14-DAY Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour
Visit the best places of Kyrgyzstan during the 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour! Join this adventure tour and explore the following remote places on foot or on horseback: Chon Kemin, Son Kul, Kel Suu, Tash Rabat, Panda Pass, Issyk Kul and Ala Kul!
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
14-DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF KYRGYZSTAN TOUR DATES 2026
July 18th – July 31st (sold out!)
August 16th – August 29th (sold out!)
Price: €2000 per person
Why travel with journal of Nomads to Kyrgyzstan?
The 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour is not your typical group tour. The itinerary is based on years of firsthand travel experience and designed as the ultimate introduction to Kyrgyzstan for first-time travelers who want to experience the country
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 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.
REVIEWS: What travelers say about the Highlights of Kyrgyzstan AdventurE
Tour Overview: What to expect on the Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour?
- When:
- July 18th – July 31st, 2026
- August 16th – August 29th, 2026
All tours are guided by a local English-speaking guide from Kyrgyz Nomad
- Start & Finish: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Transport: minivan
- Housing and lodging: Yurt camps, guesthouse, tent
- Maximum group size: 10 people
- Who can join: The 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour is suitable for adventurous and physically fit travelers aged 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 Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour is a combination of the 9-day Kyrgyzstan Overlanding Adventure and the 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour.
It’s an adventurous road trip that is focused on nature and outdoor activities in remote 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 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 mountainous 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 don’t mind long – but very scenic! – driving days as it’s the only way to get from one remote place to the other
- you are open-minded and comfortable with unexpected events that an adventure trip might bring
Together with a small group, you’ll travel to remote mountainous destinations in Kyrgyzstan that are otherwise hard to reach without an experienced local driver.
You’re going on a horseback trek 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 visit the remote Kok Kiya Valley and go on a day hike to Kel Suu Lake, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular mountain lakes in the Kyrgyz Republic.
You’ll also visit Tash Rabat, a 600-year-old caravanserai where travelers used to take a break during their journey along the old Silk Road.
From there, you’ll go on a one-day horseback trip to the Panda Pass, a 4100-meter high mountain pass from where you’ll get a magnificent panoramic view over Chatyr Kul lake. In Kyrgyz, it translates as “Celestial Lake” – the name says it all!
Son Kul, Kel Suu and Chatyr-Kul aren’t the only stunning lakes you’ll get to see during this trip!
You’ll also spend the night in a yurt camp on the shores of Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s largest alpine lake and attend an eagle hunting demonstration and a traditional music performance.
We’re saving the best for last: 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. 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.
It’ll be an unforgettable trip and a unique opportunity for you to discover the beauty of a truly magnificent country (which is one of my favorite destinations in the world)!
14-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
- Day 2: Bishkek – Horse riding in Chon Kemin
- Day 3: Chon Kemin – Son Kul Lake
- Day 4: Son Kul – Kok Kiya Valley
- Day 5: Day Hike to Kel Suu Lake
- Day 6: Kok Kiya Valley – Tash Rabat
- Day 7: Horse Riding to Panda Pass
- Day 8: Tash Rabat – Issyk Kul Lake
- Day 9: Issyk Kul – Karakol
- Day 10: Hike to Karakol Valley (10km)
- Day 11: Hike to viewpoint Karakol Peak and Glacier (14km)
- Day 12: Hike to Ala Kul Lake (16km)
- Day 13: Hike (10km) and return to Karakol
- Day 14: 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 Highlights of Kyrgyzstan 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 – 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 – NARYN – KOK KIYA VALLEY
After an early breakfast, we say goodbye to Son Kul lake and continue our journey through Kyrgyzstan. Today will be an 8-hour scenic driving day.
We first drive to Naryn where we have a brief stop at a local supermarket to buy some snacks for the coming days. Then we hit the road again and drive all the way to the Kok-Kiya Valley, an area near the border with China.
Along the way, we get treated to some spectacular views over the At-Bashi range and the Eki-Naryn Canyon.
We arrive in the valley in the early evening. After stretching our legs from the long car ride, we make it ourselves comfortable at a local yurt camp. There will be some time to explore our new surroundings before having dinner at the camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets.
Day 5: Day hike to Kel Suu Lake
After having breakfast in the yurt camp, we go on a day hike (18km in total) to Kel Suu Lake.
This lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful and unique alpine lakes, located at 3500 meters altitude. It looks like a winding canyon and was formed years ago by a strong earthquake. The lake is surrounded by towering cliffs that have numerous caves and alcoves to explore.
You can rent a boat from local shepherds and/or explore the area on foot. You could also go for a swim, however, the water is very cold (around 6ºC) and the lake is 5 to 10 meters deep so it can be dangerous.
After having a picnic at the lake, we hike back to the yurt camp in the Kok Kiya Valley, where we spend another evening in a shared yurt.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets.
Day 6: Kok kiya – Tash Rabat
Today is another driving day on the overlanding tour. After having breakfast, we pack up our belongings and leave the Kok Kiya Valley for a 7-hour drive to Tash Rabat.
We arrive in Tash Rabat in the late afternoon where we spend the night in a yurt camp and enjoy a lovely dinner from the Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared Yurt.
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the nearby river).
day 7: horseback trip to panda pass
Today we go on a horseback trip (24km, 7 hours in total) through the Tash Rabat Valley, all the way up to the Panda Pass.
Panda Pass is a beautiful 4100-meter panoramic pass that gives spectacular views over the Ak Sai Valley and Chatyr Kul lake.
Chatyr Kul is one of Kyrgyzstan’s largest and deepest lakes and is frozen most of the year due to its location between glaciers.
After enjoying the views and a nice picnic in one of the surrounding valleys, we return to our yurt camp near Tash Rabat where we spend one final evening in a yurt.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Shared Yurt
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the nearby river).
Day 8: Tash Rabat – Issyk Kul Lake
We start the day with a nice breakfast at the yurt camp. Then we 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.
Then we get ready for 6-hour drive 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 get time to 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 9: 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 among 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 beautiful 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 10: 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. 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 11: 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 to the viewpoint 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 hike 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 12: 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.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.
Facilities: None.
Day 13: 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 pack up our camp and 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.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch snacks, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in Karakol guesthouse.
Facilities: Hot shower, western-style toilets, wi-fi.
Day 14: Return to Bishkek.
We have our last breakfast together before we head back around 10am to Bishkek. Today will be a long day of driving (around 7 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 14-day Highlights of Kyrgyzstan Tour: €2000 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
- Border permits for the Kel Suu lake area
- 1 horse per person during the 2 horse riding treks
- Experienced horsemen who guide us during the horse riding days
- Cook and assistant guides during the 4 days of caming and hiking in Karakol Valley
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 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!
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
- 9-day Kyrgyzstan Overland Adventure to Son Kul, Kel Suu and Tash Rabat
- 10-day Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour to Son Kul, Issyk Kul and Ala Kul
- 10-day Kyrgyzstan Horse Riding Adventure
- 10-day Best of Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tour
- 12-day Kyrgyzstan Trekking Adventure
☛ Are you looking for a private guided tour with your partner, family and/or friends?
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