# Song-Kul, Kok-Kiya & Kel-Suu - 9 Days Two days riding from Kyzart to Song-Kul, then a drive south for the off-road day in Kok-Kiya and the walk to Kel-Suu. The second half follows the south shore of Issyk-Kul, with an eagle hunter, the canyons and Jety-Oguz, and ends with the trek to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs. - Duration: 9 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: 2 nights at yurt, 3 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at hotel - 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/song-kul-kok-kiya-kel-suu-9-days/ ## Highlights - Two days riding over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass to Song-Kul - Off-road to Kok-Kiya, then on foot to Kel-Suu - Eagle hunter, canyons and Jety-Oguz on Issyk-Kul's south shore - The trek to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Drive to Kyzart & horse-ride to Kilemche Your journey opens with a drive to Kyzart Village, in the hills below Song-Kul. A homemade lunch waits at a family homestay, and your guide walks you through the basics in the saddle before you set off. The afternoon ride follows the Chaar-Archa River through wide, quiet valleys to Kilemche, an easy trail, a good chance to settle in with your horse. By evening you reach a herder family's yurt camp: wander the hills, breathe the air, and watch nomad life unfold 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: Over Jalgyz-Karagai Pass to Song-Kul Today's ride asks a little more of you. After breakfast you climb toward the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3300 m, a steady effort rewarded at the top by the first sight of Song-Kul shimmering far below. You descend to the lakeshore past grazing herds and scattered yurts, reaching camp by midday. The afternoon is yours to walk by the water; after dinner, the night sky here is thick with stars. - Activity: Horse riding · 17 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 3: Road trip to Tash-Bashat Village You trace the lakeshore one last time, then take on the Terskey-Torpu Pass at 3300 m, a wall of switchbacks that unwinds slowly to reveal the valleys below. The descent leads to Naryn, where you stop for lunch and a stretch of the legs. By late afternoon you reach Tash-Bashat, a quiet village largely untouched by tourism. Check into a comfortable hotel, wander the streets, and gather round a bonfire in the evening as the stars come out. - 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 the asphalt gives way to dirt as you drive deep into the At-Bashy region, passing small villages framed by serious mountains. A riverside picnic in the Bosogo Valley breaks the journey before the track begins to climb. You cross the high Kyndy Pass at 3900 m into the wide Ak-Say pastures, where yurts and herds dot the grassland. By evening you reach your guesthouse in Kok-Kiya, with time for a slow 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, drive to Naryn After breakfast you set out on foot toward Kel-Suu, one of the most hidden lakes in the country. The trail follows the river through alpine valleys, past grazing horses and yaks, with the mountains closing in around you. Roughly two hours in, the lake appears, ringed by sheer cliffs, a place that feels far from anywhere. A short boat ride is possible before you retrace the trail, then drive to Naryn for a hotel bed and a hot dinner in town. - Transfer: 150 km · 4-5 h - Activity: Trekking · 14 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 6: To Issyk-Kul, cook lagman in Kochkor You head north over the Dolon Pass at 3030 m, then stop in Kochkor to visit a Dungan family and learn to make lagman, the hand-pulled noodles they're known for. The reward is the meal you helped cook. Driving on east to Issyk-Kul, you reach a lakeside yurt camp with time for a swim in the warm water. In the evening, head out to the Ak-Say canyons to catch the sunset before returning for the night. - Transfer: 190 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt ### Day 7: South shore: eagle hunter, canyons & Jety-Oguz The morning opens with an eagle-hunter demonstration, a glimpse of a tradition passed down through generations. From there you wander the colour-streaked Fairy-Tale Canyons and stop in Tamga for lunch at a mountaineer's home. In the afternoon you take in the Barskoon Waterfalls and the red sandstone ridges of Jety-Oguz before reaching Karakol, time for a short tour of town before dinner. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast & lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 8: Trek to Altyn-Arashan hot springs A short drive to Ak-Suu village, then you shoulder a daypack and set off up the valley to Altyn-Arashan. The trail follows a sparkling river through alpine forest, with a riverside picnic to break the climb. By early evening you reach the gorge and your guesthouse. After a full day on foot, sink into the natural hot springs, then dinner and stargazing in the quiet of the mountains. - Transfer: 30 km · 30 min - Activity: Trekking · 12 km · 5 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 9: Trek out to Ak-Suu & drive to Bishkek A final morning on the trail, retracing the river and forest path down to Ak-Suu, one last lungful of mountain air. From there you drive to Karakol for lunch. The road home runs along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the "Pearl of Central Asia," reaching Bishkek in the evening, the close of a trip stitched together from horseback days, hidden lakes, and nomad hospitality. - Transfer: 420 km · 6-7 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 9 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: 2 nights at yurt, 3 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at hotel. ## 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-kok-kiya-kel-suu-9-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