Kyrgyzstan Tian-Shan trekking tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 10% deposit, balance one month before tour starting date.
Kyrgyzstan Tian-Shan trekking tour Highlights
This 9-day small-group trek takes you into the Tien Shan mountains south of Issyk-Kul. Five days of hiking between fixed tent camps are combined with a city tour of Bishkek with the colorful Osh Bazaar and a visit to the 11th-century Burana Tower. Porters carry your luggage from camp to camp, the camp staff cook on the trekking days, and the group has 1–12 travelers.
After a night in a yurt camp on the flower meadows of Kok-Dzhayik in the Jeti-Oguz gorge, known for its red “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” rocks, the trail follows the narrow, wooded Bay Tor gorge up to alpine meadows and crosses the Telety Pass (3,800 m) into the Karakol Gorge above the town of Karakol. A day hike through Tien Shan spruce forest leads to a viewpoint below Karakol Peak (5,216 m), the highest summit of the Terskey Ala-Too range.
The highlight of the trek is Ala-Kul Lake (3,600 m), a glacial lake whose water turns emerald, turquoise or dark grey with the light. After a night at its shore you cross the Ala-Kul Pass and the wide Keldike Valley to Altyn-Arashan, where you can relax in natural hot springs before driving back along the shore of Issyk-Kul to Bishkek.
Difficulty: Challenging Five trekking days of 8–16 km (5–7 hours) with up to +1,172 m ascent and -1,310 m descent a day, over the Telety Pass (3,800 m) and the Ala-Kul Pass, including one river crossing without a bridge. Five nights in fixed tent camps at 2,500–3,625 m and one in a shared yurt at 2,600 m; porters carry up to 12 kg per person. For trekkers with some hiking experience above 3,000 m and good fitness. Drives of up to 422 km (6–7 hours) a day.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Tue – Wed | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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| – Available | Sat – Sun | $1,500 |
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Tour Itinerary
Upon arrival at Manas International Airport, your guide and driver meet you and transfer you to Bishkek (about 30 km, 45 minutes), where you can check in to your hotel early (included) and rest after your journey. Your introduction to the city begins at Osh Bazaar, one of the most colorful markets in Central Asia, with stalls selling aromatic spices, fresh and dried fruits and handmade crafts. Next, a walking tour of the city center takes you to Ala-Too Square with the Manas Monument and the State Flag, where the Changing of the Guard takes place, and past the monument to the 2010 revolution and the White House. At the old square you see a statue of Lenin and Soviet-era buildings. Then walk through Oak Park, with its open-air sculpture gallery and the monument to Kurmanjan Datka, a legendary female leader, and end the tour at Victory Square, dedicated to those who died in the Second World War. Lunch and dinner are at cozy local cafés. Overnight at a 3* hotel in Bishkek (800 m).
Bishkek, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Ala Too Square, Bishkek Oak Park, Bishkek Victory Square
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, drive from Bishkek towards the Jeti-Oguz gorge. On the way, stop at the Burana Tower near Tokmok, an 11th-century minaret on the site of Balasagun, once the capital of the Karakhanid state. Explore the tower and the balbals nearby, stone sculptures left by ancient nomads. The journey continues along the Issyk-Kul region, with a lunch stop at a café serving local cuisine. At the entrance of the Jeti-Oguz gorge you see the red sandstone rocks “Broken Heart” and “Seven Bulls”, the symbols of this place. The gorge is famous for its Tien Shan spruce forests, alpine meadows and clean mountain air. A winding road with log bridges leads deep into the gorge to the Kok-Dzhayik (“Flower Meadow”) area. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp, surrounded by mountain peaks. Drive about 400 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight altitude: 2,600 m.
Burana Tower, Jeti Oguz, Kok-Zhaiyk
- Bishkek → Kok-Zhaiyk (400 km)
Overnight: Kok-Zhaiyk (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, meet the porters. After breakfast, leave the yurt camp and start trekking along the riverbank through the narrow, wooded Bay Tor gorge, which leads up to alpine meadows. Here, on a carpet of flowers, the air is sweet and clear and the views are amazing. After a rest, continue to the tent camp at the foot of the Telety Pass. Shortly before the camp you cross a big river on a bridge. From the camp, an easy walk leads to a nameless waterfall, and the meadows along the west Telety River are lovely. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Put all your things into the special rucksack provided by us and hand it to the porters in the morning; they carry the luggage from one tent camp to the next (up to 12 kg per person, extra weight 20 USD per kg). Trek: 13 km, about 5–6 hours, +450 m. Overnight altitude: 3,050 m.
Kok-Zhaiyk
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, leave the camp and begin the ascent to the Telety Pass. The first kilometer of the trail runs through juniper bushes, then a narrow path gains altitude gradually. From the top of the pass (3,800 m) there is a wonderful panorama of mountains and valleys. The descent is simple: along a wide scree slope and through alpine meadows covered with herbs and flowers, along the East Telety River, which you have to wade across at one point – there is no bridge, so sandals are recommended. The trail then winds through the forest on a path crossed by roots and descends into the Karakol Gorge. The last kilometer follows an old dirt road to a tent camp in the forest, where you can make a campfire after dinner. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Trek: 12 km, about 6–7 hours, +735 m / -1,232 m. Overnight altitude: 2,500 m.
Telety Pass
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s radial hike leads towards Karakol Peak. The trail follows the Uyun-Tor River, partly on an old dirt road that ends after a small river. After the river crossing, the path goes through Tien Shan spruce forest; from May the meadows are full of flowers – snowdrops, tulips, primroses, white anemones, alpine asters and big edelweiss. Above the forest you climb a stony hill to a viewpoint of Karakol Peak, the highest summit of the Terskey Ala-Too range – a wonderful place for lunch. Afterwards, walk back to the tent camp on the same route, where a mountain sauna awaits. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Hike: 16 km, about 6–7 hours, +531 m / -531 m. Overnight altitude: 2,553 m.
Karakol Peak
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, walk about 1 km down the gorge, cross the river on a bridge and follow the trail into the forest. A rather long ascent ends at a steep grassy slope, where the trail turns into a serpentine, passes a river overflow and reaches an unusual place called the “Sirota” log hut. Inside are a table, benches and a fireplace, and around the hut stand wooden carvings of animals and idols – a fairy-tale spot for a rest and a snack. Higher up, the trail leaves the forest behind and follows the river to a beautiful waterfall flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. Pass the waterfall and climb onto a natural dam with the first view of the lake; the last kilometer to the tent camp runs along the shore. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp – the highest night of the trip. Trek: 8 km, about 6–7 hours, +1,172 m. Overnight altitude: 3,625 m.
Ala Kul Lake
Overnight: Ala Kul Lake (Tent camping)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The moraine lake Ala-Kul stretches 2.8 km from east to west; it is 500 m wide and 70 m deep. Ala-Kul means “Colorful Lake” in Kyrgyz: depending on the light, the water can be emerald green, turquoise with white clouds reflected, light green, dark grey or even black. After breakfast, start the ascent to the Ala-Kul Pass, the highest pass of the trip, with wonderful views of the lake and of the main range of the Terskey Ala-Too with peaks such as Ak-Suu, Djigit, Karakol and Oguz-Bashi. From the lake shore it takes about an hour and a half to reach the pass. Descend from the pass along a scree slope and cross the wide Keldike Valley with its grazing cattle and flocks of sheep. In Altyn-Arashan you can relax in the natural hot springs – the thermal baths in the valley reach up to 50 °C (entrance included). Dinner and overnight at the tent camp. Trek: 12 km, about 6–7 hours, +285 m / -1,310 m. Overnight altitude: 2,600 m.
Ala Kul Lake, Altyn Arashan
- Ala Kul Lake → Altyn Arashan (12 km)
Overnight: Altyn Arashan (Tent camping)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
- Internet: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, a special military truck takes you down from the Altyn-Arashan gorge to Karakol. From there, drive back to Bishkek along the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake and through the scenic Boom gorge, with a lunch stop at a local café serving national cuisine. In the evening, arrive in Bishkek and check in to your 3* hotel. A farewell dinner at one of the city’s cozy cafés is a chance to look back on your trip and enjoy Kyrgyz hospitality. Drive about 422 km, 6–7 hours.
Karakol, Cholpon Ata, Bishkek
- Altyn Arashan → Bishkek (422 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning, transfer to Manas International Airport (about 30 km, 45 minutes) for your departure flight. End of the program.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $170
What's included
Included
- Accommodation for 8 nights in twin/double rooms in 3* hotels and in twin-share tents
- Shared yurt in the Jeti-Oguz yurt camp (4 people per yurt)
- Full board (8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners), with chef services on the trekking days
- All transport from arrival to departure, including airport transfers
- Special military vehicle into or out of the Karakol Gorge and the Altyn-Arashan Gorge
- English-speaking guide / trekking guide for the trekking part
- Porter services (up to 12 kg of personal belongings per person)
- Drinking water on the trekking days (1 liter per person per day, boiled water)
- Entrance and environmental fees during the entire tour
- Entrance fee to the hot springs in Altyn-Arashan
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fee and visa support fee, if applicable
- Insurance
- Single supplement in the tent camps: 170 USD
- Sleeping bags
- Porter luggage above 12 kg (20 USD per extra kg)
- Meals not included in the program
- Alcoholic drinks
- Photo and video fees in museums
- Porterage at hotels
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Bishkek
My Hotel or similar
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Night 2
Kok-Zhaiyk
Yurt camp in Jeti-Oguz Gorge or similar
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Night 6
Ala Kul Lake
Fixed tent camp at Ala-Kul Lake (3,625 m) or similar
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Night 7
Altyn Arashan
Fixed tent camp in Altyn-Arashan (2,600 m) or similar
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Night 8
Bishkek
My Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Fitness: The tour suits trekkers with some hiking experience at altitudes above 3,000 m who are in good physical condition and health. Trekking days take about 5–7 hours (10–18 km), depending on the weather and the participants; the highest point is about 3,800 m.
- Luggage on the trek: Porters carry up to 12 kg of personal belongings per person from camp to camp in a special rucksack provided by us; each extra kilogram costs 20 USD. You only carry a daypack while hiking.
- Lunch on the trek: After breakfast on the trekking days, everyone packs a lunch from ingredients provided by the camp staff.
- Water: Boiled water is provided during the trek to reduce plastic waste, so please bring your own flask or bottles.
- Tipping: Tips are not obligatory in Kyrgyzstan but are always appreciated. As a guideline, about 7–10 USD per person per day, shared among the guide, drivers and porters; the amount is always up to you. A 10–15% service charge on café and restaurant bills is part of the staff’s pay, not a tip.
- Changes: Some trekking days may change for safety or weather reasons. Transfer and trekking times are approximate and depend on the road and weather conditions. Hotels may change depending on availability; the category stays the same.
Tent camps
The trek uses permanent tent camps that have been set up along the whole route since 2010 and are improved every year, so you don’t carry food or camping gear.
- Tents: Red Fox tents for up to four people are used by two travelers, so you share a tent with another participant (single accommodation in tents is not included in the tour price). Each tent has 5 cm mattresses and sleeping pads.
- Dining tent: A Team Fox dining tent for 10–20 people with tables, chairs and kitchenware; tea, coffee, sweets and biscuits are free, and drinks such as vodka, wine, cognac and juices can be bought at the camp bar.
- Toilet and shower: Each camp has a toilet tent and a shower tent with a small basin, a bucket and warm water; in bad weather warm water may be difficult to provide.
- Electricity: A generator runs from 19:00 to 22:00 to charge phones, tablets and batteries.
- Safety: Each camp has communication equipment, and you receive a detailed route map.
- Comfort: Comfort in the trekking areas is basic – no internet access and no air conditioning.
What to bring
- Essential for the trek: waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, a waterproof jacket or rain cape, a sun hat or cap with ear and neck flap, a 30–40 liter daypack with rain cover, a warm hat, warm gloves, a fleece jacket or warm jumper, trekking trousers, thermal underwear, a sleeping bag (comfort rating -5 °C), trekking poles (highly recommended for stream crossings and steep slopes), a headtorch with spare batteries, good sunglasses, sun protection, lip balm, two 1-liter water bottles, water purification tablets, dry bags for your gear and electronics, and a basic first aid kit (antiseptic and antihistamine cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment, painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, rehydration salts)
- Optional: shoes for city walking, trainers or sandals for river crossings, socks (1 pair for 2–3 trekking days), waterproof overtrousers, a scarf to cover your hair when visiting mosques and churches, shorts or swimwear for the lakes, rivers and hot springs, a buff against dust and cold, a washbag and toiletries, antibacterial handwash, a quick-dry towel, a sleeping mat such as a Thermarest (5 cm mats are provided), a pen-knife (in your hold baggage), a small repair kit and ear plugs
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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