Trek Son-Kul – Issyk-Kul
15-day tour for experienced hikers, since 2000
Experience the beauty and nature of the Tian-Shan
Meet the herdsmen who live with their families and herds in the alpine meadows
This trek is not very difficult to do, and if you love to hike through quiet, peaceful mountains, are not in a hurry and enjoy outdoor life, you will always remember it as an unforgettable experience
About tour
This 15-day tour is for people who would like to experience the beauty and nature of the Tian-Shan mountains at their own pace. You will need to be in a good physical condition, able to cope with unpredictable situations and love nature. In the mountains you walk on “roads” made by nomads and animals centuries ago. You will cross 3 high passes (over 3.500 m), and you will meet the herdsmen who live with their families and herds in the alpine meadows during the summer months. This trekking tour is not very difficult to do, and if you love to hike through quiet, peaceful mountains, are not in a hurry and enjoy outdoor life, you will always remember it as an unforgettable experience.
Walking days are usually between 5 to 8 hours. Our group consists of 4-8 people, 6-12 horses, guides and an interpreter. Our guides carry all your luggage, the necessary equipment and food on horseback. During the trek from Son-Kul to Tuura-Suu you will sleep in small tents or in yurt camps. You need a sleeping bag, isomat, warm clothes, water proof clothing and very comfortable walking shoes.
A more detailed description of the itinerary, hours of walking and altitudes, can be send to you upon request.
Day By Day Programme
Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations
| Day 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Manas Airport where you will be met and taken to your hotel in Bishkek. After lunch we will go sightseeing around Bishkek along with our guide/interpreter. Bishkek is a rather new town built mostly in the Soviet style with wide boulevards, many parks and numerous terraces. A visit to the Osh Bazaar is a special experience and a good way to get an impression of Kyrgyz life. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | By minibus to Lake Son-Kul, starting point of the trek. This lake is at an altitude of 3.100 m, and is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is 29 kilometres long and 18 wide, with an average depth of 13 metres, and is located on a wide plateau surrounded by mountains that are around 4.000 m high. There are many shepherd families on the plateau and they spend their whole summer here with their horses, cattle, sheep and yaks. We can hike or rent horses (cost not included) to ride in the mountains. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 4 | Relax around the yurt camp adapting to the altitude and go walking in the surrounding area. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 5-11 | Hiking from Song-Kul to Tuura-Suu. We have to cross 3 passes of over 3.300 m, walk through green hills and over stony slopes, cross a river, pass one small village and meet many herdsmen who are staying in yurts in the mountains with their animals. The nights we stay in tents. Details of trip on request. |
| Day 12 | Arrive near the village Tuura-Suu. The minibus will be waiting for us to bring us to the yurt camp Sonun, close to the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Here you can take a proper shower again and swim in the lake. Stay in yurts. |
| Day 13 | Day in the yurt camp Sonun, hike in the badlands, go swimming. |
| Day 14 | Return to Bishkek by minibus and on the way we stop near Tokmok to visit the Burana Tower, one of the few historical buildings of Kyrgyzstan and a remnant of an old Silk Road town. The tower is part of the minaret of the town of Balasagun that was the capital of the Karahanids in the 11th century. In 1974 the tower was partly restored and now it is possible to climb up inside the tower and enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding area. In the afternoon some time for shopping in Bishkek. Stay in the Umai Hotel or equivalent. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to the airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program.
We ask for your understanding.
Tour specifics
Our tours can be organized for individual travelers or groups of up to 10 people (and sometimes more) and for families with (young) children. For the majority of our tours you can specify the start date and length of the tour.
| Date | |
| July 10 | July 24 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For 4-5 persons | |
| Price with guide-interpreter | € 2.125 p.p. |
| Price without guide-interpreter | € 1.715 p.p. |
| For 6 and more persons | |
| Price with guide-interpreter | € 1.820 p.p. |
| Price without guide-interpreter | € 1.520 p.p. |
For bookings of 6, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. In case there are less participants than required, if you pay an additional fee, the trip will go on as planned.
Terms of payment
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of euros 250 per person. The outstanding balance must be paid either 8 weeks before departure or in cash upon arrival. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
• Transportation by minibus
• Transfer from and to the airport
• All meals, breakfast, lunch and supper
• Stay in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and homestay
• Programme as described
• English/German (as required) speaking guide/interpreter
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance charges if applicable
• Tips
• Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
• Activities not mentioned in the programme
If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you cancellation fee.
If Ecotour cancels the tour, of course you will get back the full amount you paid.
If you cancel your trip, depending on the time your message reaches us, you owe Ecotour the following amount:
| till 42 days before departure | one pays the deposit |
| day 42- till day 28 | 35 % |
| day 28- till day 21 | 40 % |
| day 21- till day 14 | 50 % |
| day 14- till day 5 | 75 % |
| day 5 – till day 2 | 90 % |
| on the last day before and the day of departure | 100% |
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation.
Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains,
appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique…
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Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m characterize this route.
Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.