Day 1: Welcome To Kyrgyzstan’s Capital, Bishkek
Arrive in the Kyrgyz capital and transfer to your hotel to rest and freshen up before the tour.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Bishkek
Day 2: The Ala Too Mountains And The Kyzyl Oy Valley
We’ll pick up our 4x4 SUV and begin our journey through Kyrgyzstan. Traveling off-road from Bishkek through the Susmir Valley to Kyzyl-Oy, we venture into the land of nomads, heading south and gradually ascending into higher altitudes.
Overnight in a local house in Kyzyl-Oy
Day 3: To Lake Song Kol And The Silk Road
In the morning, we’ll set out early, following the scenic Kokomeren River through dramatic mountain landscapes and striking red rock formations. Our route takes us up to a small, picturesque alpine lake called Ak-Kol—“White Lake.” After returning to the main valley, we’ll continue through rural areas on our way to Lake Song-Kol, observing the traditional agricultural lifestyle of village residents and the nomadic rhythms of goat and horse herders. Along the way, we’ll have the chance to sample kumis, or fermented mare’s milk, a regional specialty.
We’ll stop in the town of Chaek to stock up before heading deeper into the mountains, passing the Kara-Keche coal mine (“Black Goat”) and climbing over the Kara-Keche Pass. From there, we’ll descend to the stunning Son-Kul Lake, nestled along an ancient branch of the Silk Road leading north to China, between the Son-Kul and Moldo mountain ranges, which rise to nearly 4,000 meters above sea level.
This leg of the journey combines both on-road and off-road travel from the village of Kyzyl-Oy to the secluded White Lake, once home to a Soviet-era mercury factory and the remains of an old sanitarium, hidden among the hills.
Overnight in a traditional yurt in Song-Kol Lake (two persons in a yurt, shared bathroom)
Day 4: Tash Rabat Caravanserai On The Silk Road
A magical day awaits in the mountain landscapes surrounding Lake Song-Kul. We’ll start our adventure along off-road mountain tracks, taking a scenic hike to a beautiful waterfall in the Kok-Yarti Canyon. The journey continues through remote villages and colorful terrain shaped by dramatic geological and tectonic forces. Driving our jeeps, we’ll ford wide streambeds that carry snowmelt down from the peaks.
In the evening, we’ll arrive at Tash Rabat, a remarkable stone caravanserai that once served as an important stop along the ancient Silk Road—a crossroads for trade routes leading west from China.
Off-road trail to Tash Rabat: From Lake Song-Kul, we’ll ascend the Moldo Pass, descend toward the town of Baitov, then climb again to the MELS Pass (named after Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin) before gliding down into the valley that leads us to Tash Rabat.
Overnight in a traditional yurt inTash Rabat (two persons in a yurt, shared bathroom)
Day 5: Horse’s Head Pass On The Way To Naryn
It’s hard to believe you can wake up in such a primordial landscape. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll visit the ancient caravanserai before beginning our drive toward Naryn. Along the way, we’ll pass through the At-Bashy region—meaning “Horse’s Head”—a place steeped in legends and tribal history. From there, we’ll descend into a fertile valley where streams and rivers flow, crossing shallow waters and passing through remote, time-forgotten villages. By evening, we’ll rejoin the main road leading to the city of Naryn, where our hotel awaits.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Naryn
Day 6: Central Tian Shan Mountains And Lake Issyk Kul
A fascinating day of off-road adventure begins early in the morning from Naryn. We’ll cross the Aki-Naryn River and navigate the wild terrain of the central Tian Shan Mountains. Continuing on, we’ll reach Kochkor, then pass the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir before arriving at Lake Issyk-Kul, situated at 1,600 meters above sea level. As the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the world’s second-largest alpine lake, Issyk-Kul remains ice-free in winter thanks to warm springs beneath its surface. A short drive from there brings us to the small village of Kaj-Sai.
Off-road trail from Naryn via Kochkor to Issyk-Kul: Today’s route is long and varied. We’ll start along the Naryn River—the longest river in Kyrgyzstan—continuing along the smaller Naryn tributary. The road winds through canyon landscapes as well as open valleys, crossing a mountain pass above 3,000 meters before descending to the southern shores of the magnificent Lake Issyk-Kul.
Overnight in a local guesthouse in Kaj Sai
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Day 7: The Colorful Fairy Canyon And Eagle Hunting, Home Cooked Dinner
A day of breathtaking landscapes awaits as we descend northward toward the lake. In the morning, we’ll walk through Skazka (Fairy) Canyon near Tosor, wandering among striking sandstone formations in shades of red, purple, and white. Next, we’ll ascend through Barskoon Canyon, passing a dramatic waterfall and the memorial to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, and catch a demonstration of hare hunting with a trained golden eagle.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore Jeti Oguz (“Seven Bulls”), a canyon of red sandstone surrounded by lush forests and green meadows, rich in local legends. Along the way, the route includes short off-road trails to Fairy Canyon and Barskoon Valley, where we’ll see glaciers and a historic gold mine, before ending at the observation point at Jeti Oguz.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Karakol
Day 8: Altyn Arashan Reserve, Hot Springs, Home Cooked Meal
A special day is dedicated to the great canyons in the eastern part of the lake. We’ll leave the jeeps behind and ride a Russian 4x4 truck (ZIL) along a challenging route to Altyn Arashan Canyon. The journey follows a river fed by melting snow and glaciers, winding through forests of conifers and broadleaf trees. As we climb, alpine views unfold, with glacier-covered peaks reaching 5,000–6,000 meters. The highlight of the day is a soak in the natural hot springs in the heart of the valley, evidence of tectonic activity that shaped the dramatic folds of the Tian Shan Mountains. Short hikes throughout the day reveal hidden corners of this stunning mountainous scenery. In the evening, we’ll return to Karakol for an overnight stay and enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner.
Along the way, we’ll visit the Dongyi Mosque, a unique structure built like a Chinese temple with dragon motifs—women are asked to cover their heads, with scarves available at the entrance. Dinner will be with the Dongyi family, featuring a wide variety of local dishes prepared in the region’s Chinese-influenced style.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Karakol
Day 9: Petroglyphs And Chong Kemin Valley
Today is dedicated to exploring the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We’ll start with a visit to the city’s lively livestock market before driving west to the petroglyph site near Cholpon-Ata, which offers a fascinating glimpse into nomadic life and ancient spiritual practices spanning thousands of years. In the afternoon, we’ll continue west, descending along the Chuy River and then ascending into the Chong Kemin Valley in the heart of the Kungoy Ala-Too range. Our overnight stay will be in a charming boutique hotel nestled in the forested canyon between picturesque villages of the valley.
The journey includes short off-road trails to explore the green Semyonivka and Gregovskaya valleys, with their flowing rivers, as well as the vast petroglyph site, now an open-air museum showcasing ancient rock art.
Overnight in a local guesthouse in Chong Kemin Valley
Day 10: Burana Tower, Rafting, And Vibrant Bishkek
We’ll visit Burana Tower, an impressive remnant of the ancient Silk Road that once passed through this region. From there, we’ll enjoy an exciting rafting adventure on the river. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Bishkek, drop off the jeeps, and explore the city, one of Central Asia’s largest and most vibrant urban centers, including Independence Square and the colorful Osh Market.
The route includes a short off-road trail to the rafting starting point, where we’ll park and walk down to the river—coordination with the team is necessary to have your vehicle returned from the finish point. Another short trail leads to Burana, the remains of an ancient Silk Road city, with preserved structures including a mosque, palace, and city wall, along with a small museum and a field of Balbals, ancient tombstones.
This marks the end of the trip.
