Tour overview

This 10-day trek crosses the Tien Shan mountains above Lake Issyk-Kul, camping under the peaks. A local leader and trekking crew travel with the group, which numbers no more than twelve. You stay nine nights in hotels, yurt camps and twin-share tents, with most meals included on the trek.

From Bishkek you drive to a yurt camp near Issyk-Kul and begin trekking from Jety Oguz towards Svetlaya Polyana. Over the following days you hike to the Kyzyl Dzher canyon and cross green pastures dotted with herders' yurts into the Irdyk Valley.

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You climb to the Irdyk Lakes, then trek over to the alpine gorge of the Mokroe Valley before walking out to Karakol and driving back to Bishkek.

The physical rating is medium, with several full trekking days and nights in tents. This trip suits fit walkers who want a real mountain adventure.

Trip highlights

  • A yurt camp by Issyk-Kul (Day 2)
  • The Jety Oguz valley (Day 3)
  • The Kyzyl Dzher canyon (Day 4)
  • The Irdyk Valley (Day 5)
  • The Irdyk Lakes (Day 6)
  • The Mokroe Valley (Day 7)

Your route

8 stops from Bishkek to Bishkek

10-day route: Bishkek – Issyk-Kul – Jety Oguz – Kyzyl Dzher – Irdyk Valley – Irdyk Lakes – Mokroe Valley – Karakol – Bishkek
  1. Bishkek Day 1
  2. Issyk-Kul Lake Day 2
  3. Jety Oguz Valley Day 3
  4. Kyzyl Jar Canyon Day 4
  5. Irdyk Valley Days 5–6
  6. Mokroe Valley Day 7
  7. Karakol Day 8
  8. Bishkek Days 9–10

Why choose this tour

A true trek in the Tien Shan. A trekking crew and most meals included.

Best suited to

  • Keen trekkers
  • Adventurous travellers
  • Solo travellers
  • Nature lovers
A mountain meadow below the Tien Shan

Day-by-day itinerary

10 days from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

  1. Day 1 · Bishkek Bishkek

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Issyk-Kul Issyk-Kul

    To the lake.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Jety Oguz, Svetlaya Polyana Jety Oguz

    The trek begins.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Kyzyl Dzher canyon Kyzyl Dzher

    A canyon hike.

    Hotel
    Tent camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Irdyk Valley Irdyk Valley

    Green pastures.

    Hotel
    Tent camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Irdyk Lakes Irdyk Lakes

    Alpine lakes.

    Hotel
    Tent camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Chulpek Valley, Mokroe Valley Mokroe Valley

    An alpine gorge.

    Hotel
    Tent camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Karakol Karakol

    Trek out.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Bishkek Bishkek

    Back to Bishkek.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Bishkek Bishkek

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A mountain lake among rocky slopes

Where you stay

  • Bishkek (1 night) Hotel
  • Issyk-Kul (2 nights) Yurt camp (multi-share)
  • Tien Shan (4 nights) Tent camp
  • Karakol (1 night) Hotel
  • Bishkek (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 9 nights in hotels, yurts and tents
  • Meals 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Private transport to and from the trailheads
  • Trekking crew and camping equipment
  • Guided treks through the Tien Shan
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals not included 1 lunch and 3 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A river through a mountain valley in Kyrgyzstan

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You dislike camping
  • You want comfortable hotels
  • You are new to hiking
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–10 · Lunch: Days 2–8 · Dinner: Days 2–7
A yurt and grazing horse in the mountains

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,995 per person, twin share, tour only. 41 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Kyrgyzstan?

No, UK citizens can currently visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days. Check the latest advice before travel.

How hard is the trek?

Several full days of hiking at altitude on mountain paths; a good level of fitness is needed.

Do I need a sleeping bag?

Yes, bring a warm sleeping bag for the camping nights.

What are the camps like?

Twin-share tents with a trekking crew providing meals; the yurt camp is multi-share.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available for hotel nights and tents.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £1,995
See dates & prices