Nomadic Routes between Kyrgyzstan and China
22-day overland epic from Bishkek to Kashgar via Lake Song-Kol, Tash Rabat caravanserai and the Torugart Pass.
Who it's for
Adventurous travelers comfortable with long drives and remote conditions. Flexibility required for border crossings and weather.
Guides
French-speaking Kyrgyz lead in Kyrgyzstan; English-speaking local guide on the Chinese side.
Accommodation
Mix of hotels (Bishkek, Kashgar), guesthouses, homestays and yurt camps.
Luggage
Soft duffel + daypack.
Nomadic Routes between Kyrgyzstan and China
22-day overland epic from Bishkek to Kashgar via Lake Song-Kol, Tash Rabat caravanserai and the Torugart Pass.
Nomadic Routes between Kyrgyzstan and China — 22 days
Cross-border epic from Bishkek to Kashgar via Lake Song-Kol, Tash Rabat caravanserai and the Torugart Pass. The full Silk Road experience: nomadic Kyrgyzstan, the medieval Tash Rabat overnight, Pamir Highway, and the bustling Uyghur bazaars of Kashgar.
20 days, 20 camps
Bishkek arrival
Arrival in Bishkek, hotel transfer, evening orientation walk.
Bishkek to Lake Toktogul
Drive south over the Too-Achuu Pass into the Suusamyr Valley and onward to Lake Toktogul.
Toktogul to Osh
Long drive south to Osh through the Fergana Valley fringe. Bazaar visit on arrival.
Osh — Sulayman-Too
Half-day at Sulayman-Too sacred mountain (UNESCO) and the Jayma Bazaar.
Osh to Sary-Tash to Kashgar (Irkeshtam Pass
Long crossing of the Irkeshtam Pass into China. Documents check and vehicle change at the border. Late arrival in Kashgar.
Kashgar — Sunday Bazaar
Full day at the famous Kashgar Sunday bazaar — the largest livestock market in Central Asia. Old town walking tour: Id Kah Mosque, Apak Hoja Mausoleum.
Kashgar — surroundings
Day excursion in the Kashgar region — Karakul Lake on the Pamir Highway (subject to road conditions).
Kashgar to Tash Rabat (Torugart Pass
Cross the Torugart Pass back into Kyrgyzstan. Vehicle change at the border. Drive to Tash Rabat caravanserai for an overnight in the medieval stone fortress at 3,200 m.
Tash Rabat to Naryn
Morning walk in the Tash Rabat valley. Drive to Naryn city.
Naryn to Lake Song-Kol
Drive over Dolon Pass and Kara-Keche Pass to Lake Song-Kol; afternoon arrival at the yurt camp.
Song-Kol full day
Day exploring the lake on horseback or on foot. Evening with herder family.
Song-Kol to Kochkor
Descent over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass to Kochkor; visit to women’s felt cooperative.
Kochkor to Karakol
Drive east along Issyk-Kul Lake to Karakol.
Karakol — city + Jeti-Oguz
Morning city tour (Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dungan Mosque); afternoon excursion to Jeti-Oguz red rocks.
Karakol to Altyn-Arashan trailhead
Transfer to the Altyn-Arashan trailhead. Begin the 4-hour climb to the hot springs.
Altyn-Arashan rest day
Soak in the springs, walk in the upper valley.
Altyn-Arashan to Karakol — Cholpon-Ata
Descent to the trailhead, transfer along the lake to Cholpon-Ata.
Cholpon-Ata — Chong-Kemin
Drive west and into the Chong-Kemin valley for an evening at a family eco-lodge.
Chong-Kemin to Bishkek — Burana
Stop at Burana Tower (11th c.) on the way back to Bishkek.
Bishkek to Ala-Archa
Half-day in Ala-Archa National Park. Afternoon city tour and farewell dinner.
Included
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- National-park permits and entry fees
- All ground transport during the trip
- Assistance de notre correspondant local francophone au Kyrgyzstan
- Assistance de notre correspondant local anglophone en China
- Les spéctacles mentionnés dans le programme
Not included
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Visa fees (where applicable)
- Les boissons (hors eau et thé)
- Activities, excursions, visites non-mentionnées dans l’itinéraire ou suggérées et précisées comme optionnelles
- La location éventuelle de horses
Where you sleep
Hotels in Bishkek, Osh, Naryn, Kashgar; family guesthouses in Karakol, Toktogul, Cholpon-Ata, Kochkor; yurt camps at Tash Rabat, Song-Kol and Altyn-Arashan; eco-lodge in Chong-Kemin.
Ulan
Ulan is the co-founder and executive director of our tourism company. Passionate about mountains, nomadic culture, and sustainable tourism, he has been guiding travelers across Kyrgyzstan for many years, sharing both the natural beauty of the country and the daily life of local communities. Specialised in adventure travel, trekking, horseback expeditions, and ski touring, Ulan combines deep field experience with strong organisational skills and a modern vision of responsible tourism. Fluent in Russian, French, and English.
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