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; a private trek for just your party, on your dates, with your own mountain guide, a cook and a support crew. Minimum age 14.
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 children under 14 (minimum age 14)
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
Dotted lines show the road route.
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; tent camp on its shore.
Over the ridge with the first views of Issyk-Kul far below; tent camp at Kyzyl-Aska.
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 at Jazuu-Kechuu.
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 on the shore.
Back to the capital and hot showers.
Airport transfer.
What’s included
What’s not included
Where you’ll stay
Plus 4 nights in tents on the trek (3 above Chon-Kemin, 1 at Jazuu-Kechuu) and 2 yurt nights at Kilemche/Son-Kul. Hotels or equivalent, depending on season.
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
Citizens of the EU, UK, US and about 55 other countries enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 30 days (reduced from 60 days in 2026). We check your passport at booking.
The Kyrgyz som (KGS). Cards work in Bishkek and Karakol; cash is needed at yurt camps, guesthouses and bazaars. ATMs are in towns only.
Mid-June to August is the trekking window, when the high passes are clear of snow and the pastures are green. From September onwards snow closes the passes.
Plug types C and F, 220 V — the same as most of Europe. Travellers from the UK, US and Asia need a standard Euro adapter.
Relaxed everywhere. Bring warm layers — nights at yurt camps drop close to freezing even in summer.
Good mobile coverage in towns; no signal at Son-Kul and in the mountains.
Free cancellation 40 days or more before departure. 39–30 days: 30% of the price is kept; 29–15 days: 50%; 14 days or less or no-show: 100%. One free change of dates or hotel category 45+ days before departure.
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We recommend a policy covering medical care, repatriation and cancellation, and we can suggest trusted providers.
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