# Song-Kul & 33 Parrots Pass Express - 3 Days

Two lakes in three days, with a yurt night at each. We drive over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass to Song-Kul at 3,000 m, you ride its summer pastures next morning, then we come down 33 Parrots Pass to an eagle hunter and a camp on Issyk-Kul. The last day takes in Barskoon Gorge and Skazka Canyon. The drives are long, so it suits travellers who want a lot in little time.

- Duration: 3 days
- Type: Road trip
- Best season: May to September
- Starts and ends in: Bishkek
- Pace: Fast-paced
- Activities: horse riding - 1 day, sightseeing - 2 days
- Accommodation: 2 nights at yurt
- Total driving: 980 km
- Price: from $800 per person (the exact price depends on group size and season). No prepayment to enquire.
- Group: small group or fully private, with a local English-speaking guide
- Page: https://azattours.com/tours/song-kul-33-parrots-pass-express-3-days/

## Highlights

- Yurt night at Song-Kul, 3,000 m up
- Ride the summer pastures around Song-Kul
- Down 33 Parrots Pass to a hidden waterfall
- Barskoon waterfalls and Skazka Canyon on the last day

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Bishkek to Song-Kul via Burana and Kok-Moynok

Your guide meets you at your hotel in the morning and we drive east. At Burana Tower you hear about the old city of Balasagun and the balbal stones around it. A narrow staircase leads to the top and a view of the Tien Shan.

The land turns dry and colourful at Kok-Moynok Canyons. You walk for about 30 minutes, an easy stroll with time for photos. Lunch is in Kochkor village.

In the afternoon the road climbs over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass. The air cools and wide pastures with grazing herds open up. By late afternoon you reach the yurt camp at Song-Kul, 3,000 m up, for dinner under a clear sky.

- Transfer: Bishkek to Song-Kul · 380 km · 7-8 h
- Activity: Canyon walk · 30 min
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Yurt camp, Song-Kul

### Day 2: Song-Kul to Bokonbayevo via 33 Parrots Pass

The morning is yours. Take a gentle ride across the pastures, fine for beginners, or walk the shore and watch herders with their animals. Every summer nomad families bring their flocks up to these meadows.

Mid-morning we leave the lake on 33 Parrots Pass, a road of tight bends with stops for photos. At the bottom an easy 30-minute walk leads to a hidden waterfall in a shady gorge. Then we follow the south shore of Issyk-Kul.

In the afternoon you meet a local eagle hunter. He explains how the birds are trained and how the tradition survives today. You can hold the eagle yourself.

You spend the night at a yurt camp by the lake, with a home-cooked dinner and a bonfire.

- Transfer: Song-Kul to Bokonbayevo · 200 km · 4-5 h
- Activity: Horse riding · 2-4 h · Eagle show
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Yurt camp, Issyk-Kul

### Day 3: Bokonbayevo to Bishkek via Barskoon and Skazka

The morning is slow. You can add a horse ride in the hills or along the shore, paid on the spot, or just sit by the water. We set off late in the morning.

Barskoon Gorge is wide and green, with spruce on the slopes and a clear river. Walk 30 minutes to the first waterfall, or hike about 3 hours to a higher one further up the valley.

Skazka Canyon, the Fairy Tale Canyon, comes next. You spend about an hour among red, orange and ochre rock that looks like a ruined city. Your guide knows where the light is best for photos.

Late in the afternoon we drive back to Bishkek along the north shore, with the lake in view most of the way. You reach your hotel in the early evening.

- Transfer: Bokonbayevo to Bishkek · 400 km · 7-8 h
- Activity: Hiking · 30 min to 3 h
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch

## Common questions

**How long is this tour?** It runs 3 days, starting and ending in Bishkek.

**When is the best time to go?** The season runs May to September. 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 1 days horse riding and 2 days sightseeing. 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: 2 nights at yurt.

**How much does it cost?** From $800 per person. The exact price depends on group size and season, and we confirm it for your group within 24 hours.

## How to book

Send your dates and group size and we confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours: https://azattours.com/tours/song-kul-33-parrots-pass-express-3-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