Wild Nomad Ride: mountain bike tour Kyrgyzstan

• 12-day mountain bike tour (8 days of cycling)
• Full Board, incl. (luggage) transfers, excl. Flight
• Bishkek, Kochkor, Song Kul, Jyluu Suu, Tosor, Karakol
• Single trails and 4x4 trails, some bike-push climbs
• For intermediate to experienced mountain bikers

Prepare yourself for the ultimate mountain biking experience in Kyrgyzstan. Breathtaking landscapes and serious riding come together in this unforgettable tour. Over the course of 12 days, you'll ride through the rugged mountains and endless steppes of this enchanting country. Passing iconic locations such as Kochkor, the crystal-clear Song Kul Lake, the remote town of Naryn, and the impressive red cliffs of Jeti Oguz. This journey is not only a physical challenge but also a unique opportunity to discover the heart of Central Asia, far from the beaten path.

Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek, City Tour, and Acclimatization

Your flight usually arrives early in the morning at Bishkek airport. After a short transfer, you'll check in at the hotel. Catch a few hours of sleep before we head out for a city tour in the center. We will visit the central Ala Too Square and explore the Osh Bazaar. After a hearty dinner, we’ll have a briefing about the rest of the trip.

Day 2: Stage 1, Kochkor Pass and Descent to the Village of Kochkor

Today marks the first challenge. We head east towards the well-known Issyk Kul Lake, then turn south to ascend the Kochkor Pass. Our tour begins at the top of the pass. We descend to the Orto Tokoy Lake and continue, with ups and downs, to the village of Kochkor. The local guesthouse provides a well-deserved meal and some entertainment.

Distance: 42 km
Elevation: 480 m
Duration: 4-5 hours of cycling

Day 3: Stage 2, Kyzart and Climb of the Chaar Archa Pass (3061m)

A tough stage today. We start the ride from the village of Kochkor. After an easy ride on relatively flat terrain, we arrive at our lunch spot. Right after lunch, we take a short transfer to the start of the Chaar Archa climb. This will hurt a bit—over 500 meters of elevation gain in 5 kilometers. Afterward, a beautiful descent brings us to our campsite.

Distance: 60 km
Elevation: 900 m
Duration: 6 hours of cycling

Day 4: Stage 3, Climb to Tuz Ashuu Pass (3228m) and Loop Around Song Kul Lake

At our campsite, we enjoy a good breakfast. After a short flat ride, we begin the climb to Tuz Ashuu Pass. It’s a 4x4 trail rarely used by cars. We reach the stunning Song Kul Lake before lunch, where the daredevils can take a dip in the cold water. Afterward, we ride along the shores of the lake for another hour and a half before reaching our yurt camp. Yes, we’ll spend the night in a yurt.

Distance: 30 km
Elevation: 1000 m
Duration: 5 hours of cycling

Day 5: Stage 4, Terskey Torpok Ashuu Pass (3132m) and Naryn

After a cold night at Song Kul, we head south in the morning. A short climb later, we reach the top of the Terskey Torpok Pass. Then, it’s a long descent to the Sary Bulak Gorge, where we enjoy a delightful picnic. After resuming, we cross the busy Bishkek-Naryn road. After another challenging climb, we reach the pickup point for the support vehicle. If you still have stamina, you can do an extension; otherwise, it’s time to relax at our hotel in Naryn (2044m).

Distance: 60 km
Elevation: 900 m
Duration: 5 hours of cycling

Day 6: Stage 5, Salkyn Tor and the Naryn River

Today, we follow the Naryn River, the longest river in Kyrgyzstan. It’s a challenging route with more uphill than downhill. At first, there are still many villages, but it soon becomes wilder. We set up camp by a remote part of the river, where you can enjoy a well-deserved barbecue.

Distance: 65 km
Elevation: 980 m
Duration: 5-6 hours of cycling

Day 7: Stage 6, Continue Along the Naryn River to the Bolgart Fork

After a night in a tent, we depart early to further explore the Naryn River. The route takes us to the fork in the Naryn River, offering a fantastic view of the Eki Bala Gorge. We then continue along the Bolgart branch, passing through the Orük Tam settlement. After a hearty lunch, we prepare for our second night of camping.

Distance: 40 km
Elevation: 800 m
Duration: 3-4 hours of cycling

Day 8: Stage 7, Bolgart River to Jyluu Suu Valley

A less demanding ride today (unless you need an extra challenge upon arrival). We follow the river and turn eastward. The wide Jyluu Suu Valley gradually appears, offering serenity and peace. The perfect spot for our last night in a tent. In the evening, we’ll hopefully gaze at a stunning starry sky.

Distance: 38 km
Elevation: 500 m
Duration: 3 hours of cycling

Day 9: Stage 8, Queen Stage to the Roof of the Tour, Descent from Tosor Pass (3893m)

This will be a day to remember. A single track slowly climbs at first, bringing us closer to the glaciers. After a short and steep climb, we reach the highest point of our journey, the Tosor Pass, almost 4000 meters high. We don’t stay at this altitude for long and soon begin our descent to Issyk Kul Lake. Of course, we’ll stop to enjoy the stunning views. We descend until we reach Issyk Kul Lake, located at 1600 meters. That’s a long descent! After a refreshing dip in the water, we continue to Karakol.

Distance: 72 km
Elevation: 1100 m
Duration: 5 hours of cycling

Day 10: Rest Day in Karakol, Visit to the Red Rocks of Jeti Oguz

Today, we let our legs rest. In the morning, you can explore the city of Karakol. In the afternoon, we take a short trip to Jeti Oguz. These unique rock formations have a long history of myths. We dine at a local restaurant and have time to clean our bikes.

Day 11: Return to Bishkek, Stops in Fairy Tale Valley and Visit to Eagle Hunters

Unfortunately, the return journey is in sight. We take the southern route of Issyk Kul Lake. We do a short hike in Fairy Tale Valley and continue to Bokonbaevo, where we have lunch with a real Eagle Hunting family. They demonstrate their lifestyle and treat us to a delicious meal. Then, we cover the last 3 hours to Bishkek. During the farewell dinner, we’ll share all our (tall) stories one last time. Then it’s time to say goodbye.

Day 12: Return Flight (or Hotel Check-out)

If you’ve booked a return flight today, we’ll organize an airport transfer. Have a great trip back, and we hope to see you on a new mountain bike adventure in Albania, Kosovo, or Georgia.