🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
Grand Trek — Issyk-Kul to Naryn
14 days | Remote high-mountain traverse | Small groups
Bishkek → Bokonbaeva → Zhazy Kechuu → Kok Bel → Tosor Pass → Jakyp Bolot Pass → Naryn → Song-Kul → Bishkek
Photo: Partner-supplied Kyrgyzstan photography from Asel / Kyrgyz Guided Tours; exact route locations are not confirmed.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Highest point
- 3,960m
- Best season
- May–September
- Style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Hotels, guesthouses, yurts and tents
Overview
This is a sustained journey through Kyrgyzstan's high country, beginning beside Issyk-Kul and travelling across remote valleys and summer pasture towards Naryn and Song-Kul.
Long walking days, passes approaching 4,000m, tented nights and yurt stays give the programme the character of a serious mountain traverse rather than a series of day walks.
The route brings together snow mountains, forest, high pasture, hot springs, horse herds and shepherd country before finishing at Song-Kul.
At a glance
- Duration
- 14 days
- Trekking
- Sustained multi-day trekking
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Highest point
- Jakyp Bolot Pass — 3,960m
- Season
- May–September
- Group style
- Small group / Private
- Accommodation
- Hotels, guesthouses, yurts and tents
- Meals
- Trekking food support varies with group size
- Start / finish
- Bishkek / Bishkek
- Price
- Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner.
What makes this trek different
Travelling through the landscape itself
A sustained traverse
The programme links Issyk-Kul with Naryn through a sequence of remote trekking days rather than returning to the same base.
High passes
Tosor Pass reaches 3,896m and Jakyp Bolot Pass reaches approximately 3,960m.
Long walking days
Several days run for seven to nine hours, with distances of up to 28km confirmed elsewhere in the programme.
Pasture and shepherd country
The route passes through high summer pasture associated with horse herds and Kyrgyz mountain life.
Hot springs
A hot spring is included during the remote trekking section.
Song-Kul
The journey ends with time at Song-Kul and accommodation in a yurt.
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek at the start of the programme.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel
Day 2Bishkek via Burana to Bokonbaeva
Travel from Bishkek via Burana to Bokonbaeva, on the southern side of Issyk-Kul.
- Accommodation:
- Guesthouse or hotel
Day 3Trek to Zhazy Kechuu10km | approx. +700m
Begin the trek towards Zhazy Kechuu, climbing through the mountain landscape.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 4Trek to Kok Bel22km | 5–6 hours
Continue on foot to Kok Bel on a substantial mountain day.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 5Kok Bel via Tosor Pass to Uch EmchekTosor Pass 3,896m | approx. +900m
Cross Tosor Pass at 3,896m and continue towards Uch Emchek.
Distance and walking time for this day are pending confirmation with our local partner.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 6Trekking day and hot spring18km | 4–5 hours
Continue through the remote mountain landscape, with a hot spring forming part of the day.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 7Teshik Kol to Karakaman8–9 hours
Trek from Teshik Kol to Karakaman on one of the programme's longest walking days.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 8Remote trekking day28km | 7–8 hours
A long trekking day continues the traverse through the high country.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 9Jakyp Bolot Pass to Jalgyz Karagai22km | approx. 9 hours | approx. +1,000m
Cross Jakyp Bolot Pass at 3,960m before continuing to Jalgyz Karagai.
- Accommodation:
- Tent
Day 10Final trek and transfer to Naryn12km | approx. 4 hours
Complete the final trekking section, then transfer to Naryn.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel or guesthouse
Day 11Song-Kul
Travel to Song-Kul and stay in yurt accommodation.
- Accommodation:
- Yurt
Day 12Explore Song-KulOptional 2–3 hour hike
Rest and explore at Song-Kul, with an optional short hike.
- Accommodation:
- Yurt
Day 13Kochkor to Bishkek
Travel via Kochkor to Bishkek for the final night.
- Accommodation:
- Hotel
Day 14Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Photo brief
Awaiting a genuine route-specific operator image
Difficulty & terrain
TREKS Central rating: Challenging
The operator describes the programme as medium/challenging and suitable for experienced trekkers.
TREKS Central rates it Challenging because of the sustained trekking, long days, high passes and altitude.
- Several walking days of seven to nine hours
- Confirmed distances of up to 28km on individual days
- High passes reaching approximately 3,960m
- Sustained ascent, including approximately 1,000m on Day 9
- Remote camping and changing mountain conditions
Where you'll sleep
Accommodation along the route
The operator confirms a mixture of hotels, guesthouses, tents and yurts across the programme.
Bishkek and Naryn
Hotels or guesthouses
Mountain traverse
Tents
Song-Kul
Yurts
What's included
Only the currently confirmed support details are shown while the full inclusions are reviewed:
- Trekking food support as specified by the operator
- For groups of 2–4, food is prepared by the guide with support from the group
- For groups of 6 or more, the operator supplies a dedicated cook
What's not included
- Medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover from an alpine club or trusted insurer (required)
- Any service not confirmed in the final programme
The complete included and excluded lists are still being confirmed with our local partner.
Small-group & private travel
Small groups, not tour parties
The programme is intended for small-group or private travel and is operated on the ground by a Kyrgyz trekking partner.
You can
- Enquire about a future small-group departure
- Travel as a couple or existing group
- Request a private trek
For groups of 2–4, the guide prepares food with group support. For groups of 6 or more, the operator supplies a dedicated cook. Final arrangements depend on the confirmed group.
2027 departures
May–September 2027
Departure availability is being prepared for review. Request your place and we'll respond personally — no payment is taken online.
Price pending confirmation
Operated locally by an experienced Kyrgyz trekking partner. TREKS Central is your UK-facing contact throughout.
Pending confirmation
Some details are pending confirmation
Pricing, departures and certain route details are pending confirmation with our local partner.
High passes, long days and a journey across the mountains towards Song-Kul.
A remote Kyrgyzstan traverse for experienced trekkers.