This ten-day round trip from Bishkek reaches the three lakes most popular amongst travellers: Issyk-Kul, the long alpine lake along the northern route; Song-Kul, the high pasture lake at 3,016 m where herder families spend the summer in yurts; and Kel-Suu, the remote lake near the Chinese border that most itineraries do not reach.
Kel-Suu sits inside a restricted border zone at the end of a rough mountain road. Reaching it requires a border permit, a special vehicle, and a hike of 8 km each way from the yurt camp to the lake. The permit, the vehicle, and the camp are all included in this tour, and we arrange the permit in our own office.
The tour also includes the Burana Tower, the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, the cultural sites of Karakol, Jeti-Oguz Gorge, Skazka Canyon, the yurt craftsmen of Kyzyl-Tuu, the town of Naryn, and the women’s felt cooperative in Kochkor.
Kel-Suu Lake: a remote lake in the border zone near China, reached by special vehicle and a hike of 8 km each way, with a night at the yurt camp near the lake. Both the required border permit and special vehicle are included and arranged by our office.
Song-Kul Lake: a yurt camp at 3,016 m, reached over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m, with optional horseback riding at the camp.
Issyk-Kul Lake: the second-largest alpine lake in the world, with the open-air Petroglyphs Museum near Cholpon-Ata, dating from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD.
Burana Tower: an 11th-century minaret near Tokmok, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its museum and open-air collection of balbal stone statues.
Karakol cultural sites: the Dungan Mosque, the Russian Orthodox church, and the Przhevalsky Museum.
Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon: the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart red sandstone formations, and the red rock landscape of Skazka Canyon.
Kyzyl-Tuu village: a morning with the yurt craftsmen, watching the traditional yurt installation process. The demonstration is included.
Naryn: a city tour of the Blue Mosque, the Fine Art Gallery, the central square, and the History Museum, with two hotel nights that cover the Kel-Suu trip.
Kochkor: the women’s cooperative producing felt handicrafts, on the drive back to Bishkek.
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Arrival at Manas International Airport, meeting with our guide, and transfer to the hotel. Check-in is after 14:00; early check-in is not included.
In the afternoon, a city tour: the Manas Monument, the Kurmanjan Datka Monument, Oak Park, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Victory Square, with a stop at the ZUM department store for souvenirs.
Overnight: hotel, Bishkek.
Meals: none.
The drive east to the Chon-Kemin Valley, with a stop at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret near Tokmok and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its small museum and open-air collection of balbal stone statues. Horseback games near Don-Aryk village can be arranged as an option.
Check-in at guesthouse in Chon-Kemin; a village walk, horseback riding, or swimming are available, the latter two at extra cost.
Overnight: guesthouse, Chon-Kemin.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, dinner at the guesthouse.
The drive follows the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world, with a visit to the open-air Petroglyphs Museum near Cholpon-Ata, whose carvings date from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD.
Evening arrival in Karakol and a city tour: the Dungan Mosque, the Russian Orthodox church, and the Przhevalsky Museum.
Overnight: hotel, Karakol.
Meals: breakfast at the guesthouse.
The route follows the southern shore of the lake. A stop at Jeti-Oguz Gorge, with its Seven Bulls and Broken Heart red sandstone formations, and a walk in Skazka Canyon among the red rock landscape.
Evening arrival in Bokonbaev village.
Overnight: guesthouse, Bokonbaev.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, dinner at the guesthouse.
A morning visit to Kyzyl-Tuu village, where the yurt craftsmen show the traditional yurt installation process.
The route then climbs over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m to Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, where herder families spend the summer on the pastures.
Optional horseback riding is available at the camp.
Overnight: yurt camp, Song-Kul Lake (3,016 m).
Meals: breakfast at the guesthouse, dinner at the yurt camp.
The drive crosses the Moldo-Ashuu Pass at 3,200 m to Naryn, the most mountainous region of the country.
A city tour: the Blue Mosque, the Fine Art Gallery, the central square with the Usubaliev statue, and the History Museum.
Overnight: hotel, Naryn.
Meals: breakfast at the yurt camp.
The drive south to the Kel-Suu area, near the Chinese border, by special vehicle.
The road is rough, and arrival at the yurt camp is expected in the late afternoon.
Diner at the camp and free time to walk in the area.
Overnight: yurt camp, Kel-Suu.
Meals: breakfast, lunch box, dinner.
A morning hike to Kel-Suu Lake, 8 km and 2 to 3 hours each way, with a picnic lunch box at the shore.
Return to the camp, then the drive back to Naryn in the afternoon.
Overnight: hotel, Naryn.
Meals: breakfast at the yurt camp, lunch box.
The drive back to Bishkek through Kochkor village, with a visit to the women’s cooperative producing felt handicrafts; a felt-making demonstration can be arranged as an option.
Arrival in Bishkek and hotel check-in.
A folklore show during dinner can be arranged as an option.
Overnight: hotel, Bishkek.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Manas International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel.
In ten days the route covers Issyk-Kul, Song-Kul at 3,016 m, and Kel-Suu, along with the Burana Tower, the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, Karakol, Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon, the yurt makers of Kyzyl-Tuu, Naryn, and the felt cooperative in Kochkor. It is the itinerary that covers all three lakes in one trip.
| Departure Date | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2027 – 27 July 2027 | Spots Available | $1,890 | |
| 15 August 2027 – 24 August 2027 | Spots Available | $1,890 |
| Accommodation basis | Price |
| Twin/double occupancy | $1,890 |
| Single occupancy only in hotels | $2,070 |
| Single occupancy (upon request) | $2,160 |
At the single-in-hotels rate, you have a private room at the hotels and guesthouses and share a yurt at the camps. Full single occupancy, including private yurts, is available on request at $2,160.
| Extra night in Bishkek hotel | Single | Double |
|---|---|---|
| 3★ Hotel | $75 | $95 |
| 4★ Hotel | $100 | $110 |
| 5★ Hotel | $240 | $280 |
| Extra airport transfer | Price |
|---|---|
| 1–3 people | $50 |
| 4–9 people | $95 |
| Day | Activity / Service | Price / Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Horseback games near Don-Aryk village | Price on request |
| Day 2 | Horseback riding or swimming at Chon-Kemin guesthouse | Extra cost |
| Day 5 | Horseback riding at Song-Kul camp | From $15 / hour |
| Day 9 | Felt-making demonstration in Kochkor | Price on request |
| Day 9 | Folklore show during dinner in Bishkek | Price on request |
Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
Start / End: Manas Airport, Bishkek → Manas Airport, Bishkek
Departures: Two fixed dates in 2027, guaranteed with 2 participants
Accommodation: Hotels (5 nights), guesthouses (2 nights), yurt camps (2 nights)
Meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Permits: Kel-Suu border permit included and arranged by our office
Activity level: Moderate. Touring with short walks on most days and one hiking day: 8 km each way to Kel-Suu Lake on Day 8
Season: July and August
The longest transfers are:
The Kel-Suu road is rough, which is why 150 km takes 5 to 6 hours and why we use a special vehicle to cover the distance. The two Naryn hotel nights sit on either side of the Kel-Suu trip, so the roughest part of the trip will be covered by proper beds and showers to enhance comfort.
The route crosses the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m and the Moldo-Ashuu Pass at 3,200 m, and sleeps one night at Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m and one night at the Kel-Suu yurt camp. Day 8 is the one hiking day: 8 km and 2 to 3 hours each way from the camp to Kel-Suu Lake, with a picnic at the shore. The walking is on mountain terrain, and reasonable fitness is required. Travellers who have had altitude problems before, or who have a heart condition or severe asthma, should tell us at booking.
Bishkek in summer can reach 40°C. In the mountains, temperatures can drop to around 10°C, and nights at Song-Kul and Kel-Suu are cold even in July and August. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and warm layers are required.
During the tour, you will experience different landscapes and altitudes, so it is important to have versatile clothing and practical gear. Below is a recommended packing list to help you prepare for the trip.
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, please 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 included only on the two Kel-Suu days, so plan a cash budget for the remaining meals.
What makes Kel-Suu different from the other lakes? Kel-Suu sits in a restricted border zone near China, at the end of a rough mountain road, and reaching the lake itself takes a hike of 8 km each way from the yurt camp. It requires a border permit and a special vehicle, and both are included in this tour, with the permit arranged by our office. Most itineraries in Kyrgyzstan do not reach it, and this is the reason the trip runs ten days.
How difficult is the Kel-Suu hike? Day 8 is the one hiking day of the trip: 8 km and 2 to 3 hours each way on mountain terrain, with a picnic lunch at the shore. The rest of the trip involves short walks only. Reasonable fitness is required for the hiking day, and trekking boots are recommended.
How high does the trip go? The route crosses the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3,447 m and the Moldo-Ashuu Pass at 3,200 m, and you sleep one night at Song-Kul Lake at 3,016 m and one night at the Kel-Suu camp. Travellers with previous altitude problems, a heart condition, or severe asthma should tell us at booking.
What if I can’t travel in July or August? This tour’s two departures are in July and August because the Kel-Suu road and camp operate in the summer window. Write to us about a private departure, or consider the Kyrgyzstan Nomad Tour (5 Days), which departs weekly from late May to late September, or the Issyk-Kul Cultural Tour (6 Days), which runs year round.
What is the accommodation like? Five hotel nights (Bishkek, Karakol, and Naryn), two guesthouse nights (Chon-Kemin and Bokonbaev), and two yurt camp nights. At Song-Kul the yurts sleep 2 travellers; at Kel-Suu they sleep up to 4, which is the standard at that camp. The camps have shared facilities, and they are not hotels.
Do I need to arrange the border permit myself? No. The Kel-Suu border permission is included in the price and arranged by our office. We recommend submitting the required documents 1–2 weeks in advance. To process the permit, we only need a clear scan of your passport’s photo page.
Is this a good trip for solo travellers? Yes. Solo travellers can book at the single-in-hotels rate of $2,070, which provides a private room at the hotels and guesthouses with shared yurts at the camps, or at the full single rate of $2,160 on request. Please note that this is a group tour, so you will not be travelling alone with the guide and driver. If you prefer a private tour, we can arrange the same trip exclusively for you on your preferred dates.
How is this tour different from the Classic Kyrgyzstan Tour (7 Days)? The 7-day tour covers Issyk-Kul, the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, and Song-Kul in one week. This 10-day tour trades Tash-Rabat for Kel-Suu and adds Chon-Kemin, Naryn, and the craft villages of Kyzyl-Tuu and Kochkor, with a real hiking day. If Kel-Suu is on your list, this is the tour that reaches it.
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Ak-Sai Travel has organized tours across Kyrgyzstan’s mountains, valleys, and nomadic regions since 1998, led by our local team.
Guides grew up in these mountains and valleys, so you get straight answers about the route, the weather, and the culture from people who know the ground firsthand.
Ak-Sai Travel owns and runs the transport, the guides, and the camps you stay in, so one local team handles your whole trip and looks after you if a plan changes.
You stay in traditional Kyrgyz yurt camps and have lunch in local family homes, experiencing Kyrgyz culture through where you stay and where you eat.
Ak-Sai Travel has been organizing cultural tours and mountain expeditions across Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia since 1998, using routes that have been tested and refined over decades.
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