The Grand Kyrgyzstan Loop: Eight Days
Issyk-Kul, Son-Kol, Tash-Rabat and the Tien Shan passes
The full Kyrgyzstan loop in eight days: the southern shore of Issyk-Kul with Skazka Canyon and the Jeti-Oguz gorge, the high-altitude Son-Kol lake at 3016 m with a night in a yurt, the Tash-Rabat caravanserai on the Silk Road and passes above 3000 metres. This is not a sightseeing trip but an expedition — in a week you cross the country and return by another road.
Program
- Day 1Almaty → Karakol
The border at Kegen, then the road along the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul. Overnight in Karakol.
- Day 2Jeti-Oguz and Karakol
The red Seven Bulls rocks and the Valley of Flowers, with the Altyn-Arashan hot springs as an option. The wooden mosque and the Orthodox cathedral in Karakol.
- Day 3The southern shore of Issyk-Kul
Skazka Canyon — red clay formations above the lake. A swim at the beach, overnight in Bokonbaevo.
- Day 4Kalmak-Ashuu pass → Son-Kol
The switchbacks up to 3446 m and the descent to the high-altitude Son-Kol lake. A night in a yurt on the jailoo, dinner with a shepherd family.
- Day 5Son-Kol
A full day at 3016 m: a horse ride across the pastures, herds of horses, silence and a night sky without a single street light.
- Day 6Naryn and Tash-Rabat
The descent into the Naryn valley and the transfer to the 15th-century stone caravanserai on the Silk Road. Overnight at a yurt camp.
- Day 7Kok-Oirok Gorge
The return towards Issyk-Kul by the dirt road through the gorge — the stretch that makes the 4x4 necessary. Overnight on the northern shore.
- Day 8Return to Almaty
The northern shore of the lake, the border and the road home. Arrival in Almaty in the evening.
Price by group size
Price per vehicle
Price for the whole 4x4, up to 6 people. The table shows the per-person cost by group size.
Accommodation, meals and entrance fees are not included — we arrange and book them to suit your budget, paid separately.
| People | ₸/person |
|---|---|
| 1 | from 950,000 ₸ |
| 2 | from 475,000 ₸ |
| 3 | from 316,667 ₸ |
| 4 | from 237,500 ₸ |
| 5 | from 190,000 ₸ |
| 6 | from 158,333 ₸ |
- ✓Driver-guide
- ✓Comfortable 4x4
Route
What to bring
Passport or ID card. Some locations are in the border zone — documents may be checked.
Sneakers or boots comfortable for walking in the mountains; ideally waterproof.
It can be cold in the mountains — bring warm but non-restrictive clothing.
Sunglasses, a cap or hat and sunscreen.
Rain is frequent in the mountains and forecasts are unreliable — bring rain protection.
There's no internet in the mountains — you can't pay by card or transfer.
Calculate price
Calculate price
from 475,000 ₸/person · 2 people