Song-KulSong-Kul Lake 3-Day Jeep Tour
The same lake by 4x4, with two yurt nights and a short ride on the plateau.
from $475
See the trip
Song-Kul Horse Trek — Kyzart Route, 3 Days
Three days on horseback from the Kyzart area, over the Song-Kul range and down to the lake at 3,016 m. Two nights in yurt camps, a guide the whole way, and transfers from Kochkor. Riding helmets provided.
Photo: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland · CC BY 2.0Horses at Song-Kul
On horsebackSong-Kul from above
Photo: HaSe · CC BY-SA 4.0Inside a yurt
Guest House Mira, KochkorWhy this trip
By jeep, Song-Kul is a few hours' drive from Kochkor. This trip covers the ground at a horse's pace instead, across the summer pastures (jailoo) where herders graze their animals, and reaches the lake over the mountains rather than by road.
Most Song-Kul horse treks start near Kyzart, a village about 70 km west of Kochkor. The route climbs through pastures, crosses the Song-Kul range by a pass of roughly 3,300–3,400 m, and drops onto the plateau, where the lake stretches about 29 km. You sleep one night in a yurt camp on the way and one night at the lake, then ride on the plateau on the last morning before our driver takes you back to Kochkor.
The price covers what the trip is actually made of: horses for three days (one per rider, plus the guide's), the guide, two yurt nights with dinner and breakfast, and both transfers from Kochkor. Nothing extra is added at the camps.
Transparent pricing
Per person, in USD. The price covers everything under "What's included".
| Group size | Price / person |
|---|---|
| Group of 4 | $420 per person |
| Solo, pair and larger groups | In our reply |
Solo, pair and larger groups: exact price in our reply within 24 hours.
Day by day
Sample itinerary — Ilgiz confirms the exact route and camps for your dates.
-
Day 1
Kochkor → Kyzart → first yurt camp
Morning transfer west from Kochkor over the Kyzart road pass (2,664 m) to the start near Kyzart village. Meet the horses, fit helmets, get a short riding briefing, then ride up through the pastures to a yurt camp for the night.
≈ 3–4 h ridingYurt camp, dinner + breakfast -
Day 2
Over the pass to Song-Kul
The longest climb of the trip: up to a pass of roughly 3,300–3,400 m, then down onto the plateau. Afternoon arrival at a yurt camp near the shore. Bring your own lunch and snacks for the saddle.
≈ 4 h ridingYurt camp, dinner + breakfast -
Day 3
Song-Kul → Kochkor
A last morning ride on the plateau, then our driver collects you at the lake for the transfer back to Kochkor. Onward to Bishkek on request.
Morning rideTransfer to Kochkor
What's included
Included in $420
- Horses for 3 days — one per rider, plus the guide's horse
- Guide for all 3 days
- 2 nights in yurt camps, half board (dinner + breakfast)
- Transfer from Kochkor to the start near Kyzart
- Transfer from Song-Kul back to Kochkor
- Riding helmets
Not included
- Lunches on the trail
- Bishkek ↔ Kochkor transfer (on request)
- Nights in Kochkor before or after the trek
- Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for the guide (optional)
Meet your guide
Ilgiz — founder & lead guide
Ilgiz is from Kochkor, the starting point of this trek, and has guided travellers for more than 15 years. He put this route and its price together. When you enquire, we tell you which guide is assigned to your dates before you commit to anything. More about Ilgiz
Questions about this tour
Do I need riding experience?
It helps, but it is not required. Many people on Song-Kul horse treks are first-time riders, and the guide rides with you the whole way. Be realistic, though: this is two long days in the saddle over a mountain pass, and you will be sore. If you have never ridden, say so in your enquiry.
What is the weather like?
Song-Kul lies at 3,016 m and the pass on this route is higher. Days can be warm and sunny, but nights are cold even in July, and weather changes fast. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, a hat and sun protection.
Can I start from Bishkek?
Yes. The trek starts and finishes in Kochkor, about 200 km from Bishkek. We can arrange the Bishkek to Kochkor transfer on request, and the price for it comes in our reply.
Horse trek or jeep tour?
If you want Song-Kul with less effort and only a short ride, take the 3-day jeep tour. If you want to arrive at the lake the way herders do, and you are happy with several hours a day on a horse, take this trek.
More on the lake itself: our Song-Kul guide, including what to pack. See also when to visit Kyrgyzstan and all travel guides.
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