Kyrgyzstan Trip: 9-day Overlanding Tour to Kel Suu, Tash Rabat and Son Kul
Join this 9-day Kyrgyzstan tour and travel deep into some of the country’s most remote and spectacular mountain landscapes. From horseback riding to Chon Kemin and Tash Rabat, to hiking to Kel Suu Lake and sleeping in traditional yurts at Song Kul lake, this small-group Kyrgyzstan tour combines overlanding, outdoor adventure and authentic nomadic culture into one unforgettable experience.
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
9-DAY KYRGYZSTAN OVERLANDING TOUR DATES 2026:
September 17th – September 25th (Still availability – book now!)
Price: €1500 per person
Why Travel With Journal of Nomads to Kyrgyzstan?
This 9-day Kyrgyzstan overland adventure is not your typical group tour. Designed from years of firsthand travel experience, this itinerary takes you far beyond the usual tourist trail into some of Kyrgyzstan’s most remote and spectacular mountain landscapes.
I first arrived in Kyrgyzstan in 2017 while hitchhiking from Europe to Asia and immediately fell in love with the country’s alpine lakes, nomadic culture and wild mountain scenery. 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 authentic adventures that balance nature, culture, adventure and comfort in the best possible way.
Together with my good friend Aleksei from Kyrgyz Nomad, I created this Kyrgyzstan overland 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 genuine travel experiences.
From hiking to the remote Kel Suu Lake and horseback riding and rafting at Chon Kemin to sleeping in traditional yurt camps at Song Kul Lake and exploring the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat, this overland adventure combines some of Kyrgyzstan’s most unforgettable experiences into one extraordinary journey across the mountains of Central Asia.
REVIEWS: What travelers say about the OVERLAND Kyrgyzstan Adventure
Tour Overview: What to expect on this Kyrgyzstan Trip?
- When:
- September 17th – September 25th, 2026
All tours are guided by a local English-speaking guide from Kyrgyz Nomad
- Start & Finish: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Transport: minivan
- Housing and lodging: Yurts & guesthouse
- Maximum group size: 10 people
- Who can join: The Kyrgyzstan Overlanding Adventure is suitable for adventurous and physically-fit travelers aged 18 and above. The participants are usually solo travelers, friends, and couples. Families are also welcome provided that the children are at least 12 years old and already have experience with going on adventurous trips. For the well-being of the horses, we kindly ask that travelers do not exceed a weight limit of 95 kg.
The Kyrgyzstan Overlanding Tour is 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 sleeping in shared spaces in yurts, using outdoor toilets, not having a hot shower or internet for nearly an entire week
- you are physically fit enough to enjoy day hikes up to 18km and try out other outdoor activities like horse riding and rafting (you are physically fit enough to enjoy day hikes up to 18km and try out other outdoor activities like horse riding and rafting (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 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’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 travel to 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. It’s located next to the western side of the Kolshaal-Too mountains, not far from the Chinese border.
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 4,000-meter high mountain pass from where you’ll have a magnificent panoramic view over Chatyr Kul lake. It translates as “Celestial Lake” in Kyrgyz – the name says it all!
And last but not least, you’ll also go on a rafting trip in the picturesque Chon Kemin Valley!
You’ll be staying 6 nights in various yurt camps located in stunning valleys across Kyrgyzstan.
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 Overlanding Tour will be an incredible adventure and a unique opportunity for you to discover the beauty of a truly magnificent country, one of my favorite destinations in the world!
9-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 – Kok Kiya Valley
- Day 5: Day Hike to Kel Suu
- Day 6: Kok Kiya Valley – Tash Rabat
- Day 7: Horse Riding to Panda Pass
- Day 8: Tash Rabat – Chon Kemin
- Day 9: Rafting – 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 Overland Tour officially begins at 6pm 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’ll be rewarded with 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 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 (5 to 6 hours, 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 hundreds of meters high cliffs that have numerous caves and alcoves.
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 eating our snacks 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 or 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 some optional explorations on foot in the surrounding area, 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 or electricity, outdoor toilets and no hot shower (you can refresh yourself in the nearby river).
Day 8: Tash Rabat – Chon Kemin
We start the day with a delicious 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.
After this visit, we get back in the car and continue our road trip back to Chon Kemin. It will be a last long day of driving (6 hours).
After our arrival, you’ll get the chance to explore the area before enjoying a homemade meal in the guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Electricity, wi-fi, hot shower, western-style toilets.
Day 9: rafting in chon kemin – return to Bishkek
The Chon Kemin Valley isn’t only a popular place for nature lovers who love hiking and horse riding, it’s also one of the most known places for rafting.
After enjoying a good breakfast at the guesthouse, we’re off on our last exciting adventure: rafting on the Chu River!
Don’t worry if you’ve never rafted down a mountain river before, this rafting trip has Class II Rapids, which are ideal for beginners.
After this fun final adventure together, we hit the road back to Bishkek. We’ll arrive in Bishkek in the afternoon.
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 itinerary can be modified in case of weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
FAQ: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW about THis Kyrgyzstan trip
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
TOur Costs
Price for the 9-day Overlanding Tour: €1500 per person
What’s included in this price?
- Transportation: minivan 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 2 horse riding trips
- Experienced horsemen who guide us during the 2 horseback trips
- Border permits for the Kel Suu lake area
- Rafting gear (raft, paddles, wet suits, life jackets, helmets)
- River guide
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 an opportunity to buy snacks before we go off-road)
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
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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