# Song-Kul & Issyk-Kul Road Trip - 5 Days

A short loop by road: a yurt night at Song-Kul with a ride by the lake, the south shore of Issyk-Kul with an eagle hunter, the canyons and Jety-Oguz, and an off-road trip up to Altyn-Arashan. There are no long hikes.

- Duration: 5 days
- Type: Road trip
- Best season: May to October
- Starts and ends in: Bishkek
- Pace: Fast-paced
- Activities: Horse riding - optional, trekking - easy walkings
- Accommodation: 1 night at hotel, 1 night at yurt, 2 nights at guesthouse
- Total driving: 1100 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/song-kul-issyk-kul-road-trip-5-days/

## Highlights

- A yurt night and a ride by Song-Kul
- Eagle hunter, canyons and Jety-Oguz on the south shore
- Off-road up to Altyn-Arashan

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Road trip to Song-Kul

You leave Bishkek and start with the Burana Tower and its old archaeological grounds, then sit down with a Dungan family for a homemade lagman lunch, a warm window into one of the country's many cultures.

The road carries on through Kochkor and up over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3400 m, with mountains opening on every side, before dropping to Song-Kul. You spend the night in a yurt on the high lakeshore.

- 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 Issyk-Kul

A gentle morning ride takes you along the shore of Song-Kul, past yurts and grazing herds, with the option to head up into the nearby hills if you'd like more time on horseback.

After lunch you leave the lake and drive toward Issyk-Kul, perhaps stopping at the Ak-Say canyons on the way, before settling into a guesthouse near Bokonbaev for the night.

- Transfer: 220 km · 4 h
- Activity: Horse riding · 17 km · 4 h
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch at yurt, dinner at guesthouse
- Overnight: Guesthouse

### Day 3: South shore: eagle hunter, canyons & Jety-Oguz

The day opens with an eagle-hunter demonstration by a local Kyrgyz hunter, a chance to see a tradition that's been passed down for generations. From there you explore the colour-streaked Fairy-Tale Canyons.

Lunch is at Lyubov Danichkina's home in Tamga Village, then you take in the Barskoon Waterfalls and the red sandstone of the Jety-Oguz Valley before arriving in Karakol for the night.

- Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant
- Overnight: Hotel

### Day 4: Off-road to Altyn-Arashan

This morning you climb into the mountains aboard a rugged Soviet UAZ truck, following a sparkling river through dense pine forest up to the Altyn-Arashan gorge, a bumpy, beautiful ride.

After lunch the afternoon is yours: soak in the natural hot springs, wander the trails, or simply sit and take in Peak Palatka rising to 5200 m at the head of the valley.

- Transfer: 30 km · 2-3 h
- Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at guesthouse
- Overnight: Guesthouse

### Day 5: Drive back to Bishkek

After a slow mountain morning, the UAZ carries you back down to Karakol for lunch at a local restaurant.

From there the road runs along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the Pearl of Central Asia, with long lake views the whole way to Bishkek, where you arrive in the evening.

- Transfer: 440 km · 6-7 h
- Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at restaurant

## Common questions

**How long is this tour?** It runs 5 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 and trekking - easy walkings. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing.

**Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 1 night at hotel, 1 night at yurt, 2 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/song-kul-issyk-kul-road-trip-5-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