5 h - Activity: Trekking · 12 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 8: Return to Bishkek with a city tour You drive from Chong-Kemin back toward Bishkek, stopping at the historic Burana Tower, a Silk Road minaret standing alone on the plain. After lunch in the city, a guided tour takes in Ala-Too Square, the bustling Osh Bazaar, and a few of the capital's landmarks before the trip comes to a close. - Transfer: 170 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 8 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 2 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: 1 night at hotel, 2 nights at yurt, 4 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/kyzyl-oi-song-kul-chong-kemin-8-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