This trip links Kyrgyzstan's two best-known lakes, Issyk-Kul and Song-Kul, on foot and by road. It joins our Altyn-Arashan trek, Issyk-Kul South Shore trek and Song-Kul Express from Kochkor with transfers, adding a day of sights on the road to Karakol and a drive to Bokonbaevo via the Jeti-Oguz gorge and Skazka Canyon. It suits active travelers who enjoy multi-day walks and simple local stays in guesthouses, home-stays, yurts and mountain huts.
Highlights
Burana Tower and ancient petroglyphs near Cholpon-Ata on the road to Karakol · Hot springs of Altyn-Arashan with views of Peak Palatka · Jeti-Oguz gorge, Skazka Canyon and an eagle-hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo · Red canyon hills, petroglyphs and Kyzyl-Tuu, the village of yurt makers · Shor-Kul salt lake on the south shore of Issyk-Kul · A night with a shepherd family in their yurt at Song-Kul (3016 m)
Route at a glance
- Day 1 Manas Airport → Bishkek · ≈35 km by car
- Day 2 Bishkek → Burana Tower → Cholpon-Ata → Karakol · ≈460 km by car
- Days 3–4 Altyn-Arashan 2 days trek — one of our tours, full program on its page
- Day 5 Karakol → Jeti-Oguz → Skazka Canyon (Fairytale) → Beltam Yurt Camp · ≈190 km by car
- Days 6–8 Issyk-Kul South Shore 3d trek — one of our tours, full program on its page
- Day 8 Bokonbaevo → Kochkor · ≈120 km by car
- Days 9–10 Song-Kul Express 2d from Kochkor — one of our tours, full program on its page
- Day 10 Kyzart Village → Bishkek · ≈310 km by car
Drives between the tours: about 1115 km. Distances are approximate, from our own route map; exact drive times come with your route.
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1: Manas Airport – Bishkek
Arrival at Manas airport, where you are met and driven to Bishkek. Nothing else is planned for the day, so there is time to rest after the flight. Overnight in Bishkek: the hotel is not part of this program and is booked separately.
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Day 2: Bishkek – Karakol
In the morning, set off east from Bishkek towards Issyk-Kul. The first stop is the Burana Tower, a monument of the 10th–11th century and an important point on the Great Silk Road. Near Cholpon-Ata you walk through an open-air gallery of ancient petroglyphs, and lunch is at a café on the way (not included). In the afternoon, a walk around Karakol takes in the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox church. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Karakol.
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Day 3: Karakol – Altyn-Arashan
A short drive brings you to Ak-Suu village, where the trail to the Altyn-Arashan (“Golden Spa”) valley begins, climbing from one hill to the next with a picnic lunch on the way. At Altyn-Arashan there is time to soak in the natural hot springs, with mountain peaks all around. Overnight in a yurt or mountain hut at Altyn-Arashan.
Part of the tour Altyn-Arashan 2 days trek
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Day 4: Altyn-Arashan – Karakol
The morning belongs to the Altyn-Arashan gorge, with the snows of Peak Palatka (5260 m) and the open-air “Swallow’s Nest Pool”. After a late breakfast you walk down the Arashan gorge along the river to Ak-Suu, and a car takes you back to Karakol. Overnight in a guesthouse in Karakol (dinner not included).
Part of the tour Altyn-Arashan 2 days trek
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Day 5: Karakol – Bokonbaevo
Today the road leads to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. On the way you stop at the Jeti-Oguz gorge with its Seven Bulls Rock and at Skazka Canyon, whose name means “fairytale”. In Bokonbaevo a local eagle hunter shows how he trains his eagles. Dinner and overnight in a lakeshore yurt camp with modern washrooms and hot showers.
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Day 6: Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl-Tuu
From Bokonbaevo you drive to the Ak-Sai gorge; from a shepherd’s house there, sheep trails climb past ancient petroglyphs to red canyon hills with wide views of Issyk-Kul. After a picnic lunch you descend to Kyzyl-Tuu, a village of yurt makers whose yurts go all over Kyrgyzstan and into Kazakhstan. Dinner and overnight at a home-stay in Kyzyl-Tuu.
Part of the tour Issyk-Kul South Shore 3d trek
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Day 7: Kyzyl-Tuu – Shor-Kul
The trail runs through the small, dry Ak-Terek gorge towards the lake, with another picnic lunch on the way. It ends at Shor-Kul, a salt lake where people come in summer to swim and take mud baths. Dinner and overnight in a mountain hut near the lake.
Part of the tour Issyk-Kul South Shore 3d trek
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Day 8: Shor-Kul – Kochkor
The last trekking day follows the Issyk-Kul shore to the east, then turns south through dry canyons that lead out to the road. At the finish point a car picks you up for the drive on to Kochkor. Overnight in a guesthouse in Kochkor.
Part of the tour Issyk-Kul South Shore 3d trek
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Day 9: Kochkor – Song-Kul
From Kochkor you drive to Kyzart village for lunch, then set off on foot with a pack horse over the Tuz-Ashuu pass into the western part of the Song-Kul valley. On the jailoo (summer pasture) a Kyrgyz shepherd family welcomes you. Dinner and overnight in their yurt.
Part of the tour Song-Kul Express 2d from Kochkor
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Day 10: Song-Kul – Bishkek
The morning is free by Song-Kul: stroll among the low hills to a small river that flows into the lake and has fish in it. After lunch you walk back to Kyzart village and drive on to Bishkek. The tour ends on arrival in Bishkek; dinner and accommodation there are not included.
Part of the tour Song-Kul Express 2d from Kochkor
Included
- Accommodation for 8 nights in guesthouses, home-stays, yurts and mountain huts (twin sharing in guesthouses and yurt camps; mountain huts and shepherds' yurts may be shared)
- Meals on the route, except the café meals noted in the program
- Transport for the whole route by car, minivan or minibus, depending on group size
- Airport pick-up on day 1
- Local guides on the trekking days
- A pack horse on the Song-Kul trekking days
- Entrance fees for the sights in the program
- Eagle-hunting demonstration
Not included
- Accommodation and meals in Bishkek
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- English-speaking guide for the whole trip (available on request)
- Single supplement (guesthouses only)
- Personal expenses and tips