Kyrgyzstan: Land of Nomads by ElevenRiders

We're in Kyrgyzstan, a small country in the heart of Asia that holds the unique distinction of being the most landlocked nation in the world. A former Soviet republic, it is now home to the Kyrgyz people, one of the last truly nomadic cultures that still preserve their ancient traditions. This is a land cradled in mountain ranges, some reaching over 5,000 and even 6,000 meters, where one can still feel genuinely "alone" in the world. It's perhaps one of the best places on Earth to ride a motorcycle… which is exactly why we chose to explore it on two wheels!

We set off early in the morning from the capital, Bishkek, for the first stage of the journey, from the city to the stunning high plateau of Son-Kol Lake. To get there, we have to brave the chaotic traffic of a typical Monday morning in the capital city, but soon we’re out of the chaos and taking the turnoff toward the Too-Ashuu mountain pass, where the rural and remote side of Kyrgyzstan begins to unfold. The views from the top are already breathtaking.

Our first off-road sections take us through the Suusamyr Valley. The gravel road is wide and gently follows the river course in between mountains. A local family welcomes us for lunch in the village of Kyzyl-Oy, and then we continue along the valley until we hit the asphalt again. The landscapes here are already spectacular: mountains and formations of clay and rock blending together in patterns and shapes that seem almost unreal. We can’t help but stop from time to time to admire the surroundings.

After a quick refuel, our group of eleven motorcycles begins the ascent to Son-Kol Lake, located at 3,100 meters above sea level. We follow the Karakeche mine trail, a fun and scenic route that gains altitude and leads us straight into the alpine meadows surrounding this magnificent lake. The final kilometers are epic: we ride with complete freedom, virtually alone, across the trails and endless landscapes of the lake’s high plateau… pure joy! Our first night is spent under millions of stars in a traditional yurt camp by the lake.

From Mountain Pass to Mountain Pass

We set off on the second stage of our journey, and just after ten kilometers in, the landscape stops us in our tracks. Literally. We just can't believe what we’re seeing. The Moldo-Ashuu Pass is absurdly beautiful, and the view in front of us is simply breathtaking. We even joke, “Was this made by artificial intelligence?” We begin the descent, thrilled to be riding through such a spectacular place.

The route leads us to the small town of Bayetov, where we begin climbing again, this time toward the no less impressive Mels Ashuu Pass. Once again, both the ascent and descent are slow. Not because the trail is difficult, but because we can’t help stopping to take in the stunning surroundings. Riding a motorcycle through these remote trails is an experience we’ll surely never forget.

By midday, we arrived at the Tash Rabat caravanserai for lunch and a visit.

Tash Rabat is a remarkably well-preserved stone caravanserai dating back to the 15th century, nestled in this remote valley at nearly 3,200 meters of altitude. Once a resting place for Silk Road merchants, it now offers a glimpse into Kyrgyzstan's ancient trading past.

We end the day with a 110 kilometer stretch of asphalt to Naryn, a small city in the south, where we enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Heading into the Most Remote Region of the Country

The third stage is relatively short, but it takes us to one of the most remote places in the country: the Kok-Kiya Valley. We begin the day riding the fast, straight trails near Ak-Muz, which gradually turn into alpine landscapes reminiscent of Switzerland as we approach the village of Bosogo. From there, we start the climb to the checkpoint of the border zone, where we regroup to present our permits. As we’re close to the Chinese border, entering this buffer area next to the border requires some permits that we had to arrange beforehand.

From that point on, it’s pure joy at its finest. As we approach the vast Ak-Sai Valley via endless trails, the immensity of the landscape and the feeling of riding through such a majestic place make us reflect on just how grand and beautiful this planet can be. 

But the most powerful moment of the day is the entrance to the Kok-Kiya Valley itself: the sight of the snow-capped mountain range closing off the valley, with peaks over 5,000 meters high, is absolutely breathtaking. Some say it reminds them of Patagonia, others of the Himalayas... but everyone agrees it’s a unique place, perhaps one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, in the words of our fellow riders. And arriving here by motorbike it’s a unique experience.

We spent the afternoon relaxing in the valley. This is perhaps one of the best spots to park the bikes and fully immerse ourselves in nature at its purest.

Hiking to Lake Kel-Suu

The next morning, we leave the bikes parked and hop into the back of an old Soviet truck, heading toward Lake Kel-Suu. The 40-minute ride across rivers and meadows is nothing short of epic. Despite the truck’s bumpy ride, we’re all smiles as it tackles every obstacle without hesitation. The surrounding landscape still has us in awe.

We hike up to the lake, a short 20-minute trek, and then jump into small boats to explore it from within. I may be repeating myself when I say the scenery is mind-blowing, but how else could I describe what we’re seeing? It’s just too much (in the best possible way). Everyone agrees: this is the most beautiful spot on the entire route, maybe even in their entire lives some say. And some of the riders have traveled a lot!

Back at the camp, we have lunch and then jump on the bikes again to ride back out of the valley before continuing by road to Kochkor. The ride is long but stunning (again!).

Riding Around Lake Issyk-Kul

Over the next two stages, we circle Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world, located at an altitude of over 1,600 meters. Surrounded by high mountains still covered in snow, this vast, saltwater lake never freezes, and it has long been a favorite summer retreat for locals and travelers alike.

On the southern shore (perhaps the most untouched) we rode along a partially under-construction road, first entering the Skazka Canyon through a narrow, winding trail carved into the badlands. From there, we continue riding near the lakeshore, passing beaches and people enjoying their holidays, until we reach Tamga. There, we stopped for lunch in a former Soviet-era holiday resort.

After lunch, we head into the Barskoon Valley, and once again, we can’t believe how dramatically the scenery changes in just 10 kilometers. One moment we’re on a beach with a desert-like backdrop, and the next we’re riding through an alpine valley. The Italians in the group say it looks like the Alps, while the Americans say it reminds them of California or Montana... Kyrgyzstan seems to hold all the world’s landscapes within a single small country!

We came to this valley not only to enjoy its beauty, but also to visit the monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, who once vacationed here. From there, we continue toward Karakol, a historic town on the eastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, known for its mix of Russian, Dungan, and Kyrgyz heritage. It’s also the gateway to the Tien Shan mountains and a popular base for trekkers and explorers.

The next day, we visited the stunning Jety-Oguz Valley, known for its red sandstone formations inside an alpine scenery. As with so many places in Kyrgyzstan, each member of the group sees something familiar here: some say it looks like Utah, others mention Georgia or Switzerland… but always with a unique Kyrgyz twist that makes it unique.

From there, we head toward the northern shore of the lake, entering the Grigoryevka Gorge and its winding gravel trails, which is quite crowded… it’s Saturday, after all. We end the day in Cholpon-Ata, a lakeside resort town, where we enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Back to Bishkek After an Unforgettable Week in Kyrgyzstan

The final stage takes us back to Bishkek. In the morning, we ride along the highway, stopping for lunch in Tokmok and visiting the historic Burana Tower. From there, we take an alternative route through the mountains surrounding the capital, a scenic, winding road that offers the perfect final ride to cap off this incredible journey.

At our farewell dinner, the atmosphere is full of laughter as we relive the stories and moments shared throughout the tour. It truly feels like we’ve created a lifelong bond. These “Eleven Riders” are now brothers!

Watch the full video here!

Photographer: Jake Baggaley
Filmmaker: Jamie James

Organizator: ElevenRiders