Kyrgyzstan Yurt Camp Tour (4 Days)

Meeting with the group in Bishkek and the drive east toward Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Stops at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and UNESCO World Heritage site, and at Kok-Moynok Canyon.

The route follows the Boom Gorge to the southern shore and the Oimo-Tash yurt camp on the lakeshore.

After check-in, free time at the lake and a walk along the shore. Dinner at the camp with an introduction to nomadic hospitality.

Overnight: Oimo-Tash yurt camp (1,620 m).

Meals: dinner.

An eagle hunting demonstration on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul is followed by a drive to Barskoon Gorge. The trail follows the Barskoon River through spruce forest and climbs gradually past three waterfalls.

The first waterfall, Tears of the Snow Leopard, is at about 2,350 m, approximately 1 km and 20–30 minutes from the parking area. The second, Manas Bowl, is at 2,550–2,600 m, another 1.5–2 km and 40–50 minutes along the trail. The third, Champagne Glass, is at 2,850–2,900 m, a further 1.5 km and 45–60 minutes uphill.

The descent follows the same trail, and you can turn back at any of the three waterfalls depending on your preference and available time.

Return to Oimo-Tash Camp in the afternoon, with the rest of the day free to relax by the lake. An optional visit to local hot springs can be arranged at an extra cost.

Overnight: Oimo-Tash yurt camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch or lunch box, dinner.

The drive leaves the southern shore and climbs through villages and wide valleys to the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m, then descends to Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, where herder families spend the summer with their livestock.

Afternoon arrival and check-in at the yurt camp.

Optional horseback riding on the surrounding pastures is available at extra cost.

In the evening, gather around the campfire if weather permits. Located far from any town, Song-Kul has virtually no light pollution, offering clear views of the night sky.

Overnight: Song-Kul yurt camp (3,016 m).

Meals: breakfast, dinner.

The drive back to Bishkek descends from the high plateau to the Chuy Valley.

Afternoon arrival in Bishkek, with free time depending on your departure schedule, followed by a drop-off in the city.

Meals: breakfast.

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Start / End: Bishkek → Bishkek (Bishkek accommodation and airport transfers not included)

Departures: 8 dates in 2027, every two weeks from 10 June to 16 September, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 participants

Accommodation: Yurt camps throughout (3 nights)

Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch or lunch box, 3 dinners

Activity level: Easy to moderate. Touring with one walking day on the Barskoon waterfall trail, which climbs to 2,900 m; you can turn back at any of the three waterfalls.

Season: June to September

The daily transfers are:

Day 1 (Bishkek to the southern shore, 320 km, 5 hours)
Day 2 (the Barskoon loop, 180 km, 4–5 hours)
Day 3 (southern shore to Song-Kul, 230 km, 5–6 hours)
Day 4 (Song-Kul to Bishkek, 320 km, 6–7 hours)

The roads become rougher on the climb to Song-Kul and on the descent. The long drives on Days 3 and 4 are set by the location of the lake beyond the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m, and four days is the minimum time this route requires.

The route gains altitude gradually. The first two nights are on the lakeshore at 1,620 m, and the Barskoon trail on Day 2 reaches 2,900 m at the highest waterfall, which helps the body adjust before the night at Song-Kul at 3,016 m on Day 3. The route crosses the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m. The upper sections of the Barskoon hike are optional: the first waterfall is 20–30 minutes from the parking area, and each further waterfall adds 40–60 minutes. Travellers with a history of altitude problems, a heart condition, or severe asthma should inform us when booking.

Bishkek in summer can reach 40°C. In the mountains, temperatures can drop to around 10°C, and nights at Song-Kul are cold even in July. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and warm layers are required regardless of the dates. The evening campfire at Song-Kul depends on the weather.

• Rain jacket and a wind-stopper
• Fleece or warm sweater for evenings at altitude
• Long-sleeve shirts, as the sun at altitude is strong
• Hat, sunglasses, and lip balm
• Sunscreen, SPF 50+ or higher
• Insect repellent for skin and clothing
• Trekking boots for the Barskoon waterfall trail
• Light walking shoes
• Swimsuit for Issyk-Kul Lake and the optional hot springs
• Personal first-aid kit: blister care, painkillers, antihistamines, and any personal medication
• Personal hygiene kit, disinfection gel, and some toilet paper
• A small towel
• Small day backpack for the hiking day
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Walking poles if you use them

A soft bag or duffel is easier to handle at the yurt camps than a hard suitcase.

The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bank cards are accepted in Bishkek; outside the capital, plan to pay in cash.

If you bring US dollars or euros to exchange, bring notes of 50 and 100 in clean condition, without stamps, inscriptions, or damage, as damaged banknotes are not accepted by banks and exchange offices. US dollar notes must be issued from 2009 or later. Euro notes should be no larger than 100.

Lunches are not included except on Day 2, the Barskoon hiking day. Plan a cash budget for the remaining meals.

• Yurt camps provide beds and bedding, with shared facilities.
• Facilities differ between the camps, and full details are provided before booking.
• Mobile coverage is limited outside towns, and there may be no signal at Song-Kul.
• Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, no pork, allergies) should be given at booking, not at the camp.
• English is a second language for most of our team, so a reply can come back short and to the point even when the person writing it is being friendly.

How do I get to Song-Kul? Song-Kul Lake is located beyond the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m, about a day’s drive from Bishkek along mountain roads. This tour includes transportation from Bishkek, a guide, and one night in a yurt camp by the lake. It is the shortest itinerary in our program to Song-Kul.

How hard is the Barskoon waterfall hike? The trail follows the Barskoon River through spruce forest, with a gradual ascent in stages: 20–30 minutes to the first waterfall at 2,350 m, another 40–50 minutes to the second at 2,550–2,600 m, and a further 45–60 minutes to the third at 2,850–2,900 m. You can turn back at any of the three waterfalls, and the descent follows the same trail. Trekking boots are recommended

Is every night in a yurt camp? Yes. The tour includes two nights at Oimo-Tash yurt camp on the Issyk-Kul lakeshore and one night at Son-Kul yurt camp. There are no hotel nights on this tour, and Son-Kul yurt camp has shared facilities.

What should I know about the altitude? You spend two nights at 1,620 m before the night at Song-Kul at 3,016 m, and the Day 2 hike to 2,900 m helps the body adjust. The route crosses the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m. Travellers with previous altitude problems, a heart condition, or severe asthma should inform us when booking.

Is accommodation in Bishkek included? No. The tour price covers the three yurt camp nights on the route. Accommodation in Bishkek before or after the tour and airport transfers are not included. Provide your arrival and departure details at the time of booking, and your travel advisor can assist with transfers and accommodation.

Is this a good trip for solo travellers? Yes. Every departure is guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 participants. A solo traveller joining a group pays the single supplement for a private yurt; a solo traveller on a departure with no other bookings pays the solo rate of $1,240.