Horseback · Trekking & active
Song-Kul Horse Trek
4 days · Round trip from Bishkek · From $520 USD
Tour overview
Your adventure at a glance
- Trip code
- KTG-HR04
- Days
- 4
- Starts
- Bishkek
- Ends
- Bishkek
- Group size
- 1–8
- Season
- June – mid September
Song-Kul is the crown jewel of the jailoos — 270 km² of glittering water at 3,016 m, ringed by 3,700 m mountains. Jailoos are the summer pastures where Kyrgyz shepherds bring their flocks, and the best way to experience one is to travel from jailoo to jailoo on horseback, staying with families far from any road.
Expect fresh cream, homemade jam, bread hot from the stove and the best kymyz in the region. The route crosses the remote Jumgal district and the Jalgyz-Karagai (Lone Fir) pass to reach the north shore of the lake.
Is this tour for me?
What's included
Highlights
Moments you'll remember
- Three days in the saddle across untouched summer pastures
- Cross the Chaar-Archa (3,061 m) and Jalgyz-Karagai (3,400 m) passes
- Views of the sacred Baba-Ata mountain (4,400 m)
- Sleep in yurts with shepherd families at Kilemche and Song-Kul
- No previous riding experience needed — calm local horses
4 days, Bishkek
Day by day
-
Day 1 Bishkek to Kilemche
Bishkek → Kyzart pass → Kilemche
Morning transfer to the Jumgal region (3–4 hours). At the Kyzart pass your horseman is waiting with saddled horses. Ride across the wide Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, cross the Chaar-Archa pass (3,061 m) and have lunch looking at Baba-Ata mountain. In the afternoon follow green hills to Kilemche jailoo — the name means "like a carpet". Riding time 4–5 hours.
-
Day 2 Kilemche to Song-Kul
Kilemche → Jalgyz-Karagai pass → Song-Kul
After breakfast climb steadily to the Jalgyz-Karagai pass (3,400 m), with Kilemche spread out below. From the top the lake looks small and far away, but it grows and grows as you descend until it fills the whole view. Follow the shore to a yurt camp. Riding time 5–6 hours.
-
Day 3 A day at the lake
Song-Kul
Ride along the shore or simply rest: help with the evening milking, try kymyz, and watch the sun go down over the water. Optional 2–3 hour ride.
-
Day 4 Return to Bishkek
Song-Kul → Kochkor → Bishkek
Say goodbye to the horses and drive over the Kalmak-Ashuu pass via Kochkor back to Bishkek (6–7 hours), arriving in the evening.
Dates
Travel on your own dates
Pick any start date in the season. You travel with your own guide and vehicle, so the trip is shaped around your group. The price depends on group size.
Price details
What's in the price
Included
- Transport Bishkek – Kyzart and Song-Kul – Bishkek
- Horses and horseman for 3 days
- English-speaking guide
- Yurt accommodation with full board
- Song-Kul eco-fee
Not included
- Hotel in Bishkek
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bag (can be rented, $5/day)
- Tips
Frequently asked questions
All the answers to your questions
I have never ridden a horse. Can I join?
Yes. Kyrgyz horses are small, calm and sure-footed, and your horseman leads you through the first hours. Expect sore legs on day two!
What should I bring?
Long trousers, a warm fleece and down jacket, rain shell, sunglasses, sun cream and a hat. Nights at 3,000 m can be near freezing, even in July.
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and group size. We'll confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours — no payment needed to ask.
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