Son-Kul: Picnic in the Sky

In two days, we'll ascend to 3500-meter peaks, sit by the campfire in the heart of the Tien Shan range by Lake Son-Kul, and have an amazing time

Tour Program

Day 1
08:00 Departure from Bishkek
10:00 Breakfast: hot kattama
10:30 Drive through Boom Gorge
12:00 Photo stop at Orto-Tokoy Reservoir
12:30 Lunch in the village of Kochkor (avg. 15$ per person)
16:00 Arrival at Lake Son-Kul, check-in at the yurt camp
16:30 Free time: lakeside walk, photo session
18:30 Dinner at the camp (avg. 15$ per person)
21:00 Campfire evening
Day 2
08:00 Breakfast at the camp (included)
09:00 Free time, horse riding (extra fee)
12:00 Lunch at the camp (avg. 15$ per person)
13:00 Departure to Bishkek
13:30 Teskey-Torpok Pass (33 Parrots)
21:00 Arrival in Bishkek

Logistics

- The tour is conducted in a comfortable Toyota Sequoia SUV. Child seats available.
- Accommodation in the yurt camp and breakfast are included. Café meals, lunch, and dinner are paid separately.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing warm clothes, hats, and sunscreen. At 3000 meters altitude, night temperatures can drop below zero.

Meeting Point

By agreement with the organizer. You can discuss this in your booking before prepayment.

What to Expect

Kattama for Breakfast

A few hours after leaving Bishkek, we’ll stop at a teahouse and try kattama — a crispy and aromatic flatbread baked in a tandoor. It’s served hot with homemade cream or freshly brewed tea. This is more than just a snack — it’s a dive into Kyrgyzstan’s proud culinary tradition.

Boom Gorge – Road to the Heart of the Mountains

On the way to Issyk-Kul, we pass through Boom Gorge — a narrow serpentine between steep cliffs, with the road running alongside the Chu River. The contrast of granite cliffs, rushing water, and winding tunnels is striking. Even a short drive leaves a vivid impression — especially for first-time visitors. It’s a symbolic gateway to eastern Kyrgyzstan, where nature sets the rules.

Orto-Tokoy Reservoir

After the canyons, we’ll make a brief stop at the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir. This place feels designed for stillness, contemplation, and photography.

The calm water reflects the mountains, the air is fresh, and the views are perfect for a short break. You’ll take Instagram-worthy photos and enjoy a moment of peace.

Kochkor Village

Kochkor is the administrative center of Kochkor District in the Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan. It was founded in 1909 as the settlement “Stolypino” and renamed Kochkor in 1917. The village lies at an altitude of around 1800 m above sea level.

We’ll stop here for lunch. The local cuisine features excellent meat dishes, and fried trout is available for fish lovers.

Lake Son-Kul

Lake Son-Kul is located in the northwest of the Naryn Region at an elevation of 3016 m. With an area of 278 km² and a length of 28 km, it is the second-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk-Kul. Its width reaches 18 km, average depth is about 8.6 m, and the maximum depth is nearly 14 m. “Son-Kul” means “the lake where wild ducks live” — and in warm seasons its shores host many bird species.

In the evening we’ll settle in a yurt camp by the lake. Slow walks through sunlit meadows, golden sunset photo sessions, and warm gatherings by the fire under the tranquil high-mountain sky will create an unforgettable atmosphere of rest in the heart of the Tien Shan.

Teskey-Torpok Pass “33 Parrots”

Teskey-Torpok Pass, better known as “33 Parrots,” lies at 3445 meters above sea level and connects the Chuy and Naryn Regions. The road winds through 33 tight hairpin turns, said to resemble a flock of parrots in flight. Each bend reveals new vistas: snowy peaks of the Tien Shan, narrow gorges, and alpine meadows.