Highlights of the 14-Day Ultimate 4x4 Expedition

• Off-Road Wilderness: Traverse rugged terrain in powerful 4x4 vehicles, accessing the most remote and untouched regions of Kyrgyzstan, from hidden alpine lakes to high-altitude border zones.

• Kel-Suu Lake Adventure: Trek to the breathtaking Kel-Suu Lake (3,500m), nestled deep within the Kok-Kiya Valley near the Chinese border, surrounded by towering cliffs and glaciers.

• Kyzyl-Asker Glacier Basecamp: Camp at the foot of the magnificent Kyzyl-Asker glacier. Experience true isolation and hike along ancient moraines in a truly wild environment.

• Nomadic Hospitality & Culture: Sleep in traditional yurts, learn the art of felt carpet making (shyrdak) in Kochkor, and taste national delicacies like fresh kattama bread and samovar tea.

• Spectacular High Passes: Conquer breathtaking mountain passes, including Moldo-Ashuu, Chon-Ashu, and Turuk, offering panoramic views of legendary peaks like Khan-Tengri (7,010m).

• Uzengi-Kuush & Wild Frontiers: Venture deep into the rugged Uzengi-Kuush River Valley, known for its pristine landscapes, challenging river fords, and the rare chance to spot a snow leopard.

• Canyons and Hot Springs: Marvel at the alien landscapes of Kok-Moinok and the red rocks of Jety-Oguz, and rejuvenate your muscles in natural hot springs after days of intense exploration.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Chon-Kemin National Park

Upon your arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek, a transfer will be ready to take you to the hotel. After enjoying breakfast, we will set off for the Kegety Gorge, where we’ll take a scenic walk to the waterfall. Following our hike, we’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional café, sampling national kattama flatbreads and tea served from a samovar. After lunch, we’ll depart for Chon-Kemin National Park and Reserve (elevation 1,500 m.a.s.l.), where we will spend the night at the guest house. We will aim to arrive early enough to catch the sunset from the top of the hill. Those interested in exploring can take a walk, or, for a more immersive experience in nature, opt for horseback riding (please arrange this in advance). We'll gather for dinner, where you'll meet the team, and the tour leader will review the program and route for the upcoming expedition, along with important details and nuances of the trip. Time to relax!

Day 2: Canyons of Kok-Moinok, Kochkor, Son-Kol Lake

After breakfast, we will embark on a 1.5-hour journey to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Kok-Moinok canyons. We will reach the base by SUVs, take a one-hour walk to capture some amazing photos, and then continue our adventure. On our way to Son-Kol Lake, we will pass through the city of Kochkor, where we will stop for lunch and learn about the traditional crafting of the national felt carpet known as shyrdak. Following our meal, we will set off on a longer journey to Son-Kol Lake, where we will spend the night in comfortable national yurts equipped with beds and warm stoves. The lake is situated at an altitude of just over 3,000 meters above sea level, and along the way, we will traverse passes reaching approximately 3,500 meters. We will conclude the day with rest, dinner, and a cozy evening around the fire, while enjoying the breathtaking starry sky.

Day 3: Moldo-Ashuu Pass, Naryn

Our day begins at 9:00 AM with breakfast, followed by an optional excursion at 9:40 AM to the nearby panoramic hills for some warm-up and stunning photo opportunities. This gentle walk lasts for 1.5 hours, offering a difference in elevation of 100-200 meters, or you can enjoy free time strolling along the shore. After our trek, we return to camp, pack our belongings, and prepare to move on. We depart from Son-Kol Lake and head towards Naryn, where we will spend our last night in a hotel with the comforts of civilization, including hot water and restrooms. During our journey, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch in nature. Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel, organize our belongings, and purchase any necessary items or personal first aid kits, as we will be out of reach for the next six days in remote areas. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner and take some time to relax.

Day 4: Border Zone, Kok-Kiya Valley

After enjoying breakfast, we set off for Lake Kel-Suu. As we pass the last settlement, where cellular service ceases, be sure to inform your family and friends that you will be out of touch for the next 5 to 6 days. Before we tackle the pass, we will enjoy a picnic lunch by the banks of a mountain river. Continuing our journey along a gravel road, we embrace the tranquility of being disconnected from communication. We pass through the border point and travel for a couple more hours. Soon, we arrive at a small canyon, where we'll take a break and stroll along the river canyon. After another hour of travel, we reach the Kok-Kiya Valley (elevation 3,300 meters above sea level), where we will spend the next two nights. We'll settle into yurts and share a delightful dinner together.

Day 5: Hike to Kel-Suu Lake

The fifth day promises to be an exhilarating adventure, immersing you fully in nature. After a hearty breakfast, we will set off to one of Kyrgyzstan's most breathtaking locations - Kel-Suu Lake, situated at an altitude of approximately 3,500 meters above sea level, and only 20 kilometers from the Chinese border. Here, you will be captivated by stunning views of majestic mountains, serene rivers, glaciers, and the lake itself, where you can enjoy a motorboat ride for a unique aesthetic experience. The hike to the lake takes about 2-3 hours on foot, but horse rentals are available for those who prefer. We will bring along snacks and tea, as we won't return until late afternoon. Although the journey is relatively short, it's often hard to pull yourself away from the lake's beauty, making it tempting to linger and gaze at its splendor. We will return to camp before sunset for dinner and some well-deserved rest.

Day 6: Departure to Kyzyl-Asker

After breakfast, we leave the yurt camp of the Kok-Kiya valley. We drive off-road. Picnic lunch on the road, the cook prepares. By evening, we arrive at the foot of the glacier, set up a tent camp for 2 nights, the cook prepares, the rest take pictures, rest. Dinner, rest.

Day 7: Hike to the Kyzyl-Asker Glacier

Following breakfast, we’ll gather snacks and hot tea before embarking on our trek to the glacier. If fortune smiles upon us, we might enjoy a boat ride as well. We will discover safe areas where you can stroll along ancient moraines without needing any special equipment. Upon our return to camp, we’ll be greeted by our beloved cook, who has prepared a delightful meal for us. If there’s any firewood remaining, we’ll enjoy a wonderful evening by the fire.

Day 8: Uzengi-Kuush River Valley

After enjoying breakfast, we pack up our camp and move forward. The familiar off-road trails and river fords persist, offering fresh landscapes each day. Today, we will drive 20 kilometers through China before setting up camp in the Uzengi-Kuush River Valley. From here, you can stroll along the river canyon and catch a glimpse of Dankov Peak, which stands at 5,982 meters above sea level. This area is also known for a high likelihood of spotting a snow leopard.

Day 9: Passes and Barskoon Gorge

After enjoying breakfast, we will pack up our camp and make our way back to civilization. The journey is quite lengthy, and according to our itinerary, we aim to reach the southern shore of Issyk-Kul and exit through the Barskoon Gorge today. We’ll take a break along the way for a hot lunch. By late evening, we will arrive at the village of Tamga, where we will spend the night in a guest house complete with a hot shower and toilet—perfect for freshening up. After dinner, we will take some time to relax.

Day 10: Jety-Oguz Gorge, Yeltsin Peak, Issyk-Kul Lake

After enjoying breakfast, we set off for the Jety-Oguz gorge, where we will embark on a 1 to 1.5-hour walk to reach the waterfall. If the weather permits, we can continue further along the gorge to take in the stunning views of the Oguz-Bashi (Yeltsin) peak. Picnic lunch in the great outdoors. On our return, we will make a stop at the “Seven Bulls” panorama for a memorable photo opportunity. Next, we will head to the city of Karakol, where we will visit the hot springs before checking into a hotel for the night. Dinner and relaxation to conclude the day.

Day 11: Sary-Dzhaz, Adyr-Tor

After enjoying breakfast, we embark towards another stunning destination: the valley of the Sary-Dzhaz River. We pass through the checkpoint once more, entering the border zone with China. Along the way, we also traverse the breathtaking Turgen-Aksu gorge and the Chon-Ashu pass. We take a picnic lunch during our journey. By evening, we arrive at our campsite and set up our tents. Dinner follows, along with some relaxation by the fire and a bit of fun.

Day 12: Turuk Pass: A Spectacular View of Khan-Tengri

After enjoying breakfast, we will pack up the camp and set off towards the Karkyra Valley. We’ll pass through Turuk Pass, where a breathtaking view of the valley and the northern face of Khan-Tengri peak (altitude 7,010 m above sea level) awaits us. Picnic Lunch: We will have lunch on the road. As we continue our journey through Karkyra Valley, we’ll make a stop at the "Tamerlane Stones" before heading to the highway. Finally, we will arrive in the city of Cholpon-Ata and check into our hotel. After dinner, it will be time to relax and unwind.

Day 13: Departure to Bishkek

After breakfast, we will set off for Bishkek. Along the way, we’ll pause at hot springs. Lunch will be served at a local café as planned. Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will check into our hotel and take some time to relax. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner.

What's Included

Included:

• Accommodation options: guesthouses, yurts, and tents

• All meals provided, except for the first and last in Bishkek

• Transportation for the entire journey using 4x4 vehicles

• A knowledgeable English-speaking guide available throughout the trip

• Necessary border permits

• Our guide will also lead you to some surprise locations along the way.

Not Included:

• Flights

• Visa fees

• Travel insurance

• Additional stay and meals due to adverse weather conditions or strikes that may delay flights or other transport

• Tips, soft drinks, table drinks, bottled water, laundry, cigarettes, telephone expenses, and liquor charges

• Any other items not mentioned in the “Included” section above