4-Day Horse Trek to Song Kul Lake Available All Year Round
This four-day horse trek takes you through mountain passes and open alpine valleys to Song Kul Lake — where you will spend two nights in different lakeside yurt camps. Ride the lakeshore, swim in the lake, and take part in nomadic life at your own pace. Suitable for all riding levels, available all year round.
Price from:
250USD
/ per person
Category:
Horse Riding
Season:
All year around
Duration:
/3 night
4Days
Four Days on Horseback. Two Nights at Song Kul. The Full Experience.
Song Kul Lake sits at 3,016 metres in the heart of the Tian Shan — with no towns, no roads along the shore, and no light to break the night sky. In summer, nomadic families move here with their animals, filling the wide open pastures with horses, sheep, and cattle.
This four-day horseback trek is designed for travelers who want to do more than reach Song Kul — they want to stay, slow down, and truly experience it.
The route crosses two mountain passes and includes two nights at the lake in different yurt camps, giving you more time to enjoy the landscape and nomadic life. Instead of returning immediately, you ride along the lakeshore to Kara Kyia Valley, one of the most scenic parts of Song Kul.
With shorter riding hours each day and a flexible pace, this tour is suitable for all riding levels. Your guide rides with you throughout the journey, helping you feel comfortable and confident while sharing the rhythm of life in the mountains.
This four-day horseback trek is designed for travelers who want to do more than reach Song Kul — they want to stay, slow down, and truly experience it.
The route crosses two mountain passes and includes two nights at the lake in different yurt camps, giving you more time to enjoy the landscape and nomadic life. Instead of returning immediately, you ride along the lakeshore to Kara Kyia Valley, one of the most scenic parts of Song Kul.
With shorter riding hours each day and a flexible pace, this tour is suitable for all riding levels. Your guide rides with you throughout the journey, helping you feel comfortable and confident while sharing the rhythm of life in the mountains.
Highlights
Cross the Kara-Kiya Pass at 3,400 metres and take in some of the most beautiful mountain views in Kyrgyzstan
Spend two nights at Song Kul Lake in different lakeside yurt camps
Enjoy a free afternoon to swim, explore, or relax by the lake
Alpine meadows by day, a sky full of stars at night, and horses grazing at sunrise
Experience real nomadic life with local families in the high mountains
Itinerary
Riding time: approximately 3–4 hours
Day 1
Bishkek — Kyzart — Kilemche Valley
Kilemche — Jalgyz Karagai Pass — Song Kul Lake
Day 2
Riding time: approximately 3 hours
Your driver will pick you up early at your hotel in Bishkek. The four-to-five hour drive heads south into Naryn Province, passing the Orto Tokoy reservoir as the mountains begin to close in on either side.
In Kyzart village you meet your guides and sit down to lunch with a local Kyrgyz family. After eating, your horses are ready and the afternoon ride begins. The trail climbs gently through open grassland, following the valley deeper into the mountains toward Kilemche at 2,500 metres.
Three to four hours in the saddle brings you to the shepherd's house where you spend the night — a working highland home, not a tourist guesthouse. Dinner is served here. Sleep comes easily at altitude.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Shepherds house
In Kyzart village you meet your guides and sit down to lunch with a local Kyrgyz family. After eating, your horses are ready and the afternoon ride begins. The trail climbs gently through open grassland, following the valley deeper into the mountains toward Kilemche at 2,500 metres.
Three to four hours in the saddle brings you to the shepherd's house where you spend the night — a working highland home, not a tourist guesthouse. Dinner is served here. Sleep comes easily at altitude.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Shepherds house
After breakfast, you saddle up for the day's main challenge — the climb to the Jalgyz Karagai Pass at 3,400 metres. The trail rises steadily through open alpine terrain. As you ride, the valleys below fill with herds of horses, sheep, and cattle moving freely across the grass.
At the top of the pass, Song Kul appears below — a vast, still expanse of blue with no towns on its shore. The descent brings you to the first yurt camp on the lakeshore by early afternoon.
Dinner is served inside the yurt. Outside, as darkness falls, the Milky Way stretches from one mountain range to the other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
At the top of the pass, Song Kul appears below — a vast, still expanse of blue with no towns on its shore. The descent brings you to the first yurt camp on the lakeshore by early afternoon.
Dinner is served inside the yurt. Outside, as darkness falls, the Milky Way stretches from one mountain range to the other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Riding time: approximately 2–3 hours
Day 3
Song Kul Lake — Lakeshore Ride — Kara Kyia Valley
Kara Kyia Pass — Kyzart — Bishkek
Day 4
Riding time: approximately 4-5 hours
This is the day the lake becomes yours. After breakfast, you saddle up and ride along the shore of Song Kul — wide open water on one side, rolling hills on the other, and the sound of nothing but hooves and wind.
Two to three hours of riding along the lakeshore brings you to the second yurt camp in Kara Kyia valley, where lunch is served by a local nomadic family. The rest of the afternoon is completely free — swim in the lake if the weather is warm, explore the surrounding pastures, take part in the daily life of the families around you, or simply rest beside the water.
Dinner and overnight in a traditional lakeside yurt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Two to three hours of riding along the lakeshore brings you to the second yurt camp in Kara Kyia valley, where lunch is served by a local nomadic family. The rest of the afternoon is completely free — swim in the lake if the weather is warm, explore the surrounding pastures, take part in the daily life of the families around you, or simply rest beside the water.
Dinner and overnight in a traditional lakeside yurt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Step outside before breakfast. The lake in the early morning — mist on the water, horses grazing the jailoos, stars just fading — is a moment worth waking up early for.
After breakfast, you begin the final ride. The trail climbs to the Kara Kiya Pass at 3,400 metres, with panoramic views back over Song Kul and deep into the Jumgal Valley ahead. The descent from the pass takes you steadily back down toward Kyzart over four to five hours of riding.
A final lunch waits at a local guesthouse in Kyzart. Your driver will meet you here and take you on the four-to-five hour drive back to Bishkek, dropping you at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
After breakfast, you begin the final ride. The trail climbs to the Kara Kiya Pass at 3,400 metres, with panoramic views back over Song Kul and deep into the Jumgal Valley ahead. The descent from the pass takes you steadily back down toward Kyzart over four to five hours of riding.
A final lunch waits at a local guesthouse in Kyzart. Your driver will meet you here and take you on the four-to-five hour drive back to Bishkek, dropping you at your hotel.
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
English-speaking horse trekking guide
Private transfers between Bishkek and Kyzart village
Horses and riding equipment (helmets available upon request)
Meals as per itinerary
(2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner)
(2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner)
Accommodation: Shepards house and traditional yurt camp
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Bishkek
Inclusions
Not Included
Customise your tour
Flexible departures / customisable itineraries
Personal expenses
Travel and health insurance
(including horse riding coverage)
(including horse riding coverage)
Extra food, snacks, and drinking water during the tour
Tips for guides, horsemen, and yurt camp staff
English-speaking horse trekking guide
Private transfers between Bishkek and Kyzart village
Horses and riding equipment (helmets available upon request)
Meals as per itinerary
(2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner)
(2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner)
Accommodation: Shepards house and traditional yurt camp
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Bishkek
Itinerary
3-4 people
250 USD
2 people
300 USD
1 person
500 USD
Tour Booking
Price per person
Inclusions
Not included
Customise your tour
Flexible departures / customisable itineraries
Day 1
Bishkek — Kyzart — Kilemche Valley — Song Kul Lake
Riding time: approximately 3-4 hours
Kilemche — Jalgyz Karagai Pass — Song Kul Lake
Day 2
Riding time: approximately 3 hours
Your driver will pick you up early at your hotel in Bishkek. The four-to-five hour drive heads south into Naryn Province, passing the Orto Tokoy reservoir as the mountains begin to close in on either side.
In Kyzart village you meet your guides and sit down to lunch with a local Kyrgyz family. After eating, your horses are ready and the afternoon ride begins. The trail climbs gently through open grassland, following the valley deeper into the mountains toward Kilemche at 2,500 metres.
Three to four hours in the saddle brings you to the shepherd's house where you spend the night — a working highland home, not a tourist guesthouse. Dinner is served here. Sleep comes easily at altitude.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Shepherds house
In Kyzart village you meet your guides and sit down to lunch with a local Kyrgyz family. After eating, your horses are ready and the afternoon ride begins. The trail climbs gently through open grassland, following the valley deeper into the mountains toward Kilemche at 2,500 metres.
Three to four hours in the saddle brings you to the shepherd's house where you spend the night — a working highland home, not a tourist guesthouse. Dinner is served here. Sleep comes easily at altitude.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Shepherds house
After breakfast, you saddle up for the day's main challenge — the climb to the Jalgyz Karagai Pass at 3,400 metres. The trail rises steadily through open alpine terrain. As you ride, the valleys below fill with herds of horses, sheep, and cattle moving freely across the grass.
At the top of the pass, Song Kul appears below — a vast, still expanse of blue with no towns on its shore. The descent brings you to the first yurt camp on the lakeshore by early afternoon.
Dinner is served inside the yurt. Outside, as darkness falls, the Milky Way stretches from one mountain range to the other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
At the top of the pass, Song Kul appears below — a vast, still expanse of blue with no towns on its shore. The descent brings you to the first yurt camp on the lakeshore by early afternoon.
Dinner is served inside the yurt. Outside, as darkness falls, the Milky Way stretches from one mountain range to the other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Day 3
Song Kul Lake — Lakeshore Ride — Kara Kyia Valley
Riding time: approximately 2–3 hours
Kara Kyia Pass — Kyzart — Bishkek
Day 4
Riding time: approximately 4-5 hours
This is the day the lake becomes yours. After breakfast, you saddle up and ride along the shore of Song Kul — wide open water on one side, rolling hills on the other, and the sound of nothing but hooves and wind.
Two to three hours of riding along the lakeshore brings you to the second yurt camp in Kara Kyia valley, where lunch is served by a local nomadic family. The rest of the afternoon is completely free — swim in the lake if the weather is warm, explore the surrounding pastures, take part in the daily life of the families around you, or simply rest beside the water.
Dinner and overnight in a traditional lakeside yurt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Two to three hours of riding along the lakeshore brings you to the second yurt camp in Kara Kyia valley, where lunch is served by a local nomadic family. The rest of the afternoon is completely free — swim in the lake if the weather is warm, explore the surrounding pastures, take part in the daily life of the families around you, or simply rest beside the water.
Dinner and overnight in a traditional lakeside yurt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional yurt camp at Song Kul lake
Step outside before breakfast. The lake in the early morning — mist on the water, horses grazing the jailoos, stars just fading — is a moment worth waking up early for.
After breakfast, you begin the final ride. The trail climbs to the Kara Kiya Pass at 3,400 metres, with panoramic views back over Song Kul and deep into the Jumgal Valley ahead. The descent from the pass takes you steadily back down toward Kyzart over four to five hours of riding.
A final lunch waits at a local guesthouse in Kyzart. Your driver will meet you here and take you on the four-to-five hour drive back to Bishkek, dropping you at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
After breakfast, you begin the final ride. The trail climbs to the Kara Kiya Pass at 3,400 metres, with panoramic views back over Song Kul and deep into the Jumgal Valley ahead. The descent from the pass takes you steadily back down toward Kyzart over four to five hours of riding.
A final lunch waits at a local guesthouse in Kyzart. Your driver will meet you here and take you on the four-to-five hour drive back to Bishkek, dropping you at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: not included
Personal expenses
Travel and health insurance
(including horse riding coverage)
(including horse riding coverage)
Extra food, snacks, and drinking water during the tour
Tips for guides, horsemen, and yurt camp staff
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.
ENTRY&EXIT
Citizens of many developed countries can enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days. If you are unsure about your specific visa requirements, simply contact us for assistance. We also arrange all special border permits required for your specific itinerary free of charge.
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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