A 169 km point-to-point from Eki-Naryn over the 3,893 m Tosor-Ashuu pass to the Issyk-Köl south shore. Seven riding days, six nights in a tent.
Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass
Seven days across the Terskey Ala-Too, ending at the lake
Naryn province into Issyk-Köl province, crossing the Terskey Ala-Too · from Eki-Naryn
- Duration
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Distance
- ~169.3 km
- Max altitude
- 3,893 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Best months
- Mid-June to September
- Riding experience
- some
- Permit
- No
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Seif and the team reply on WhatsApp 24/7 — trip questions, custom plans and booking help.
Ask Seif on WhatsAppAbout the Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass trek
This is the long crossing: from Eki-Naryn in Naryn province, over the spine of the Terskey Ala-Too, down to Bokonbayevo on the Issyk-Köl south shore. Seven days, 169 km, and — the detail that defines it — every single day is a full riding day of six to eight hours, with no rest day and no road support once you leave Eki-Naryn. All six nights are in tents. There is no yurt night and no guesthouse until you reach the far side. Day six is the crux: 33 km with 1,345 m of ascent and 1,690 m of descent, crossing the Tosor-Ashuu pass at 3,893 m. Day seven then loses another 1,880 m to the lake. Along the way you cross the Kalak-Tash jailoo, where herder families are in residence in season, and pass Teshik-Kul lake at 3,727 m on day four. It is graded moderate, and in terms of technical difficulty that is fair, but the profile is demanding for anyone not used to consecutive long days in the saddle at altitude — some prior riding experience is genuinely needed. No border permit is required, unlike the Chatyr-Köl and Kel-Suu routes. Price is on enquiry, and inclusions beyond meals aren't itemised, so settle both in writing before you commit.
Day by day
| Day | Route | Hours | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eki-Naryn → Oruk-Tam valley+310 m / -80 m. Straight into a full riding day — the longest first day of any route here. | 6-7 in the saddle, 28.8 km | tent |
| 2 | Oruk-Tam valley → Kara-Kaman river+683 m / -527 m. | 6-7 in the saddle, 22 km | tent |
| 3 | Kara-Kaman river → Kalak-Tash jailoo+222 m / -100 m. Summer pasture, with herder families in season. | 7-8 in the saddle, 20 km | tent |
| 4 | Kalak-Tash jailoo → Uch Emchek valley via Teshik-Kul lake (3,727 m)+913 m / -749 m. The biggest climb so far, past a high lake. | 7-8 in the saddle, 23 km | tent |
| 5 | Uch Emchek valley → Camp below the Tosor-Ashuu pass+663 m / -236 m. Positioning day. | 7-8 in the saddle, 22.5 km | tent |
| 6 | Tosor-Ashuu Pass (3,893 m) → Kol-Bel jailoo, 3,000 mThe crux: +1,345 m / -1,690 m, the longest distance and the biggest ascent and descent of the trek. | 7-8 in the saddle, 33 km | tent |
| 7 | Kol-Bel jailoo → Bokonbayevo+500 m / -1,880 m — a huge descent to the Issyk-Köl shore. | 6-7 in the saddle, 20 km | village accommodation |
Included
- all meals
- a full inclusions list is not itemised by the operator
Not included
- not published — establish this before booking
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for the Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass trek?
The best time is Mid-June to September. Outside the season the high passes are snowbound and the summer yurt camps are packed down, so most operators only run it then.
How long is the Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass trek?
It runs 7 days / 6 nights and roughly 169.3 km, reaching about 3893 m. Difficulty is moderate.
Do you need riding experience?
Some riding experience helps here (some). You should be reasonably fit and comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.
How do you book the Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass 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 Eki-Naryn to Bokonbayevo over the Tosor-Ashuu Pass 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