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10-day Kyrgyzstan itinerary

A clear day-by-day route through Kyrgyzstan's high lakes, yurt camps and eastern mountain valleys.

10 daysUpdated 15 September 2026By Peakd Editorial
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Route reel

01 / 04

Snow-covered mountains beyond Bishkek

01

Bishkek

Meet the guide and prepare for the high-country route.

A yurt camp in the high grasslands of Kyrgyzstan

02

Song-Kul

Cross the mountain pass to yurts beside the lake.

The blue alpine water of Kel-Suu lake

03

Kel-Suu

Enter the border region for a full day at the alpine lake.

A high mountain trail near Ala-Kul

04

Ala-Kul

Finish the mountain section with the high pass to Altyn Arashan.

Swipe or use the controls.

Ten active days through Kyrgyzstan's high lakes, yurt camps and eastern mountain valleys.

Route

Bishkek → Song-Kul → Kel-Suu → Bokonbaevo → Karakol Gorge → Ala-Kul → Altyn Arashan → Karakol → Bishkek

Airport → Bishkek

Arrive in Bishkek

Transfer to central Bishkek. Check your trekking equipment, buy missing supplies and meet the guide before dinner.

Sleep Bishkek

Drive About 40 minutes

Kyrgyzstan stays →
Bishkek with snow-covered mountains behind the city

Bishkek → Song-Kul

Cross the mountains to Song-Kul

Climb across Kalmak-Ashuu Pass to Song-Kul. Walk through the pastures around the yurt camp before dinner.

Sleep Song-Kul yurt camp

Drive 5–6 hours

A yurt beside Song-Kul Lake

Song-Kul → Naryn → Kel-Suu

Continue to the Kel-Suu region

Drive south through Naryn and Kulja-Bashi Canyon to the remote Kok-Kiya Valley. Confirm the border permit before this stage.

Sleep Kok-Kiya yurt camp

Drive 6–7 hours

Mountain landscape on the route towards Kel-Suu

Kel-Suu

Explore Kel-Suu Lake

Reach the lake on foot, by horse or by vehicle, based on track conditions. Boat trips depend on the water level.

Sleep Kok-Kiya yurt camp

Plan Lake visit; boat if available

Turquoise water and steep cliffs at Kel-Suu Lake

Kel-Suu → Bokonbaevo

Make the long transfer to Issyk-Kul

Drive through Kochkor to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Stop at Ak-Say Canyon only if the arrival time permits.

Sleep Bokonbaevo

Drive 8–9 hours

Dry canyon landscape near Issyk-Kul

Bokonbaevo → Karakol

Follow the south shore to Karakol

Meet a local eagle hunter near Bokonbaevo, then follow Issyk-Kul's south shore to Karakol.

Sleep Karakol

Plan Eagle demonstration and transfer

Karakol stays →
A Kyrgyz eagle hunter holding a golden eagle

Karakol → Karakol Gorge → Sirota

Trek to Sirota Base Camp

Drive into Karakol Gorge. Trek through spruce forest and open alpine ground to the simple camp at Sirota.

Sleep Sirota Base Camp

Trek 6 km; 4–4.5 hours

Tents below snow-covered peaks in Karakol Gorge

Sirota → Ala-Kul → Altyn Arashan

Cross Ala-Kul Pass

Climb to Ala-Kul Lake and cross the exposed 3,860 m pass. Descend to Altyn Arashan and the hot springs.

Sleep Altyn Arashan yurt camp

Trek 16–18 km; 8–10 hours

Ala-Kul Lake surrounded by high mountains

Altyn Arashan → Jeti-Oguz → Karakol

Return through the eastern valleys

Leave Altyn Arashan by mountain vehicle. Walk below the red cliffs at Jeti-Oguz, then return to Karakol.

Sleep Karakol

Plan 4WD transfer and short walk

Karakol stays →
Green mountain valley near Karakol

Karakol → Kok-Moynok → Bishkek

Return to Bishkek

Follow Issyk-Kul's north shore to Bishkek. Add the short Kok-Moynok Canyon walk only if daylight permits.

Sleep Bishkek

Drive Full day

Red sandstone formations at Kok-Moynok Canyon

Continue planning

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