Kyrgyzstan Off Road Tour
About this tour
Bishkek - Toktogul - Sary Chelek - Arslanbob - Kazarman - Son Kul - Tash Rabat - Naryn - Tosor - Tamga - Karakol - Cholpon Ata - Bishkek
Activities included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan
Our guide will meet you in the airport. You will drive to Bishkek to have an early check-in in 3* hotel to have a short rest. After it we will be self-driving outside Bishkek. Today our 4X4 tour goes to Toktogul water reservoir. The road travels through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During the journey be prepared for amazing views of impressive mountains and gorges. Today you will see the panoramic views of Tue Ashuu pass which is more than 3 000 meters high. This road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. You will have many opportunities for photo stops to remember this day. The night you will spend in a guesthouse.
Day 2: Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan to Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan
asphalt, 10% dirt road. Today we will have to start early in the morning. We will start drive at 8 a.m. to drive from Toktogul to Arslanbob walnut forest via amazing Sary Chelek Lake. The road will go along huge mountains and you will have many photo stops on the way. Sary Chelek lake is situated in the center of a National reserve, at the foot of the Chatkal mountain range, at an altitude of 1,873 m above sea level. The lake is 234 m deep, 2,280 m wide and 7,500 m long. It appeared as a result of a strong earthquake. Its sweet water is so clear, that multicolored stones at the bottom of the lake and darting, timid fish are in full view. Grand mountains occupy most of the reserve, resting their snow-covered peaks against the sky. In the evening you will come to Arslanbob. Arslanbob's grove produces 1500 tons of walnuts per year and is the largest single natural source of walnuts in the world. You will spend the in a home stays.
Day 3: Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan to Kazarman, Kyrgyzstan
Today we will drive to Kazarman village. 93% of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous with nomadic life in remote places - our country is a real paradise for people that are in love with mountains and unusual cultures. The route takes you along roads that wind along incredible gorges. During your drive be prepared for amazing views of the impressive mountains and gorges. Today we will see some nomads that still live in this region. Night and dinner will be in a home stay. This is a very remote village.
Day 4: Kazarman, Kyrgyzstan to Son-Kol', Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Dinner and overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.
Day 5: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Today you drive around the whole Lake and meet real nomads. It is a great chance to get acquainted with nomadic traditions and culture. All nomads are very hospitable. They will always invite you inside their yurts to drink tea with them. They are not used to seeing many tourists and are always happy to speak with you. Hospitality is one of the main laws among nomads. The used to say: "Guest is sent by God". So they cannot just let you pass without having a rest with them. Also we will drive down along serpentine road to see amazing waterfall. A traditional dinner will be served in original nomadic houses - yurts. You will get to spend the night in yurts as nomads do.
Day 6: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning we will continue our self-drive 4X4 tour. You will drive to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road (Stone Castle from the 14th century). The building is unique. Tash Rabat is located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains. Tash Rabat was built of stone blocks inside a mountain at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level. In total there are 31 rooms in the mountain. The walls are 1 m thick. There is also underground prison cells formerly used to incarcerate thieves in ancient times. On the way we will drive along the most beautiful Moldo Ashu pass. It is more than 3 000 meters high. On the way you will drive along the top of a mountain! There will be a traditional dinner and the night will be spent in yurts near Tash Rabat Caravanserai.
Day 7: Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan to Naryn, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning you can go for a walk or have horse riding (20 $ per person) till lunch time. It is a great chance to feel as a nomad and to see local people. After lunch we will drive along high mountains to Naryn town. It is situated right in the gorge. These passes on the way, combined with high mountains and nomadic way of life - make Kyrgyzstan an irresistible travel destination. Views of this mountain road are absolutely breathtaking. This day offers a great chance to experience the variety of mountains which make Kyrgyzstan so popular. On the way it will be possible to meet real nomadic families. Night will be in a guesthouse.
Day 8: Naryn, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
Today you will have the most exciting drive over the spectacular pass named Tosor - its high is 3 950 meters. The views during this day are going to change from one to another so fast! Be ready to take pictures of breathtaking views of the snow-topped mountains with the view to the lake. Picnic is at 1 p.m. In the evening you will arrive to Issyk Kul Lake. It is the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608m.above sea level). The lake is frequently called "the pearl of Central Asia" and is the main touristic highlight in our country. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. Your dinner will be in a guesthouse. Night is in a guesthouse.
Day 9: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Today we will drive to beautiful Jeti Oguz gorge. Jeti Oguz is famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls - Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. Then we continue our way to Karakol town. You will visit the Dungan mosque. One of its highlights is the fact that it was built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Dinner will be in the guesthouse. Night is in the guesthouse.
Day 10: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Today will drive to Issyk Kul Lake. This time we will drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. This is a great chance to see the whole lake from all sides. We will drive along Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye gorges. These two picturesque gorges are connected at the end. It means you will start driving in at one gorge and will drive out through the other one! While journeying from one gorge to another you will see yurts and we will stop many times to have a rest and to enjoy Mother Nature. Lunch will be a picnic. Dinner and night is in a hotel.
Day 11: Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning you will be transferred to Bishkek city. On the way, we will make a short break to give you the opportunity to visit ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.). Today we will visit Burana Tower. It is a minaret from the 11th century. Burana Tower was used during the Great Silk Road as a sign for travelers that there was a city to have a rest. Nearby you will see an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). After arriving in Bishkek you will have a guided city tour and visit Asian bazar. Dinner is in a national restaurant. Night is in a hotel.
Day 12: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning is transfer to airport.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan