Issyk-Kul to Naryn - Horizon Guides

Distance: Approx. 150 km
Duration: Eight to 10 days
Start/end point: Bokonbaeva (Issyk-Kul) to Naryn town
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

For experienced trekkers and those looking for a real challenge I usually recommend this route from Issyk-Kul over the dramatic Terskey Ala-too mountains to Naryn town.

The route starts out gently over the Zhazy Kechuu pastures but quickly climbs into the mountains, crossing three high mountain passes, the highest of which, the Jakyp Bolot pass, reaches an eye-watering 3,960 metres. It’s essential you acclimatise before setting off and build rest days into your itinerary where necessary.

I find it hard to describe just how beautiful this route is: you need to see it to believe it. You hike surrounded by snow capped mountains, past dramatic lakes and gorges, through forests and pastures, maybe passing the camps of nomadic herders. It’s a tough route, and not one you can do solo, but you won’t see any other trekkers out there and the scenery is out of this world.

At a glance

Destinations

Kyrgyzstan

Activity

Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel

Physical Level

Strenuous

Duration

10 days

Related Guides

Guide

The Five 'Stans: The Best Places To Visit In Central Asia

Steven Hermans

The Five ‘Stans… just a handful of countries, but covering a vast swathe of Central Asia. Where do you start an introduction to a region that stretches from China in the east, to the Caspian Sea in the west, when just one of the countries, Kazakhstan, is almost the same size as Europe? Some definitions to get us going: the Five 'Stans consist of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and the largest, Kazakhstan.

Guide

How To Get To Song Kul Lake

Central Asia’s archetypal semi-nomadic culture is alive and well in Kyrgyzstan, and nowhere is this more evident than at Lake Song Kul. At 3,016m (9,900ft) above sea level, the lake’s surroundings are blanketed in deep snow for most of the year.

Guide

Visiting Arslanbob: Highlights & How To Get There

The fairytale walnut forest of Arslanbob in southern Kyrgyzstan is a year-round destination for visitors. When the Ferghana Valley below swelters in the heat of summer, travellers can find refuge here in the shade of a magnificent woodland that stretches deep into the mountains.

Guide

Visiting The Pamir Highway & Mountains

Known locally as “the roof of the world,” the Pamir Mountains dominate with their superlatives. From the largest glacier outside of the polar region to 7,000-plus metre (23,000ft) peaks, the landscape here is designed to awe.

Guide

Need To Know When Visiting Central Asia

Steven Hermans

There’s no escaping the fact that the more recent history of the region has been troubled. Post-Soviet independence saw the rule of dictators with appalling attitudes to human rights.

Guide

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Stephen Lioy

I’ve been trekking in Kyrgyzstan since 2012, hiked in virtually every oblast of the country, and travelled several times to the remotest corners of the state. Every other valley seems at times to be capped by some glacier or waterfall, not to mention the nearly 2,000 alpine lakes scattered across the country.

Asel Ismailova

Asel Ismailova is travel planner at Kyrgyz Guided Tours, a specialist in Kyrgyzstan trekking and adventure travel. Asel has over 18 years experience organising tours to Kyrgyzstan. She especially enjoys trekking, cycling and horse riding in the Kyrgyz countryside.