North Kg: Three Unique Lakes - One Epic Journey
About this tour
- About this tour: Discover the best of Kyrgyzstan on a 9-day adventure through its three most unique lakes – Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul, and Kel-Suu. This journey perfectly balances iconic destinations with remote, untouched landscapes where few travelers venture. Experience breathtaking mountain scenery, authentic nomadic culture, hiking, horseback riding, and boat trips while exploring the country's incredible diversity. Three lakes, three different worlds – one unforgettable journey.
- Spots for visiting: Issik-Kul, Song-Kol and Kel-Suu lake. Aksay, Kok-Moynok and Fairy Tale (Skazka) canyons. Karakol, Balykchi and Cholpon-Ata cities. Jety-Oguz, Barskoon and Kyrchyn gorges. Burana tower, Church and Mosque of Karakol, Kalmak-Ashuu and Teskey-Torpu (33 Parrots) pass.
- Activities and shows: Hiking, Horse riding, Kel-Suu boating, Yurt building show, Kyrgyz national music band and Eagle hunting.
- Accommodations: Traditional Kyrgyz yurts, Hotels and guesthouses.
- Inclusions: Transportation, accommodations, meals, entrance fees, horses, Kel-Suu lake boats, music and yurt show, eagle hunting.
- Additional Details: Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be arranged upon request. We use spacious 4x4 vehicles with 3rd row of seats and can fit 6 persons.
- Total distance: - ~2100 km.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
• Start in Bishkek. Short City tour optionally, Central “Ala-Too Square” and Monument of Revolutions. Burana tower and medieval Balasagun Karavan-Saray. Lunch at Uyghur restaurant in Tokmok or Kattama fried bread in Tolok village. Chong-Kemin gorge, horse riding to panorama. Dinner in guesthouse. • Overnight: Guesthouse in Chong-Kemin with private bath • Total driving: ~160 km, ~4 hours.
Day 2: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
• Kok-Moynok canyons. Rukh-Ordo ethnic museum center in Cholpon-Ata city, Petroglyph open-air museum optionally. Lunch at local restaurants. Chon Ak-Suu (Grigorievski) gorge, hiking to lakes. Small pass and Kyrchyn Gorge, where was World Nomad Games. Driving to Karakol town. Dinner in Karakol (customers pay by menu) - Kyrgyz restaurant with ethnic music show or Trout restaurant. • Overnight: Guesthouse in Karakol with private bath. • Total driving: ~340 km, ~6 hours.
Day 3: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
• Karakol city tour. Russian Orthodox church, Dungan mosque and Victory Park. Trying local street food as a cold noodles soup. Jety-Oguz redrocks, panorama and canyon. Lunch at local restaurants in Kyzyl-Suu village. Skazka canyon. Kyrgyz ethnic music band show. Dinner at yurt camp. • Overnight: Yurtcamp at the shore of Issik-Kul lake. • Total driving: ~200 km, ~5 hours.
Day 4: Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
• Barskoon “Snow Leopard nest” gorge, hiking to waterfalls, Yuri Gagarin monuments. Ara-Bel plateau, 4000 m. asl optionally. Lunch at local restaurants in Barskoon gorge. Shatyly Panoramic view point. Dinner at yurt camp. • Overnight: Yurtcamp at the shore of Issik-Kul lake. • Total driving: ~200 km, ~5 hours.
Day 5: Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan to Naryn, Kyrgyzstan
• Eagle Hunting show. Aksay canyon hiking. Yurt building show in Kyzyl-Suu village. Lunch at local restaurants in Kochkor or fried Song-Kol fish in Sary-Bulak optionally. Driving to Naryn, Dolon pass panoramic view. Naryn city tour, mosque and canyins. Dinner in Naryn (customers pay by menu). • Overnight: Guesthouse in Naryn • Total driving: ~270 km, ~6 hours.
Day 6: Naryn, Kyrgyzstan to Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
• Drive to Kel-Suu lake, Bosogo pasture coffee stop, Kuldja-Bashy river canyon. Lunch with snacks. Enjoying view of Kok-Kiya valley. Dinner in guesthouse. • Overnight: Huts at Kel-Suu Lake • Total driving: ~145km, ~6 hours
Day 7: Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan to Naryn, Kyrgyzstan
• Hiking or horse riding to Kel-Suu Lake, 7 km., elevation 500 m. Lunch in guesthouse. Driving back to Naryn. Kol-Tor or Tash-Rabat medieval Karavan-Saray optionally. • Overnight: Guesthouse in Naryn. • Total driving: ~145km, ~4 hours
Day 8: Naryn, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
• Driving to Song-Kol lake through Teskey-Torpu pass (33 parrots). Kajerty waterfall hiking. Lunch with snacks. Dinner at yurt camp. • Overnight: Yurtcamp at the shore of Song-Kol Lake. • Total driving: ~180 km, ~6 hours.
Day 9: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Horse riding at Song-Kol (optionally). Via Kochkor town end in Bishkek. Or alternatively via Kyzyl-Oi village (+ extra day) along Kokomeren river. Suusamyr valley. Too-Ashuu pass. Suluu Tor lakes. Arrival and finish in in Bishkek. Overnight: Yurtcamp at the shore of Song-Kol Lake. • Total driving: ~300 km, ~6 hours.
What's included
Transportation, accommodations, meals, entrance fees, horses, Kel-Suu lake boats, music and yurt show, eagle hunting
Alcohol beverages.
Languages spoken
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me. Additional locations (distance from main route): • Ala-Archa National Park (80km, +4 hours); • Ak-Tuz uranium factory (80km, +4 hours); • Kol-Tor Kegety lake (30km, +1 extra day); • Chong-Kemin gorge (80km, +4 hours); • Kol-Kogur lake (80km, +1 extra day); • Konorchek Canyon (+3 hours); • Suttu-Bulak lake (+3 hours); • Enilchek ghost town (320km, +1 extra day); • Saryjaz valley (300km, +2 extra day); • At-Jayloo camp (380km, +2 extra day); • Altyn Arashan (+1 extra day); • Ala-Kul lake (+2 extra days); • Ara-Bel plateau (160km, + 6 hours); • Tosor Pass (+1 extra day); • Dankov and Kyzyl-Asker peaks (450km, +2 extra day); • Djuuku gorge and pass (160km, +1 extra day); • Shatyly Panorama (50km, +3 hours); • Kol-Ukok lake (60km, +1 extra day); • Kol-Tor Naryn lake (50km, +5 hours); • Shar Waterfall (80km, +1 extra day); • Tash-Rabat Medieval Karavan-Saray (120km, +1 extra day); Additional activities: • Eagle (Burkut, Salbuurun) Hunting show – Bokonbaevo; • Kyrgyz folk music concert - Karakol, Kadji-Say; • Dungan cousin class – Tokmak, Karakol, Yrdyk; • Kyrgyz National Nomadic House (Yurt) show - Kyzyl-Tuu; • Kyrgyz felt (Shyrdak) show – Kochkor, Bokonbaevo; • Kyrgyz noodles (Beshbarmak) show – Tokmok, Tash-Bashat; • Kyrgyz National horses game (Kok-Boru - Goat pulling) - Kochkor, Kemin; • Boating at Issik-Kul and Kel-Suu lake;
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan