Embark on an extraordinary 14-day adventure with the “Best of Kyrgyzstan Trek”, guiding you through the heart of Central Asia’s most breathtaking landscapes. This epic Kyrgyzstan trekking journey is designed to immerse you in the raw beauty of both the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay Mountains, offering an unparalleled exploration of pristine natural wonders, cultural richness, and the spirit of nomadic traditions. Experience the adventure of a lifetime, where every day unfolds a new chapter of awe-inspiring vistas and genuine local hospitality.

The “Best of Kyrgyzstan Trek” masterfully combines three distinctive expeditions into one seamless journey:

• The enchanting Best of Alay Mountains trek, nestled in the heart of the Pamir-Alay range, offers a gateway to high-altitude wonders and serene landscapes.

• The Ala Kul Lake Trek, a journey through the majestic Tian Shan Mountains, unveils crystal-clear waters set against a backdrop of towering peaks.

• Bridging these treks is a three-day overland voyage to the alpine marvel that is Lake Song Kol. This segment promises a serene interlude, with panoramic views of majestic alpine scenery that serve as a breathtaking connector between the treks.

Driving distance: 7-8 hours   

After breakfast, meet the driver at your hotel to set off for a 7-hour-long journey to Karakol. Along the way stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest sights, the Burana Tower, and learn about its ancient architecture – rare in nomadic culture. The territory where the tower is located was once called Balasagyn town. This town had strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found during past excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, including a collection of “Balbals” – Turkic grave marks. After, continue driving to Karakol city via Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca in South America. Its length reaches 182 km and width is 58 km, and the maximum depth is up to 668 meters. If we arrive early, we can take a short sightseeing tour in Karakol city by visiting the wooden Dungan mosques and Russian Orthodox churches if we have time. Dinner and overnight stay in Karakol city.

Accommodation: shared twin rooms in a guest house
Meals included: Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi (free of charge), electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Trekking distance/time: 10km, 5-6 hours
Ascent: 440 meters  

Transfer from Karakol city to the starting point through the lush Karakol Valley with gushing rivers along. Drop off near the bridge where our hike starts towards the lunch spot. Enjoy walking in this gorge with green slopes decorated by evergreen trees. Spot grazing herd of horses beautifying nature. After lunch, we hike in this serene environment up to the Campsite standing at 2550 meters. After camping, take a walk around the area and relax in this solitude area surrounded by spruce trees.

Accommodation: Tents (2 people in a tent)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Trekking distance/time: 10 km, 6-7 hours
Ascent:  +1030m  

This day challenges you with strenuous walking through screws and boulders before you get to the lake, 3 hours. After a few hours of demanding ascent, be rewarded with the jewel of Ala Kul Lake standing at 3500 meters and fed by glaciers around. The view of this turquoise alpine lake takes your breath away. Arrival in the campsite. Be accommodated in tents. Free stroll around the lake. Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Tents (2 people in a tent)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Trekking distance/time: 13 km, 6-7 hours
Ascent: – 340m Descend: – 1400m 

After breakfast, we head on to our yurt camp along lush green pastures with gently flowing rivers of Altyn Arashan Valley, for 3-4 hours. At some point, you will cross one of the streams, but the level is low. Arrived at our yurt camp standing at 2450 meters. In fact, Altyn-Arashan means ‘Golden Spa’ and this valley is famous for its hot sulfur springs. We take a bath in hot spring pools after three long days of hiking to relieve muscle pains.

Accommodation: shared yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (free of charge), solar panels (you can charge your phones until 9:00 p.m.), hot shower, hot spring pools, and western-style toilets

Trekking distance/time: 10 km, 4 hours
Descent: – 450m  

Start the hike early morning, after breakfast. The last day of hiking is very easygoing compared to the days before. The trail goes most of the time along a beautiful river gushing through the valley. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka at 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. The final stretch, reach Ak Suu village (4 hours) where you will be picked up by our driver to get to Karakol city (30 minutes). Lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to Bel Tam yurt camp in the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, 4 hrs drive. On the way stop to explore the magical Skazka canyon. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp at the lakeshore.

Accommodation: shared yurts in Bel-Tam yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi (free of charge), electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Driving distance/time: 130 km,  5-6 hours  

Today, we drive to Song Kol Lake, one of the largest alpine-mountain lakes in the country and considered a sacred place for many Kyrgyz nomads for its best summer pastures. You can spot nomadic herders and their families tending their goats, sheep, and horses. On the way to Song Kol, you can opt to visit the eagle hunter to see some of his hunting skills (available for 60 USD). Lunch in Kochkor village. In Song Kol we will have the opportunity to sample fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (the national drink of fermented mare’s milk). After, we will stay in yurts set up along the lakeshore. Sleeping arrangements are on a multi-share, mixed-gender basis with mattresses on the floor. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there is a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. There are no bathroom facilities inside the yurts – please expect outdoor toilets. Those daring enough for a morning dip can make use of Song Kol.

Accommodation:shared yurts in Rakhima yurt camp (3-4 people in a yurt)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-Fi (available at an additional cost for 200 KGS), solar panels, hot shower, traditional Russian-style sauna (banya), and western-style toilets

Driving distance/time: 194 km, 7-8 hours   

Drive south of the lake to reach Moldo Ashuu Pass. Nice drive on switchbacks. Enjoy the beauty of colorful mountains while driving to Kazarman city. Lunch break en route. Arrival in Kazarman and a short walk in the city. Overnight and dinner in a homestay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi (free of charge), electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Driving distance/time: 258 km, 6-7 hours 

The highlight of the day is the Kaldama pass. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend down the pass. Driving through dense bushes covering the road and mountain slopes delights your senses. Lunch on the way to a café. Arrival in Osh city and accommodation in a hotel. Afternoon walks in the city. Dinner at a restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi (free of charge), electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Driving distance/time: 4 hours  

Depart from historic Osh City to the village of Kojokelen(2200m), the starting point of the trek. There is remarkable scenery along the way to Kojokelen village so enjoy the ride! After three and half hours of driving, we reach Kojokelen a quiet rural village nestled in the foothills. Before dinner, take a short walk to the beautiful gorge above the village. We will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and an overnight stay at a family-run guesthouse.

Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Trekking distance/time: 12km, 7-8 hours
Descent: 412 meters  Ascent: 1013 meters   

After breakfast, we say “Goodbye” to our hosts and start our trekking by crossing the wooden bridge. We start ascending the uphill for 5 hours with spectacular views of the gorge, and it is the giant red rock formations. The red rock formations forming the “Three Dragon Gorge ”is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Kyrgyzstan. Views of the rugged Kichik Alay Mountains open up on top of the pass. From there, follow the path as it winds along the edge of the hills. You can see the snow-covered Pamir landscapes in the distance with various grades of high-, mid-, and low alpine landscapes along the way. The trail then descends through the evergreen juniper forest into a beautiful Kosh-Moinok valley (40 minutes). Time to rest. Enjoy a home-cooked meal and overnight in a yurt camp at 2,800 meters.

Accommodation: Yurt camp 
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Trekking distance/time: 20 km, 8 hours
Descent: 868 meters  Ascent: 1749 meters  

The second day is relatively strenuous and uphill. We fuel ourselves with a generous breakfast before setting off. The trail becomes steep and ascends approximately 400 meters through grass meadows, and pastures to Koshmoinok Pass at 3,210 m (1 hour). After the steep sloops, the trail winds its way down through evergreen trees and continues to the edge of the valley until it reaches Kyzyl Shoro village (2 hr). Break for lunch in the village at a homestay. Enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal, charge your devices, and take a quick hot shower. After lunch, almost flat walk until you get to the next village. At this point, the trail turns away to the south, and from the trailhead begins the steep 9 km climb along the well-trodden path through fields filled with grazing cows and shepherd’s yurts inviting you for tea. As the trek progresses through the valley, the trail cuts back and forth across the river several times. With the increase in elevation, the terrain begins to change from mid-mountain green forest to high alpine rocky and dry landscapes. Finally, the Campsite! After 4-5 hours of intensive trekking, we reach our yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in a family-run yurt at 3,600 meters.

Accommodation: Yurt camp 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
*Wi-fi, electricity, and hot shower available during lunch in Kyzyl Shoro village

Trekking distance/time: 14 km, 6-7 hours
Descent: 1053 meters  Ascent: 925 meters   

After breakfast, we head to Sary Mogul Pass at 4,306 meters. Walk along the stream all the way up to the foot of the pass (1,5 hours). Head up to the top of the pass on a barely seen trail in a zigzag formation on loose scree (1 Hr). The ascent to the pass is steep and covered in loose scree. As you arrive at the pass, the glaciated peaks and alpine lakes begin to appear. Enjoy your accomplishment at the top of the pass with its otherworldly and stunning views. While descending, some parts of trails are a bit challenging as the trail is narrow and the terrain is composed mainly of scree and small pebbles. We break for lunch at the riverbank with glacier views all around. After lunch, we head into a valley to follow the small stream all the way to a finish point of the trail (2-3 hours). Meet your driver and drive to Sarymogol village (20 minutes). Arrive at your homestay and enjoy a home-cooked dinner. Take a shower, and enjoy your dinner.

Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, and western-style toilets

Trekking distance/time: 20 km, 7-8 hours
Descent: 760 meters  Ascent: 760 meters   

Wake up early. After breakfast, we drive for 50 minutes to get to Tulpar Kul Lake. Arrival, we will head south from Tulpar Kol to the Alpinist Peak Lenin Base Camp. After passing the Base Camp, we will begin the ascent to Traveller’s Pass. The trail goes slowly up except for the last 20 minutes where it becomes a steep zigzag trail that ends up on the Traveller’s Pass at 4,100 meters. Enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Go to the viewpoint on the right of the pass and get an even better view of Lenin Peak at 7,134 meters, the highest peak in this Pamir-Alay Mountains. Break for lunch there. Return to the yurt camp in the same way you came. Overnight and dinner in a yurt camp.

Accommodation: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: No Wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets

Driving distance/time:  250 km, 5 hours 

Breakfast. Drive back to Osh city. End of tour.

Meals included: Breakfast