5 days
Kalmak-Ashuu pass, 3,446 m
Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul Jeep Loop
- Season
- June – September
- Pace
- Moderate
- Group
- 1–6 travellers
See the route
All tours
Grand Kyrgyzstan Overland
Ten days across the whole country: Suusamyr, Song-Kol, Tash-Rabat and Issyk-Kul.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Season
- June – September
- Start and finish
- Bishkek and back
- Pace
- Moderate
- Group
- 1–6 travellers
Overview
The full circuit for travellers with time. Over the Too-Ashuu pass to the Suusamyr plateau, through the canyons of the Kokomeren river to Song-Kol, south to Tash-Rabat, and back across to Issyk-Kul and the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.
Why you'll love it
- Three passes above 3,000 m and four very different regions
- Two nights at Song-Kol with a full day on horseback
- Silk Road caravanserai of Tash-Rabat
- Finish with hot springs at Altyn-Arashan
What you'll do
- Jeep expedition
- High mountain passes
- Alpine lakes
- Yurt stays
- Nomadic culture
- Horse riding
- Hot springs
- Canyons
Places you'll visit
Day by day
Straight into the mountains: the road south climbs to the Too-Ashuu tunnel and pass, then drops onto the wide Suusamyr plateau where herders graze their horses all summer.
- Drive
- 160 km, 3–4 h
- Road
- Asphalt
- Highest point
- Too-Ashuu pass, 3,586 m
- Meals included
- Lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt, Suusamyr2,200 m
We follow the Kokomeren river through a canyon of red and green rock to the village of Kyzyl-Oi, famous for its setting and its hospitality.
- Drive
- 120 km, 3 h
- Road
- Asphalt and dirt road
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Guesthouse, Kyzyl-Oi1,800 m
Through the Jumgal valley and up onto the Song-Kol plateau from the west, arriving in time for a walk on the shore before dinner.
- Drive
- 180 km, 5 h
- Road
- Off-road
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt, Song-Kol3,016 m
No driving today. Ride with a herder to the hills above the lake, visit a family yurt for kumis and bread, and come back for a slow afternoon.
- Activity
- Horse riding, 4–5 h
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt, Song-Kol3,016 m
Down the hairpins of Moldo-Ashuu and along the Naryn river to town.
- Drive
- 180 km, 5 h
- Road
- Off-road
- Highest point
- Moldo-Ashuu pass, 3,346 m
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Guesthouse, Naryn2,040 m
Into the At-Bashy valley and up to the stone caravanserai of Tash-Rabat. Afternoon walk and a night in a nearby yurt camp.
- Drive
- 120 km, 3 h
- Road
- Asphalt and dirt road
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt, Tash-Rabat3,200 m
North over the Dolon pass and down to the south shore of Issyk-Kul.
- Drive
- 330 km, 7 h
- Road
- Asphalt and dirt road
- Highest point
- Dolon pass, 3,030 m
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Guesthouse, Bokonbaev1,650 m
Canyons, a swim and the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz on the way to Karakol.
- Drive
- 170 km, 4 h
- Road
- Asphalt
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch
- Overnight
- Hotel, Karakol1,770 m
The rough 4×4 track to the hot springs, and an afternoon to soak and walk.
- Drive
- 35 km, 2–3 h
- Road
- Off-road
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Overnight
- Guesthouse, Altyn-Arashan2,600 m
Down the track and home along the north shore of Issyk-Kul.
- Drive
- 430 km, 7–8 h
- Road
- Asphalt
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch
- End of day
- Arrive in Bishkek
Included
- Private 4×4 vehicle with an experienced local driver
- English-speaking guide
- All accommodation listed in the itinerary
- Meals as listed for each day
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Entrance fees for parks and sights on the route
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Bishkek
- Full day of horse riding at Song-Kol
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees, if your passport needs one
- Travel insurance
- Alcohol and personal expenses
- Tips for your driver and guide
- Hot spring entry at Altyn-Arashan
Where you stay, how you travel
Accommodation
4 nights in yurts, 4 nights in guesthouses, 1 night in a hotel
Yurt, 4 nights
Family-run yurt camps with beds, thick felt walls and warm blankets. Shared outdoor toilets; showers are basic or unavailable at the highest camps.
Guesthouse, 4 nights
Village guesthouses with private or shared bathrooms, hot showers and home-cooked meals.
Hotel, 1 night
Comfortable small hotels in towns, with private bathrooms and Wi-Fi.
Vehicle
Toyota Land Cruiser or similar 4×4
Up to 3 travellers per vehicle, plus luggage
High-clearance 4×4 with air conditioning, a roof rack for luggage and a first-aid kit. Larger groups travel in two vehicles in convoy.
Photos from the route
Good to know
Best season
High routes and yurt camps open from June to mid-September. Lower routes around Issyk-Kul work from May to October. Nights above 3,000 m can drop close to freezing even in July.
Altitude
Some passes reach 3,000–3,600 m and a few overnights are close to 3,000 m. We gain height gradually. Drink plenty of water, go easy on the first evening and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
What to pack
Warm layers and a down jacket, a waterproof shell, sturdy walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, a headlamp, a reusable water bottle and any personal medication.
Money
Cards work in Bishkek and Karakol. Carry Kyrgyz som in cash for villages, yurt camps and small purchases. Exchange offices in Bishkek give better rates than the airport.
Phone and internet
A local SIM card works in towns and along main roads. Expect little or no signal at high lakes and passes, which most travellers end up enjoying.
Electricity
220 V with European two-pin sockets (types C and F). Yurt camps usually charge phones from solar panels or a generator in the evening.
Insurance
Travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation at altitude is strongly recommended.
Food and dietary needs
Meals are home-style Central Asian cooking: soups, noodles, plov, bread and fresh vegetables in summer. Vegetarian and other diets are possible if you tell us in advance.
Other routes
All tours
8 days
Kel-Suu Lake, 3,514 m
Tash-Rabat & Kel-Suu Expedition
- Season
- July – mid-September
- Pace
- Active
- Group
- 2–6 travellers
See the route
4 days
Issyk-Kul Family Circuit
- Season
- May – October
- Pace
- Easy
- Group
- 2–6 travellers
See the route