Private tour
Kyzart to Song-Kol Lake Horse Trek — 3 Days
Explore Song-Kol Lake on a 3-day horseback riding tour in Kyrgyzstan. Cross mountain passes (Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m), Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3,400 m), and Oiurma Pass), visit nomadic shepherds, and stay in traditional Kyrgyz yurts.
- Length
- 3 days
- Season
- Year-round
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Format
- Private
- Price
- Price on request
Overview
Overview
This three-day horseback journey takes you from Kyzart Village into the highlands of the Tien Shan, following traditional routes through some of the mountain pastures surrounding Song-Kol Lake.
After a drive from Bishkek to Kyzart, you'll meet your local horse guide and begin riding towards Kilemche Jailoo. The trail climbs over Kyzart Pass (2,664 m), crosses the wide grasslands of Kyzyl-Kiya Jailoo, and continues over Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m) before descending into the Kilemche Valley. You'll spend the first night in a shepherd family's yurt.
The second day brings a longer climb towards Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3,400 m), with views over Kilemche's rolling pastures and the surrounding mountain ranges. From the pass, the trail descends into the Song-Kol basin. After lunch near Jaman-Echki, you'll follow the eastern lakeshore towards Batai-Aral, where you'll spend the night in a yurt camp. There is time to meet local shepherds, try traditional kumyz (fermented mare's milk), and enjoy the evening beside the lake.
On the final morning, you'll ride back towards Kyzart Village, where lunch and a vehicle transfer to Bishkek complete the journey.
Highlights
- Horseback riding through the Tien Shan mountain range.
- Cross Kyzart Pass (2,664 m), Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m), and Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3,400 m).
- Explore the open grasslands of Kyzyl-Kiya and Kilemche Jailoo.
- Descend into the high-altitude Song-Kol Lake basin (3,016 m).
- Meet local shepherd families and experience their summer lifestyle.
- Stay in traditional Kyrgyz yurts.
- Try kumyz, a traditional fermented mare's milk drink.
- Optional opportunity to watch or arrange a Kok-Boru horse game.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day 1Bishkek → Kochkor → Kyzart → Chaar-Archa Pass → Kilemche
The day starts with an 8:00 AM pickup from Bishkek, from your hotel. Then, we'll drive approximately 280 km to Kyzart Village in the Kochkor region, a journey of around 4–5 hours.
After lunch at a local family house, you'll meet your horse guide and prepare for the trek. You can leave any unnecessary luggage in Kyzart and take only what you need for the next three days.
The horseback journey begins with an ascent towards Kyzart Pass at 2,664 metres. From there, the trail crosses Kyzyl-Kiya Jailoo, a broad stretch of relatively flat mountain grassland, before climbing again towards Chaar-Archa Pass at 3,061 metres.
After crossing the pass, you'll descend into Chaar-Archa Valley, cross a mountain river, and continue over rolling hills towards Kilemche Jailoo. The evening is spent at a local shepherd family's yurt, where dinner and overnight accommodation are arranged.
- Drive
- 280 km · 4–5 h
- Horse ride
- 4–5 h
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt Camp
Day 2Kilemche → Jalgyz Karagai Pass → Son-Kul Lake → Batai Aral
After breakfast, you'll leave Kilemche and begin the climb towards Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3,400 metres. The ascent offers wide views across the Kilemche pastures, while the pass itself is rocky and more challenging than the previous day's open grassland trails.
After crossing the mountain ridge, you'll descend into the Song-Kol Lake basin. Lunch is planned near Jaman-Echki, followed by a ride eastwards along the lakeshore towards Batai-Aral.
Along the way, you'll pass small mountain streams, flowering meadows, and grazing livestock. At Batai-Aral, you'll settle into a yurt camp and have time to meet a local shepherd family. You can try kumyz, enjoy a cup of hot tea, or take a walk across the surrounding pastures as the evening light settles over the lake.
An optional Kok-Boru horse game may also be arranged, subject to local availability.
- Horse ride
- 5 h
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- Yurt Camp
Day 3Son-Kul Lake → Kyzart → Kochkor → Bishkek
After breakfast, you'll saddle up for the final ride back towards Kyzart Village. The morning route takes approximately three hours on horseback, bringing the journey back to its starting point.
Once you arrive in the village, you'll have lunch at a local house before meeting your driver for the return journey to Bishkek. The drive covers approximately 350 km, with arrival at your place in city.
- Drive
- 350 km · 4–5 h
- Horse ride
- 3 h
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Prices
Prices
Price on request
We price this trip for your dates and group size. Send us a message and you'll get a detailed quote within 24 hours.
What you get
Included
Included
- Accommodations as per itinerary
- Transportation throughout the tour
- English-speaking guide.
- Local horsemen and horses.
- Meals as per itinerary
- Gas for preparing tea
- All local taxes
Not included
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide and staff (optional)
- Sleeping bags
- Horse-riding equipment, such as helmets
- Personal expenses
Where you'll go
Route map
- By road
- On foot
- Overnight stay (day)
Porters
If you have heavy items like a camera with a lens or special equipment, you can hire an extra porter for 55 USD per day. One porter can carry up to 15 kg, including their own items.
Clothing
Rain-coat & Waterproof pants Sweater / Fleece layers Wind-stopper jacket Long-sleeve shirts (sun protection) Swimming suit (for Issyk-Kul)
Footwear
Waterproof trekking boots Lightweight walking shoes Walking poles (optional)
Essential gear
Power bank (device charging) Hat & Sunglasses Small daypack (20L) Flashlight / Torch
Health & Hygiene
Sun-screen (SPF 30+) Insect repellent Personal first aid kit Hygiene kit & Disinfection gel Small travel towel
Inquire
Plan this trip
Tell us when you'd like to travel and how many of you are coming. We reply within 24 hours with availability and a full price.
Or call +996 755 355 351 · [email protected]
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