Exploring Kyrgyzstan from Bishkek to Osh 2026

OVERVIEW: 

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Kyrgyzstan, traveling from the vibrant capital of Bishkek to the historic southern city of Osh. This immersive 7-day adventure combines breathtaking mountain landscapes, rich nomadic traditions, and authentic cultural encounters, offering a true north-to-south experience of the country.

Your journey begins with a scenic drive to the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, where you will enjoy wide-open landscapes, explore colorful canyons, and experience traditional eagle hunting. Along the way, you will visit local villages, share meals with Kyrgyz families, and learn about ancient traditions such as yurt making and felt production in Kochkor.

From the mountains of Naryn, the adventure continues with a memorable 2-day trek to the high-altitude alpine jewel of Song-Kul Lake. Crossing panoramic mountain passes and vast jailoo pastures, you will experience nomadic life firsthand, staying overnight in traditional yurts and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the highlands surrounded by grazing horses and sheep.

After Song-Kul, the route leads through dramatic mountain roads and remote valleys to the village of Kazarman, before descending into the lush walnut forests of Arslanbob – the largest natural walnut forest in the world. Here, you can hike to waterfalls, enjoy village life, and take in stunning views from Panorama Hill.

The journey concludes with a scenic drive to Osh, including a visit to the historic Uzgen Minaret, a reminder of Kyrgyzstan’s Silk Road heritage.

This tour offers a perfect balance of cultural discovery, moderate trekking, and spectacular nature, making it ideal for travelers who want to experience Kyrgyzstan beyond the usual routes while still traveling comfortably.

TRIP ESSENTIALS

Tour Type: auto/trekking

Total Duration:  7 days

Best Season:  June – September

Level of Difficulty:  moderate

Maximum Altitude on the Trip:  3 500 meters ASL

Start and End Point:  Bishkek – Osh

Transport: jeep/minivan/minibus depending on the size of the group

Best group size:  4- 12 persons

TRIP ITINERARY

Bishkek – Bokonbaev – Kochkor – 2 days trek to Song-Kol lake – Kazarman – Arslanbob – Osh

Day 1

Bishkek – Bokonbaevo village.

In the morning, transfer to the Jaychi yurt camp to watch a traditional eagle hunting show. Enjoy lunch with a local family before heading to Ak-Sai Canyon, where you’ll have time to explore its unique landscapes. Afterwards, continue to the lakeshore yurt camp. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy free time to relax or swim in the lake. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.

Transfer time: 4-5 hours

Optional experience: on the way to Bokonbaevo village, we can visit the Burana Tower – a 10th–11th century minaret and an important Silk Road site, surrounded by an open-air museum with ancient stone carvings (balbals) and ruins of the old city of Balasagun.

Day 2

Bokonbaevo – Kochkor

After breakfast, enjoy some time to relax by the lake.

You leave the Issyk-Kul Lake behind and drive to Kochkor. On the way, visit Kyzyl-Tuu village, famous for its traditional yurt makers. Here you will watch a yurt making, followed by lunch. After that, continue driving to Kochkor. Upon arrival, visit a local felt production workshop. Later, check in to the guesthouse, where dinner and overnight will be provided.

Transfer time: 3-4 hours

Day 3

Kochkor – Kyzart pass – Chaar-Archa pass – Kilemche

Transfer from Kochkor to Kyzart Pass. Upon arrival, meet your guide team and begin the journey. Climbing within sight of the road, we cross Kyzyl-Kiya Jailoo, a vast, gently rolling plateau of open grassland.

We then continue over Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley, where we stop for lunch by the fast-flowing river, with views of the sacred Baba-Ata Mountain (4,400 m). After lunch, we cross the river and follow the trail across green hills toward Kilemche Jailoo.

Kilemche, meaning “like a carpet,” lives up to its name with endless meadows stretching across the mountains, patterned like a traditional shyrdak felt carpet.

Dinner and overnight in a traditional yurt.

Transfer time to Kyzart pass: 1 hour from Kochkor

Trek time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 17 km
Elevation gain: 740 m

Day 4

Kilemche – Jalgyz-Karagai pass – Song-Kul lake

After breakfast in Kilemche, we begin a steady ascent to Jalgyz Karagai Pass (3,400 m), crossing the Song-Kol Mountains and entering the lake’s basin. The climb offers beautiful views over Kilemche Jailoo, and the rocky pass itself is both scenic and rewarding. From the top, Song-Kol Lake appears far below, gradually growing larger as we descend, while the surrounding mountains rise dramatically around it.

After lunch at Jaman Echki, we continue by vehicle along the eastern shore of Song-Kol lakel. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by a local Kyrgyz shepherd family.

Dinner and overnight in a traditional shepherds’ yurt.

Trek time: 4-5 hours.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation Gain: 880 m.

Day 5

Song-Kul lake – Kazarman village

After breakfast, we depart for Kazarman, traveling through the impressive Moldo-Ashuu Pass          (3 243m). The road winds between high mountains and wide-open valleys, offering breathtaking views along the way. After crossing the pass, we continue toward Kazarman village. Upon arrival, check in to your homestay, enjoy a warm home-cooked dinner, and relax for the evening.

Transfer time: 6 hours’ drive

Day 6

Kazarman – Arslanbob

After leaving Kazarman, we drive over the scenic Kaldama Pass (3062m). Continue toward Arslanbob, famous for its vast walnut forests. On the way, stop in Kara-Alma village for lunch, then continue your journey to Arslanbob. Upon arrival, you can walk around the village, visit the waterfalls, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Later, hike up to Panorama Hill for beautiful views of the area. In the evening, have dinner at the guesthouse and rest overnight.

Transfer time: 6 hours

Day 7

Arslanbob – Osh

After breakfast, hike through the biggest walnut forests in the world. Lunch. After lunch  we drive to Osh City. On the way, we stop to visit the Uzgen Minaret and Mausoleum, an important monument from the Karakhanid Kingdom era. We continue to Osh and check in to your hotel.

Your tour comes to an end here.

Transfer time: 5 hours

DATES & PRICING 2026

Looking for different dates? Private departures are available on your preferred dates. Inquire now to book your private tour at travel@visitkyrgyzstan.kg