12 Day The Great Tien Shan Mountains Guided Motorcycle Tour in Kyrgyzstan

Overview

The route of the motorcycle tour includes the most striking sights of Kyrgyzstan: Lake Issyk-Kul, Lake Song-Kol, the Tash Rabat caravanserai, Grigorievskoe and Barskoon Gorges, and of course, 11 mountain passes over 3,000 meters (9,843 ft), where you will witness stunning panoramas of the Tien Shan Mountains. All of this is connected by the fascinating roads of our unique route! Clean air, delicious food, and the best accommodations await you on this motorcycle tour.

Highlights

• Visit Issyk-Kul Lake, a tourist highlight
• Navigate your bike on exciting mountain passes
• Starts and ends in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan
• 11 mountain passes with a height of over 3000 meters
• Take the opportunity to try local cuisine prepared by shepherd
• Visit Song-Kol Lake, the highest lake in Central Asia
• 11 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Bishkek

   Airport transfers to the hotel. Short briefing with checking bikes. Then the welcome dinner, after which you return to your hotel.

2. Day 2: Bishkek – Suusamyr Valley (300 km / 186 mi)

   After departing Bishkek, you will head toward the Kyrgyz Range and begin your ascent to the famous Too-Ashu Pass (3,200 m / 10,499 ft). It will feel like you are riding stairs to the sky! Too-Ashu Pass is well-known for its 4 km (2.5 mi) tunnel through the mountain peak. After the tunnel, you will descend into the Suusamyr Valley, the largest alpine pasture in Central Asia. You will stop for a tea break in the yurt of a hospitable nomadic family, who live in yurts and graze hundreds of horses and sheep on the lush green meadows. Overnight stay in a cabin camp, surrounded by a beautiful mountai

3. Day 3: Suusamyr Valley – Kazarman Village (200 km / 124 mi)

   Today, you will ride along the Kokomeren Mountain River on a gravel road leading deep into the central part of Kyrgyzstan. In the afternoon, you will ride on a newly constructed road, completed just last year. This unique road, built over several years, offers fantastic landscapes. Now that it’s finished, let’s not miss your chance to be among the first to ride through this incredible creation.

4. Day 4: Kazarman Village – Song-Kol Lake (180 km / 112 mi)

   Continuing the motorcycle tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will ride the beautiful mountain serpentine of Moldo Ashu Pass (3,201 m / 10,505 ft). This winding road will lead you to Song-Kol Lake, one of the highest-located large lakes in Kyrgyzstan. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to dine on traditional Kyrgyz dishes prepared by local shepherds and spend the night in a nomadic yurt, cozy under warm blankets, with the mountain wind serenading you. Overnight in a yurt.

5. Day 5: Song-Kol Lake – Naryn (190 km / 118 mi)

   After a delicious breakfast, you will take a ride around the stunning Song-Kol Lake, with many majestic viewpoints. From there, you will ride down to Naryn city via the "33 Parrots Pass." If you enjoyed yesterday’s twisty sections, you’ll be smiling today, as this is a dizzyingly winding pass. (And don’t bother looking for brightly colored parrots—the name has nothing to do with birds!). Overnight in a hotel.

6. Day 6: Naryn – Kochkor Village (335 km / 208 mi)

   The Kyrgyzstan motorcycle tour continues. Early in the morning, you will ride along the road traveling toward China along the At-Bashi snow-white mountain range to reach Tash Rabat Caravanserai (an inn with courtyard or stone castle from the 14th century) on the Great Silk Road. You will have the chance to visit this mysterious caravanserai. We will pass Dalon Mountain Pass (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) to reach Kochkor village. Overnight in a hotel.

7. Day 7: Kochkor Village – Issyk-Kul Lake (120 km / 75 mi)

   This day’s route will allow you to enjoy driving on country roads surrounded by the Terskey Alatau Mountains. You will also visit the house of an eagle hunter, where you will learn about the intricacies of nomadic hunting, before arriving at Issyk-Kul Lake. The lake is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world (1,608 m / 5,276 ft above sea level). Frequently called "the pearl of Central Asia," it is the main touristic highlight in Kyrgyzstan. Relax on the lake. Overnight in a yurt camp.

8. Day 8: Issyk-Kul Lake – Day off

   Sleeping, swimming, sunbathing, eating, and drinking. Overnight in a yurt camp.

9. Day 9: Issyk-Kul Lake – Karakol Town (125 km / 78 mi)

   The motorcycle tour of Kyrgyzstan continues! If you haven’t had enough of high mountain passes yet, today will definitely make you happy! This day will lead us into the realm of the cold and rugged peaks of the Tien Shan, where you’ll conquer three mountain passes—Sarimonok Pass (3,126 m / 10,256 ft), Barskoon Pass (3,754 m / 12,313 ft), and the highest pass of your tour, Suek Pass (4,021 m / 13,192 ft). Overnight in a hotel.

10. Day 10: Karakol Town – Issyk-Kul Lake (200 km / 124 mi)

    On this day, you will ride along the lake to its northern shore. On the way, we’ll ascend into the Grigorievskoe Mountain Gorge, often called "Little Switzerland" due to its forests and small mountain lakes. In the evening, you’ll relax at a pleasant resort on the lakeshore and enjoy the sunset. Overnight at the resort.

11. Day 11: Issyk-Kul Lake – Bishkek (280 km / 174 mi)

    Today, you will ride along more beautiful roads as we complete our tour in Bishkek. In the evening, we’ll have a festive dinner, share souvenirs, and enjoy plenty of fun. Overnight in a hotel.

12. Day 12: Bishkek

    Transfers from the hotel to the airport for your flights, with our best wishes for safe travel from everyone at SilkOffRoad Tours and the new friends you’ve made during the ride. No doubt, you’ll return home with plenty of photos, wonderful memories, and amazing stories to share!

Ride Details

Terrain

about 60% paved roads and 40% dirt roads

Bike

rental bike (Suzuki DR650)

Mileage

2200 kilometers / 1367 miles

Daily rides

120 - 300 kilometers / 75 - 186 miles

Riding gear

not included

Meals

not included

Accommodation

Accommodation during the tour includes 5 nights in hotels, 2 nights in guesthouses, 1 night at a resort, 1 night in a glamping cabin, and 2 nights in traditional yurts, offering comfort and an authentic Kyrgyz experience throughout the journey.

Getting There

The tour will bring you to stunning places in Kyrgyzstan, such as mountain passes with beautiful view, Song-Kol Lake, Naryn City, Issyk Kol Lake, and more! [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/silk-off-road-tours/12-day-the-great-tian-shan-mountains-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-kyrgyzstan# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/silk-off-road-tours/12-day-the-great-tian-shan-mountains-guided-motorcycle-tou