5-Day Nomad Trail: Song-Köl, Issyk-Köl & Altyn-Arashan

Overview

Five days is the sweet spot for seeing the two faces of Kyrgyzstan — the high nomad pastures and the great lake — without rushing. You ride into Song-Köl for a yurt night at 3,000 metres, cross to Lake Issyk-Köl, and finish in the Altyn-Arashan valley, soaking in wild hot springs beneath the Tian Shan. It blends driving, riding and gentle walking, with nights split between yurts, a guesthouse and a mountain camp. We run it in small groups with guides we know, include every meal and fee, and shape the pace around you. It is the trip most travellers wish they had booked.

Highlights

• ✦A yurt night on the Song-Köl jailoo (~3,016 m)
• ✦Lake Issyk-Köl, the world's second-largest alpine lake
• ✦Wild hot springs at Altyn-Arashan beneath the peaks
• ✦A mix of horseback riding, driving and easy hiking
• ✦Karakol's Dungan food and wooden cathedral
• ✦All-inclusive: guide, transport, stays, meals and fees

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 — Bishkek to Kochkor / Song-Köl approach

   Drive via Burana and Kochkor toward the mountains; overnight en route or at a mountain guesthouse.

2. 2
   Day 2 — Ride to Song-Köl

   Horseback ride over the pass to the lake; yurt night on the jailoo.

3. 3
   Day 3 — Song-Köl to Issyk-Köl

   Ride out and drive to the south shore of Issyk-Köl via Skazka Canyon; lakeside overnight.

4. 4
   Day 4 — Karakol & Altyn-Arashan

   Explore Karakol, then transfer up to the Altyn-Arashan valley; hot springs and a mountain-camp night.

5. 5
   Day 5 — Return to Bishkek

   Descend from Altyn-Arashan and drive back to Bishkek along the lake.

Meeting point

📍 Bishkek — hotel pickup included

Frequently asked questions

How long is this experience?

5 days

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes — you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before it starts.

Where does it start?

Bishkek — hotel pickup included

What's included?

Vetted English- and Russian-speaking local guide · All transport from Bishkek in a private vehicle · Accommodation as per the itinerary · All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner) · National-park and conservation fees