Northern Ring
KYRGYZSTAN
KYRGYZSTAN
In one place, the landscapes of Argentina, Tibet, Switzerland, and the Atacama Desert come together.
In one place, the landscapes of Argentina, Tibet, Switzerland, and the Atacama Desert come together. This journey through Kyrgyzstan forms a ring around the Kyrgyz Ridge and brings together the most beautiful and unexpected landscapes in the country.
In just a few days, we’ll see the red mountains of Kyzyl-Oy, the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, the deserted canyons of Forgotten Rivers, and the panoramic views of Issyk-Kul.
We’ll drive along incredibly scenic roads, hike through canyons, climb over passes, and watch sunsets in places where there are almost no people. The program includes the Kok-Moinok canyons, Barskoon gorge with its waterfalls, the Arabel high-altitude plateau, and the colorful rock formations of Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon.
We’ll stay overnight in a yurt camp on Son-Kul and in a glamping site on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. This trip allows you to experience the real Kyrgyzstan in just a few days — its mountains, nomadic culture, and breathtaking nature.
You need to fly into Bishkek. The route also ends in Bishkek.
In just a few days, we’ll see the red mountains of Kyzyl-Oy, the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, the deserted canyons of Forgotten Rivers, and the panoramic views of Issyk-Kul.
We’ll drive along incredibly scenic roads, hike through canyons, climb over passes, and watch sunsets in places where there are almost no people. The program includes the Kok-Moinok canyons, Barskoon gorge with its waterfalls, the Arabel high-altitude plateau, and the colorful rock formations of Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon.
We’ll stay overnight in a yurt camp on Son-Kul and in a glamping site on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. This trip allows you to experience the real Kyrgyzstan in just a few days — its mountains, nomadic culture, and breathtaking nature.
You need to fly into Bishkek. The route also ends in Bishkek.
In one place, the landscapes of Argentina, Tibet, Switzerland, and the Atacama Desert come together. This journey through Kyrgyzstan forms a ring around the Kyrgyz Ridge and brings together the most beautiful and unexpected landscapes in the country.
In just a few days, we’ll see the red mountains of Kyzyl-Oy, the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, the deserted canyons of Forgotten Rivers, and the panoramic views of Issyk-Kul.
We’ll drive along incredibly scenic roads, hike through canyons, climb over passes, and watch sunsets in places where there are almost no people. The program includes the Kok-Moinok canyons, Barskoon gorge with its waterfalls, the Arabel high-altitude plateau, and the colorful rock formations of Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon.
We’ll stay overnight in a yurt camp on Son-Kul and in a glamping site on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. This trip allows you to experience the real Kyrgyzstan in just a few days — its mountains, nomadic culture, and breathtaking nature.
You need to fly into Bishkek. The route also ends in Bishkek.
In just a few days, we’ll see the red mountains of Kyzyl-Oy, the high-altitude lake Son-Kul, the deserted canyons of Forgotten Rivers, and the panoramic views of Issyk-Kul.
We’ll drive along incredibly scenic roads, hike through canyons, climb over passes, and watch sunsets in places where there are almost no people. The program includes the Kok-Moinok canyons, Barskoon gorge with its waterfalls, the Arabel high-altitude plateau, and the colorful rock formations of Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon.
We’ll stay overnight in a yurt camp on Son-Kul and in a glamping site on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. This trip allows you to experience the real Kyrgyzstan in just a few days — its mountains, nomadic culture, and breathtaking nature.
You need to fly into Bishkek. The route also ends in Bishkek.
Kok-Moinok Canyons
Amazing canyons located very close to the main road, yet completely deserted and of no interest to anyone — except us. People driving by just don’t know that sometimes you need to stop and go a little off the road.
Son-Kul
A piece of Tibet that has become Kyrgyzstan's calling card for several years now — and we absolutely agree. It can’t be left out. Absolute silence, serenity, and incredibly beautiful sunsets.
Canyons of the Forgotten Rivers
This place, on the other hand, is little known to anyone — and so is the viewpoint, from which you’ll have a view like a drone’s. It’s a real Death Valley, but right next to it is an incredibly beautiful lake — Issyk-Kul. And the best part is, we’ll be on the side where no one ever goes.
Red Bowl of Kyzyl-Oy
A place we absolutely love, where mass tourism routes have not yet reached. We are endlessly amazed by these colorful cliffs, the fantastic Kök-Meren River, and the conglomerates of red mountain ridges. This is truly Argentina — its northern part.
Roads
The roads will be both paved and unpaved. Sometimes it will be bumpy, sometimes very smooth. Either way, it will be incredibly beautiful — you absolutely must look out the window. The roads themselves are one of the main attractions of Kyrgyzstan.
TRIP MAP
On this trip, you’ll drive a magnificent loop around the Kyrgyz Ridge, watch the sunset over Issyk-Kul, explore several canyons, experience nomadic yurt life, and finally stay at a guesthouse run by the kindest locals, where you’ll taste the most delicious apricot jam. Check out the details below.
DAY BY DAY
Bishkek — Kyzyl-Oy
// We recommend arriving one day before the start. Hotel in Bishkek is NOT included in the trip price //
10:00 – Departure from Bishkek
The road is incredibly beautiful. We’ll first drive along the Kyrgyz Ridge, then turn into the Karabalta River gorge, climb over the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,200 m), and then descend through the Suusamyr Valley (the country’s largest jailoo) to the fast and stunningly beautiful Kök-Meren River.
In the evening, we’ll go to a sunset viewpoint with a fantastic view of the cozy village of Kyzyl-Oy, the Kök-Meren River, pyramidal poplars, and colorful mountain conglomerates.
17:00 – Check-in at the guesthouse. Dinner at 19:00.
10:00 – Departure from Bishkek
The road is incredibly beautiful. We’ll first drive along the Kyrgyz Ridge, then turn into the Karabalta River gorge, climb over the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,200 m), and then descend through the Suusamyr Valley (the country’s largest jailoo) to the fast and stunningly beautiful Kök-Meren River.
In the evening, we’ll go to a sunset viewpoint with a fantastic view of the cozy village of Kyzyl-Oy, the Kök-Meren River, pyramidal poplars, and colorful mountain conglomerates.
17:00 – Check-in at the guesthouse. Dinner at 19:00.
Kyzyl-Oy — Son-Kul
09:00 – Breakfast
An incredibly scenic drive, where the landscapes of Argentina’s red cliffs give way to endless highlands resembling Tibet. And all of this within one tiny country!
First, the Kök-Meren Valley with its bright rockfalls, then the road to Son-Kul Lake over the Kara-Keche Pass.
We’ll spend the night in a very comfortable yurt camp at an altitude of 3,016 meters. The toilet is outside the yurt — quite simple, but very decent for this location. At night, the yurt is heated with a small wood-burning stove.
19:30 – Dinner
An incredibly scenic drive, where the landscapes of Argentina’s red cliffs give way to endless highlands resembling Tibet. And all of this within one tiny country!
First, the Kök-Meren Valley with its bright rockfalls, then the road to Son-Kul Lake over the Kara-Keche Pass.
We’ll spend the night in a very comfortable yurt camp at an altitude of 3,016 meters. The toilet is outside the yurt — quite simple, but very decent for this location. At night, the yurt is heated with a small wood-burning stove.
19:30 – Dinner
Son-Kul — Canyons of the Forgotten Rivers
09:00 – Breakfast
After a hearty breakfast, those who wish can go explore petroglyphs — but in fact, the main highlight is the panoramic view of the lake that you’ll get on the way to the petroglyphs. The mood is peaceful and unhurried.
We’ll descend from the highlands via the Teskey-Torpok Pass — also known as the “38 Parrots” Pass. The views are mind-blowing.
Then we head toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Before reaching the lake where we’ll stay overnight, we have to drive 14 km along the dry bed of a river (which sometimes turns into a real river during rain). The scenery and experience are indescribable. At sunset, we’ll climb up to a dizzying viewpoint.
If desired, you can invite a family of musicians in the evening to immerse you in an ethnic atmosphere (additional cost).
We’ll spend the night at the Remote.kg glamping site.
After a hearty breakfast, those who wish can go explore petroglyphs — but in fact, the main highlight is the panoramic view of the lake that you’ll get on the way to the petroglyphs. The mood is peaceful and unhurried.
We’ll descend from the highlands via the Teskey-Torpok Pass — also known as the “38 Parrots” Pass. The views are mind-blowing.
Then we head toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Before reaching the lake where we’ll stay overnight, we have to drive 14 km along the dry bed of a river (which sometimes turns into a real river during rain). The scenery and experience are indescribable. At sunset, we’ll climb up to a dizzying viewpoint.
If desired, you can invite a family of musicians in the evening to immerse you in an ethnic atmosphere (additional cost).
We’ll spend the night at the Remote.kg glamping site.
Radial trip to Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon and Barskoon
09:00 – Breakfast
After breakfast, you can go paddleboarding or take a swim. Then we’ll gather and head out to explore Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon and Barskoon Gorge. In Skazka, we’ll walk among colorful rock formations, and in Barskoon, we’ll find ourselves in a local Switzerland, strolling through Tien Shan spruce forests to the waterfalls.
If you’d rather just relax by our “sea” that day, you can stay at the glamping site and enjoy a detox. SUP boards and table tennis will be at your disposal.
In the evening, we’ll watch the stars by the campfire. Believe us — you haven’t seen this many stars in the sky for a long time!
19:30 – Dinner
After breakfast, you can go paddleboarding or take a swim. Then we’ll gather and head out to explore Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon and Barskoon Gorge. In Skazka, we’ll walk among colorful rock formations, and in Barskoon, we’ll find ourselves in a local Switzerland, strolling through Tien Shan spruce forests to the waterfalls.
If you’d rather just relax by our “sea” that day, you can stay at the glamping site and enjoy a detox. SUP boards and table tennis will be at your disposal.
In the evening, we’ll watch the stars by the campfire. Believe us — you haven’t seen this many stars in the sky for a long time!
19:30 – Dinner
Canyons of the Forgotten Rivers — Bishkek
09:00 – Breakfast
You can spend the morning however you like. At the glamping site, you can go horseback riding, watch a demonstration of hunting with a golden eagle and taigan dogs, or take a SUP board and paddle on the lake (horses and the eagle hunter show are available for an additional fee and should ideally be booked in advance — SUP boards are free and available anytime).
The departure time from the camp will be adjusted to your flight schedule. If time allows and you’d like to go horseback riding through the canyons, this can also be arranged on site.
Additionally, if you have a late evening flight, we can stop by the Kok-Moinok canyons — unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
We then head toward Bishkek / Tamchi Airport.
You can spend the morning however you like. At the glamping site, you can go horseback riding, watch a demonstration of hunting with a golden eagle and taigan dogs, or take a SUP board and paddle on the lake (horses and the eagle hunter show are available for an additional fee and should ideally be booked in advance — SUP boards are free and available anytime).
The departure time from the camp will be adjusted to your flight schedule. If time allows and you’d like to go horseback riding through the canyons, this can also be arranged on site.
Additionally, if you have a late evening flight, we can stop by the Kok-Moinok canyons — unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
We then head toward Bishkek / Tamchi Airport.
Cost upon request
- PaymentPayment depends on the number of participants.
- Includes:
- 4 nights: 2 nights at a glamping site on the southern shore, 1 night in yurts at Son-Kul, 1 night in a guesthouse in Kyzyl-Oy
- Breakfasts and dinners
- Transport for the entire route, depending on group size
- Guide support
- SUP rental
- Does not include:
- Flight
- Alcohol
- Meals at restaurants where you order from a menu
- Horseback riding
- Personal expenses
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLESWe offer comfortable, off‑road‑capable transport suitable for all passengers. Depending on the group size, we can provide a jeep, minivan, or bus.1
- WALKINGThere will be no serious trekking, mostly just leisurely walks.2
- ACCOMMODATIONOur group travels together and stays in guesthouses or yurts. All accommodations are clean and neat. We aim to place guests two to a room — having three people share a room is a rare exception.3
- MEALSMeals will be provided at our overnight stops. A single dish is served for the entire group, and it’s very popular with everyone. Please notify us ahead of time if anyone in the group is vegetarian or has dietary restrictions such as allergies.4
- GROUPOur group consists of a leader and team members, with no distinction between performers and clients. Feel free to ask plenty of questions ahead of the trip to make sure you fully understand the journey’s purpose. The group size is up to 12 people.5
- WEATHERWe’re keeping our fingers crossed for sunshine and beautiful sunsets! We have no other choice.6
- FLIGHTSParticipants buy their flight tickets on their own, following approval from the guide. Please inform us ahead of time if you’d like assistance with ticket purchases.7
- PAYMENT FOR PARTICIPATIONWe confirm a participant’s spot in the group only after receiving a 30 % deposit. Full payment is due on arrival, in any pre‑agreed currency.8
GO FOR IT!
These are just stunning photos and a story about the trip.
All of this needs to be seen with your own eyes.
Fill out the form, and if you have any questions — just ask.
All of this needs to be seen with your own eyes.
Fill out the form, and if you have any questions — just ask.