The Nomad Odyssey

It is our only tour in Kyrgyzstan: 11 days with 9 days of riding, on a loop from Osh that never retraces its steps. As in Mongolia, you sleep in yurts close to nomad families, but the setting is high mountains: the Naryn and Kokomeren gorges, passes above 9,800 ft, the lakes of Son Kul and Kol-Suu and the Tash Rabat caravanserai. Comfort is more basic. For the steppe, see The Wild Spirit of the Mongolian Steppes (10 days) or In the Tracks of Genghis Khan (14 days).

The tour is rated Sustained: this raid is for experienced riders who are at ease on dirt and in good physical shape. The first three stages are mostly paved, with a short forest trail at Arslanbob. Dirt takes over from Son Kul onwards, with long crossings of the high plateaus toward Kol-Suu, Tash Rabat and Kazarman, including one stage close to 90% off-road. Bad weather can make the route harder. To prepare, join one of our off-road training courses.

1,122 miles over 9 riding days, so 124 miles on average, from 53 to 193 miles per stage. The longest, between Arslanbob and Toktogul, is paved and runs through the Naryn gorges. The two 155-mile stages, to Kol-Suu and then to Kazarman, are the longest on dirt and take the whole day. Day 6 is gentler: an easy loop around Son Kul, then horseback riding or rest in the afternoon.

You sleep as high as 11,480 ft, on the shore of Kol-Suu, and cross several passes between about 9,600 and 11,100 ft. The climb is gradual: 5,910 ft at Kyzyl-Oi, two nights at 9,840 ft at Son Kul, where the day spent there helps you acclimatize, then Kol-Suu and Tash Rabat. Some people sleep badly or get headaches on their first nights at altitude: see your doctor before you leave, and read our health tips for Kyrgyzstan.

A Royal Enfield, looked after by our mechanic, with spare parts in the support vehicle. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. Riding two-up, at $3,290 per passenger, is only an option with real experience of riding off-road together: the days on the high plateaus are long and bumpy. Your luggage travels in the support vehicle.

On riding days, an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader leads the way. An experienced mechanic and the support vehicle driver follow with the luggage and spare parts. Far from hospitals and often without cell coverage, it is mainly this vehicle that takes you to the nearest medical center if needed. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles, 12 participants including passengers, and our team in France answers day and night in an emergency.

$4,490 per rider and $3,290 per passenger. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, the team, lodging, all meals from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 11, the Kol-Suu border-zone permit and transfers from Osh airport. You pay for your flights, the International Driving Permit, lunch and dinner on days 1 and 11, drinks, tips, entrance fees for visits and a $708 deposit per motorcycle, plus a $41 registration fee on your first trip with us.

The season runs from June to September, when the passes are clear of snow. Next departures: June 22 to July 2, July 20 to 30 and August 3 to 13, 2027; other dates are possible on request to your travel advisor. The valleys are hot, but nights by the high lakes drop close to freezing (32°F), with storms possible late in the day: bring a warm layer and rain gear.

You book your flights to Osh, in the south of the country, for example via Istanbul, direct or with a domestic flight from Bishkek. Our team meets you at the airport on day 1 and takes you back on day 11, according to your flight. U.S. citizens need no visa for a short tourist stay like this one, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival. Bring your driver’s license and an International Driving Permit, available from AAA. Check the State Department’s page on Kyrgyzstan and our documents list for Kyrgyzstan.

In a hotel in Osh, in guesthouses at Arslanbob, Toktogul, Kyzyl-Oi and Kazarman, and four nights in yurts: two at Son Kul, then at Kol-Suu and Tash Rabat. Comfort is simple, in shared rooms or yurts. Electricity is limited in the camps: bring a power bank. Also bring cash in som, the local currency, as cards are rarely accepted outside the towns.