Five days from Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu topping out at 3,398 m, sleeping in a guesthouse, yurts and a lodge rather than tents.
Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall
The gentle way to Kel-Suu — a waterfall, a family yurt, and no 3,900 m passes
Naryn and At-Bashy districts, Naryn province · from Bash-Kaiyndy, near Naryn city
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Max altitude
- 3,398 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Riding experience
- some
- Price
- No price published. The reverse-direction version is sold for groups of 6 to 12. Ask CBT Naryn directly. Confirm on the day.
- Permit
- Yes — Kyrgyz restricted border zone (Kel-Suu)
Chat with a real person — free
Seif and the team reply on WhatsApp 24/7 — trip questions, custom plans and booking help.
Ask Seif on WhatsAppAbout the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek
Every other route to Kel-Suu crosses passes near 3,800 or 3,900 m and puts you in a tent for most of the nights. This one tops out at the Kynda pass at 3,398 m and sleeps you in a guesthouse, two yurts and a lodge — which makes it the accessible way to a lake that is otherwise the preserve of expeditions. It starts near Naryn city at Bash-Kaiyndy, rides up to the Shaar waterfall with a climb to the Kamak-Suu plateau at 3,100 m for the view over it, crosses the Kynda pass into the Ak-Sai valley, and works south through Chatyr-Tash to reach Kel-Suu on day four, with a guided walk of an hour and a half or two around the shore. Day three is the one people remember: a night in a yurt with a Kyrgyz family rather than a commercial camp. Note that day two includes a forty-minute vehicle transfer, so this is not a continuous point-to-point ride. Some basic riding experience is expected. Per-day distances, riding hours, the season window and the price aren't specified up front, so ask for all four when you enquire. The border permit is not included and needs about two weeks; it is checked as an original paper at a police checkpoint on the road into the Kok-Kiya valley. Expect no mobile signal past Chatyr-Tash.
Day by day
| Day | Route | Hours | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bash-Kaiyndy → Shaar waterfallSafety briefing, then riding through mountains and river crossings; ascent to the Kamak-Suu plateau at 3,100 m for the view over the waterfall. | — | Guesthouse Shar |
| 2 | Shaar → Sary-Tal, over the Kynda pass (3,398 m)The high point of the trek. | includes a 40-minute vehicle transfer, then riding the Ak-Sai valley | yurt at Uzun-Bulak |
| 3 | Uzun-Bulak → Chatyr-TashRiding open pasture to a genuine herder-family homestay night. | — | yurt with a Kyrgyz family |
| 4 | Chatyr-Tash → Kel-Suu lakeCanyon riding to reach the lake. | includes a guided walk around the lake of 1.5-2 hours | the Jarkyn lodge at the Kok-Kiya camp |
| 5 | Kok-Kiya → Naryn | return by car | tour ends |
Included
- horses and riding equipment
- accommodation in a guesthouse, yurts and a lodge
- all meals
- experienced guide
- return transport to Naryn
Not included
- the border permit, bought separately in advance
- a full exclusions list is not published
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek?
It runs 5 days / 4 nights, reaching about 3398 m. Difficulty is moderate.
How much does the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek cost?
No price published. The reverse-direction version is sold for groups of 6 to 12. Ask CBT Naryn directly. Confirm on the day. Prices vary by group size, season and operator, so confirm current rates when you enquire.
Do you need riding experience?
Some riding experience helps here (some). You should be reasonably fit and comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.
Do you need a permit for the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek?
Yes — this route enters a border zone and needs a permit (Yes — Kyrgyz restricted border zone (Kel-Suu)), which we arrange in advance. It takes a few days to issue, so book ahead.
How do you book the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek?
Enquire on WhatsApp with your dates and group size, and we arrange the guide, horses, yurt nights and transfers. In July and August it's worth booking a day or two ahead.
Book the Bash-Kaiyndy to Kel-Suu via the Shaar Waterfall trek
Tell us your dates and group, and we’ll arrange the guide, horses and yurt nights, plus the yurt stay at the end.
Chat with a real person — free
Seif and the team reply on WhatsApp 24/7 — trip questions, custom plans and booking help.
Ask Seif on WhatsApp