10-DAY KYRGYZSTAN ADVENTURE TOUR to Son Kul, Issyk Kul and Ala Kul
Join this 10-day small-group Kyrgyzstan adventure tour and experience the country’s most spectacular alpine landscapes, nomadic culture, and outdoor adventures!
From horseback riding in Chon Kemin and yurt stays at Song Kul Lake and swimming in Issyk Kul to trekking to Ala Kul Lake and sleeping in traditional yurts, this guided Kyrgyzstan tour combines hiking, culture and authentic local experiences into one unforgettable journey across Central Asia.
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
10-DAY KYRGYZSTAN ADVENTURE TOUR DATES 2026:
July 4th – July 13th (bookings closed!)
August 3rd – August 12th (sold out!)
September 4th – September 13th (sold out!)
Price: €1600 per person
Would you like to join this adventure in 2027? Click on the button below and be among the first to receive the new tour dates and booking details!
Why travel with Journal of Nomads to Kyrgyzstan
The 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour is not your typical group tour. The itinerary is based on years of firsthand travel experience and designed for travelers who want to experience some of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular highlights in a more adventurous and authentic way.
I first arrived in Kyrgyzstan in 2017 while hitchhiking from Europe to Asia and immediately fell in love with the country’s dramatic mountain landscapes, alpine lakes and nomadic culture. What was meant to be a short visit turned into nearly a year of living and traveling across Kyrgyzstan. Since then, I’ve returned many times to continue exploring remote valleys, mountain passes and hidden corners of the country.
I’ve been organizing tours in Kyrgyzstan since 2018, long before the country started appearing on most travelers’ radar. Over the years, these tours have been carefully crafted, tested, and refined through personal experience and feedback from hundreds of travelers to create itineraries that balance adventure, culture, nature and comfort in the best possible way.
Together with my good friend Aleksei from Kyrgyz Nomad, I created this Kyrgyzstan adventure tour based on my own experiences, favorite places and meaningful local encounters. We work closely with experienced local guides, drivers and small family-run businesses to support local communities and create authentic travel experiences.
From sleeping in yurts beside Song Kul Lake to meeting the Eagle Hunters and exploring the stunning landscapes around Issyk Kul and hiking through the alpine scenery of Ala Kul, this tour combines some of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic experiences with cultural encounters and unforgettable mountain adventures.
REVIEWS: What travelers say about the Kyrgyzstan AdventurE TOur
Such a lovely group of people, and it was amazing how the different ages and backgrounds just melded together! Maybe it is people of a certain outlook, but it worked really well! I loved everything about it, from my first time riding a horse, to the incredible detail we were treated to by the Eagle hunter, and the lovely welcome of the folk singing family, and last but not least the hiking and camping. The yurt nights were lovely and warm. Thanks to you, Alexei and all his team, the family at Son Kul, the people at Issyk kul, and the family at the Karakol guest house, and basically everyone who made the holiday such a success.
This was the most adventoures and remote trip I have taken even though I did go further than Kyrgyzstan before, but little to no crowds, no cities for hours while riding in the van, no connection in some places all gave a special feeling of wildernes and adventure that you can’t get in most places when traveling.
I believe most of my friends would love this tour, all outdoor people would gladely come and enjoy Kyrgyzstan with Journal of Nomads.
Remote, adventures, fun, nature friendly😊
Tour Overview: What to expect on the 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour?
- When:
- July 4th – July 13th, 2026
- August 3rd – August 12th, 2026
- September 4th – August 13th, 2026
All tours are guided by a local English-speaking guide from Kyrgyz Nomad
- Start & Finish: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Transport: Minivan
- Lodging: Yurt camps, guesthouse, tent
- Maximum group size: 12 people
- Who can join: The 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour is suitable for adventurous and physically fit travelers between 18 and 65 years old. The participants are usually solo travelers, friends, and/or couples. Families are also welcome provided that the children are at least 14 years old and already have hiking experience. For the well-being of the horses, we kindly ask that travelers do not exceed a weight limit of 95 kg.
The 10- day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour is an adventure trip focused on nature and outdoor activities in mountaineous locations. This tour is for you if:
- you love spending time in nature and don’t mind camping in tents, sleeping in shared spaces in yurts, using outdoor toilets, not having a hot shower or internet for a few days in a row
- you like (or want to experience) a balance between being active and relaxing in a natural environment
- you are physically fit enough to ascend steep hills of +1000 meters, across rough mountaineous terrain and above altitudes of 3000 meters. The maximum hiking distance in one day is 16 km. We strongly recommend you do endurance training in advance!
- you like (to try out) horse riding (no experience needed!)
- you enjoy traveling in a small group and you also enjoy free time to go explore by yourself (without a guide)
- you are open-minded and comfortable with unexpected events that an adventure trip might bring
During the 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour, you’ll go on a horse riding trip in Chon Kemin Valley, a stunning alpine region of lush meadows, dense forests, and traditional villages. You also visit Son Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest alpine lake, where you’ll spend the night in a yurt camp.
You’ll also visit Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s largest alpine lake, where you can go for a swim and spend the night in a yurt camp on the shores of the lake. You’ll also get to see an eagle hunting demonstration and visit Kyrgyz folk musicians at their home.
Then the second part of the tour starts: a 4-day hiking and camping trip in the Karakol Valley with Ala Kul Lake as the main highlight.
You’ll hike along the Karakol river to the stunning Karakol valley where you’ll be camping in tents for 3 nights. From this “basecamp”, you’ll go on a couple of day hikes to the viewpoint of the Karakol Peak and Glacier and all the way up to the gorgeous mountain lake of Ala Kul, located at 3500 meters altitude and known for its ever-changing watercolors.
Aside from the planned activities, there will also be free time to go on your own explorations at every destination you’ll visit on this Kyrgyzstan adventure tour.
This Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour will be a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of a truly magnificent country, one of my favorite destinations in the world!
10-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
- Day 2: Bishkek – Horse riding in Chon Kemin
- Day 3: Chon Kemin – Son Kul
- Day 4: Son Kul – Issyk Kul
- Day 5: Issyk Kul – Karakol
- Day 6: Hike to Karakol Valley (10km)
- Day 7: Hike to viewpoint Karakol Peak and Glacier (14km)
- Day 8: Hike to Ala Kul Lake (16km)
- Day 9: Hike (10km) and return to Karakol
- Day 10: Return to Bishkek
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
Welcome to Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan! Most international flights arrive in the very early morning so today you can take the time to arrive, rest and/or explore Bishkek.
The Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour officially begins at 6 pm with a welcome meeting at a local restaurant where you’ll be introduced to the group and the team. There will be a briefing about the tour and room for questions while enjoying our first dinner together with the group.
- Meals included: Dinner.
- Accommodation: Not included. Options for every budget will be provided upon booking.
Day 2: Bishkek to Chon Kemin Valley
We meet up at 10 am at Ala Too Square, the central square of Bishkek. We pack our belongings in the van and start the 3-hour drive to Chon Kemin Valley (1400m altitude), a stunning alpine region of lush meadows, dense forests, and traditional villages.
In the afternoon, we’ll saddle up for a couple of hours of horse riding through the valley, where rolling green meadows, dense pine forests, and snow-capped peaks create the perfect backdrop. Guided by local horsemen, you’ll ride at a relaxed pace, enjoying the fresh mountain air and sweeping views, while connecting with the centuries-old Kyrgyz tradition of exploring these landscapes on horseback.
Meals included: Dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-fi, hot shower
DAY 3: Chon Kemin – SON KUL LAKE
After having breakfast at the guesthouse, we’ll leave the lush landscapes of Chon Kemin Valley behind and make our way toward the high-altitude pastures of Son Kul Lake, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most breathtaking alpine lakes.
The 4-hour journey takes us along winding mountain roads, through dramatic gorges, and across wide-open steppe, offering ever-changing views of the Kyrgyz countryside. As we ascend to over 3,000 meters, the scenery opens up into a vast plateau where herds of horses and sheep graze freely, giving you a glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle that still thrives here.
Upon arrival at Song Kul, we’ll have lunch at our yurt camp and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the pristine surroundings on foot. Wander along the lake’s shimmering shores, watch golden light reflect off the mountains, and take in the peaceful silence of this remote haven.
In the evening, we’ll share a hearty meal prepared by local families, and fall asleep under a sky filled with countless stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the lake).
Day 4: Son Kul Lake – issyk Kul Lake
After having breakfast in the yurt camp at Son Kul lake, we get in the van and continue the trip to our next destination: Kaji-Say, a small town on the southern shore of Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s largest alpine lake.
Issyk-Kul translates as “warm lake” in the Kyrgyz language because it never freezes, despite the cold temperatures in the region during winter. You’ll have time in the afternoon to explore the area and/or go for a swim in the lake before enjoying dinner in the yurt camp on the shores of the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Warm shower, outdoor toilets, wi-fi.
Day 5: Eagle Hunting Demonstration – Folk Music performance – Barskoon Waterfall – Karakol
After breakfast and a morning swim in the lake, we go on a short drive to meet one of the few remaining Golden Eagle Hunters in Kyrgyzstan. He’ll give us a demonstration on how he trains his eagles.
Hunting with eagles is an ancient tradition amongst the nomadic people of Central Asia. Nowadays, there are only a few people left in Kyrgyzstan who practice this art.
After the eagle hunting demonstration, we visit a family of Kyrgyz Folk musicians at their home where we learn more about the traditional music in Kyrgyzstan and enjoy a small musical performance.
After enjoying the music, we continue our little road trip to the Barskoon Gorge, where we visit a stunning waterfall in the forest.
We get back in the car and finish our trip in the town of Karakol, where we spend the night in a guest house.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in Karakol guesthouse.
Facilities: Hot shower, western-style toilets, wifi.
Day 6: Start of the 4-day hiking and camping trip: hike to Karakol Valley
Hiking distance: 10km Hiking time: 4 hours Ascent: 450m
We have breakfast in the guesthouse and get everything prepared for the hiking trek. Once we’re ready, we leave the guesthouse in the late morning and drive to the Karakol gorge. This is the starting point of our 4-day hiking & camping trip in the Karakol Valley.
We start the trip with a short and easy hike of 10km along the raging Karakol river in the Karakol Valley. Today’s hike is great introduction to the area and we get treated to some amazing views of the distinct landscapes.
We set up our basecamp near one of the river banks where we’ll camp for the coming 3 nights. There will be free time to relax or explore the surrounding valley. We enjoy dinner made by our cook before we sleep for the first night under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.
Facilities: None (you can refresh yourself in the river).
Day 7: Hike to the viewpoint of Karakol peak and glacier
Hiking distance: 14 km Hiking time: 6 hours Ascent: +800m Descent: -800m
Today we’re going to hike to the viewpoint of Karakol Peak and Glacier (3200m). After having breakfast at the camp, we grab our daypacks and start hiking further down the Karakol Valley. From there, we hike through the forest and gradually make the ascent towards Karakol Peak.
The last part of the hike is quite steep (and a good training for the upcoming hike to Ala Kul lake) but once we reach the viewpoint, we’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Karakol Glacier and the towering Karakol Peak behind it.
After we enjoyed our lunch-with-a-view, we descend the 7-km long trail back to our basecamp in the Karakol Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.
Facilities: None (you can refresh yourself in the river).
Day 8: HIKe to ALA KUL LAKE
Trekking distance: 16 km Hiking time: 7-8 hours Ascent: +1100m Descent: -1100m
We start the day with a good breakfast before making the 1100 meter long ascent to Ala-Kul lake (3500m). The distance of 8km might not sound very long, but it will be physically challenging as we’ll have to hike up a steep hill for hours in a row. Don’t forget to stop along the way to catch your breath and enjoy the magnificent views!
Once we reach the lake that locals refer to as the ‘pristine diamond of the Karakol Canyon’, we continue hiking for a bit before reaching a panoramic viewpoint above the shores of the lake.
We have a well-deserved rest and lunch while enjoying the view over the lake and its ever-changing colors. The water changes hourly from azure to violet, depending on the weather conditions.
After we enjoyed our lunch-with-a-view, we descent back to our basecamp in the Karakol Valley where we camp one last night in the great outdoors of Kyrgyzstan.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.
Facilities: None.
Day 9: Return to Karakol
Hiking distance: 10km Hiking time: 4 hours Descent: 450m
This is the last day of our camping trip in the Karakol Valley! After our breakfast, we break up camp and pack everything up. We enjoy our last hours in nature while hiking 10 km along the Karakol river back to the pick-up point where our driver awaits us to drive us back to Karakol in the afternoon.
We return to the same guesthouse in Karakol where we take a much-earned hot shower and get ready for a last dinner with the group.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in Karakol guesthouse.
Facilities: Hot shower, western-style toilets, wi-fi.
Day 10: Return to Bishkek.
We have our last breakfast together before we head back around 9 am to Bishkek. Today will be a long day of driving (around 8 hours)!
We take a lunch break on the shores of lake Issyk-Kul during which we can go for a last swim in the lake.
When we arrive in Bishkek, we’ll drop off everyone at a central location in the city center where we can easily park the van and unload the luggage. If needed, we’ll call a taxi for you so you can easily get to your hostel or hotel.
This is the moment where the tour is finished! There’s an optional dinner to say goodbye to our amazing group of friends!
Meals included: Breakfast.
Note: This tour itinerary can be modified due to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
FAQs: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW about THe Kyrgyzstan Adventure tour
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
TOur Costs
Price for the 10-day Adventure Tour: €1600 per person
What’s included in this price?
- Private transportation with experienced driver
- English-speaking tour leader
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary (shared sleeping spaces)
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary
- 1 horse per person for the horseback trek
- Experienced horsemen who assist during the horseback trek
- Cook and assistant guides during the 4 days of caming and hiking in Karakol Valley
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 in Bishkek (you’ll receive recommendations upon booking)
- Visa fees (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).
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary (there will be opportunities to buy snacks in local supermarkets)
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Camping material: tent, sleeping bag, camping mattress (can be rented at an additional price of €40)
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. You have 48 hours to pay the deposit. If not, I have to cancel your participation and reserve the place for the next person who books.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash or by Visa card on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (additional 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.
Don’t hesitate and join now! It will be an unforgettable and beautiful adventure!
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- 12-day Kyrgyzstan Trekking Adventure
☛ Are you looking for a private guided tour with your partner, family and/or friends?
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