An eleven-day ring from Bishkek through the green Chong-Kemin valley, along both shores of Issyk-Kul and up to the summer pastures of Song-Kul (3016 m), returning via the old village of Kyzyl-Oi. The trip is of medium difficulty and suits active travelers who are happy to sleep in shepherds' yurts, mountain huts and village home-stays. It joins our two-day Altyn-Arashan trek, the three-day Issyk-Kul South Shore trek and the Song-Kul Express from Kochkor with transfers. You reach Song-Kul on horseback or on foot with a pack horse.
Highlights
Burana Tower and the green Chong-Kemin valley · Petroglyphs near Cholpon-Ata and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan · A visit to an eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo · Three days on foot along the south shore of Issyk-Kul · A night in a shepherd's yurt at Song-Kul (3016 m), reached on horseback or on foot · Kyzyl-Oi, an old village of reddish clay houses in the Kokomeren gorge
Route at a glance
- Day 1 Bishkek → Burana Tower → Karool-Dobo · ≈210 km by car
- Day 2 Karool-Dobo → Cholpon-Ata → Karakol · ≈310 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 → Kyzyl-Oi · ≈110 km by car
- Day 11 Kyzyl-Oi → Bishkek · ≈200 km by car
Drives between the tours: about 1140 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: Bishkek – Chong-Kemin
Leaving Bishkek, you stop on the way at the Burana Tower (10th–11th century), an important point on the Great Silk Road and the most visible remnant of the old city of Balasagun. Then the road turns into the green Chong-Kemin valley, where the landscape ranges from semi-desert to glaciers. If you like, you can go for a horse ride in the valley. Meals and overnight in a guesthouse in the valley.
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Day 2: Chong-Kemin – Karakol
Today the road runs along the north shore of Issyk-Kul. Near Cholpon-Ata you stop at an open-air gallery of petroglyphs, ancient drawings on the rocks. Lunch is at a café on the way and is not included. In the afternoon you reach Karakol for a walk around the town, with visits to the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox church. Dinner and overnight at a home-stay in Karakol.
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Day 3: Karakol – Altyn-Arashan
A short drive from Karakol brings you to Ak-Suu village, where the trail to the Altyn-Arashan (Golden Spa) valley begins and climbs over three hills in turn. At Altyn-Arashan there is time to bathe in the natural hot springs and take in the surrounding peaks. Overnight in a yurt or mountain hut.
Part of the tour Altyn-Arashan 2 days trek
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Day 4: Altyn-Arashan – Karakol
Spend the morning in the Altyn-Arashan gorge, in sight of the snows of Peak Palatka (5260 m) and the Swallow's Nest pool under the open sky. Then walk down the Arashan gorge along the river to Ak-Suu and drive 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
The route now turns to the south shore of Issyk-Kul. On the way you stop at the Jeti-Oguz gorge, known for its Seven Bulls rock, and at Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon). In Bokonbaevo an eagle hunter welcomes you to his house and shows you 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
After a transfer to the Ak-Sai gorge you set off on foot from a shepherd's house, following sheep trails with your guide past ancient petroglyphs up to red canyon hills that look out over Issyk-Kul and the snowy Tian-Shan peaks to the south. In the afternoon the trail drops to Kyzyl-Tuu, a village of yurt makers whose yurts go all over Kyrgyzstan and into Kazakhstan. 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
From Kyzyl-Tuu the trail leads into the small dry Ak-Terek gorge and on towards the lake. The day ends at Shor-Kul, one of the saltiest lakes in the region, where people come in summer to swim and take mud baths. 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 day of the trek follows the Issyk-Kul shore eastwards, then turns south through dry red-earth canyons that lead to the road. At the finish point your driver picks you up for the drive to Kochkor. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Kochkor.
Part of the tour Issyk-Kul South Shore 3d trek
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Day 9: Kochkor – Song-Kul
In the morning you drive to Kyzart village, where lunch is waiting. From there you continue on horseback, or on foot with a pack horse, over the Tuz-Ashuu pass into the western part of the Song-Kul valley, where a family of Kyrgyz shepherds welcomes you on their summer pasture. Dinner and overnight in their yurt.
Part of the tour Song-Kul Express 2d from Kochkor
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Day 10: Song-Kul – Kyzyl-Oi
The morning is free to enjoy Song-Kul and its valley, with a walk among low grassy hills to a small stream that flows into the lake. Then you head down to a village for lunch and a hot shower at a family home-stay, and drive on to Kyzyl-Oi (1800 m), the Red Bowl, an old village of reddish clay houses set among red mountains in the narrow Kokomeren gorge. Dinner and overnight at a home-stay in Kyzyl-Oi.
Part of the tour Song-Kul Express 2d from Kochkor
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Day 11: Kyzyl-Oi – Bishkek
In the morning you leave Kyzyl-Oi and drive through the Suusamyr valley. From there the road crosses the Too-Ashuu pass and comes down towards Bishkek, with lunch on the way. The tour ends on arrival in Bishkek.
Included
- Accommodation for 10 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
- Local guides on the trekking and riding days
- Horses for the riding days at Song-Kul, or a pack horse if you choose to walk
- Entrance fees for the sights in the program
- Visit to an eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo
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