9 Days Of Horseriding To Son-kul Lake
About this tour
The jailoos are the pastures where Kyrgyz shepherds tend their flocks in the summer, and Song-Kol is the jewel of the jailoos, a stunning 270 km of sparkling water at 3016 m, surrounded by 3700 m mountains on all sides. For the fullest jailoo experience, approach the lake via the mountains enclosing the western end of Kochkor Valley, moving from jailoo to jailoo and staying with shepherd families in remote meadows far off the beaten path. Enjoy homemade jam, fresh cream, bread still warm from the oven, and the best kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) around. The route traverses remote Jumgal rayon, and reaches Song-Kol via Jalgyz-Karagai (Lone Fir) Pass on the north shore.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Shamshy Nature Reserve, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek — Shamshy gorgeAfter early breakfast leave Bishkek for Shamshy Gorge, 3-hour drive. On the way visit the Burana Tower architectural complex (the 10-11th centuries, the Great Silk Road). Meet guides’ team in Shamshy gorge. Picnic lunch. Start horseback riding towards Shamshy pass (3 570 meters). Dinner. Stay overnight in tents before the pass. Horse time: 4 hours.
Day 2: Shamshy Nature Reserve, Kyrgyzstan to Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan
Shamshy gorge — Sarala-Saz jailoo After breakfast continue tour and cross the Shamshy pass (3 570 meters). Descend to Sarala-Saz jailoo, which offers beautiful views of the Kara Moinok and Sandyk mountains to the south. After welcome tea in the yurt, eat dinner and stay overnight in the yurt of local shepherd. Horse time: 6 hours.
Day 3: Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan to Mantysh, Kyrgyzstan
Sarala-Saz jailoo — Iri-Suu jailoo This day you spend crossing wide-open pastures till Iri Suu area. Eat dinner in Iri-Suu jailoo, and then take an evening walk over the hill into the beautiful Kashka-Suu River valley, where you can eat wild rhubarb and watch the alpenglow on the southern mountains. Overnight stay in yurt or tents. Horse time: 4 hours
Day 4: Mantysh, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Iri-Suu jailoo — Sook valley After breakfast at Iri-Suu, gear up for a long day through nearly-empty country. Begin by traversing the western end of the Kochkor Valley through scrubby dry terrain. After crossing the fast Karakol River, climb 1000 meters over the Buchuk Pass (3400 m). Wild onions cover the high cold ridges, while lower down whole hillsides of wildflowers bloom. Eagles soar and marmots cry and scurry about. At day’s end, ford the Sook River and climb the green Kichi Saryk Valley Overnight stay in yurt. Horse time: 3-4 hours
Day 5: Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Sook valley — Kolduu Suu jailooAfter breakfast at Sook, detour to the next valley west, the Kum Bel, for the best approach to the 3 600 m Kum Bel Pass. From the pass, follow a ridge eastward and upward to the peak, 3656 m above sea level, with breathtaking 360 views and sheer drops to the north. Continue east, testing your walking skills down scree-covered hillsides, and eat lunch in a sheltered notch. Descend at last into the Kolduu Suu valley, and follow it down between dandelion-covered mountains to your yurt, in Kolduu Suu jailoo. Horse time: 5-6 hours
Day 6: Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan to Kilemche, Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Kolduu Suu jailoo — Kilemche jailooAfter breakfast in Kolduu Suu, head south to the Kochkor — Jumgal road. Follow the road a short ways east to the Kyzart Pass, then strike south again. Within sight of the road, cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3 061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley and eat a tasty lunch by the racing river, with views of holy 4400 m Baba-Ata Mountain. Sated, ford the river and follow the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak (shyrdak is a Kyrgyz felt carpet). Dine and sleep in a yurt, naturally. Horse time: 4 hours
Day 7: Kilemche, Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Kilemche jailoo — Tuz-Ashuu valleyAfter breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), over the Song-Kol Mountains and into the lake’s basin. The morning climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo, and the pass itself is rocky and exciting. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you traipse down the slopes, it gets larger and larger; the mountains on the other side get higher and higher, until finally the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it. After lunch at Jaman Echki, follow the lakeshore west to the TuzAshuu yurt which is located on the shore of the Lake. Upon arrival meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and overnight are in a yurt of shepherds. Horse riding time: 4 hours.
Day 8: Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Tuz-Ashuu valley — Tulpar-TashAfter breakfast continue trek heading to the western part of the Song-Kol Lake, to the Jailoo Tulpar-Tash. This day walk along the Song-Kol lakeshore and enjoy different panoramic views of the lake. Arrival at Tulpar Tash and be welcomed by local shepherd’s family. Take the honorable place in the yurt and have a dinner. Horse riding time: 4 hours.
Day 9: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Day 9: Tulpar-Tash — KochkorAfter breakfast at Tulpar Tash trek to Song-Kol Mountain range from the north. Cross the Uzbek pass (3 400m). On the top of the pass see the panoramic view to the whole Song-Kol valley. Descent to Jumgal valley, lunch at home stay in Kyzart village, afternoon transfer to Kochkor village. Accommodation in guest houses with hot shower and dinner. End of the tour. Horse riding time: 4 hours.
What's included
Accommodations Meals Guide Horse rental Transport
Tax Alcohol drinks Air tickets
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Shamshy Nature Reserve, Kyrgyzstan