Kyrgyzstan 7-Day Jeep & Horse Riding Tour: Son-Kul, Kel-Suu Lakes & Skazka Canyons

Your journey begins in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. After meeting at the airport and checking in, you will have a little time to rest after your flight and prepare for the active days ahead. We will then immediately head to the foothills of the Tien Shan to the Ala-Archa National Park—a favorite retreat for locals, where you will witness the majesty of the mountains for the first time. After a walk among the fir trees and mountain rivers, we will return to the city to soak up the atmosphere of Eastern commerce: visiting the famous Osh Bazaar, where the aromas of spices and the sounds of oriental trade mingle. Rest before the great mountain adventure.

Included: Airport transfer, transportation, Ala-Archa entrance fees, dinner, overnight stay at a hotel/guesthouse in Bishkek.

Distance: 270 km. We leave the city and begin our journey along the main "North-South" road. The first part of the drive takes our 4x4 up the high mountain pass Too-Ashuu (3170m). We will make several stops at the panoramic viewpoints to admire the breathtaking view of the vast Suusamyr Valley below. Our route continues along the picturesque Kekemeren River. We will pass through the village of Kojomkul (named after a famous Kyrgyz strongman) and stop on the riverbank for lunch. By evening, we reach the ancient nomadic settlement of Kyzyl-Oy (literally "Red Valley"), nestled in a canyon. Upon arrival, we will take a walk to a panoramic spot to witness the beauty of this place at sunset. Here, far from civilization, a warm dinner and your first night in a guesthouse await, enveloped in the silence and scent of mountain herbs.

Included: Transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, overnight stay at a guesthouse in Kyzyl-Oy.

Distance: ~320 km.

After breakfast, we will take an additional detour to the incredibly beautiful high-altitude Ak-Köl Lake. This clean, secluded lake, located in the Jumgal district, offers a peaceful and picturesque mountain landscape. We will spend some time on its shore, enjoy the fresh air, and take photos before returning to the main route.

Next, a major ascent awaits us! En route, we will pass the country's largest coal mine, Kara-Keche, which provides a striking contrast between pristine mountain nature and the industrial landscape. Our 4x4 then traverses the mountain ranges to reach the legendary high-altitude plateau. Son-Kul is the second-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, located at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. The name Sön-Köl translates as "The Last Lake." In summer, its shores become one of the country's main summer pastures (jailoos). Our night will be spent in a cozy yurt camp on the lake shore. Towards evening, we will walk to a panorama to watch the sun set behind the ridges, painting the plateau in golden tones.

Included: Transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, overnight stay at a yurt camp in Son-Kul.

Distance: Very long transfer (total 350–400 km). The morning starts with descending the plateau via the Terskey-Torpok Pass ("33 Parrots"). After descending, we will walk to the picturesque Sön-Köl Waterfall to enjoy the cool mountain water. We will then head to Naryn city for lunch, recharging our energy before the long drive. The most exciting part of the journey begins after lunch: we drive to Kel-Suu through the high-altitude Ak-Say Valley.

The Ak-Say Valley is known as the "Cold Pole of Kyrgyzstan," where winter temperatures can drop below –50°C. You will drive through this majestic and severe, yet breathtakingly beautiful, territory. Our route concludes in the Kok-Kyya River Valley, where we will check into a comfortable guesthouse (the base camp) near Kel-Suu Lake.

Included: Transportation (4x4), breakfast, lunch, dinner, overnight stay at a guesthouse in Kok-Kyya Valley.

Distance: 130–150 km. The Tour's Climax: In the morning, an unforgettable horse ridning (or trekking, if preferred) awaits you, leading along a winding gorge right to Kel-Suu. You will see its turquoise water, wedged between sheer cliffs resembling a fjord.

Kel-Suu (3500m) is a unique dammed lake formed relatively recently as a result of a major landslide that blocked the riverbed. The lake is a tectonic phenomenon. Its name, "Incoming Water," proves true: the water is fed by glaciers, but sometimes the lake completely disappears, draining into underground cavities and caves, only to fill up again later. In the afternoon, we return to civilization. Transfer to Naryn – a cozy regional center. The night will be spent at the best hotel in the city, providing well-deserved comfort and a hot shower after the high-altitude adventures.

Included: Transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, horse rental, overnight stay at a hotel in Naryn.

Distance: ~300 km. We continue our journey to the "pearl" of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk-Kul Lake. Upon arrival at the South Shore, we will walk to a panoramic viewpoint, offering a breathtaking view of the lake framed by mountains. Furthermore, depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to swim and cool off in the waters of the great unfrozen lake. In the afternoon, we head to the Jailchy area (near Bokonbaevo), where we

will meet a real Berkutchi (eagle hunter). He will share ancient traditions, tell you everything about the eagles, and demonstrate a real hunting scene with a golden eagle, one of the most authentic cultural events in Kyrgyzstan. Overnight stay in a guesthouse or yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

Included: Transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, Berkutchi show, overnight stay at a guesthouse/yurt in Bokonbaevo.

Distance: ~450 km. Our final day begins with a visit to the picturesque Shatyly Panorama. We then ascend into the highlands: our jeep will take you along the road leading to the glaciers of the Arabel Plateau (4000m), where you will witness the harsh landscapes of the high-altitude syrts. Descending the famous Barskoon Gorge, we will definitely walk to its majestic waterfalls. Afterward, we will drive to the renowned Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon). The canyon is named for its fantastic shapes carved from red clay. Here, amidst the Martian landscapes, we will have lunch. After lunch, the long but impressive transfer to Bishkek begins. Arrival in the capital in the evening.

Included: Transportation, breakfast, lunch, entrance fees to Skazka Canyon and Barskoon Gorge.