Quick Details:
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departure Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Arrival Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Ages: 16+ recommended; younger travelers considered depending on fitness
Availability: June – September
Activities: Trekking, hiking, horseback riding, camping, nomadic cultural experience, mountain photography
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Group Type: Private tour — 1 to 24 guests
Highest Point: Approximately 3,860 m at Ala-Kul Pass
- Locations: Song-Kul & Ala-Kul Lakes • Kochkor • Altyn Arashan • Karakol
Itinerary
1 DAY: Arrival in Bishkek
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
- Arrival at Manas International Airport and private transfer to your hotel.
- After check-in, meet your guide for a tour briefing and preparation for the trekking adventure.
- If time permits, enjoy a short walking tour of central Bishkek.
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Bishkek to Kochkor to Song-Kul
Day 2: Bishkek to Kochkor to Song-Kul
- After breakfast, depart Bishkek and travel toward Kochkor.
- Visit a local handicraft workshop and discover traditional Kyrgyz felt-making techniques.
- Continue through the spectacular mountain scenery toward Song-Kul Lake, located at approximately 3,000 m above sea level.
- Arrive at a traditional yurt camp and enjoy your first evening surrounded by the mountains and alpine pastures.
- Overnight: Yurt camp at Song-Kul
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Driving: Approximately 5–6 hours
Day 3: Song-Kul Trekking
Day 3: Song-Kul Trekking
- Enjoy a full day trekking around the beautiful Song-Kul region.
- Hike through vast alpine pastures with panoramic views of the surrounding Tien Shan mountains.
- Along the route, you may encounter local shepherds and nomadic families with their horses, sheep and traditional yurts.
- Optional horseback riding can be arranged.
Overnight: Yurt camp at Song-Kul
Trekking: Approximately 12–15 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Song-Kul to Kochkor to Karakol
Day 4: Song-Kul to Kochkor to Karakol
- After breakfast, leave Song-Kul and descend toward Kochkor.
- Continue east toward Karakol through beautiful mountain landscapes.
- Arrive in Karakol in the afternoon and prepare for the Ala-Kul trekking section.
- Enjoy a traditional dinner and rest before the mountain trek.
Overnight: Hotel/guesthouse in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Driving: Approximately 5–7 hours
Day 5: On the way to Ala Kul Lake
Day 5: Karakol to Karakol Valley to Sirota Camp
- Morning transfer from Karakol to the Karakol Valley.
- Begin trekking through coniferous forests and mountain terrain.
- Gradually climb higher toward the Sirota area, where the landscape opens into dramatic alpine scenery.
- Set up camp and enjoy the mountain surroundings.
- Overnight: Mountain camp
Trekking: Approximately 10–12 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Sirota Camp to Ala-Kul Lake
Day 6: Sirota Camp to Ala-Kul Lake
- Continue your ascent toward Ala-Kul Lake.
- The trail becomes steeper as you approach the high-altitude lake.
- Arrive at Ala-Kul and enjoy spectacular views of its turquoise waters surrounded by rugged Tien Shan peaks.
- Spend the evening at camp near the lake.
Overnight: Tent camp near Ala-Kul
Trekking: Approximately 8–10 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Ala-Kul Pass to Altyn-Arashan to Karakol
Day 7: Ala-Kul Pass to Altyn-Arashan to Karakol
- Start early for the most challenging and spectacular section of the trek.
- Climb to Ala-Kul Pass, approximately 3,860 m above sea level.
- From the pass, enjoy panoramic views over Ala-Kul and the surrounding mountains.
- Descend toward the beautiful Altyn-Arashan Valley.
- After reaching the valley, relax and, depending on conditions, enjoy its famous natural hot springs.
- Continue by 4WD transfer to Karakol.
Overnight: Hotel in Karakol
Trekking: Approximately 12–14 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Karakol to Issyk-Kul to Bishkek / Departure
Day 8: Karakol to Issyk-Kul to Bishkek / Departure
- After breakfast, depart Karakol and travel toward Bishkek.
- Depending on your departure schedule, stop at scenic locations along Lake Issyk-Kul.
- Continue to Bishkek and transfer to Manas International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
End of the 8-Day Song-Kul & Ala-Kul Trekking Adventure.
✅ Tour Inclusions:
- 8-day private trekking tour
- 7 nights accommodation
- Airport transfer on arrival and departure
- Private transportation throughout the tour
- Professional English-speaking trekking guide
- Song-Kul trekking
- Ala-Kul trekking
- Ala-Kul Pass crossing
- Altyn-Arashan Valley
- Traditional yurt accommodation
- Mountain camping
- Camping equipment
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Nomadic cultural experience
- Local handicraft/felt-making experience
- Horse support where required
- Entrance and environmental fees
- Drinking water during trekking days
- First-aid kit
- Local taxes
❌Tour Exclusions:
- International flights
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal trekking clothing
- Personal sleeping bag, if required
- Trekking poles
- Personal camping equipment
- Optional horseback riding
- Additional hotel nights
- Any services not specifically listed under inclusions
The tour map
Note
Best season: June – September.
Trekking difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Ala-Kul Pass involves steep and rocky sections and high altitude. Participants should have good physical fitness and previous experience with full-day mountain hiking.
Important: The itinerary and trekking routes may be adjusted by the local guide due to weather, trail conditions, road conditions, altitude, safety considerations or other circumstances beyond the operator’s control.
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