Pamir and Tian Shan
The most comprehensive journey from south to north across the entire country
For whom
This is simply the ultimate route that will leave you speechless. You'll truly be able to say you've visited Kyrgyzstan and seen, if not everything, then nearly everything to understand the country.
For those who love road trips.
Fly into Osh, the route ends in Bishkek. Can be done in reverse upon request.
Best time: May - September
All photos from our trips.
For those who love road trips.
Fly into Osh, the route ends in Bishkek. Can be done in reverse upon request.
Best time: May - September
All photos from our trips.
| Pamir-Alay Remember the Wall from Game of Thrones? We have one here dividing Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan. Descending Taldyk Pass into Chon-Alay Valley, you'll see an endless ice ridge stretching west to east. |
| Lenin's peak The crown jewel of the south. A 7,000m peak you can drive right up to. Walk through "Onion Meadow", observe yaks, and stay in a yurt camp at 3,200m - basic but comfortable for the location. |
| Arslanbob The legendary birthplace of all walnuts, where Alexander the Great supposedly collected nuts. Famous for its walnut forests, Uzbek village, Babash-Ata mountains, two waterfalls, and incredible hospitality. |
| Sary-Chelek An unreal mountain lake reached via "lunar landscapes" near Tash-Kumyr, then through a pass revealing "New Zealand". Impossible to imagine such dramatic scenery changes in such short distance. |
| Toktogul Reservoir A hidden gem along the road. While everyone knows Issyk-Kul, few know Toktogul - which rivals any famous lake you've seen. A masterpiece where nature meets human engineering. |
| Naryn Canyon An incredible drive along Kyrgyzstan's longest river, dammed to create this fantastic canyon we'll explore. |
| Song-Kul Our "piece of Tibet" - absolute silence, serenity, and stunning sunsets. |
| Forgotten Rivers Canyons Little-known Death Valley with drone-like viewpoints overlooking breathtaking Issyk-Kul from the deserted side. |
| Kyzyl-Oi Red Bowl Our beloved off-the-beaten-path spot with colorful cliffs and the Kökömeren River - like northern Argentina. |
| Passes and Roads The roads themselves are attractions. The Bishkek-Osh highway should rank among world's most beautiful, featuring 3,200m Too-Ashuu and Ala-Bel passes, Suusamyr Valley (Kyrgyzstan's largest jailoo), and "Swiss" Chychkan Gorge - all in one day. |
| Travel Map On this trip, we'll drive across the country from North to South (or the other way around). And, of course, see the best places that lie to the left and right of our main artery. Too-ashuu and Arabel passes, Chychkan gorge, Toktogul reservoir, Naryn canyon, Sary-Chelek and Arslanbob. We will finish the route in the city of Osh. |
Itinerary
Reading the details of the adventure
- Day 1 - Osh - Sary Mogol10:00 - We leave Osh
We just start and immediately get on one of the most beautiful roads of the country. It is hard to believe that we will drive to the 7,000 meter peak on a perfect smooth asphalt through multi-colored mountains of colossal scale and 2 super beautiful passes. During the descent from Taldyk pass we will see with you an endless ice ridge of 5-7 thousand meters high, which goes to infinity with its edges.
20:00 - Dinner. We live in a guest house, tidy and comfortable (as much as possible), have dinner there. - Day 2 - Sary Mogol, base camp of Lenin Peak07:00 - Breakfast. May gods forgive us for such an early breakfast
It is very important for us to cross Achik-Tash river early in the morning while the water in it is at its lowest level. It is 25 km to Lenin Peak from Sara Mogol, and with each kilometer the giant hulk will grow higher above us. We will spend the night on the right bank of the river in a yurt camp among a scattering of small lakes, in which the reflection of the sunset and sunrise peaks is perfectly caught. We're here for one night, so we'll walk around from early morning until dark. We spend the night in yurts, as comfortable as possible for this location. Altitude 3200.
19:30 - Dinner, we live in the yurt camp. - Day 3 - Lenin Peak - Osh07:00 - Breakfast
Another early rise and for the same reason! Today we are going back. We are going back by the same road, but believe me, in the opposite direction you drive as if you have never traveled here before.
Let's be honest - Osh, like any city in Kyrgyzstan, does not fall in love with travelers at first sight. However, you can see modernist architecture and beautiful mosaics, but the main thing is that you can eat good food and relax after yurts and guest houses.
17:00 - check in dinner at 19:00 - Day 4 - Osh - Arslanbob09.00 - Breakfast
After breakfast and comfortable beds we leave again for adventure. This day we move to the ethnically Uzbek village of Arslanbob, aka Arstanbap. It is famous for the fact that according to legends, this is where Alexander M. brought the walnut to Greece, and this forgotten place is considered to be the birthplace of the walnut, which looks like a brain.
We will get here by lunchtime, have lunch and go for a walk through the walnut groves. We will live overlooking the stunning Babash Ata mountain range. It is only 3500 meters high, but by feelings - not lower than Lenin Peak.
20:00 - Dinner, we live in a guest house with a beautiful view. - Day 5 - Arslanbob - Sary Chelek09:00 - Breakfast
In Arslanbob there are a lot of places to walk to. We will see mazars, go to the waterfall, and if we have strength and desire we will climb up to the giant beautiful jai-loo (high mountain pasture).
We will have a snack and head towards Sary-Chelek lake. In the area of Tash-Kumyr we will literally land on Mars, and after an hour drive we will get to New Zealand. Just an unreal change of landscapes. We spend the night in Arkyt village in a mini-hotel 10 km away from the lake.
18:00 - check in, dinner at 19:00. - Day 6 - Sary Chelek - Toktogul09:00 - Breakfast
After breakfast we go to the panorama of seven lakes, the road is not difficult, it takes 2-3 hours in both directions. The view from there is stunning. After that we go down to Sary Chelek and take a boat ride on the lake (if it will be available, because the only boat belongs to the Ministry of Emergency Situations and it is not always possible to make it available). On the shore we'll have a nice picnic, who wants to swim in icy Sary-Chelek - it's easy.
After the picnic we are waiting for a transfer of maddening beauty. The canyon of the Naryn river, and then just incredible Toktogul reservoir. Masterpieces created by man and nature.
19:00 - check in to the guest house in Toktogul, have dinner - Day 7 - Toktogul - Kyzyl-Oy09:00 - Breakfast
In the morning we walk to the panorama overlooking the Toktogul reservoir. Everyone can make the road, it's nothing difficult. Further we are waiting for Chychkan gorge, Alabel 3200 pass and giant green jai-loo - the biggest in the country - Suusamyr valley. The number of unremembered words has doubled. Much contemplation, less walking.
The final point for this day will be one of our favorite places - Kyzyl-Oy village, hidden from the eyes and godforsaken, located in the bowl of red mountains and on the bank of the most beautiful river of Kyrgyzstan - Kyokemeren.
We walk to the sunset beautiful location.
19:00 - Dinner, we live in a guest house on the bank of the river
- Day 8 - Kyzyl-Oy - Sonkul09:00 - Breakfast
If it was lazy to go to the sunset in the evening, we will go to this point in the morning, because the panorama is worth it. We get ready and drive along the Kökemeren River. We contemplate the landscapes of northern Argentina and drive along the new road Bishkek-Osh, there we will also see an awesome rock Khan Salyk.
By sunset we will come to the lake Son-Kul - a piece of Tibet, as we call it. Sunsets here are the best.
19:00 - Dinner, we live in a yurt camp on the lake shore. - Day 9 - Sonkul - South shore of Issyk-Kul09:00 - Breakfast
We meet the dawn on the lake, and after breakfast we go to the panorama. It seems to be a neighboring hill, but it is not so easy to walk, after all the height is 3020 meters. However, the view is worth it - a huge blue-colored lake surrounded by a ring of mountains.
Further we go towards the most famous place in Kyrgyzstan - Issyk-Kul, but we go not to the promoted northern, but to the southern shore to the new glamping, where no one but us will be. The place is fantastic - like a valley of death, only next to one of the most beautiful reservoirs.
19:00 - Dinner, we live in a cool glamping on the shore of Issyk-Kul. - Day 10 - South shore09:00 - Breakfast
This day will be dedicated to the fact that we will not go anywhere! Enough moving around. Today we swim in the lake, watch a show with golden eagle, eat delicious food and just sunbathe. Because you are in the most beautiful place in the country and nobody around but you!
19:00 - Dinner, we live in a cool glamping on the shore of Issyk-Kul. - Day 11 - Bishkek09:00 - Breakfast
We leave for Bishkek/Tamchi airport, 3-5 hours drive. And even this transfer will be beautiful.
Prise
- Individually - on request
$1700 - per person for a group of 2 people.
$1450 - per person for a group of 3-5 people.
$1200 - per person for a group of 6-12 people.
The price is given for double occupancy.
Prepayment of 30%. The rest of the amount is paid on the spot upon arrival in Bishkek. Any currency is accepted, the exchange rate is negotiated in advance. If you cancel the tour less than 15 days before the start date, the prepayment will not be refunded. - includes:
- Accommodation: guest houses, hotels, glamping, yurts
- Food on the whole route: breakfasts, lunches/snacks, dinners
- Transportation for the whole route depending on the group
- Guide accompaniment
- Boat ride
- Show with golden eagle and taiga
- does not include:
- Flight
- Alcohol
- Personal expenses
Organizational
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TRANSPORTATIONOur choice is comfortable and off-road-capable vehicles suitable for everyone. Depending on group size, transport may be a jeep, minivan, or bus. -
WALKINGNo serious trekking—mostly light walks. -
ACCOMMODATIONWe travel as a group and stay together in guesthouses or yurts. Everything is clean and tidy. We try to accommodate two per room; rarely, three may be needed. -
FOODAll meals are included, and we’ll eat where we stay. There’s not much choice in menu—one dish is prepared for the whole group, and usually, everyone loves it. If there are vegetarians or dietary restrictions (allergies, etc.), please inform us in advance. -
GROUPThe group has a leader and participants—no hierarchy. Ask as many questions as you need before the trip to understand the journey’s goals. Up to 12 participants per group. -
WEATHERFingers crossed for sunshine and beautiful sunsets! No other choice. -
FLIGHTSParticipants book their own flights after consulting with the guide. If you need help buying tickets, let us know in advance. -
PAYMENTA 30% deposit is required to confirm participation. The remaining amount is paid on-site in any pre-agreed currency.
PRICELESS
Impressions from our participants
which we are incredibly proud of
Schedule
We can arrange tours for any dates convenient for you.
LET’S GO!
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