TRIP ESSENTIALS
- Tour Type: Horseback Riding or Trekking
- Total Duration: 3 Days
- Availability: June – September
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Includes steep mountain passes, high altitudes (up to 3,400m), and staying in basic nomadic conditions. No special training is required, but you should be in good physical shape and comfortable in the saddle for 4–5 hours a day.
- Start and End Point: Kyzart Village
- Transport: Horses (Luggage carried by horses)
Overview
This ride is for anyone who wants to see Song-Kul Lake the real way — on horseback. Starting from Kyzart village, you’ll cross the high Tuz-Ashuu pass, ride through wide green meadows, and stay with local nomadic families. It’s a simple, peaceful journey that lets you leave the modern world behind and experience the mountain life, finishing right back where you started.
Day 1. Kyzart Village — Kilemche Jailoo
We meet at 12:00 PM in Kyzart village. After a warm welcome and lunch at a local guesthouse, you will meet your local guide and horses. We begin our ride along the scenic Bazar-Turuk gorge. Today’s ride is relatively gentle, moving through green pastures toward the Kilemche jailoo. In the afternoon, we arrive at a cozy yurt camp for a home-cooked dinner and overnight stay.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Special information
- Today involves 15 km of horseback riding (approx. 4 hours)
- Sleeping arrangements are on a multi-share basis, typically 4–5 people per yurt, with mattresses (toshyoks) arranged on the floor. Yurts are communal spaces and are usually mixed-gender.
- There is no electricity or phone signal in the valley, so ensure your power banks are fully charged. Bathroom facilities are shared and located outdoors. There are no shower facilities.
- Luggage: Your main bags will be carried by pack horse — bring a soft duffel or trekking backpack, not a suitcase
- Any extra luggage can be safely left at Kyzart village, where you will have lunch before starting the horseback tour.
Day 2. Kilemche Jailoo — Tuz-Ashuu Pass — Song-Kul Lake
After breakfast, we begin the ascent toward the Tuz-Ashuu Pass (3,400 m). This is the most dramatic part of the trek — from the top, you’ll be rewarded
with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Song-Kul valley. We descend to the lakeshore, where our yurt camp is located amidst the pristine nomadic lands. We arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore the shore or relax by the peaceful water.
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- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Special information
Today involves 15 km of horseback riding (approx. 4–5 hours). Song-Kul is a high-altitude area (3,016 m), so even in summer, it can be very windy and cold at night. Please ensure you have warm layers. Facilities are the same as the previous night (shared outdoor toilet, no shower, no electricity).
Day 3. Song-Kul Lake — Kara-Kiya Pass — Kyzart Village
After a hearty breakfast, we begin our final ride back toward the valley. We will take a different route, crossing the Kara-Kiya Pass (3,360 m). This path offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges as we descend. We arrive back in Kyzart village by lunchtime for a farewell meal with our hosts, where the horse trek officially concludes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Special information
Today involves 15 km of horseback riding (approx. 4–5 hours). We usually arrive back in the village by 13:00–14:00. This activity is suitable for any level, including beginners, but be prepared for a physical day in the saddle.
- Please note that this is a budget-friendly tour. All services are provided by local families, and your horse guide speaks limited English. However, they are highly experienced in leading horseback tours and will take good care of your safety and comfort throughout the trip.
- The tour begins and ends in Kyzart. We are happy to arrange accommodation and transfers in Kyzart and Bishkek if needed; please let us know in advance
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Kyrgyz Landscapes — See you in the mountains!