Kyrgyz Tien Shan: Son-Kul, Kel-Suu & Issyk-Kul in 12 Days
Overview
The three great lakes in one trip: Son-Kul, the hidden Kel-Suu between its cliffs near the Chinese border (two nights, border permit arranged by us), and the Issyk-Kul loop to finish. Private 4x4, yurts and guesthouses, a driver-guide who knows the border zone.
Kel-Suu needs a permit that takes two weeks — book early and we do the rest.
Highlights
Is this trip for you?
- Travellers chasing the hidden lake everyone has seen on Instagram
- Photographers
- Anyone who has done the Issyk-Kul loop and wants further
- You cannot book three weeks ahead — the Kel-Suu permit needs it
- You dislike altitude: Kel-Suu is at 3,500 m
Our honest opinion
- Two nights at Kel-Suu means one full day with no driving
- The Kyzyl-Oy approach is far prettier than the main road
- The Naryn–Kel-Suu road is slow and rough
- The lake can be low in late August
Early July is best for a full lake; mid-September for empty camps and golden grass.
The trip in numbers
Your route
Line style shows how you travel each leg: solid = train, dotted = car, dashed = flight.
Day by day
Pickup; evening walk and briefing.
Töö-Ashuu pass, the Suusamyr valley and the red-rock village on the Kökömeren.
Up the gorge to the lake; yurt camp.
Over the Moldo-Ashuu pass to the Naryn river town.
Border-zone road and the last valley to the lake; yurt camp.
Boat along the lake between the cliffs if the water is high, walk if it is not; a free afternoon.
Back north to the felt town.
Eagle hunters, canyon, south shore.
Waterfalls, red cliffs, Karakol.
North shore and the green valley.
Burana tower and the capital.
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.
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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