This 11-day Kyrgyzstan lakes tour connects the three great lakes of the Tian Shan: warm, salty Issyk-Kul, the remote canyon lake Kel-Suu near the Chinese border and the high plateau of Song-Kol (3,016 m). On the way: Burana Tower, rafting in Chong-Kemin, the petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata, hot springs in Altyn-Arashan, the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz and Skazka canyon, a golden eagle hunter, the yurt makers of Kyzyl-Tuu, a horse ride at Kel-Suu and the 32 hairpins of the Teskey-Torpok pass. About 1,550 km by car and 4×4, nights in guesthouses, hotels and yurts, June to September, private tour from Bishkek.
The price is calculated individually: it depends on group size, dates and accommodation level. Send a request and we will prepare an offer for your group.
Private tour – the price depends on the number of travellers, the season and your choice of hotels. Send us your dates and group size and we will reply with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Moments that stay with you
Included
Not included
Your final list of services is confirmed in your personal offer.
Border zone permit
Kel-Suu lies in the border zone with China. Send us a passport copy at least 3 weeks before the trip – we apply for the permit.
What to bring
Clothing for +25 °C to 0 °C: warm layers and a down jacket for Song-Kol and Kel-Suu, rain jacket, hiking shoes, swimwear for the hot springs, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Yes. Kel-Suu lies in the border zone with China, so a border zone permit is needed. We apply for it – send us a copy of your passport at least 3 weeks before the trip.
A normal level of fitness is enough. The longest walk is the easy 3–4 hour downhill hike from Altyn-Arashan to Ak-Suu; horse rides are short and at walking pace. Regular walking or jogging before the trip helps.
The whole route is about 1,550 km. Long days are Chong-Kemin – Karakol (about 300 km), Bokonbaevo – Naryn (about 235 km) and Song-Kol – Bishkek (about 290 km); the other days have 1–3 hours of driving.
In guesthouses in Chong-Kemin and Karakol, a farm hotel near Karakol, a hotel in Naryn and yurt camps near Bokonbaevo, at Kel-Suu and at Song-Kol. Hotels in Bishkek on nights 1 and 10 are booked on request.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the season and your choice of hotels. Send us your dates and group size and we will reply with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Yes – without Kel-Suu and Naryn: Lake hopping Issyk-Kul and Song-Kul. For a longer round trip with the Sary-Jaz valley: the 11-day Kyrgyzstan Grand Tour.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
