Grand Tour of Kyrgyzstan

Overview

Our signature tour: seven days through the high pastures of Naryn and the shores of Issyk-Kul. Two nights in yurt camps at Song-Kul and Kel-Suu, two horse rides, a golden eagle show, red canyons and natural hot springs in the mountains — all planned for you, from the first morning to the last evening.

Highlights

• Yurt-building master class with a nomad family at Song-Kul
• Horse ride to the emerald Kel-Suu Lake near the Chinese border
• Golden eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo
• Skazka canyon and the Barskoon waterfalls
• Two nights in Altyn Arashan with natural hot springs and a full-day ride

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Bishkek – Kok-Moinok – Song-Kul

   Morning departure from Bishkek and a stop at the red canyons of Kok-Moinok. We climb to Song-Kul Lake (3,016 m), where a nomad family shows us how a yurt is assembled. Sunset by the lake. Night in a yurt camp.

2. Day 2

   Song-Kul – Naryn – Kok-Kiya

   Sunrise over the lake, then down the Moldo-Ashuu serpentine road. Lunch in Naryn and a drive through the At-Bashy valley into the border zone (permits arranged by us). Evening by the campfire. Night in a yurt camp near Kel-Suu.

3. Day 3

   Kel-Suu Lake – Naryn

   A horse ride through a dramatic gorge to Kel-Suu, the emerald lake hidden between giant cliffs. Picnic by the water, then a drive back to Naryn. Night in a guesthouse with hot showers.

4. Day 4

   Naryn – Bokonbaevo – Issyk-Kul

   We drive to Issyk-Kul and meet a berkutchi — a traditional eagle hunter — for a golden eagle demonstration. Evening on the southern shore of the lake. Night in a yurt camp by Issyk-Kul.

5. Day 5

   Skazka – Barskoon – Altyn Arashan

   The red rocks of Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon and the waterfalls of Barskoon gorge. Lunch in Karakol, then an off-road ride in a 4x4 truck up to the Altyn Arashan valley (2,600 m) and an evening in the natural hot springs. Night in a mountain guesthouse.

6. Day 6

   Horse day in Altyn Arashan

   A full day in the saddle up the alpine valley, through flower meadows toward the glaciers of Palatka peak. Picnic in the mountains and hot springs in the evening. Night in a mountain guesthouse.

7. Day 7

   Altyn Arashan – Karakol – Bishkek

   Off-road descent to Karakol and a drive along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Arrival in Bishkek in the evening.

Dates 2026 / 2027 & price

• June 26 – July 2
• July 3 – 9♀ Women only
• July 10 – 16
• July 17 – 23
• July 24 – 30
• July 31 – August 6
• August 7 – 13
• August 14 – 20
• August 18 – 24♀ Women only
• August 21 – 27
• August 28 – September 3
• September 4 – 10
• September 11 – 17
• September 18 – 24
• September 25 – October 1♀ Women only
• Price per person: $950 until February 1, 2027 · $1,100 after

♀ Women-only departures: July 3–9, August 18–24 and September 25 – October 1 — the same programme and price, in a group of women travellers led by a female guide.