Kel-Tor Mountain Lake & the Best Locations of the Northern Shore of Issyk-Kul
6 days / 6 nights
Dates 2026
May 23 – 28 June 13 – 18 July 24 – 29 August 1 – 6 August 15 – 20 September 5 – 10 September 12 – 17
Who this tour is for
This is an intensive tour with active trekking and radial hikes to mountain lakes, gorges, and canyons. It is designed for active people who love wild nature, enjoy long walks, admire the beautiful views of the Tian Shan Mountains and taste delicious national cuisine.
How
How
How the Tour Goes
Throughout the tour, we travel by comfortable minibus to various gorges and take radial hikes along mountain trails of different lengths and difficulty. In the evenings, we return to guesthouses.
During these 6 days, you will experience different climate zones — from the hot summer of the Chui Valley to the cool air of mountain lakes and gorges. We will visit more than 8 locations, hike to the mountain lake Kel-Tor, see unusual red clay canyons with fantastic shapes and reliefs, swim in Lake Issyk-Kul, explore the most beautiful gorges of the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, hike to Suttu-Bulak Lake, enjoy delicious local food, relax in hot mineral springs, and take a horseback ride on calm Kyrgyz horses.
Every day you will see new, incredibly beautiful places — and even when it feels like you’re full of impressions and natural beauty, we will continue to surprise you again and again.
During these 6 days, you will experience different climate zones — from the hot summer of the Chui Valley to the cool air of mountain lakes and gorges. We will visit more than 8 locations, hike to the mountain lake Kel-Tor, see unusual red clay canyons with fantastic shapes and reliefs, swim in Lake Issyk-Kul, explore the most beautiful gorges of the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, hike to Suttu-Bulak Lake, enjoy delicious local food, relax in hot mineral springs, and take a horseback ride on calm Kyrgyz horses.
Every day you will see new, incredibly beautiful places — and even when it feels like you’re full of impressions and natural beauty, we will continue to surprise you again and again.
Route and Locations
Bishkek – Alamedin Gorge – Kegety Gorge & Kel-Tor Lake – Kemin National Park (horseback riding) – Konorchek Canyon – Cholpon-Ata – Grigoryev & Semenov Gorges – Suttu-Bulak Lake – Boktu-Dolonotu Gorge – Hot Springs – Kok-Moynok Canyons & Chu River Canyon – Bishkek
Transport & guide
We use comfortable minibuses. Our drivers are highly experienced in mountain driving and prioritize safety.
The driver also acts as a guide: explaining locations, showing the most beautiful places, organizing accommodation, handling logistics, keeping the schedule, providing meals according to the program, and fulfilling your requests.
The driver also acts as a guide: explaining locations, showing the most beautiful places, organizing accommodation, handling logistics, keeping the schedule, providing meals according to the program, and fulfilling your requests.
Program
Day 1.
The tour starts at 9:00 AM. Today, we have an acclimatization trek in Alamedin Gorge near Bishkek. We drive by minibus up into the mountains to the trailhead and hike to a small waterfall in the upper part of the gorge.
● Distance: 9 km
● Elevation gain: 350 m
● Duration: 3–4 hours
We have a pre-prepared mountain lunch during the hike. After the activities, we return to the vehicle and go to the hotel. In the evening, we take you to a local café to enjoy traditional national cuisine.
● Distance: 9 km
● Elevation gain: 350 m
● Duration: 3–4 hours
We have a pre-prepared mountain lunch during the hike. After the activities, we return to the vehicle and go to the hotel. In the evening, we take you to a local café to enjoy traditional national cuisine.
Day 2.
Departure at 8:00 AM. We will drive to Kegety Gorge and trek to Kel-Tor Lake.
● Distance: 12 km
● Elevation gain: 850 m
● Duration: 4–6 hours
We rest and have a prepared lunch by the lake. After the hike, we return to the minibus and drive to Kemin National Park. Check-in at the guesthouse, rest, and dinner at the guesthouse
● Distance: 12 km
● Elevation gain: 850 m
● Duration: 4–6 hours
We rest and have a prepared lunch by the lake. After the hike, we return to the minibus and drive to Kemin National Park. Check-in at the guesthouse, rest, and dinner at the guesthouse
Day 3.
After breakfast, we will go horseback riding for a couple of hours in Orto-Kaindy Gorge. After returning, we have tea, then drive to the next location.
Today we hike in Konorchek Canyons.
● Distance: 8 km
● Elevation gain: 200 m
● Duration: 3 hours
After the hike, lunch at a café, then we head to Cholpon-Ata, check into the guesthouse, rest, and have dinner at a local café.
Today we hike in Konorchek Canyons.
● Distance: 8 km
● Elevation gain: 200 m
● Duration: 3 hours
After the hike, lunch at a café, then we head to Cholpon-Ata, check into the guesthouse, rest, and have dinner at a local café.
Day 4.
On day 4, we will visit three locations. We’ll drive to Semenov Gorge and hike to Suttu-Bulak Mountain Lake.
● Distance: 7 km
● Elevation gain: 450 m
After the hike, we have a riverside picnic with lamb and chicken shashlik, fresh vegetables, and tandoor flatbread. Then we cross a small mountain pass and descend into Grigoryev Gorge, drive through it, see spruce trees growing on rocks, and, if we’ll have enough time, take a short walk. Return to the guesthouse. Dinner at a local café.
● Distance: 7 km
● Elevation gain: 450 m
After the hike, we have a riverside picnic with lamb and chicken shashlik, fresh vegetables, and tandoor flatbread. Then we cross a small mountain pass and descend into Grigoryev Gorge, drive through it, see spruce trees growing on rocks, and, if we’ll have enough time, take a short walk. Return to the guesthouse. Dinner at a local café.
Day 5.
After breakfast, we will travel to the beautiful Boktu-Dolonotu Gorge.
● Active trek: 10 km
● Elevation gain: 560 m
● Duration: 4–5 hours
We will stop for a pre-prepared mountain lunch. After the trek, we relax in hot mineral pools. Free time and rest. Dinner at a café.
● Active trek: 10 km
● Elevation gain: 560 m
● Duration: 4–5 hours
We will stop for a pre-prepared mountain lunch. After the trek, we relax in hot mineral pools. Free time and rest. Dinner at a café.
Day 6.
In the morning, we will depart for Bishkek. On the way, we stop to explore the Kok-Moynok Canyons. After the walk, lunch at a café.
Then we will visit another short location — the Chu River Canyon. By evening, we arrive in Bishkek and check into the hotel. Our farewell dinner is at the Navat Restaurant.
The next day, a vehicle will pick you up 4 hours before your flight and transfer you to the airport.
Then we will visit another short location — the Chu River Canyon. By evening, we arrive in Bishkek and check into the hotel. Our farewell dinner is at the Navat Restaurant.
The next day, a vehicle will pick you up 4 hours before your flight and transfer you to the airport.
Introduction to the culture
During the trip, we will introduce you to the culture of Central Asia's nomadic peoples.
We will visit the museum of national culture, listen to traditional music and songs, communicate with nomads in their ordinary life, stay overnight in an authentic Kyrgyz yurt, ride horses and see how food is cooked on fire.
We will visit the museum of national culture, listen to traditional music and songs, communicate with nomads in their ordinary life, stay overnight in an authentic Kyrgyz yurt, ride horses and see how food is cooked on fire.
Information
Hotels and guesthouses are 3-star level. Twin accommodation with breakfast. Each room has a shower, toilet, TV, and Wi-Fi.
Single-room supplement: $170 (must be requested in advance).
Hotels
● Bishkek – Kozu Hotel or similar
● Kemin National Park – Zhekshen Guesthouse
● Cholpon-Ata – Zaton Guesthouse or similar
Single-room supplement: $170 (must be requested in advance).
Hotels
● Bishkek – Kozu Hotel or similar
● Kemin National Park – Zhekshen Guesthouse
● Cholpon-Ata – Zaton Guesthouse or similar
● Moderate difficulty
● Mostly high-altitude travel
● Average altitude: 1,800–2,500 m
● Maximum altitude: 3,200 m
Day 2 includes a challenging trek to Kel-Tor Lake (12 km, 850 m elevation gain). If you are not ready for this hike, you can hire horses to reach the lake — please inform us in advance.
Other treks are not very difficult. Expect 2–4 hours of walking per day, with increasing difficulty. Distances and elevation gains are listed in the program.
● Mostly high-altitude travel
● Average altitude: 1,800–2,500 m
● Maximum altitude: 3,200 m
Day 2 includes a challenging trek to Kel-Tor Lake (12 km, 850 m elevation gain). If you are not ready for this hike, you can hire horses to reach the lake — please inform us in advance.
Other treks are not very difficult. Expect 2–4 hours of walking per day, with increasing difficulty. Distances and elevation gains are listed in the program.
Hiking shoes
● Sandals or flip-flops
● Personal first-aid kit
● Warm clothes, thermal underwear
● Light jacket, hoodie
● Rain jacket
● Hat, cap, gloves
● Sunglasses
● Swimsuit
● Sunscreen
● Small towel
● Backpack (30–35 L)
● Trekking poles (optional)
● Sandals or flip-flops
● Personal first-aid kit
● Warm clothes, thermal underwear
● Light jacket, hoodie
● Rain jacket
● Hat, cap, gloves
● Sunglasses
● Swimsuit
● Sunscreen
● Small towel
● Backpack (30–35 L)
● Trekking poles (optional)
The local currency is the Kyrgyz Som. Most places accept cash only, so please bring cash. Currency exchange is available on arrival.
Estimated extra expenses:
● Dinners (5 days): ~5,000 KGS
● Souvenirs and gifts: 2,000–3,000 KGS
● Alcohol — optional
Estimated extra expenses:
● Dinners (5 days): ~5,000 KGS
● Souvenirs and gifts: 2,000–3,000 KGS
● Alcohol — optional
All breakfasts are included. The lunches are prepared for mountain hikes and include: sandwiches with cheese and sausage, pâté, boiled eggs, samsa, fresh vegetables and fruits, cookies and sweets, tea from thermoses or water, honey, and jam.
Dinner on Day 2 is included. On Day 4, a picnic with lamb and chicken shashlik, fresh vegetables, “brynza” cheese, tandoor flatbread, and mountain herbal tea is included. Dinners on other days are not included.
Dinner on Day 2 is included. On Day 4, a picnic with lamb and chicken shashlik, fresh vegetables, “brynza” cheese, tandoor flatbread, and mountain herbal tea is included. Dinners on other days are not included.
Russian citizens do not need a visa.
Entry is possible with an internal passport.
Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus may enter Kyrgyzstan with either an internal or international passport.
Most European countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa.
Registration is not required for stays up to 30 days.
Entry is possible with an internal passport.
Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus may enter Kyrgyzstan with either an internal or international passport.
Most European countries can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa.
Registration is not required for stays up to 30 days.
Price and what it includes
8-9 persons 890 $ – per 1 person
What’s included
● Transportation during the tour
● Group guide/driver
● Accommodation in guesthouses (6 nights)
● Meals: all breakfasts and lunches
● Dinner on Day 2
● Shashlik picnic on Day 4
● Entrance fees to nature reserves
● Hot springs visit (1 hour)
● Horseback riding in Kemin National Park
● Drinking water (1 liter per person per day)
● Group guide/driver
● Accommodation in guesthouses (6 nights)
● Meals: all breakfasts and lunches
● Dinner on Day 2
● Shashlik picnic on Day 4
● Entrance fees to nature reserves
● Hot springs visit (1 hour)
● Horseback riding in Kemin National Park
● Drinking water (1 liter per person per day)
Not included
● Alcoholic beverages
● Single-room accommodation
● Dinners on Days 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
● Flight tickets
● Single-room accommodation
● Dinners on Days 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
● Flight tickets
Send me your details
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Akhunbayeva str., 119/7
susanintours@gmail.com
susanintours@gmail.com