2-Days in Song-Kul Lake as Nomad horseback riding and Yurt stay
Ride horses, sleep in a nomad yurt, and wake up to the sacred Song-Kul Lake at 3,000 metres. Fully private — your guide adapts the whole experience to what matters most to you.
Price from:
275 USD
/ per person
Category:
Cultural/Multi-Day
Season:
All year around
Duration:
/1 night
2 Days
Where the mountains end
and nomad life begins
and nomad life begins
Song-Kul Lake sits at 3,016 metres above sea level — one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. It is surrounded by vast green meadows called jailoos, where nomadic families bring their horses, sheep, and yurts every summer, just as their ancestors did for thousands of years. The lake has almost zero light pollution, which means on a clear night you can see the Milky Way with your own eyes.
This tour takes you deep into that world. On the way, you cross some of the most breathtaking mountain passes in Central Asia — the kind of roads where you stop the car just to stare. You visit a 1,000-year-old Silk Road tower, ride horses across wide open pastures, and take a short hike to a beautiful mountain waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes.
This is a fully private tour — your guide is focused entirely on you and your group, and is happy to adjust the pace, the stops, and the activities to suit what you enjoy most.
This tour takes you deep into that world. On the way, you cross some of the most breathtaking mountain passes in Central Asia — the kind of roads where you stop the car just to stare. You visit a 1,000-year-old Silk Road tower, ride horses across wide open pastures, and take a short hike to a beautiful mountain waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes.
This is a fully private tour — your guide is focused entirely on you and your group, and is happy to adjust the pace, the stops, and the activities to suit what you enjoy most.
Highlights
Climb the 1,000-year-old Burana Tower and look out over the valley ancient Silk Road traders once crossed.
Sleep in a real nomad yurt on the shore of Song-Kul Lake and fall asleep under the Milky Way.
Drive the legendary 33 Parrots Pass — over 30 sharp bends, jaw-dropping views, and mountain scenery like nowhere else.
Ride horses across the wide open pastures of Song-Kul — one of the best places for riding in all of Kyrgyzstan.
Hike to a stunning mountain waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes — a secret gem that most travellers never find.
Itinerary
Approx. 280 km — 4 to 5 hours of driving
Day 1
Bishkek — Burana Tower — Boom Gorge — Kochkor — Song-Kul Lake
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and you set off toward the mountains. Your first stop is the Burana Tower — a 1,000-year-old Silk Road minaret surrounded by ancient stone figures called balbals. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the history of this place, explains who built it, and takes you to the top where the Tien-Shan mountains stretch across the horizon in every direction.
From there, you drive into the Boom Gorge where you stop for kattama — a traditional Kyrgyz layered bread — served with hot tea from an old Russian samovar. It is a simple but very memorable moment on the road. You then make a quick stop in Kochkor village before the road begins to climb.
The ascent to Song-Kul through the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Kyrgyzstan. The landscape changes at every turn — rocky slopes give way to wide green hills, mountain yaks appear in the distance, and the views from the top of the pass are breathtaking. Your guide stops here so you can step outside, take it all in, and get some incredible photos.
You arrive at the yurt camp on the shore of Song-Kul Lake at around 5:00 PM. After settling in, enjoy a home-cooked Kyrgyz dinner. Then step outside and look up — at 3,000 metres with almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible above the lake.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Song-Kul Yurt Camp
From there, you drive into the Boom Gorge where you stop for kattama — a traditional Kyrgyz layered bread — served with hot tea from an old Russian samovar. It is a simple but very memorable moment on the road. You then make a quick stop in Kochkor village before the road begins to climb.
The ascent to Song-Kul through the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Kyrgyzstan. The landscape changes at every turn — rocky slopes give way to wide green hills, mountain yaks appear in the distance, and the views from the top of the pass are breathtaking. Your guide stops here so you can step outside, take it all in, and get some incredible photos.
You arrive at the yurt camp on the shore of Song-Kul Lake at around 5:00 PM. After settling in, enjoy a home-cooked Kyrgyz dinner. Then step outside and look up — at 3,000 metres with almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible above the lake.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Song-Kul Yurt Camp
Song-Kul Lake — Horseback Riding — 33 Parrots Pass — Waterfall — Bishkek
Day 2
Approx. 350 km — 5 to 6 hours of driving
You wake up to cool mountain air and breakfast in the dining yurt. After eating, the horses are ready. A local handler rides alongside you across the wide open pastures of Song-Kul — no experience needed. The lake, the sky, and the mountains around you make this one of the most beautiful rides you will ever take. This is the moment most travellers say they will never forget.
At around 11:00 AM you begin the drive back to Bishkek. On the way, you cross the legendary 33 Parrots Pass — more than 30 sharp bends winding down from the high plateau with jaw-dropping views at every turn. Your guide stops at the best viewpoints so you have plenty of time to step out and take photos.
Shortly after, you make a stop for a short hike to a stunning waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes. Most visitors to Song-Kul never find this place. The path is easy and takes about 30 minutes. Your guide leads the way and shows you the best spot to stand for photos.
Then you continue the drive back to Bishkek. Your guide stays with you the whole way, happy to talk, share stories, or simply let you rest and enjoy the scenery. You arrive at your hotel at around 9:00 to 10:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
At around 11:00 AM you begin the drive back to Bishkek. On the way, you cross the legendary 33 Parrots Pass — more than 30 sharp bends winding down from the high plateau with jaw-dropping views at every turn. Your guide stops at the best viewpoints so you have plenty of time to step out and take photos.
Shortly after, you make a stop for a short hike to a stunning waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes. Most visitors to Song-Kul never find this place. The path is easy and takes about 30 minutes. Your guide leads the way and shows you the best spot to stand for photos.
Then you continue the drive back to Bishkek. Your guide stays with you the whole way, happy to talk, share stories, or simply let you rest and enjoy the scenery. You arrive at your hotel at around 9:00 to 10:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
3-4 people
250 USD
2 people
300 USD
1 person
500 USD
Tour Booking
Price per person
Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Bishkek
Bottled water during the tour
Osh Bazaar Excursion
Admission to National History Museum
Comfortable vehicle with air-conditioning
Professional English-speaking guide
Inclusions
Lunch(can be covered on the spot)
Personal expenses
Health Insurance
Not Included
Customise your tour
Flexible departures / customisable itineraries
Itinerary
3-4 people
250 USD
2 people
300 USD
1 person
500 USD
Tour Booking
Price per person
Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Bishkek
Bottled water during the tour
Osh Bazaar Excursion
Admission to National History Museum
Comfortable vehicle with air-conditioning
Professional English-speaking guide
Inclusions
Lunch(can be covered on the spot)
Personal expenses
Health Insurance
Not Included
Customise your tour
Flexible departures / customisable itineraries
Day 1
Bishkek — Burana Tower — Boom Gorge — Kochkor — Song-Kul Lake
Approx. 380 km — 7 to 8 hours of driving
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and you set off toward the mountains. Your first stop is the Burana Tower — a 1,000-year-old Silk Road minaret surrounded by ancient stone figures called balbals. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the history of this place, explains who built it, and takes you to the top where the Tien-Shan mountains stretch across the horizon in every direction.
From there, you drive into the Boom Gorge where you stop for kattama — a traditional Kyrgyz layered bread — served with hot tea from an old Russian samovar. It is a simple but very memorable moment on the road. You then make a quick stop in Kochkor village before the road begins to climb.
The ascent to Song-Kul through the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Kyrgyzstan. The landscape changes at every turn — rocky slopes give way to wide green hills, mountain yaks appear in the distance, and the views from the top of the pass are breathtaking. Your guide stops here so you can step outside, take it all in, and get some incredible photos.
You arrive at the yurt camp on the shore of Song-Kul Lake at around 5:00 PM. After settling in, enjoy a home-cooked Kyrgyz dinner. Then step outside and look up — at 3,000 metres with almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible above the lake.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Song-Kul Yurt Camp
From there, you drive into the Boom Gorge where you stop for kattama — a traditional Kyrgyz layered bread — served with hot tea from an old Russian samovar. It is a simple but very memorable moment on the road. You then make a quick stop in Kochkor village before the road begins to climb.
The ascent to Song-Kul through the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Kyrgyzstan. The landscape changes at every turn — rocky slopes give way to wide green hills, mountain yaks appear in the distance, and the views from the top of the pass are breathtaking. Your guide stops here so you can step outside, take it all in, and get some incredible photos.
You arrive at the yurt camp on the shore of Song-Kul Lake at around 5:00 PM. After settling in, enjoy a home-cooked Kyrgyz dinner. Then step outside and look up — at 3,000 metres with almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible above the lake.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Song-Kul Yurt Camp
You wake up to cool mountain air and breakfast in the dining yurt. After eating, the horses are ready. A local handler rides alongside you across the wide open pastures of Song-Kul — no experience needed. The lake, the sky, and the mountains around you make this one of the most beautiful rides you will ever take. This is the moment most travellers say they will never forget.
At around 11:00 AM you begin the drive back to Bishkek. On the way, you cross the legendary 33 Parrots Pass — more than 30 sharp bends winding down from the high plateau with jaw-dropping views at every turn. Your guide stops at the best viewpoints so you have plenty of time to step out and take photos.
Shortly after, you make a stop for a short hike to a stunning waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes. Most visitors to Song-Kul never find this place. The path is easy and takes about 30 minutes. Your guide leads the way and shows you the best spot to stand for photos.
Then you continue the drive back to Bishkek. Your guide stays with you the whole way, happy to talk, share stories, or simply let you rest and enjoy the scenery. You arrive at your hotel at around 9:00 to 10:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
At around 11:00 AM you begin the drive back to Bishkek. On the way, you cross the legendary 33 Parrots Pass — more than 30 sharp bends winding down from the high plateau with jaw-dropping views at every turn. Your guide stops at the best viewpoints so you have plenty of time to step out and take photos.
Shortly after, you make a stop for a short hike to a stunning waterfall hidden from everyone's eyes. Most visitors to Song-Kul never find this place. The path is easy and takes about 30 minutes. Your guide leads the way and shows you the best spot to stand for photos.
Then you continue the drive back to Bishkek. Your guide stays with you the whole way, happy to talk, share stories, or simply let you rest and enjoy the scenery. You arrive at your hotel at around 9:00 to 10:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
MONEY&COSTS
The national currency is the Kyrgyz Som (KGS). In Bishkek and major towns, ATMs are widely available in shopping centers and on main streets, and you can pay by card in most restaurants and shops. Visa is the most widely accepted card, while MasterCard is less common and accepted only by specific banks. However, when traveling to the mountains or small villages, you must carry enough cash as ATMs are non-existent. We strongly recommend bringing new USD banknotes, as old or marked bills are often refused by exchange offices.
SAFETY
Kyrgyzstan is widely considered the safest and most open country in Central Asia, known for its stable political situation and hospitable locals. While the country is very safe, we recommend taking standard travel precautions just like anywhere else in the world: keep an eye on your belongings, avoid unlit streets at night, and always use official taxi services. Your safety is our top priority, and we work closely with trusted local partners to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey.
BEST TIME TO GO
Kyrgyzstan features a dry continental climate with a striking contrast between the valleys and the mountains. In major cities like Bishkek and the Ferghana Valley, summers can be intense, with daytime temperatures soaring between 30°C and 40°C (86°–104°F). However, since most of the country sits above 1,500 meters, the mountain air is much fresher and more comfortable, typically hovering around a pleasant 20°C–25°C (68°–77°F) during the day.
For outdoor enthusiasts, summer is the ideal season for trekking and jeep tours, granting full access to high-altitude pastures and breathtaking passes. Winter, on the other hand, transforms the landscape into a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding. Regardless of the season, mountain weather is unpredictable—at elevations over 3,000 meters, temperatures can drop below freezing even in July, so packing warm layers is essential for a comfortable journey.
For outdoor enthusiasts, summer is the ideal season for trekking and jeep tours, granting full access to high-altitude pastures and breathtaking passes. Winter, on the other hand, transforms the landscape into a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding. Regardless of the season, mountain weather is unpredictable—at elevations over 3,000 meters, temperatures can drop below freezing even in July, so packing warm layers is essential for a comfortable journey.
HEALTH
To ensure a healthy trip, avoid drinking tap water or using it for brushing teeth; rely on bottled or filtered water instead. When it comes to food, it is safer to stick to freshly cooked, hot meals and fruits that you can peel yourself. These simple habits are your best defense against common stomach issues and will help you stay energized.
Before you travel, we recommend checking that your routine vaccinations—specifically Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus—are up to date. Since medical infrastructure in remote mountain areas can be limited, having comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation is essential for your safety and peace of mind.
Before you travel, we recommend checking that your routine vaccinations—specifically Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus—are up to date. Since medical infrastructure in remote mountain areas can be limited, having comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation is essential for your safety and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour starts at 7:40 AM from the meeting place and lasts around 9-11 hours.
The best way to pay is cash (USD or local currency) directly to the guide on the day of the tour. We also accept card payments and can provide a payment link if needed.
The tour operates in all weather conditions. If it rains, we recommend bringing an umbrella or raincoat. If the weather is extreme, the boat ride may not be possible, but the rest of the activities will continue as planned.
Yes! You’ll have time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the scenery at Issyk Kul Lake, Burana Tower, and cultural sites.
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Comfortable sedan/minibus during the day
- Small-group tour (min 3 and max 15 passengers)
- Admission tickets to Burana Tower, Boat Tour, and Petroglyphs
- Small bottled water
- Comfortable shoes for walking and exploring
- Weather-appropriate clothing (hat/sunscreen in summer, warm layers in winter)
- Packed lunch (optional) if you’d like to have a meal during the boat ride
- Towel and swimsuit for the hot springs
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