Kyrgyzstan · Song-Köl Loop

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Yurts, passes and two lakes.

A loop from Bishkek around Issyk-Kul, up to the high pasture lake of Song-Köl and over the passes of the Inner Tian Shan. The balance of tarmac and dirt is ideal: the Töö-Ashuu and Dolon switchbacks, gravel climbs above 3,000 m, nights in shepherds’ yurts. For riders comfortable on gravel who want their first proper mountain trip.

• Song-Köl lake at 3,016 m
• The Kalmak-Ashuu switchbacks, 3,446 m
• Skazka canyon and the south shore of Issyk-Kul
• Jeti-Ögüz gorge and Karakol

1. 01
   DAY 1 · Briefing

   Bishkek, briefing and set-up

   Pick-up at Manas airport, hotel, introduction to the bikes and a word on local traffic. Dinner in the city centre.

   Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 270 km, tarmac and dirt

   Konorchek canyon and the north shore

   Along the highway through Boom gorge to Issyk-Kul, with a short dirt detour into the red Konorchek canyons. Night in Cholpon-Ata on the north shore.

   Overnight: Hotel in Cholpon-Ata
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 200 km, dirt in the gorge

   To Karakol via Grigorievka gorge

   A ride up the Grigorievka gorge to the alpine meadows, then east along the shore. Karakol, its wooden church and the Dungan mosque.

   Overnight: Guesthouse in Karakol
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 230 km, gravel and tarmac

   Jeti-Ögüz and the south shore

   The red rocks of Jeti-Ögüz, a gravel climb to the Kok-Jaiyk meadows, then the lake’s south shore to Skazka canyon and Bokonbaevo.

   Overnight: Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 190 km, gravel switchbacks

   Kochkor and the climb to Song-Köl

   Through Kochkor and over the gravel Kalmak-Ashuu pass, 3,446 m, down to Song-Köl. Thirty-three hairpins, then yurts and horses on the pasture by evening.

   Overnight: Yurt, Song-Köl shore 3,016 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 180 km, tracks and gravel

   Around the lake and Moldo-Ashuu

   Around Song-Köl on shoreline tracks, then down the Moldo-Ashuu pass, 3,346 m, into the Naryn valley. Night in Naryn.

   Overnight: Guesthouse in Naryn
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 320 km, tarmac

   Dolon pass and the Suusamyr valley

   The tarmac Dolon pass at 3,030 m, then west via Chaek into the wide Suusamyr valley. A long day on decent surface.

   Overnight: Yurt camp, Suusamyr
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 170 km, mountain tarmac

   Töö-Ashuu and back to Bishkek

   The Töö-Ashuu switchbacks, 3,586 m with the tunnel, down to Kara-Balta and the highway to Bishkek. Bikes returned, evening in the banya.

   Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
9. 09
   DAY 9 · 10 km walk

   Ala-Archa on foot

   A spare day in case of weather. If all has gone to plan, we drive to Ala-Archa National Park and walk to the Ak-Sai waterfall.

   Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
10. 10
    DAY 10 · Transfer

    Flight home

    Breakfast and transfer to Manas airport.

    Overnight: —