Kyrgyzstan Tour to Kel Suu, Tash Rabat & Song Kul
Travel deep into Kyrgyzstan’s mountains on this 8-day active small-group adventure to the remote Kel Suu Lake, the Silk Road caravanserai of Tash Rabat and the open pastures of Song Kul Lake.
This 8-day Kyrgyzstan tour brings together 4 very different mountain regions in one carefully paced journey. You begin with a guided introduction to Bishkek before hiking among the red sandstone formations of Konorchek Canyon and travelling east to Naryn.
From there, the route continues into the remote Kok Kiya Valley near the Chinese border. A short detour takes you on foot to quiet Kol Tor Lake before you spend the night in a traditional yurt and hike to the turquoise waters of Kel Suu Lake the following day.
You then travel to Tash Rabat for a horseback journey towards the high-altitude Panda Pass and finish with two nights beside Song Kul Lake, where wide summer pastures, grazing horses and family-run yurt camps offer a glimpse of Kyrgyzstan’s living nomadic culture.
This is an active journey, including hiking, horse riding, long drives on rough mountain roads. Accommodation becomes more modest as you travel into remote areas, but comfortable hotel and guesthouse nights in Bishkek and Naryn break up the yurt stays. The result is an adventurous yet balanced trip to experience places that are difficult to reach independently.
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
8-day Kyrgyzstan Tour Departures 2027:
July 16th – July 23rd
August 14th – August 21st
September 12th – September 19th
Tour price: from €1650 per person*
→ Book by December 1st, 2026, and receive a 5% early-booking discount!
*depending on group size, see tour costs below for more info
The 8-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure at a glance
- Duration: 8 days/7 nights
- Group: Small international group (maximum 10 travellers)
- Arrival & Departure: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Main highlights: Bishkek city tour, Konorchek Canyon, Kel Suu Lake, Tash Rabat, Panda Pass and Song Kul.
- Activity level: Moderate to active. The tour includes one hike of 18 km at altitude, several shorter hikes, one day of horse riding and an optional half-day horseback ride.
- Accommodation: one hotel night in Bishkek, 2 nights in guesthouses and 4 nights in shared yurts.
- Guide: experienced English-speaking local tour guide, arranged by my trusted local partner Emir from E2 Travel.
The 8-day itinerary has been refined and updated for 2027. The reviews below are from travellers who joined previous Journal of Nomads trips in partnership with E2 travel, with some of the destinations and activities included in this tour.
“This was my first group tour, and what an experience it was! We had a fantastic guide arranged by Emir who was incredibly likeable, sociable and funny. We visited beautiful places and travelled with an excellent driver who was also wonderful company. I’m grateful for this experience and the lovely group with whom I shared it.”
“The tour was very well organised, my vegetarian diet was taken into account and the horses were calm and well cared for. Cynthia’s communication and personal support were especially reassuring as a solo traveller.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed both of my Journal of Nomads tours. In Kazakhstan, Bakhtiar made every day fun, while the Ala Kul trek became one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. The spectacular scenery, like-minded travellers and hardworking local team who kept us safe, well-fed and supported made the experience extra special.”
What Makes This Kyrgyzstan Tour special?
Instead of trying to organise Kyrgyzstan’s remote mountain regions separately, this journey connects them in one logical route from Bishkek. Naryn serves as the gateway to the secluded Kok Kiya Valley and Kel Suu before the trip continues to Tash Rabat and the high-altitude pastures of Song Kul.
In 8 days, you move from Bishkek’s leafy streets to the red sandstone formations of Konorchek Canyon, quiet Kol Tor Lake, the dramatic cliffs surrounding Kel Suu, the historic Silk Road valley of Tash Rabat and the wide-open landscapes of Song Kul. The constantly changing scenery is one of the greatest strengths of this journey.
A hike of around 18 km takes you to Kel Suu, while shorter hikes at Konorchek and Song Kul keep the programme varied. You also spend a day horse riding towards Panda Pass, with an optional additional horseback ride at Song Kul. Each evening, you return to a guesthouse, hotel or yurt camp, so you do not need to carry camping equipment or trek for several consecutive days. The 4 nights in locally run yurt camps also offer a closer look at Kyrgyz hospitality, food and life in the remote mountain regions.
The group is limited to 10 travellers. The tour is led by a professionally trained, English-speaking local guide arranged by my trusted local partner Emir from E2 Travel, with support from experienced drivers, local horsemen and family-run yurt camps. This makes arranging border permits, travelling along remote mountain roads and reaching places that are challenging to visit independently much easier, while keeping the experience personal.
Why Travel with Journal of Nomads
I first arrived in Kyrgyzstan in 2017 while hitchhiking from Europe to Asia. What was meant to be a short visit turned into nearly a year of living and travelling around the country. Since then, I have kept returning to its mountains and remote valleys, building friendships and learning how different the reality of travel here can be from what appears on a map.
I have been organising tours in Kyrgyzstan since 2018. The routes are shaped by places I know personally, feedback from previous travellers and the practical knowledge of local teams. I want these journeys to feel adventurous and genuine while also being honest about long distances, high altitude and the modest accommodation found in remote areas.
This adventure is organised together with Emir from E2 Travel, one of my trusted local partners in Kyrgyzstan with whom I’ve been working since 2022. Emir coordinates his personally trained English-speaking guide, drivers, accommodation and local teams along the route. Working directly with local guides, horsemen and family-run camps also helps ensure that a meaningful part of the tour price stays with the communities you visit.
Journal of Nomads is not a large anonymous tour operator. I remain your personal point of contact before, during and after the journey, help you prepare and work directly with Emir on the programme. The spirit of the tour is rooted in places and experiences that genuinely made me fall in love with Kyrgyzstan.
Is this tour for you?
This journey is designed for active and open-minded travellers who want to experience Kyrgyzstan beyond its most accessible highlights. Previous Journal of Nomads groups have included solo travellers, couples and friends of different ages and nationalities. This tour is a good match if you:
- enjoy combining hiking, horse riding, mountain landscapes and cultural encounters
- have enough fitness for a hike of up to 18 kilometres at elevations above 3,000 metres
- are comfortable spending several hours on horseback on mountain terrain
- can manage long and sometimes bumpy drives on remote roads
- do not mind shared rooms and yurts, outdoor toilets and limited shower facilities
- enjoy travelling in a small international group
- understand that mountain weather, road conditions can require itinerary changes
- are looking for a genuine adventure rather than a relaxed sightseeing holiday.
Kel Suu lies at around 3,500 metres and the horse riding route towards Panda Pass reaches 4,100 metres. You don’t need previous horse riding experience but a good general fitness and an adventurous mindset are essential.
This tour may not be the right choice if you require private accommodation every night, hot showers and reliable Wi-Fi throughout, or a relaxed itinerary with little physical activity. If you enjoy active days, varied landscapes and travelling with an open mind, it offers a memorable introduction to Kyrgyzstan.
8-day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek and guided city tour, overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Bishkek – hike in Konorchek Canyon (8km) – Naryn, overnight in guesthouse.
Day 3: Naryn – Kok Kiya Valley, overnight in yurt camp.
Day 4: Hike to Kel Suu (18km) – return to Naryn, overnight in guesthouse.
Day 5: Naryn – Tash Rabat – horseback trip to Panda Pass (24km) – Tash Rabat, overnight in yurt camp.
Day 6: Tash Rabat – Song Kul, overnight in yurt camp.
Day 7: Full day at Song Kul with a hike or optional horseback ride, overnight in yurt camp.
Day 8: Song Kul – Bishkek, the tour finishes in the early evening (no lodging included).
Note: This itinerary can be modified in case of weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
DAY 1: Arrival in Bishkek and guided city tour
Welcome to Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan! Your adventure begins at 2 pm as you meet the group at the hotel and set out to explore the highlights of Bishkek, a lively capital surrounded by mountains. The city tour includes Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, the Gallery of Artists, the Old Square, and the White House, a mix of Soviet-era architecture, leafy boulevards, and open-air art.
The evening is free, so you can choose to join the group for dinner at a restaurant in the city or enjoy a quiet evening and relax after your journey.
Note: Regular hotel check-in begins at 2 pm. If your flight arrives early and you would like immediate access to your room, you can request an additional night or early check-in at an extra cost, subject to availability.
Meals included: none.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-fi, hot shower
Day 2: Bishkek to Konorchek Canyon and Naryn
After breakfast, you leave Bishkek and drive for around 2,5 hours to the trail leading into Konorchek Canyon. An 8 km return walk through the canyon reveals sculpted red sandstone walls and dry, open scenery that contrasts sharply with the alpine landscapes later in the journey.
After the hike and an included lunch, you continue the 3-hour drive to Naryn, a regional town surrounded by mountains. You check into the guesthouse and have the evening free. Dinner is deliberately not included, allowing you to select your own meal at a restaurant in town.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-fi, hot shower
DAY 3: Naryn to the Kok Kiya Valley
Today you travel deeper into southern Naryn Province towards the Kok Kiya Valley, close to the Chinese border. While it’s a 6-hour car journey, it doesn’t get boring. The road passes scenic high mountain landscapes, winding rivers and broad valleys, with stops for photographs and lunch along the way.
Border permits are required to enter the Kel Suu region, and your guide will assist with the checkpoints along the route. By late afternoon or early evening, you arrive at the yurt camp in the Kok Kiya Valley, located at an elevation of 3,200 meters, and settle into your shared yurt. There is free time to explore the area by hiking or to relax after today’s drive. Dinner is prepared at the camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt in yurt camp.
Facilities: Outdoor toilets
DAY 4: Hike to Kel Suu and Return to Naryn
After breakfast, you set out on foot through the Kok Kiya Valley towards Kel Suu. The total hiking distance is 18km (9km one-way) with an elevation of around 300 meters. The trail crosses open high-altitude terrain and gradually reveals the lake’s dramatic setting between steep mountain cliffs.
Kel Suu lies at 3,500 metres and is known for its changing water levels. Depending on the season and natural conditions, the lake may look very different from published photographs. When water levels allow, local boat trips may be offered at an additional cost.
You have time to eat lunch, walk along the shore and take in the scenery before returning to the yurt camp. In the afternoon, you travel back to Naryn and check into the guesthouse. Dinner is not included, giving you another opportunity to choose your own meal.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-fi, hot shower
Day 5: Naryn to Tash Rabat and Horseback Trip towards Panda Pass
You leave Naryn early and go on the 2-hour drive towards Tash Rabat, an isolated valley once used by travellers following branches of the Silk Road. The area’s best-known landmark is its stone caravanserai, built as a place of shelter for merchants, animals and other travellers crossing the mountains.
After arriving in the valley, you meet the local horsemen and receive a safety briefing before setting out on horseback towards Panda Pass. The 12 km (one-way) route climbs through expansive mountain terrain and, when weather and trail conditions permit, offers views towards Chatyr Kul. Panda Pass reaches approximately 4,100 metres, making this one of the most demanding and memorable days of the journey.
You return to the yurt camp for dinner and an overnight stay beneath the surrounding mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Outdoor toilets.
Day 6: Tash Rabat to Song Kul
After breakfast, you visit the historical complex of Tash Rabat, a 15th century stone caravanserai that used to function as a ‘roadside inn’ for the people and their animals who used to travel along the ancient Silk Road.
You leave Tash Rabat and travel north towards Song Kul. The 6-hour scenic drive crosses wide valleys and high mountain roads before reaching the lake at approximately 3,016 metres.
Song Kul is surrounded by open summer pastures where local families graze horses, sheep and cattle. After arriving at the yurt camp, you settle in and have time for a gentle walk, photography, swim, or rest after the drive. Dinner is served at the camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Outdoor toilets
Day 7: Full Day at Song Kul
Today is deliberately slower, giving you time to experience Song Kul beyond a brief overnight stop. Your guide leads a walk through the surrounding hills or along the lakeshore, with the exact route adapted to the weather, ground conditions and interests of the group.
An optional horseback ride can be arranged locally at an additional cost. You can also spend time around the yurt camp, go for a swim in the lake, watch daily life on the jailoo and enjoy the enormous skies and changing light around the lake.
You spend a second night at Song Kul, with all meals included.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Limited wi-fi & electricity, hot shower might be available, depending on conditions, outdoor toilets
Day 8: Song Kul to Bishkek
After an early breakfast, you leave Song Kul and begin the 6-hour return journey to Bishkek, which includes a lunch stop.
Arrival in Bishkek is planned for the late afternoon, around 17h, depending on road and weather conditions. Travellers who wish to can join an optional farewell dinner afterwards.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.
Avoid scheduling an early or tightly timed flight on the final day. The earliest departure time should be around 10 pm. Mountain roads and traffic can delay the planned arrival, and an additional night in Bishkek is a safe option before an international departure. We can help organizing your accommodation in Bishkek if needed.
TOur Costs
Price for the 8-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour:
- 5 to 6 people: €1850 per person
- 7 to 10 people: €1650 per person
Departure is guaranteed from 5 people on and the final price is based on the number of confirmed travellers
What’s included in this price?
- Private transport with an experienced local driver throughout the tour
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary. In Bishkek and Naryn, travellers stay in twin or triple rooms in a hotel or guesthouse. At Kok Kiya, Tash Rabat and Song Kul, accommodation is in yurts, shared between 4 to 6 people. A single room is only possible at Bishkek and can be requested for an additional cost but availability can’t be guaranteed.
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All activities and entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary
- One horse per person for the horse riding trip to Panda Pass
- Experienced local horsemen accompanying the group for extra safety
- Experienced English-speaking tour leader
- Border permits for the Kel Suu lake area
Kel Suu is located near the Chinese border and there are military checkpoints on the road to the lake. Anyone who wants to go there needs a border permit. To arrange these border permits for you, we’ll ask a copy of your passport when you finalize your booking.
What’s not included in this price?
- International flights to and from Bishkek
- Airport transfer (you’ll receive detailed info on how to arrange transfers)
- Accommodation on Day 8 in Bishkek (you’ll receive recommendations upon booking)
- Visa fees if applicable (Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for most EU and other countries). Check this link to see if you can visit the country without having to obtain a visa.
- Medical or travel insurance (mandatory to join our trip). I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI backpacker if you want a good insurance provider (in case you don’t have one yet).
- Dinner on day 1, 2 and 4 (we want to leave you the option to choose your own meal those evenings)
- Single room in Bishkek. Can be requested for an additional cost, depending on availability
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water
- Activities not specifically mentioned as included, such as horse riding at Song Kul lake
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
FAQ: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW about THe 8-day Kyrgyzstan Tour
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Booking & Cancellation
Confirm your participation with a deposit of €350 per person.
Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.
As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. Your booking is only confirmed once the deposit has been paid.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (fees might apply) at the latest three weeks before the start of the trip.
If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you can’t join this tour, we’ll refund your deposit – minus €100 administrative costs – if you cancel at the latest 3 months before the start date of the tour.
In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (pandemic, political reasons, natural disasters,…), you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs). We’re not responsible for and therefore don’t refund any flight cancellations and/or flight expenses.
Reviews Journal of Nomads Tours in partnership with E2 Travel
Below are reviews from travelers who joined previous Journal of Nomads tours in partnership with E2 Travel. You can also find them on Google Reviews.
I was happy with all the events and activities we attended, including the felt-making workshop. I must admit that it was not something I was particularly looking forward to beforehand, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it and was very happy to have taken part.
Our guides were local people-and cheers to working with locals! They were such a kind, welcoming and accommodating team. They made our group feel completely at ease, and what a group we were! We often sang together, and there was a happy and fun atmosphere throughout the entire tour. Although we came from different countries and backgrounds, we all got along wonderfully and shared so many great moments.
The accommodation exceeded my expectations, which I was obviously very happy about.
The World Nomad Games are a truly unique spectacle that everyone interested in culture, sportsmanship and history should experience at least once. They were definitely one of the highlights of the tour. The opening ceremony was probably one of the most beautiful events I have ever witnessed.
Kyrgyzstan means raw nature, immense landscapes, countless mountains, wild horses, gentle animals and kind people.
I cannot emphasise enough how happy I am that I joined this tour. Thank you, Cynthia, and the entire wonderful team in Kyrgyzstan-you guys rock!”
Planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan can feel overwhelming, but from the very beginning, Cynthia was incredibly helpful, accommodating, and kind. She made the whole process so easy and worked with us to include everything we wanted to see, while putting together the best possible itinerary.
We honestly weren’t sure what to expect from Kyrgyzstan, but every experience completely exceeded our expectations. From the beautiful scenery to the accommodation and the wonderful guides, everything was fantastic.
Cynthia was always quick to respond to every question I had, and she did so with so much patience and kindness. You can really tell how much care goes into creating these experiences.
I would absolutely recommend these tours to anyone visiting Kyrgyzstan. We had an unforgettable trip and couldn’t have asked for a better experience!”
In Kazakhstan, Bakhtiar-also known as Bruce-made every day really enjoyable. He was a wonderful guide and such a great person to travel with. We were genuinely sad to say goodbye to him after four days.
The Ala Kul trek was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. The scenery speaks for itself, but sharing it with like-minded travellers made it even more special. We were guided by hardworking local people who kept us safe, well-fed and supported throughout the trek.
Thank you to Cynthia, Emir and everyone else in Central Asia who helped make this such an amazing experience.”
Although every day had a plan, the journey never felt overly touristy. There was enough flexibility to make sure we had the best possible experience.
Emir is incredibly knowledgeable and personable, and he made everyone feel welcome. He also has a great sense of humour. He and the driver made the perfect team, which is especially important when travelling through Kyrgyzstan.
I learned so much and got even more out of the trip than I had hoped for. I would recommend Emir to anyone. Thank you, Emir!”
Travelling through both countries with such exceptional guides made the experience particularly memorable. Our time in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan could not have been better, and I would highly recommend this tour.”
The landscapes were spectacular, and the horse-riding experience was highly memorable—although we did bring home some sore bottoms as souvenirs! What really made the journey an all-time favourite, however, was the hospitality of our hosts and the excellence of our guides.
They looked after us incredibly well and were always ready to help. They made the entire journey as enjoyable and fun as possible. They were also wonderful with our boys, from playful horseback wrestling and fun riding to jokes and fascinating conversations.
By the end of the trip, it felt as though we were saying goodbye to good friends.
A special mention must go to Goga, who is a real asset to the team and a first-class tour leader. We will recommend this trip to everyone and hope to return one day.”
On the first day, they took us on an additional excursion to Kol Tor Lake. It was beautiful and virtually free of tourists, so we enjoyed some peaceful time beside the lake by ourselves. Later, local people invited us to try fermented horse milk and offered us some sweets, which became a lovely spontaneous cultural experience.
We stayed at a wonderful yurt camp situated away from the busier part of the Kok Kiya Valley. It gave us the special feeling that we were almost alone in this immense landscape.
The following day, we enjoyed a relaxed hike to Kel Suu Lake. We had plenty of time to take in the beautiful views and enjoy lunch near the lake.
I would recommend this experience to anyone travelling to Kyrgyzstan.”
We had a fantastic guide arranged by Emir who was incredibly likeable, sociable and funny. We saw so much, and he brought us to some truly beautiful places. It was the ultimate way to discover Kyrgyzstan.
We also had an amazing driver who not only drove extremely well but was wonderful company throughout the journey.
I’m very grateful for this experience and for the lovely group with whom I got to share it.”
The tour was well planned, and Emir could not have been friendlier or more knowledgeable. His calm and professional approach helped everything run smoothly despite the busy circumstances.
I would highly recommend him for any tour of Kyrgyzstan.”
The food and accommodation were great, and we got to see so many beautiful highlights of Kyrgyzstan. We also experienced the incredible spectacle of the World Nomad Games, which made the journey even more special.
I can’t wait to return to this amazing country!”
The horses used during the riding tour appeared well cared for and well trained. They were also suitable for beginners without previous horse-riding experience. The surroundings were beautiful, and I would happily recommend the tour.
Afterwards, we joined another tour to Kel Suu, including the necessary transfers.
Communication with Cynthia was excellent, and she was consistently helpful. This was particularly reassuring and appreciated as a solo traveller.”
I normally travel solo and was therefore slightly nervous about joining an organised tour. However, it turned out to be a wonderful first group-tour experience.
The itinerary would have been very difficult, if not impossible, for me to organise and complete independently. I really appreciated having everything arranged while never feeling as though I was taking part in a typical package tour. We encountered very few other travellers in most of the places we visited.
I would recommend this journey to experienced travellers who are comfortable occasionally staying in simple accommodation and who appreciate the opportunity to experience local life.”
Our driver was very experienced with the difficult off-road sections. His careful driving meant that we felt comfortable and safe throughout the entire journey. It was an excellent experience.”
Communication before the tour was also clear and helpful. Everything had been arranged properly, allowing us to concentrate fully on the trek and enjoy the mountain experience.
I loved it.”
The programme was active without feeling overwhelming, and the journey introduced us to an impressive variety of places in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Please don’t think about it for too long-book the trip and go!”
The mountain landscapes were spectacular, and the trek offered a challenging but incredibly rewarding way to experience this part of Kyrgyzstan.
Our guide Joomart was fantastic and made the journey even more enjoyable. We had a wonderful time with him throughout the trek.”
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
- 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour to Song Kul, Issyk Kul and Ala Kul
- 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour
- 10-day Best of Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour
- 10-day Kyrgyzstan Horse Riding Adventure
- 12-day Kyrgyzstan Trekking Adventure
☛ Are you looking for a private guided tour with your partner, family and/or friends?
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