Kyrgyzstan Trekking: Tian Shan Trails & Yurt Camps in 14 Days
Overview
Two weeks on foot and on wheels: a four-day trek from Chon-Kemin over the ridge to Issyk-Kul, a high crossing at Kyzyl-Kia (3,300 m) and the walk into Son-Kul over the Kilemche pastures, with tents and yurts along the way and a hotel bed when you need one. Horses carry the camp; you carry a day pack.
Moderate fitness and some hill-walking experience; up to 12 trekkers, a mountain guide, a cook and a support crew.
Highlights
Is this trip for you?
- Walkers who want real trekking without carrying a tent
- Anyone who has done an Alpine hut-to-hut and wants wilder
- Travellers who like camp life
- You have not walked 6 hours with 800 m of ascent before
- You need a bed and a shower every night
- You are travelling with young children
Our honest opinion
- Horses carry everything; a cook makes camp meals
- Rest days are built in between the three treks
- Weather above 3,000 m changes fast — snow in July happens
- Camp toilets are a tent and a shovel
Train on hills for a month before you come and the pass day will be the best day of your year.
The trip in numbers
Your route
Line style shows how you travel each leg: solid = train, dotted = car, dashed = flight.
Day by day
Arrival, gear check and briefing with the mountain guide.
Burana tower and the valley guesthouse; meet the horsemen.
First trekking day up the valley through juniper; tent camp by the river.
Climb to the alpine lake and camp on its shore.
Over the ridge with the first views of Issyk-Kul far below.
Down to the lake, a swim and a hotel bed.
Rest day on wheels: the Grigoriev and Semyonov gorges, Karakol’s mosque and cathedral.
South shore by car; eagle hunters in the evening.
The big pass day; tent camp in the high pasture.
Down to the road and by car to Kochkor.
Walk up to the Kilemche jailoo; yurt camp with a herding family.
Over the pass to the lake; last yurt night and a celebration dinner.
Back to the capital; hot showers and a farewell dinner.
Airport transfer.
What’s included
What’s not included
Where you’ll stay
Or equivalent, depending on season. Hotels are inside or beside the historic centres wherever the town has one.
Traveller reviews
What guests wrote
“Proper trekking: Altyn-Arashan, Ala-Kul at 3,500 m, the Jyrgalan valleys, tents and yurts, horses carrying the heavy bags. Our guide Nurlan was a mountain professional and the cook, Gulnara, produced miracles on a gas stove. The Ala-Kul pass day is hard — be fit. Best two weeks I have had in years.”
Good to know
Most nationalities enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30–90 days. If your passport needs an e-visa, it takes 2–3 working days online — we check your case and guide you at booking.
The local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Visa and Mastercard work in city hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; keep some cash for bazaars, taxis and tips. ATMs dispense som and sometimes USD.
April–June and September–November are warm and clear — ideal for walking the old cities. July–August afternoons exceed 35°C; winter departures run at reduced prices.
Uzbekistan uses European plug types C and F, 220V. Travellers from the UK, US and Asia need a standard Euro adapter — one per device is enough, hotels have plenty of sockets.
Everyday dress is relaxed across all four cities. Inside mosques and madrasas, shoulders and knees should be covered; headscarves for women are only needed in a few active mosques — your guide will tell you when.
Your included eSIM is activated on arrival, so you’re online from the airport. Hotel Wi-Fi is reliable in all four cities; your coordinator stays reachable on WhatsApp or Telegram throughout.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. 50% refund up to 15 days before; after that the booking is non-refundable, but you can move to another date once for free.
Medical insurance for the tour days is included. We still recommend personal travel insurance covering cancellation and baggage — we can suggest trusted providers.
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