Kyrgyzstan 4×4 Jeep Tour: 12-Day Expedition to Inylchek, Kel-Suu & Ak-Say

Your journey begins in Bishkek, from where we depart in prepared 4x4 vehicles toward the foothills. Our first stop is the 11th-century Burana Tower, where we explore ancient petroglyphs under the open sky. Afterward, we head into the Chon-Kemin Gorge. The road becomes increasingly scenic as we climb into the mountains. In the evening, we’ll take a light hike to a ridge that offers a panoramic view of the entire valley bathed in sunset light.

• Transport: Paved roads + gravel tracks.

• Overnight: Cozy guesthouse in Chon-Kemin village (showers, comfortable rooms).

We travel along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul toward the "red" labyrinths of the Kok-Moinok Canyons. Here, we’ll take a walk among whimsical sandstone towers. In the afternoon, a true adventure awaits: driving across a mountain pass connecting two legendary gorges—Grigorievka and Semenovka. We will pass herds of yaks and centuries-old spruce trees.

• Transport: Paved roads + mountain gravel serpentine.

• Overnight: Hotel in Karakol (all amenities).

This is a "hardcore" off-road day. We switch to heavy-duty, specially prepared 4x4 vehicles, as standard cars cannot make this climb. The road follows the turbulent Arashan River through deep ruts and rocky terrain. We ascend to an altitude of 2600m toward icy peaks. The entire day is dedicated to relaxing in natural radon hot springs under the open sky.

• Transport: Heavy off-road (4x4).

• Overnight: Return to the hotel in Karakol.

The morning begins with a drive to the Jyrgalan Valley, surrounded by peaks where eternal snow meets alpine meadows. Here, we leave the vehicles behind and mount horses to ride along mountain trails to the mirror-like Turnaluu-Kol Lake. This is a day of silence and meditation, entirely at one with nature.

• Transport: Paved road + horseback riding.

• Overnight: Guesthouse in Jyrgalan.

The most extreme stage: ascending the Chon-Ashuu Pass (3900m). The road enters the zone of eternal snow. On the descent, we reach the "Ghost Town" of Inylchek, a place where time has stood still. We explore abandoned buildings and head deep into the Sary-Jaz Valley, to the foot of the glaciers. We camp in the heart of the wild.

• Transport: Mountain dirt roads, high difficulty.

• Overnight: Field tent camp (autonomous, sleeping bags and mats provided).

he morning starts with breakfast by a campfire overlooking 7,000-meter peaks. We trek toward the glaciers and mysterious caves of the Chon-Zhylanalak Valley. This is the edge of the inhabited world. After lunch, we begin the long journey back to Karakol, where civilization greets us with warmth and comfort once again.

• Transport: Mountain dirt roads.

• Overnight: Guesthouse in Karakol.

We ascend the Barskoon Gorge to the Arabel Plateau (3800m) — an Arctic landscape in the middle of summer. The road passes frozen lakes. After descending from the heights, we reach "Skazka" (Fairytale Canyon) with its red clay sculptures. By evening, we are on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.

• Transport: Paved road + high-altitude serpentine.

• Overnight: Yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul (beds, linens provided).

In the morning, we watch a demonstration of traditional eagle hunting. Then, we depart for Lake Son-Kul. The road takes us through the Ak-Say Canyons and endless mountain passes. The climb to Son-Kul (3016m) involves navigating a steep serpentine, leading us to a giant mountain "saucer."

• Transport: Paved road + mountain serpentine.

• Overnight: Yurt camp (traditional nomadic lifestyle).

The descent from the Son-Kul plateau via the MELS Pass is a breathtaking serpentine. We drive through the Naryn region deep into a gorge where the ancient Tash-Rabat fortress (15th century) is hidden. Around the campfire in the evening, we discuss the history of the caravans that passed through here 500 years ago.

• Transport: Paved road + mountain road.

• Overnight: Yurt camp at the foot of Tash-Rabat.

We head deep into the most remote part of Kyrgyzstan — the Ak-Say Valley. This is a vast high-altitude steppe on the border with China. Here, we feel like explorers. Upon arrival at the camp by the Kok-Kyia River, we spend the evening in a relaxed mode, acclimatizing to the 3500m altitude before the main adventure.

• Transport: Gravel road, off-road.

• Overnight: Yurt camp in the Kok-Kyia Valley.

Kel-Suu is a lake hidden in a giant crevice. We reach it by horseback. The turquoise water surrounded by cliffs is an otherworldly sight. Optionally, we can take a boat trip through the narrow passage of the canyon. After lunch, we begin the long drive in our 4x4 vehicles to Naryn, the highest city in the country.

• Transport: Horseback + off-road vehicles.

• Overnight: Comfortable hotel in Naryn.

Return to civilization. We drive through the picturesque Boom Gorge, where the road winds along the raging Chu River. In the village of Kochkor, we stop at a workshop where felt rugs (shyrdaks) are handmade — a great opportunity to take a piece of the culture home. In the evening, we arrive in Bishkek.

• Transport: Paved road.

• Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek (included).