song kol travel

Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan Guide

Song Kol is a beautiful blue pearl of water surrounded by rolling green hills. Dotted around the lake are traditional yurt camps, filled with families well prepared to offer travellers a real taste of nomadic life. Here’s everything you need to know before you go…

Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan Motorcycle Guide

Visit, rent a horse, live in a yurt and it’ll just be you, raw nature and only those who are willing to live there. Song Kol is incredible and you are going to love it.

Here’s all the information you need to have an amazing time in Song Kol (commonly written as Song Kul or Son Kol) and answers to all of the most commonly asked questions. Leave us a comment if we’ve missed anything and we’ll update the page!

How many camps are there in Song Kol, and which one do I visit?

There are three main yurt camps along the southern shore road along Son Kul. However, there are plenty of smaller yurt camps dotted all over the place and far less touristy than the three big ones. It will mainly be a matter of how you’re travelling. If you have your own vehicle you can chop, change and check out different camps.

There are also plenty of camps along the northern shore. Prices will be the same no matter which one you visit. The one we stayed in is ‘Yurt Camp SonKol-Land Mirlan’. There’s a large sign out front and it’s the first one you’ll pass as you ride or drive along the main road from Osh (we left a review on I.Overlander so it should be easy to find).

Do I need to book in advance?

No, you don’t need to but you can. If the camps are fully booked then there are plenty of other families and yurts willing to take tourists in. Don’t forget that there is no phone or internet signal in Son-Kul.

What are Song Kol Land Mirlan’s contact details?

Here are the contact details for Yurt Camp Mirlan:

Instagram – yurt_camp_mirlan
Facebook – Yurt camp Sonkol-land Mirlan
Email – [email protected]
Phone and Whatsapp +996 (709) 56 30 55
Located on the southern shore of the lake

Who do I speak to when I get there?

Make sure you say hi to Meridiana, she speaks great English and will arrange everything for you (despite being only 12 years old at the time of writing).

When should I visit Song Kol Lake?

The Yurt camps are open to tourists from 15 May – 20 October. The best time to visit is between June and July as the weather is warmest. The closer to October the colder it is.

What about the weather?

Even if you visit slap bang in the middle of July, the weather can still be unpredictable. It’s 3016m above sea level and can get cold. You could have a still, sunny and warm day and be woken in the middle of the night by howling winds which pummel the camps the following day. Plan and pack accordingly.

How much is it to sleep in a yurt?

A private yurt is 1000SOM per person per night. Yurts have anywhere from three to five beds. Remember that prices are per person, not per yurt. The price includes a hearty breakfast and dinner (if you don’t want to pay to sleep in a yurt then breakfast is 150SOM and dinner is 300SOM). The yurts are heated at night and electric lights come on at night (there are no charging points or sockets though). There are outside toilets and sinks, which are very clean.

What’s camping like at Song Kol Lake?

You can camp in your own tent (or in your own vehicle) for free. You’ll only pay for the food you eat.

What about showers?

There is a shower room at the camp, which is incredible! It’s basically a hot box sauna, which they heat up with fire wood and coal. It’s 200SOM per person.

What services does the camp offer?

Horse riding, traditional horse games, folk show, felt making, local guides and yurt assembling.

How much is horse riding?

Horse riding in Song Kol is a must. To rent a horse is 250SOM per hour. You don’t need a guide, but if you’d feel more comfortable with one you’ll need to pay for his horse on a per hour basis and between 500-700SOM for him. The horses are well trained, well looked after and obedient (most of the time). You can rent a horse and just ride off up into the mountains for the day for next to nothing. It is an incredible experience.

READ MORE: How to go Horse Riding in Song Kol

The camp can put on horse games for guests too. This is priced at 6000-8000SOM for 15 people, lasting 1hr30.

What do I need to bring?

The yurt camps sell water, beer, wine and petrol. Remember that you’re high up so it’s warm and sometimes windy during the day but cold at night. There are no shops around either. Most yurt camps will also provide lunch for around 300SOM.

Join a horse riding tour in Lake Song Kol

If you’d like to join a tour in Lake Song Kol and ride horses with a guide, we recommend booking onto this one from Viator.

Two day horse riding tour in Lake Song Kol

Song Kol lake

Song Kol is a high-altitude lake fed by the glacier water of the surrounding mountains, smack-bang in the centre of Kyrgyzstan. The jailoos surrounding the lake have been a summer camp spot for Kyrgyz shepherd families for centuries.

These days, the shepherd yurts have gotten the company of tourist yurts and the tents of hikers and cycle tourists. Don’t worry, the lake is huge, it won’t be difficult to find a quiet spot.

There is a good reason Song Kol has become a fixture on most Kyrgyzstan itineraries. The views are great all over Kyrgyzstan, but Song Kol has more than just a view. There is a special stillness here. Nightfall brings pitch-black skies with masses of stars, while during the day, the constantly changing cloud formations are mirrored in the lake.

The lake also has its detractors. Some people find the yurt camps too touristy, others get bored. We think their expectations are too high. Most people really enjoy it, though.

For those that aren’t keen on quiet reflections, the journey is better than the destination. Whether you are on foot, on horseback, on a bicycle or in a car, you can get to Song Kol from the 4 corners of the compass, and you are guaranteed a spectacular ride.

Or you can use Song Kol as the start and/or finish of a longer hiking or horse riding jaunt through the Central Tien Shan mountains.

Table of Contents

In July and August, there will definitely be yurt camps ready to receive guests. If you are coming in June or September, it’s best to ask around in advance. When people start setting up and breaking up camp depends on different factors: the weather, if there have been advance bookings, how hungry the wolves are, …

If you are up for an adventure, come in winter! A winter yurt camp gets set up each year in the boundless snow. A wonderful time to visit, with lots of activities, and you only have to share space with a few other intrepid travelers.

The weather

Song Kol sits at an altitude of 3016 m. In other words, rain and snow is always a possibility, and evenings and mornings are always chilly. Bring a hat, something waterproof and a warm jacket. Outside the summer months, it’s even colder.

Things to keep in mind

Because the lake is situated at a great height, you might get a headache. It normally passes after a good night’s sleep. If the headache gets worse, or you get other symptoms of altitude sickness , you should descend.

Song Kol is still a remote place. There is no cellphone reception, no ATM and no shop. Bring everything you need. If at all possible, make sure your money comes in small notes, so you can give correct change.

How to get there and away

The transport section is usually at the back of the article, but in this case it makes sense to put it at the front, for 2 reasons.

1. Song Kol is accessible from all corners of Kyrgyzstan, which gives you a lot of planning options. Since the only connection between East and West Kyrgyzstan on public transport is Bishkek, Song Kol can serve as a router for a switch between east and west, without having to pass through busy Bishkek again.

2. You cannot hike at the lake. But you can hike to / from the lake.

On public transport

There is no public transport, so you will need to arrange a ride, either in advance, or on the spot in Kochkor or Suusamyr. It’s best if you arrange the ride back before your driver drops you off. Remember, there is no cell phone reception on Song Kol, so without an arranged ride, you need to wait until someone with a spare seat is going down.

Aim for 20$ for a seat in a car to get from Kochkor to Song Kol and back.

By car or bicycle

You see locals driving up to the lake in beat-up old Soviet clunkers. Although a 4WD is not necessary, we recommend at least a car with a higher clearance to dodge loose rocks and cross small streams on the way.

There is nothing specific cycle tourists need to know. All 4 roads are decent gravel roads.

Direction Suusamyr

The Suusamyr valley is beautiful, and this road leads you via Kyzyl-Oi to Song Kol ( map ). A popular option in combination with the way in/out via Kochkor for those short on time.

Direction Kochkor

If you do not have the time to see the south of Kyrgyzstan, the shortest loop gets you in via Suusamyr and out via Kochkor, onwards to Issyk-Kul (or vice versa). While this road ( map ) is not as spectacular as the Song-Kol – Naryn road, it still brings you over 3500m, so, not bad either.

Direction Naryn

The Song Kol – Naryn road ( map ) goes by the name of 38 parrots because of its many hairpin curves. It’s a superlative road with wonderful views, and a good surface of compacted gravel.

Direction Kazarman

The least used road to get to Song Kol ( map ) crosses the Moldo Ashuu Pass and connects directly to Kazarman. You won’t find many tourists on this winding path.

On foot or horseback

A 2-day hike or horse ride gets you to the north shore. If you don’t have your own wheels, this is a great way to arrive. You can approach the starting points from the direction of Kochkor (closest) or Suusamyr and Kyzyl-Oi (bit further) by taxi. A shared taxi from Kochkor to Kyzart costs 200 som/seat.

Plenty of routes are possible, see the following gpx tracks for inspiration:

Kyzart (most popular option)
Doshkulu , or easier route via Tuz Ashuu Pass
Uzbek Ashuu Pass (challenging for hikers, usually done on horseback)

Routes from other directions are longer. For instance, from the west, you could start from the abandoned mining town of Ming Kush to reach the lake in 4 days .

For other options, the Song Kol and Jumgal trekking map is a good tool to start planning. All your questions are welcome in the forum thread on trekking to Song Kul .

Things to do

Not mentioned here specifically, but of course, a major “thing to do” is diving into the shepherding way of life. See if you can’t help out with the tasks at hand, like milking a horse. Tasting some fresh kymys is a rite of passage.

There is of course, much more hiking to be done in the Song Kol area. Here are some ideas.

South of Song Kol (3-4 days)
South shore panorama (3 days)
Sary-Kol loop (3 days)
The Song Kol trekking map has more ideas

If you are looking for something more leisurely, it takes an afternoon to hike up to the hills above Song Kul for a great panorama view.

Horse riding

Any of the hiking trails above can also be done on a horse. If you are not experienced, perhaps a few hours in the saddle along the shore will be enough, horse riding can be tough on an untrained arse. You can discuss it with a tour operator in advance or on the spot at a yurt camp or in Kyzart.

If you are arranging it yourself, aim for 700 som to rent a horse for a day, and 1500 som for a guide. As always, it’s really your call to determine how hard you want to bargain.

Swimming and fishing

There is some fish swimming around in Song Kol. You might get some served to you for dinner. You could try fishing some out yourself, although you’d have to find a fishing rod first.

You can also join the fish. Be warned, the water is cold.

Winter activities

The slopes surrounding Song Kol are a paradise for backcountry skiers . You can hike up the slopes yourself, or go up on horseback.

Horseback riding, cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing are other options. The lake can be used for ice skating, ice fishing and curling matches.

It’s really a magnificent place to be in winter, and we’d love for more people to experience Song Kol this way. Let us know if you are interested .

Accommodation and food

There are about 15 yurt camps spread around the lake. Most yurt camps these days have dedicated themselves to tourism. The average price is 15$ for a night, meals included.

The standard sleeping yurt will have between 5 and 9 mattresses on the floor with a stove in the middle. The stove gets refueled in the middle of the night, but the fire goes out near the morning and yurts do go cold quickly. There is one designated dining yurt, which usually requires cross-legged seating around a spread of food on a table cloth on the floor.

Some yurt camps are more luxurious. They have beds and tables and seated toilets, and private yurts for singles or couples. There is no need to book in advance if you are okay with a simple mattress on the floor, there will always be space, but if you want a bed or a private yurt, you should make arrangements in advance, because they do sell out.

Any tour operator can book a yurt for you, or you can book yourself via booking.com. In the glamping section, Azamat has come recommended to us several times, but Muras should be good as well. Certain tour operators, like Sergey , have their own glamping yurt camps reserved for their clients.

Except for the few deluxe yurt camps, it’s difficult to say in advance what kind of experience you will get. There are several umbrella organisations (CBT, Shepherd’s Life, Eco CBT, Jailoo Tourism), but they all have similar standards. The lady of the house could be extremely hospitable and fun, or a bit grumpy. She could be a great cook, or perhaps not. It’s a bit of a gamble. English is usually spoken to some degree by the kids.

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Staying with a nomadic family at Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan.

By Sarah Steiner
Updated On March 29, 2024

Setting out from Bishkek headed for remote Song Kol Lake in Kyrgyzstan with the kids had us seriously pondering. Are we officially we crazy?!

Aside from perhaps the quick op-shop stop to prepare us for waking up in a yurt surrounded by a fresh snowfall on the mountains, nothing could have readied us for the experience of staying with the nomadic families at Song Kol Lake and getting a glimpse into remote Kyrgyz life.

The experience took us out of range, altitude, familiar climate AND comfort zones.

Ultimately, the perfect reminder of how travel challenges us, and changes us.

About Song Kol Lake

Song Kol is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3016m above sea level meaning it literally freezes over in winter.

The roads are closed and the herders vacate the area for the season. But in summer, Song Kol Lake has been the choice of nomadic families as their jailoo, or summer pastures, for centuries.

As soon as you drive up over the Kalmyk Ashuu Pass to reach the shore of Song Kol you can see yurts dotting the shore line in little clusters. Families have set up here this way for generations. Now, even though some of the camps are now set up purely for tourists, there are areas of herders living the same way for the summer as they always have.

We had two nights at Song Kol Lake and it was the most memorable part of Kyrgyzstan for us.

The experience felt uninterrupted and so far removed from modern day life. We all found a new love for the smell of a yurt-fire burning, and left with a new-found awe for such an incredible lifestyle.

Yurts line the Song Kol shore in summer.

Things to do at Song Kol Lake

Experiencing nomadic herder life in Kyrgyzstan is one of our best travel experiences to date. There is plenty to do and lots to learn.

If you get the opportunity to add Song Kol Lake to your itinerary for Kyrgyzstan, do.

Go horse riding at Song Kol Lake

Kyrgyzstan has such a strong horse culture. Although we didn’t know very much else about the country on arriving, we were looking forward to horse riding being a part of the Kyrgyz experience. Getting to Song Kol Lake and living out that dream felt incredible.

It feels great to be horse riding on a normal day, but riding a horse on the shoreline of a lake in Kyrgyzstan definitely takes the cake. Oscar had been looking forward to horse riding for weeks, and wanted a horse that could ‘go really fast!’. He hopped on happily by himself, and rode back from the lake.

Harry wasn’t quite so keen for a speedy choice, but the young boys paired them each thoughtfully. They each had turns along and they both had a go in front of the young nomad boys as well.

Share meals in the family tent

Each yurt camp at Song Kul Lake is set up similarly, in that a curved line of yurts surround a central tent that is the main communal area.

Attached to the communal tent is the family kitchen. And it’s here that they prepare everything for each mealtime.

Given that store-bought resources are scarce being hours from town, we were really impressed with what they made. We all especially loved the afternoon tea times with freshly made stove top bread, jams, and homemade butter.

Image showing food in yurt stay, Song Kol Lake.

Join in with daily routine

Experiencing the nomadic lifestyle at Song Kol Lake with kids definitely heightened versions of ‘worldschooling’.

We watched the kids learn and process all kinds of things that are just normal parts of nomad life.

Harry followed the older boys with the task of collecting cow poo in a bucket that will be fuel for the yurt fire. There are no trees at this height above sea level – definitely a lot of learning going on there!

Collecting cow poo as fuel for the fire at Song Kol Lake.

[And, you can trust me on this one. When its zero degrees outside… the smell of a yurt fire burning cow shit is the best smell in the world!].

Camp mum Zura stoking the fire of our yurt in Kyrgyzstan with kids.

Hike or wander the lake shore

If you aren’t exploring on horse back, then the best thing to do at Song Kol Lake is to explore by wandering around on foot. The shore line is vast and stretches back to the rise of the Tien Shen mountains around the lake.

Literally everywhere you walk has a beautiful vista.

Perhaps, because apart from the iconic yurts on the pasture, it really is so untouched. And it feels extreme just being in such a remote space and at such altitude as well.

Note: Make the most of the sunshine during the daytime to explore. As soon as the sun dips down over the hills and the wind gets up it is pretty chilly to be out exploring. (It was early September when we were there).

Filling fresh water in our yurt in Kyrgyzstan with kids.

Experience Kyrgyz herder lifestyle

You can’t seriously arrive at Song Kol Lake and not embrace the lifestyle. It couldn’t really be much further from life at home in that no matter what the family were doing – even tending to daily jobs – it’s fascinating.

We spent the best part of the morning learning how they make kumyz (fermented mares milk) and having a go churning the cows milk and making it into butter.

Making mares milk in a yurt Son Kol Lake Kyrgyzstan with kids.

In the evenings you can see the herders arrive back for the day. Between them they bring the goats and cows back in for the night and round them up into the makeshift pen to do a headcount.

Harry and Oscar even tried to join in on the head count and chase a few goats back in. Boy, you have to be seriously quick!

Downtime (in the yurt)

It is still technically summer in early September, but it is not always the weather for exploring outside. Downtime is just as important in our travels, and doing it in a yurt makes it that much cooler. We felt very grateful for the roaring yurt fire inside by the late afternoon. And also pleased with the lego we had packed and our small picking of warm clothes that we had carried the whole way, ‘just in case’ – for moments like these – with below-zero temperatures outside, and the last of the battery reserves…

Booking a trip to Song Kol Lake

We booked our trip to the lake as part of a driver-tour through Kyrgyz Tourism and were blown away by the service and communication. Aisha handled all my emails and tailor made a package for us that really suited us to travel with the kids. (She has children as well and definitely understood!).

We didn’t want a standard package tour, but instead wanted to book a local driver who would stay with us for the duration of trip around Kyrgyzstan. And , after Kyrgyzstan, to drive us over the border into Kazakhstan and all the way to Almaty…

Even this wasn’t too much to ask, and Aisha arranged the driver Vitali for us who we instantly connected with (despite the language barrier). Spending ten days with someone makes it definitely important to be on the same page, and we couldn’t have asked for a better match than Vitali.

Because of the flexibility of our tour we had a few days stopover in his hometown which meant not only could he catch up with his family while we had some time to explore alone, but we ended up meeting his family and spent a day out with him and his son.

Getting there

Getting from Bishkek to Song Kol Lake with kids required a bit more planning. It would take at least five to six hours straight driving. You can make the journey from Bishkek in stages but you need to depart for the lake via Kochor.

From Bishkek to Kochkor there are regular minivans and shared taxis; the journey takes about 3 hours. From Kochor, the drive to Song Kol is about another three hours and you will need to arrange your own private transport for this part.

It is possible to book a car through one of the CBT (Community Based Tourism) offices in either Naryn or Kochor, but I would recommend booking ahead by email.

From Kochor, driving up over the Kalmyk-Ashuu Pass before dipping back down to reach the shore of Song-Kul Lake takes you up over 3446m into mountainscape that makes you feel small!

What to pack for Song Kol Lake

Warm clothes: Sounds obvious, but if like us you have been on the road for a while and in theory its summer in the ‘Stans (we had just survived an overnight train in Uzbekistan at 43°C!); you might not have a lot of warm clothes packed.

Temperatures drop to below zero overnight and even in summer there is the chance of snow at Song Kol Lake. We didn’t have snow at the camp, but there was a fresh and low covering of snow on the mountains each morning.

The yurt fire is amazing, but stop at an op shop in Kochor or Naryn if you haven’t already prepared.

Toilet paper: The toilet facilities are extremely basic at the lake. Literally a hole in the ground that is dug each season and then covered over again on leaving. (Just a heads up on that one).
Water: If you come with an organised tour they will likely provide drinking water, but don’t forget to check on this prior to departing.
Cash: The nearest ATM is over 3 hours drive away. Bring enough cash for your stay at Song Kol.
Snacks: Meals are provided and catered amazingly by the families that run the yurt stay. However if you have any dietary requirements or are worried about eating local food (or, have kids!) then it would pay to stock up on a few snacks before you come.

Our experience of Song Kol Lake

Stepping in to any new country and culture requires stepping out of your comfort zone. As soon as you set foot you are thrown in to a whole new world of different languages, tastes, sights, sounds and people. I love the idea of that being one of travels’ most loveable challenges, and part of the reason we set out; to experience that with the boys. Because, even at a young age they can understand that there are other ways of living, being, and behaving; and that our way in the world is not the only way.

It’s hard to describe the emotions we felt on leaving. I’m deeming the experience of Song Kol Lake with kids beyond measurable in terms of travel memories. Getting a glimpse into nomadic herder life in Kyrgyzstan was one of those unforgettable experiences in life for which we will always be grateful to have shared.

If you get the chance and can visit Kyrgyzstan ; grab it with both hands.

Camping in a yurt at Song Kol Lake Kyrgyzstan.

Useful links for your travels in Kyrgyzstan and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.

Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
Hostelworld – The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).

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1 thought on “Staying with a nomadic family at Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan.”

Very comprehensive and contains all the information I should ever need, especially when travelling with a young child (solo, in my case). Thank you for sharing your experiences and tips.

How to Visit Song Kul Lake in 2024

Song Kul Lake rightfully stands out amongst all of Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful destinations. This high-altitude lake, surrounded by an expansive jailoo (summer pasture) and soft rolling hills, is a sight for sore eyes.

It’s not just about Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty though.

With dozens of yurt camps scattered around the lake and ample time to interact with their inhabitants, spending time at Song Kul Lake is a great way to dive deeper into Kyrgyzstan’s rich nomadic culture.

Want to visit Song Kul on your trip to Kyrgyzstan? We’ve got you covered with our complete guide to Song Kul Lake, including trekking options and of course, a Song Kul horse trek!

Kyrgyzstan Travel Resources

Start here: 14 Awesome Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan
Getting there: search for flights to Kyrgyzstan
Guidebook: pick up a Bradt Kyrgyzstan guidebook
How to get around: rent a car to get around Kyrgyzstan
Travel insurance: get travel insurance for your trip
Money: get a Wise travel card to save big time in Kyrgyzstan
Tours: check out the best Kyrgyzstan tours

Table of Contents

What is Song Kul

Song Kul is a high alpine lake situated at an altitude of 3016m. Measuring in at 270 square kilometres, it’s the second-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and easily one of its most famous.

While Song Kul Lake itself is undoubtedly beautiful, what really makes a trip out special is the surrounding scenery and the remote location of the lake.

It takes on average two days to reach Song Kul Lake and en route, you’ll pass the classic high-altitude scenery Kyrgyzstan is famous for: jailoos, rolling hills and mountains and endless vistas.

Want to visit another stunning lake in Kyrgyzstan? Read all about remote Kel Suu

Where is Song Kul

Song Kul is located in Naryn Oblast in Central Kyrgyzstan. The lake is surrounded by a large summer pasture fringed by rolling hills.

The nearest hub, and where most people base themselves to get organised for a trip to Song Kul Lake, is Kochkor, about 40 km away.

Kyzart, about 72 km from Kochkor, is a small village close to Song Kul. This is where most Song Kul horse treks and hikes begin.

Best time to visit Song Kul Lake

The season for visiting Song Kul Lake is from June to September. The best time to visit Song Kul is in July and August. During this time, the weather will be at its warmest (but by no means hot).

Due to its high elevation, Song Kul’s weather is unpredictable: it can be sunny in the morning and then turn windy and stormy in the space of a few hours.

Even in summer, it can be very cold (and freezing at night), so be sure to pack warm clothes.

Don’t know what to pack? Don’t sweat, we’ve got you covered. Check out our complete packing list of what we always take into the mountains.

Read next: Ala Kul Lake Essential Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Why you should visit Song Kul

As one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous and beautiful destinations, visiting Song Kul is one of the most popular things to do in Kyrgyzstan .

Song Kul is not just about Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty, though. Visiting Song Kul is as much a cultural experience as it is a natural one: nowhere in the country affords such a wonderful opportunity to engage with Kyrygyzstan’s rich nomadic culture.

With yurt camps (some authentic, some solely set up for tourists) peppered around the massive lake, there are unlimited opportunities to learn more about this cultural heritage.

You can hang out with families, milk a mare, try kumys (fermented horse milk) and if you’re lucky, catch a bit of kok boru (headless goat polo). The true joys of travel in Central Asia!

Related: Kol-Tor Lake: The Best Hike Near Bishkek

How to get to Song Kul

We’ll be honest with you: there’s no easy way to get to Song Kul.

Song Kul is surrounded by multiple passes, all of which are over 3000m. To reach the lakeshore, you’ll have to cross at least one of these.

This is one beautiful place in Kyrgyzstan where the journey really is as exciting as the destination itself.

When planning how you’re going to get to Song Kul, the sky’s the limit. You can hike, take a horse, ride a bike, drive or even do a combo. The choice is yours, my friend!

Song Kul Horse Trek

Doing a horse trek to Song Kul is by far the most popular option. There’s something deeply romantic about riding a horse through the rolling hills and across the jailoo to reach remote Song Kul Lake.

When choosing a Song Kul horse trek, there are unlimited options. You can go from anywhere to 2 – 10 days, with countless variations.

Let’s just say it’s well beyond the scope of this humble travel blog to attempt to lay them all out.

Read 14 Awesome Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan for more epic adventure

Our two cents? Unless you really love riding, 3 days are enough. You go very slowly on a horse and your body will begin to ache. 3 days felt like the sweet spot in terms of duration.

We chose an option where we reached the lake in one day, spent a whole day meandering around the lake and then returned in a day.

We loved this route. The second day traversing the lake was beautiful and peaceful and allowed us to see the lake from different perspectives. We couldn’t recommend it enough.

How to Organise a Horse Trek to Song Kul

From Kochkor, there are about a million different travel agencies in town that will be able to organise a horse trek to Song Kul for you. Speak to your guesthouse and it’s almost guaranteed they can put together a trip for you too.

For a classic 3-day / 2-night horse trek, these should cost approximately 14,000 – 15,000 KGS per person.

Our recommendation? Jailoo Tourism in Kochkor.

Why? Their prices are fair and the woman who runs it is an absolute legend. She knows everything about the area and can advise you on a million different options so you can tailor your Song Kul horse trek to your liking.

We also really enjoyed the yurt camps they set us up with. They were local families and had a very authentic vibe. We’ve heard a lot of negative feedback about some of the other camps that they feel a bit manufactured.

They’ll also give you a price breakdown of all the costs and you can pick and choose what you want included (i.e., you can take out meals, or choose to camp, etc.).

For an all-inclusive 3-day / 2- night trip, it should cost somewhere around 12,000 KGS per person.

Pro tip: to save some cash, skip an arranged lunch and pack your own. We packed some bread, cheese and tomatoes to make easy sandwiches on the way, along with some snacks like chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.

Of course, you can always pre-arrange a Song Kul horse trek in advance. Being such a popular destination, there are multiple tours available.

Organising a Horse Trek to Song Kul Independently

You can also go directly to Kyzart and arrange a horse trek independently.

Kyzart is the main departing point for horse treks, so every second house will know someone who can guide you to Song Kul Lake.

That said, it actually doesn’t come out to much cheaper (we’re talking a few dollars per person), so unless you’re really on a budget, it’s not really worthwhile.

Want more horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan? Visit Tash Rabat Caravanserai

Hiking to Song Kul

Trekking to Song Kul Lake is another great, and very popular, option for those who want to experience Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty.

Another bonus is that trekking to Song Kul is one of the least difficult hikes you can do in Kyrgyzstan. We think it’s also one of the best hikes in Kyrgyzstan .

Compared to some of the country’s more arduous treks (ahem, Ak Suu Traverse ), the passes are relatively moderate in terms of gradient and technical challenge.

Read about Ala Archa National Park for more great trekking in Kyrgyzstan

As with horse trekking, there are many different routes you can take, each varying in duration and difficulty.

The most popular hike route to Song Kul departs from Kyzart Pass. From the Kyzart Pass, it takes 2 days of moderate trekking to reach Song Kul Lake.

If you want to explore more obscure or long-distance options, stop by the CBT in Kochkor and pick up a copy of the hiking map with all the trails laid out.

Transportation to the Trailhead

You will need to arrange transportation to the Kyzart Pass. From Kochkor, the cheapest way to do this is to get a shared taxi in this direction (towards Jumgal) and get out early.

You can also arrange transport directly to the trailhead via the Kochkor CBT, any travel agency in town or your guesthouse. When arranging this, ask them to drop you off at Km 46 on the Kochkor-Jumgal Road (this is very well-known).

2-Day Trekking Itinerary to Song Kul

Day 1: Kyzart Pass to Kilemche Valley

Distance: 15 – 17 km (depending on exactly where you stop)
Elevation: +900m / -850m

The trail starts at Kyzart Pass, right on the main road between Kochkor and Jumgal.

Once you get out of the car, follow the trail of car tracks that lead toward the southern chain of mountains.

Over the course of the day, you’ll go over two passes: first up is the Chaar-Archa Pass and then the Kyzyl Bel Pass. Both are just over 3000m.

The day’s destination is the Kilemche Valley. If camping, you can overnight at the river. If yurting, there are several yurt camps in the area.

Day 2: Kilemche Valley to Song Kul

Distance: 15 – 17 km
Elevation: +800m / -400m

From the valley, you’ll climb the 3325m Jalgis Karagai Pass. From the top, there are excellent views of Song Kul and the mountains to the north.

From the top of the pass, there’s a clear path straight down to the lake.

When you get to Song Kul, there are plenty of spaces to wild camp and many yurt camps to arrange a bed for the night.

Important : fill up on water in the Kilemche Valley, as you won’t have water again for most of the day! Be sure to treat all your drinking water, as there are many animals around. A Steripen is a great way to have access to clean water 24/7.

The route is not signposted, so it’s a good idea to get your hands on a map. There are multiple online maps, on either maps.me , AllTrails and Wikiloc .

Paper maps of the hiking routes in the region can be sold at the CBT office in Kochkor.

Read 10 Epic Kyrgyzstan Hikes + Essential Trekking Tips (2024)

How to get back to Kyzart or Kochkor from Song Kul

There are a few different options for getting back to either Kyzart or Kochkor.

Obviously, you can re-trace your steps and return along the same route.
You can go hike over the Tuz Ashu Pass and get to Kyazart in one day. This is along an old Jeep road.
You can also return via the Ozbek Ashuu Pass. This is more difficult, more remote and will take a couple of days.
You can go back by car. Even though Song Kul is one of the country’s most popular destinations, it’s best to arrange in advance. You can do so via the Kochkor CBT, one of the travel agencies in town, or your guesthouse. Just note that it’s not cheap – around 3000 KGS.

Driving to Song Kul

If you have your own car, you can drive to Song Kul. It’s both easy and common to rent a car in Kyrgyzstan and it’s a great way to explore the country’s natural beauty.

In our experience, it’s cheaper and easier to rent a car online. Our recommendation? Hop over to Discover Cars for the best deals – it’s what we personally use and recommend.

If you don’t have a car (nor want to rent one), then you can arrange a car and driver to take you there. This can be arranged from Kochkor or Naryn (although Naryn will cost significantly more).

To arrange a driver, simply speak to the CBT of whichever town you’re in, or your guesthouse. We’ve always had better results arranging anything through guesthouses than through the CBTs.

Mountain Biking

Another fun option is to ride a bike to Song Kul Lake!

We didn’t do this (we were on horses), but we saw plenty of people mountain biking around Song Kul Lake. When we go back to Kyrgyzstan, this is what we’re doing!

If you’re fit and an experienced rider, you can take any of the horse trekking or hiking trails to Song Kul via bicycle.

Accommodation at Song Kul Lake

Song Kul is THE place in Kyrgyzstan to get a taste of nomad culture, so it’s only fitting that you should stay in a yurt whilst there.

There are plenty (and we mean plenty) of yurt camps at the lake and en route. Although they’re now set up for tourists, they still give you insight into the culture. It’s a great experience.

We camp a lot, and normally always elect to camp when given the choice, but in this instance, we really enjoyed the experience of staying in the yurts. It’s part and parcel of the entire Song Kul experience.

How to organise a yurt stay at Song Kul

If you’re going with a pre-organised tour, then all of your accommodation will be arranged for you and included in the price of your trip.

If you’re visiting Song Kul independently, then just rock up and see what’s free! It’s that simple.

There are heaps of yurt camps at the lake and en route, so there’s no need to pre-book.

It should cost around 1000 – 1200 KGS per person, including dinner and breakfast.

Camping at Song Kul

Of course, of course, you can always camp at Song Kul. It’s a massive, flat jailoo, so space is definitely not an issue. Find a nice spot and make your home for the night.

Just be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and clean up after yourself.

Heading to Kazakhstan? Read our complete guide to Almaty

What to Expect at Song Kul

Song Kul is a super safe place. For a remote destination, it’s relatively busy with tourists and shepherds and there’s not a lot to worry about.

That said, if hiking, be sure to always take adequate precautions. Check the weather, inform people of your plans and have a backup plan if things go south.

As with all hikes, accidents do happen, so good travel insurance is essential. We use and recommend SafetyWing . It covers up to 4000m and is specifically designed for long-term travellers and nomads.

Mobile Reception and Electronics

There is no reception at Song Kul Lake, so make sure to download any offline maps you may need.

We also recommend bringing a power bank to keep your devices fully juiced.

Song Kul is not a place to work on your tan. Even in the height of summer, temperatures are mild and can be downright cold.

In summer, expect mild days (around 10 – 20C) and cold nights (anywhere from 5C to 0C). It can also get super windy at the lake. We always use this website for weather in more obscure locations such as Song Kul.

Be sure to pack warm clothing, and if camping, appropriate gear (see here ).

Be sure to treat your water before drinking it, as it is most likely contaminated by animal droppings. We use a Steripen to clean all of our water.

Tips and Tricks

Bring a windbreaker. It gets bloody windy at the lake.
If horse trekking, bring paracetamol / ibuprofen. Your body will ache!
Bring warm clothes. It’s cold! This is our packing list for alpine environments .
If offered, try the kumyz. It’s not delicious, but it is a great cultural experience!

Where to Stay in Kochkor Before or After Your Trip

MALIKA Guesthouse

Guesthouse Mira

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Song-Kol Lake

December 17, 2021
Destinations

It is must visit place in Kyrgyzstan. Here you can enjoy vastness and calmness. Thousands of yurt camps and it is an opportunity to explore Kyrgyz nomad life.

The truly magical alpine lake Son-Kul (Son-Kol) is located in the intermontane depression between the Moldo-Too, Sonkol-Too and Boor-Alba ridges, at an altitude of 3016 m. Its maximum depth is 22 m. Average depth – 9.2 m, length of the lake – 29 km, maximum width – 18 km.

18 streams flow into the lake, of which only four have a constant flow, the only river Son-Kul flows out of the lake. The lake water is fresh and clean. According to the thermal regime, Son-Kul belongs to the lakes of the temperate zone. In summer, the water temperature rises to 11-12 ° C; rom November to May, its surface is frozen. The thickness of the ice can reach 1.5 m. The climate of the lake is very different.

In summer, the air is fresh and transparent, the temperature regime is favorable for air, water and sunbathing. Since ancient times, shepherds from Kochkor, Naryn and At-Bashi have chosen this place for their camps. Using the shores of the lake as pastures, they spend the summer here with their families. Like a huge sparkling bowl, the lake emits a pearly glow set in the setting of snow-white mountain ranges. Horse riding shepherd on the background amazing view can make your day.

How to get to Song-Kul lake

1. Take transportation From Bishkek to Kochkor and take driver to Song-Kul lake
2. If you want to go there by horse . You need to get Kyzart village and there you can take horses. 5 hours horse riding and you are in Son-Kul lake.
3. If you are by bike or selfdrive you can use google maps, it takes you there.
4. No need to worry, You can relax and enjoy with us

What to eat and where to stay, you can find lots of yurt camps, there you can order food and bed.

NOTE: it is at 3000m asl. do not expect luxury bed with private bathroom. No, it is yurt and toilet is outside.

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Song-Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan

Lake Song-Kol (also Songköl in Kyrgyz) is the second-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It lies at 3,016 metres above sea level and has an area of 278 km2. The maximum length is 29 km and the maximum width 18 km. It is up to 13 metres deep.

Issyk-Kul Lake

Song-kol lake.

The lake lies in the valley of the same name and is framed by the Songköl Too range, up to 3,856 metres high, in the north and the Moldo Too range, up to 4,185 metres high, in the south. The lake has four tributaries and is drained by the Songköl River. This flows into the Naryn, a tributary of the Syr Darya, after 62 km and a gradient of about 1,160 metres.

Due to the altitude, the annual average temperature is -3.5 degrees. In January it averages -20 degrees, in July +11 degrees. There is snow in the valley 180 to 200 days a year. The lake itself freezes in winter, with a layer of ice that usually becomes 1 to 1.2 metres thick. Only towards the end of May, the lake becomes completely ice-free.

The area around the lake is rich in fauna, with more than 60 species of birds. There are also wolves, ibex and marmots. If you are lucky, you may even see a snow leopard, although these shy animals usually avoid humans.

In summer, the valley is a destination for shepherds who graze thousands of sheep and horses. During this time, the shepherds live in traditional yurts that they set up in the pastures.

Song-Kol Lake is a popular destination for tourists in the summer months. It can be reached by off-road vehicle either from the east via the 3,446-metre-high Kalmak Pass or from the south via the 3,150-metre-high Moldo Pass. Tourists can stay overnight at the lake in specially built yurt camps. Some herders see tourism as an additional source of income and offer overnight accommodation themselves.

Air connections: there is no airport in the immediate vicinity. Most guests arrive via the international airport in Bishkek.

Railway connections: you can travel by train from Bishkek to Balyktchy. From there, however, it is another 160 km to the lake on partly bad roads.

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Song Kol lake

Son-kol lake.

Son-Kul lake is an alpine lake in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan which is located in 3000m a.s.l It is surrounded by high mountain pastures called jailoos, where Kyrgyz herdsmen graze their livestock all the year living a semi-nomadic life in yurts. Come to Song Kol, and breathe in deeply. We organize all around Song Kol lake tours

How to get Song Kol lake

Lake Song-Kol is just over 290 kilometers from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and most travel from Bishkek will follow the Bishkek-Naryn highway. This road is generally in very good condition, but you will eventually need to leave the highway to go through Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, which is easily traversed by most vehicles in the summer. Alternatively there is 5 ways to go to the lake by car.

1: Kyzart village to the lake through Tuz Ashu Pass, 22km.
2: Kochkor to the lake through Kalmak Ashuu Pass 100km.
3: From Naryn to 32 Parrot Pass 120km
4: From Ak Talaa through Moldo Ashu Pass 90km
5: Bolshevik village through Kara Keche Pass 90km

Where to stay

There are about 35 yurt camps all around the lake. Most yurt camps these days have dedicated themselves to tourism. The average price is 11-13$ for a night with breakfast. Dinner 5$ lunch 5$.

The standard sleeping yurt will have between 2 and 4 mattresses on the floor with a stove in the middle. The stove gets refueled in the middle of the night, but the fire goes out near the morning and yurts do go cold quickly. There is one designated dining yurt, which usually requires cross-legged seating around a spread of food on a table cloth on the floor.

If you have own tent and want to built it, Its possible everywhere just you have to be far from the cows, horses. Because at the lake so many animals and they destroy your tent at night.

When to visit Song Kul lake

Above 3000 meters winters are harsh and long and the road from Kochkor or Naryn to Son kol lake is closed, most of the year, because of snow. Therefore the tourist season is short and runs from June till September. Yurt camps open up their doors in the last week of may and close in mid october.

That said, Song kul lake can be visited on the back of a horse throughout the year, even in winter when the lake is frozen and covered in snow. You can read this excellent post about going on a horse trek in winter.

Winter Activities Song Kol lake lake

The slopes surrounding Song Kol are a paradise for backcountry skiers. You can hike up the slopes yourself, or go up on horseback. At the lake possible to sleep in yurt even in winter time.

Horseback riding, cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing are other options. The lake can be used for ice skating, ice fishing and curling matches.

It’s really a magnificent place to be in winter, and we’d love for more people to experience Song Kol this way. Let us know if you are interested.

Is it safe to visit Song Kul in winter

Trekking to Song Kol in winter is relatively safe as long as you have a good guide, proper equipment, and warm clothes. That could be very dangerous. Temperatures during winter can drop to -30 C (-22 F) in the evening in the mountains that surround the lake.

Song Kol lake Horse Riding

Any of the hiking trails above can also be done on a horse. If you are not experienced its not a problem we have horses special for beginner and professionals. Most of the tour starts from Jumgal and Kyzart.

What to bring

If you travelling independently you should take:

Warm clothes : it can get very cold in song kul lake, even in summer. During the day can see 4 season. Raining, snowing, hailing, windy, storm, windy and sunny. The whether quikly changing.

Snacks and water : there are no shops in song kul lake and although you are fed well at the yurt camps it is a good idea to bring some snacks and enough water with you. Consider bringing a water filter so you can refill your own bottle.

Toilet paper : toilet facilities are very basic. Bring some toilet paper and wet wipes.

Sunscreen : remember that at higher altitudes the sun is more strong and you get sunburn more easily.

Money : There is no ATM at the lake, so bring enough money in Kyrgyz som to pay for your yurt stay.

Fishing Season : Check the local fishing regulations and seasons for Song Kol Lake. Fishing seasons can vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and fish spawning periods. It’s essential to fish responsibly and abide by any regulations to help preserve the lake’s ecosystem.

Permits and Regulations : Obtain any necessary fishing permits or licenses required for fishing at Song Kol Lake. These permits may be available from local authorities or fishing associations. Make sure to familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations, including catch limits, allowed fishing methods, and protected species.

Ways to Explore

Kyrgyzstan tours, horse riding around song kol lake, song kul lake trekking tour, transport from kochkor to song kol lake, horse riding kol ukok and song kol lake, trekking & road trip in kyrgyzstan, horseback riding tour to sary chekek.

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Song Kol Lake Kyrgyzstan

One loves it the most when the journey and the destination both are extremely picturesque. One such exhilarating experience one gets while travelling to Song Kol Lake . Second Largest Lake after Issyk Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan , with fresh water Song Kol Lake sits at the height of 3000m. Another high altitude alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, Song Kol is surrounded by 3500m peaks and yurts which belong to herders from the nearby villages.

One would love to breathe deep at this place which lends itself for hiking to the travellers. The alpine lake in the Tien Shan mountains is a perfect destination to reach to. Horse riding is one of the cool things to do in Song Kol. Horse rental is easily available by Community Based Tourism (CBT) and Shepherd's life in Naryn and Kochkor the two biggest town near the lake. CBT and Shepherd's life are two organisations here to help local people make money from tourism. Trekking via Ak Tala village near Naryn one can camp, hitch hiking along the way to the lake is the most beautiful experience one can have. Another way to Song Kol is from Kyzart village near Kochkor is on horseback. Trekking or horse riding to the lake offers soothing sceneries on the mountain.

Yes Song Kol Lake is one of the favorite destination while one is in Bishkek. But there is snow all year around Song Kol lake. So the best time to visit the lake is from July to September in the summers. The Lake which belongs to Naryn River basin is home to shepherds who offers the travellers yurts when they are here. Otherwise there is not much facility available and that brings the fun element of staying in the place too. Therefore, including Song Kol Lake as one of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan becomes quite obvious to the tourists. Read More About Kyrgyzstan: Best Cities in Kyrgyzstan to Visit Must-try Traditional Kyrgyzstan Food Top 10 Restaurants in Bishkek

Issyk kula lake
Kyrgyzstan lakes
Song kol lake

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SONG-KOL TRAVEL (Bishkek) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Kyrgyzstan: A Horse Trek to Song-Kol Lake

A country with a horseback tradition, trekking to song-kol lake over the jalgyz-karagai pass.

Ascot and Nick on horses in Song-Kol, Kyrgyzstan. Nick Wharton photos

By Nick Wharton

Kyrgyzstan is a country deeply connected to the traditions of horseback riding. Kyrgyz people are raised in equestrianism like Canadians are raised in hockey.

They sometimes learn to straddle a steed long before they can even walk. Traveling to Kyrgyzstan, a place so profoundly connected to horses, we knew that we had to plan a trek on the back of these nationally revered animals.

When we arrived in Kochkor, a small village in Kyrgyzstan’s rugged North, we went straight to Shepard’s Life office. Shepard’s Life and CBT are community-based tourism projects that you can find all over Kyrgyzstan. They arrange everything from guides and drivers to homestays and meals.

Encouraging Sustainable Growth

We usually booked our trips in Kyrgyzstan with a local group because they give a large number of profits back to the local communities and they help to encourage sustainable growth of tourism in the country.

We met with the owner of the office in Kochkor and she quickly helped us arrange the best route for our horse trek. We planned on a 3-day trek over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass and down to the beautiful Song-Kol lake. She set us up with a guide and three horses that were to meet us the following day. We went back to our homestay and packed our bags, excited for our next big adventure.

The Day Of The Trek

Mick on the horse Denzel on the way to Song-Kol lake.

When we woke up the next morning, the sky was dark. Deep, bellowing thunder warned us that today was a risky day to venture into the mountains. We tried to ignore the somber weather as we packed our bags and headed outside.

Our guide, Ascot, met us right on time, but he was with an old beat-up car and a groggy driver rather than three willing horses.

He explained to us that the horses were in their stable about a 1-hour drive from Kochkor, so we hopped in the car and were on our way.

As the tiny rusted car clunked and hopped over the bumpy Kyrgyz roads, the skies started to close in and it became obvious that rain was on its way.

We told Ascot that we may want to cancel the trip to Song-Kol lake, but he assured us that the rains would hold off… so we continued.

We drove through a small village, where kids were playing in the streets. As soon as they noticed foreigners passing through, they quickly waved and yelled hello.

Despite the relative popularity of this trek, few people visit Kyrgyzstan at all, so no matter where we were in the country, we were always greeted with pleasant surprise and curiosity. We pulled into the stable house and met our horses while a group of giggling children surrounded the action.

My horse was a large, black stallion, so Dariece named him Denzel Washington, while hers was a smaller orange horse with a golden mane. She named it Mustard. After loading up our bags and mounting our new equine companions, we were on our way.

Starting Out: How to Get to Song-Kol Lake

Just being on the horses felt great. We’ve done a few trips on these animals in the past, but never for such an extended period of time. Today we planned to ride for 5 hours before arriving at a small yurt camp at about 3,500 meters in altitude, close to the Jalgyz-Karagai pass.

Somehow, despite the clouds in the distance, the sun continued to find us and its warmth was welcomed on our faces. Light pierced through the clouds and lit up the green grass around us, while the horizon was painted in a dark and dismal mist.

We road through lush pastures, down into river valleys and through a couple of small villages before starting our ascent towards the icy peaks of the Song-kol ridge. The sights were spectacular but the cool air and howling wind warned us that our views were about to change.

Finally, after four hours of riding, the skies could hold off no longer and they finally released their freezing contents. The rain was accompanied by tiny hail balls and we were soaked within minutes. Luckily, just as the weather started to punish us for ignoring it, we saw a scattering of yurts on the horizon.

“Is that where we’re headed?” I asked Ascot over the howl of the wind and the drumming of the rain.

“Yes! Not long now!” he called back.

Denzel Washington and Mustard seemed oblivious to the falling rain and they got us to our yurt-stay safely. We hopped off of the soaked and exhausted animals and ran into the nearest shelter where a family awaited us with cheese, homemade soup, freshly baked bread and delicious tea.

That first night we sipped on the warm brew and spoke to the family through Ascot’s translations. They told us of wolves, of their “summer homes” and of their children, who chased chickens outside as we talked.

We dried off in the warm sanctuary of the yurt before Ascot prepared our bed of wool blankets and pillows on the floor.

We slept comfortably, serenaded by the sound of grazing horses and the crackle of burning cow manure in the stove. Our thoughts were on the weather on that first night and I think we were all silently wishing for clear skies in the morning.

Day 2 Song-Kol Lake

We awoke at 5 am on our second day of the trek and our bodies were slow from the chill. The cow manure stove had run out and we were happy to have 4 layers of warm blankets on top of us, but we didn’t want to come out of our cocoons until Ascot lit the fire again.

He did so, and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of porridge, homemade jam, bread, and tea before saddling up and bidding farewell to the family who had so graciously hosted us for the night.

The rain returned shortly after our yurts disappeared behind us. Luckily it was only a sprinkle, but I’m sure that Denzel and Mustard appreciated the cool mist as they puffed and grunted their way up the rocky mountainside.

After about 2 hours of steep riding, Ascot pointed ahead and yelled back to us “You see that opening where the trail leads? That’s the pass!”

We gave our horses a light heel of encouragement and called out to them “ Tshoo ” (GO! In Kyrgyz).

The rocky pass became steeper and steeper and our horses were slowing down with each step, despite our constant words of motivation and definitive pokes into their lower rib cages, they were quickly tiring.

Suddenly and without warning, the clouds completely disappeared and we were treated to a bright blue sky. Denzel and Mustard slipped and skidded up the jagged cliff side but we made it to the top of the pass safely.

On Top of the World

The views from the pass were spectacular. We could see where the steep windy trail meandered its way down the mountainside before meeting the dazzling Song Kol lake in the distance.

The sun glimmered off of its rippled surface and even from way up at the top of the pass, we could clearly see its vivid colors and sandy shores.

We had about 10 minutes at the top before it was time to get back on the horses and head down. A dense fog crept over the ridge and we were quickly engulfed in an opaque mist that made it almost impossible to see Ascot and his horse trotting in front of us.

We arrived at the bottom of the trail after another hour of riding, the cool wind from the top of the pass still left a numbing sensation on our faces.

The dense fog had lifted and we were trotting along at a good pace, despite Mustard’s refusal to listen to Dariece. We followed the lakeshore for about an hour before arriving at our second yurt stay.

A Perfect Round Lake

The lake itself was stunning, a perfect round pool set amongst the beautiful Borbor Alabas and Moldo-Too mountains. Its glass calm surface is famous for reflecting its snowy peaks. The yurts where we were to sleep that night were scattered over a perfectly green pasture, or jailoo in Kyrgyz, with the jagged white cliffs scraping the sky in the background. The place was heavenly and it felt like we had discovered it for ourselves, though a few other tourists joined the camp that evening.

Riding under clouds toward Song-Kol Lake, Krygzstan.

We spent another night with Ascot, chatting and learning about the unique Kyrgyz culture. He explained to us how he hopes to one day kidnap his girlfriend and make her his wife, a common and controversial custom in Kyrgyzstan.

We drank a couple of beers and played cards by the heat of the stove before retreating to our beds on the floor for another peaceful and silent night’s sleep.

Early in the morning on our last day, Ascot was saddling up his horse and tying Denzel and Mustard in tandem behind it. He was to ride back alone, 12 hours in one day, all the way to the village with the horses’ stable.

Dariece and I would take a taxi along the bumpy mountain roads to Kochkor . We bid Ascot farewell and watched as our trusty guide and three loyal horses disappeared into the mountains.

We were sad to see Ascot go, but happy to be free of the hard saddles that had so battered our inner thighs and butts. We hopped in the taxi and took the winding, gravel roads back to the comfort of our village homestay, where we ate a warm home-cooked stew and talked about the amazing things we had seen, and the friendly people we had met on our overnight horse trek in Kyrgyzstan .

Nick and Dariece of Goats on the Road.com travel site.

For more on traveling to Kyrgyzstan check out our “Ultimate Guide To Backpacking Kyrgyzstan ”

Visit Song-Kol Lake

Nick Wharton is half of the nomadic couple behind Goats On The Road , a website designed to help others live a financially sustainable, location-independent lifestyle. Masters at making money abroad and traveling forever, they’ve been on the road for over 4 years and have traveled to some of the least visited places on Earth, finding adventure wherever they go.

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Song-Kol Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Home / Group Tours 2023 / Trip to Song-Kol & Karakol every week

Trip to Song-Kol & Karakol every week

Where the world meets

You want to experience this special region of Kyrgyzstan. But what if you don’t have the time? We have a short week-long trip that will take you to the most favorite destinations in Song-Kol and Karakol regions at an affordable price.

With the Kyrgyz Tourism project “Trip to Song-Kol & Karakol every week” you can combine all the must-visit place Song-Kol and Karakol region routes on a map and learn about the transportation options from one place to another during the travel. Share your ideas, get advice from other travelers, and explore Kyrgyzstan.

Check out our offer now!

Itinerary: Bishkek – Burana Tower – Lake SongKol – Bokonbaevo – Karakol – Altyn-Arashan– Bishkek
Accommodation : two overnight in the yurt camp, two overnight in the guesthouses
Duration : 5 days
Best Season: June – August
Category: combined –auto/trek
Level of Difficulty: Easy to medium
Group Size: 4-16 pax
Highlights: Burana , Son-Kol Lake , Barskoon, Jeti-Oguz, Canyon Skazka, Altyn-Arashan
Requirements: Weatherproof warm clothes, trekking boots, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

We will help you to see the main highlights of Kyrgyzstan within a certain time and budget. Explore the route!

→The tour will be activated if the minimum number of people is at least four (4 pax). If the number of people does not reach 4 pax, the tour will be canceled.

Bishkek, Songkol

Wednesday: Departure from Bishkek to Lake Song Kol at 9:00 a.m. On the way you will stop at Burana Tower. Short visit. Arrive at Song Kol Lake for the afternoon. Welcome to the yurt camp, located on the northern shore of Song Kol Lake. Dine and sleep in the yurt camp. (optional horseback riding, hiking) (4-5 hour drive). Lunch at a cafe on the way.

Services: ♦Transportation, ♦Tour guide, ♦Bed&Breakfast in the yurt camp (triple room), ♦Dinner.

Songkol, Bokonbaevo

Tuesday: Spend the morning on the lakeshore. Horse riding, participation in the everyday life of the local nomads. After lunch, we continued to the Issyk-Kol region. On the way, you will stop on the southern shore of Issyk-Kol in the Ak-Say Valley and meet the golden eagle hunters. Eagle show. Late afternoon arrival in the village of Bokonbaevo and welcome at the next yurt camp from the Issyk-Kol region. Dine and sleep in the yurt camp. (4 hour drive)

Services: ♦Transportation, ♦Tour guide, ♦Bed&Breakfast in the yurt camp (triple room), ♦Lunch, ♦Dinner, ♦Golden eagle hunting show.

Bokonbaevo, Karakol

Friday: Today you travel to the city of Karakol. On the way, you will visit Skazka Gorge, BArskoon Waterfall, and Jeti Oguz Gorge. Lunch picnic in the wild. We reach Karakol in the late afternoon. Accommodation in the guest house. Dinner at local cafes. (4 hour drive)

Services: ♦Transportation, ♦Guide, ♦Bed&Breakfast in guesthouse (twin room), ♦Picnic lunch, ♦Entrance fees

Karakol, Altyn-Arashan, Karakol

Saturday: After breakfast, off-road adventure and hiking in the Altyn-Arashan mountain valley. You will be dropped off at Ak-Suu village where you can begin the 16km hike to the Arashan River. Climb up the Arashan Valley where you can enjoy the hot springs and a delicious lunch. Rest in place. In the late afternoon, you will be picked up directly from the Altyn-Arashan Gorge by off-road vehicle back to Karakol. Accommodation in the guest house. (4 hours hiking, 2 hours driving). Dinner in cafes.

Services: ♦Transportation, ♦Guide, ♦Bed&Breakfast in guesthouse (twin room), ♦Lunch, ♦Entrance fees.

Karakol, Bishkek

Sunday: After early breakfast at 7:30 a.m., visit the animal market in Karakol every Sunday. After a few hours at the market, we head straight to Bishkek. You will arrive in Bishkek at 5:00 p.m. Lunch at a cafe on the way to street cafes. Optionally, you can stop in Cholpon-Ata and visit the Petroglyphs Open Space Museum. Arrive in Bishkek around 5:00 p.m. End of the tour. (5-6 hour drive)

Services: ♦Transportation, ♦Guide, ♦Entrance fees.

Included / Excluded

It is included

Transportation from Bishkek to Bishkek English speaking tour guide Meals: Breakfast and meals in the guest house and yurt camps All entrance fees Golden eagle hunting show Off-road vehicle transport pickup in Altyn-Arashan Valley Accommodation: yurt camp in Song-Kol, yurt camp in Bokonbaevo, two nights in the Karakol guesthouse

It is not included

Meals in cafes Hotels in Bishkek SNG supplement for accommodation Further services from the program

Where will we meet at the day of departure?

We will be waiting for you on the day of departure at 8:00 a.m. at the Kyrgyzstan Tourism Office – Abay,21 (Olive Hotel).

If you have time before the departure day, you are welcome in our office for a briefing, meeting, and a cup of tea.

Can I extend my trip in Song-Kol

Of course, you can also stay in Song-Kol for several days and plan your trip independently. Your guide can advise you on the best options and help you find local service providers for long-distance hiking or horseback riding in the Song-Kol area.

Can I extend my trip in Karakol

Sure. Karakol is the region where there are various opportunities for activities such as trekking, hiking, horse riding and planning trips to places like Alakol, Jyrgalan, Khan Tengri Park, Ingilchek etc. And your guide would be helpful to give you all the information and reach the right people to find the best itinerary or find other groups to join some expeditions.

Will you refund me the rest of the money if I extend the tour?

If you have an extension you will need to organize the rest of the tour and route yourself at the additional cost. The remainder of the $390 is non-refundable.

Can I get my money back?

If you have agreed and participated in this tour but only use part of the program or services, we cannot refund you even part of the money. For example, if you only go to Karakol and want to finish the tour on day 3, you will still pay a fixed amount of $390. This is because shuttle bus services are paid for the set program and itinerary.

Can I travel with children on this tour?

Children aged 12 and over can take part in the tour with their parents like an adult with full payment. Young children require more attention and demands. This is also to avoid disturbing other travelers along the route. For families with small children, we recommend a private tour. We are a child-friendly company and would like to offer a tour for families with children.

What is the additional cost of the single supplement?

The additional charge for the single room supplement is USD 80.

What if the required number of people in the group is not reached?

We have to cancel the tour because we cannot cover all costs at cost price. Advance payments will be refunded.

(→The tour will be activated if the minimum number of participants is at least four (4 people). If the number of people does not reach 4 people, the tour will be canceled.)

May 29, 2024 - Wed Jun 12, 2024 - Wed Jun 26, 2024 - Wed Jul 3, 2024 - Wed Jul 17, 2024 - Wed Jul 31, 2024 - Wed Aug 14, 2024 - Wed Aug 21, 2024 - Wed Aug 28, 2024 - Wed

Group tours

Saimaluu-Tash
National Park "Ala-Archa"
Issyk-Kul Lake
Sary-Chelek Lake
Tash-Rabat Caravanserai
Lake Song-Kol
Lake Kel-Suu

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Kyrgyz cuisine tour.

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Backcountry ski tour in northern kyrgyzstan.

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Horse Trekking and Yurt Living in Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan

It’s probably a good thing we were riding on horseback because the trek began after lunch; a very very big lunch, set in a yurt, with a spread that made it feel like Thanksgiving. On the table before us were plates of tomato and cucumber salad with dill, a hearty soup with carrots and cabbage, and plov , a staple at Kyrgyz dinner tables featuring rice with fried beef, onions and carrots. And because we weren’t yet bursting at the seams after that three course meal, there were also little pieces of fried dough known as boorsok , which we enjoyed with jam, as well as little cookies and chocolate bars. Some riders may have needed a little push in the derriere to mount their horses once the meal finished, but let that be a testament to Kyrgyz hospitality.

But let’s back up a little bit. The adventure began the previous night in the town of Kochkor. This would be our launching pad for the 2-day horse trek to Song Kol, a beautiful alpine lake set in Kyrgyzstan ’s northern Naryn Province.

We arrived at Mira Guesthouse where we unloaded our bags and were soon called to dinner. Here we were treated to a traditional music performance by a band that spanned three generations. We may not have understood the words as they were singing in Kyrgyz, but at the start of each song the leader of the troupe would tell us what each song was about; there were songs about taking the animals up to the summer pastures, songs about young love, and songs about legends and national epics.

Having just arrived in Kyrgyzstan the previous night, this was our first foray into the culture and we all watched with wide eyes and intrigue as the musicians pulled out instruments we’d never seen before and even used their throats to produce guttural sounds which mixed with the music.

Independence Day celebrations in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

The following morning, we woke up to the Independence Day celebrations , so we headed into Kochkor to check out the festivities. Even though it was only mid-morning, music was blaring from giant speakers on the side of the road, the back streets were filling up with vendors selling everything from shashlik to cotton candy, and the parade was already in full swing.

We spent some time taking photos – this is one country where people love to have their photo taken and they’re not shy about asking! – and then it was time to head into the mountains. After a short drive, we arrived at our first camp where our host family stuffed us with the aforementioned meal. Then, hauling the few possessions that we had managed to cram into our daypacks, we bid our hosts farewell and rode into the valley where we began the slow ascent up the mountains .

Horse trekking on our way to Song Kol Lake

On our first day, we rode for roughly 5 hours. It was a slow ride with a lot of zig-zagging up and down switchbacks, but it was a great pace to enjoy the surrounding scenery. The ranges we crossed reminded me of a mix of the Scottish Highlands , the Drakensberg Range in South Africa , and the dreamy landscapes of Iceland I’ve only ever seen in photos. And you know what was even more amazing? Seeing eagles flying through the valleys right at home in their natural habitat!

After a long afternoon of riding, we arrived at our yurt camp just as the sun was setting. Our camp was small with only 3 yurts: 1 for our nomadic host family and the other 2 for guests.

You’re probably wondering what a family is doing living in the middle of a mountain range a 6-hour horse ride from the nearest settlement, am I right? Nomadism was once a traditional way of life in Kyrgyzstan , and while many people have settled into life in urban centres, there are still families that pack up their homes and spend the summer months up in the pastures so that their animals can graze and fatten up for the winter. Life up in the pastures is basic and it brings its own set of challenges, but it’s also quiet and peaceful, and I think this is what draws travellers all the way out there.

In our yurt, we were treated to yet another delicious dinner, where the cups of tea kept flowing and the plates of food kept on coming. By the time the sun set, we were all ready for bed so we crawled under the blankets for the night even though it was still relatively early.

This was my first time sleeping in a yurt and it was one of the best sleeps I’ve had. There were no mattresses, just layers upon layers of blankets that offered both padding and warmth. I don’t know how, but I managed to sleep a solid 10 hours and I awoke the following morning to the sound of goats hoarking which is a strange way of waking up – I was blaming it on the boys next door until I walked out the door!

Doing a local yurt stay on our way to Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan.

After a hot breakfast, it was time to get back on our horses and continue the journey. The funny thing is that our horses had hopped away overnight even though their front legs were tied, so our guides had to wander down the valley and then bring them all back to camp.

Since we had a bit of time in our hands, I befriended the family’s dog and then the family’s young boy also came over. We didn’t speak each other’s language but the young boy was able to teach me how to say ‘whiskers’ in Kyrgyz – while tugging at the dog’s whiskers! – and then I taught him how to say ‘horse’ in English.

The second day of riding brought us across the Kimliche Pass where we had sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. That morning was probably the hardest day of riding for me as the downhill stretches were destroying my knees, so I gave my legs and my horse a break and ended up walking a few kilometres.

The horse trek to Song Kol Lake in Kyrgyzstan

By the time we reached our lunch stop at yet another yurt camp, we were all famished and finished everything that was put in front of us. This camp is also were I had the best meal of the trip! Picture a loaf of bread being pulled out of a wood-burning stove, and then add a dollop of home churned cream with raspberry jam. It was like afternoon tea nomad style. My mouth waters every time I think of it!

I reluctantly hopped back on the horse after that meal and then we rode the remaining 2 hours along the shores of Song Kol Lake. We followed the edge of the lake as the clouds turned darker and started rolling in on us, but we made it to camp just before the rain hit.

In total, I spent 3 weeks in Kyrgyzstan , but I have to say my favourite spot was here on Song Kol Lake. We had jagged mountains to one side, the lake with a row of snow-capped mountains to the other side, and nothing but a vast plain with a sprinkling of white yurts in between. It was already postcard perfect , but then sunset hit and the mountains started glowing in the soft light, and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. We all hung around the lake’s edge until our fingers froze and the sun slowly began to dip behind the clouds; even the dogs we had befriended at the camp joined us.

That evening we had yet another feast, this time sharing some vodka and cognac with our host family. We also had a crackling stove inside our yurt, so it was toastier than our previous night and it wasn’t long before we were all asleep.

When we woke up the following morning, we enjoyed one last breakfast, and just like that our 2-day trek to Song Kol Lake was over. We packed our bags, said our goodbyes to everyone, and hopped in a van that drove us out of the valley and down the steep mountain range back to the town of Kochkor, where we resumed our travels around Kyrgyzstan .

If this sounds like your type of adventure, you can check out Feel Nomad’s tours , which include Song Kol Lake.

And if you want to tackle an even lesser known trail, there’s the Panorama Trek outside Bokonbayevo , which is a 3-day trek that does a big loop through the valley. Picture yurt stays, an alpine lake, ancient petroglyphs, and meals shared with your host family.

Happy travels!

Kyrgyzstan Travel: One of the highlights of my travels in Kyrgyzstan was the 2 day horse trek to Song Kol Lake, which also included yurt stays with nomadic families.

Have you been to Kyrgyzstan? Would you do the trek to Song Kol Lake?

This trip was made possible with the support of Discover Kyrgyzstan and USAID. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.

17 Comments

These pictures are unreal! Sounds like an incredible experience!

It was! The landscapes were majestic and we got to experience everything from mountain ranges to valleys along the trek.

We have been in Mongolia recently and had pretty much the same activities. We had throat singing, yurt living and good food. We have been reading a lot of posts about Kyrgyzstan and the World Nomad Games. We have already put that on our list to do in 2018. I think a trek like yours by horse would be a great addition to the trip. That is one thing we did not do in Mongolia. I loved the pictures esepcially the last one by the lake

That’s cool! I just read your post about Naadam. I heard a few people comparing it to the World Nomad Games, so I’m now kind of curious to check it out. I’d highly recommend the World Nomad Games if you get the chance. I have the feeling it’s only going to be bigger and better two years from now.

What was the riding difficulty level – how much of trot/canter/gallop did you do on either day? Also, how much luggage did you have to carry along – as in, is this the kind of trip that a non-backpacker/camping person could do?

Hi Anna, It was a very low level of difficulty. Because of the terrain, the horse kept a steady walking pace, but technically you could gallop once you reach the open plains. As for packing, we all took small day packs that we could carry on our backs. You don’t need a whole lot aside from warm layers and a few toiletries since food and accommodations are taken care of.

What an incredible adventure! I would love to do this some day. I tried horseback riding in Yunnan, China hoping for a similar experience, but it was tailored to Chinese tour groups and a lot less authentic. (Paved paths, riders texting while guides led the horses, etc.) This looks much more up my alley!

Hey Audrey, It just looks incredible! My flatmate and I are going to Kyrgyzstan this July and since I’m so excited I already started planning 😉 Unfortunately we don’t have so much time in Kyrgyzstan and we’re no experienced riders at all so we would like to do this 2 day trek instead of a three day one. But I just find the 3 day horse treks online. Could you tell me if you booked it in advance or directly in Kochkor and if you did that with a cbt or rather someone private? Thank you for your answer!

Hi Inken, I’m not sure you can do the whole thing in 2 days since you have to cover quite the distance. Depending on the roads, it’s about a half day of travel from Bishkek to Kochkor, a half day riding to the first yurt camp, a full second day of riding to reach the camp by Song Kol Lake, and then another half day of travel the third morning to get out of there. I would try to contact CBT Kochkor via email to see what kind of hikes and horse treks they have available with a 2-day window. Best, Audrey

Hey Audrey, Sounds amazing trip! I’m looking for a trek to in Kyrgyzstan! With who have you done it? Thanks! Matthieu

Hey Audrey – this sounds amazing and exactly what I’m planning to do in July! Can I ask, where in Song Kol did you end up, the north shore maybe? Or perhaps the south/east (which I hear is more ‘touristy’). Would love to hear what your yurt was like on the lake as well! 🙂

Hi! The pictures are stunning! Could you let me know how much time it took to get back to Kochkor at the end of the trek? We are planning on leaving for Kochkor in the morning from the last stop and then travelling to Cholpon Ata on the same day. Is that possible?

Hi Suparna, I’ve just had a look on GoogleMaps and it seems to be 1.5 hours from the camp to Kochkor, and then another 2 hours from Kochkor to Cholpon-Ata.

Awesome post. I like the way you described. I did this as a trekking in 2018 and the best thing I enjoyed most was the food at lunch time in a yurt at Jaman Echki after we had descended from them pass

Could you remember the name of Kylie host in a yurt on your first night?

Wow the pictures looks amazing, I visited last year in july. It was amazing did 3 days horse riding to Song Kul lake. Booked tour with Pegas Adventure. I think june and july best time to visit. More green and not lots of tourists.

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Pearls of Kyrgyzstan: Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul Lakes

Mid-june – end of september, 2 - 12 persons, this offer is valid from 4 pax, trip essentials.

Tour Type: auto/trekking

Total Duration: 8 days

Best Season: mid-June – end of September

Level of Difficulty: medium

Maximum Altitude on the Trip: 3 500 meters ASL

Start and End Point: Bishkek

Transport: jeep/minivan/minibus depending on the size of the group

Best group size: 2- 12 persons

Trip Highlights

Burana Tower – Balasagun was a city in the Chuy region during the Karakhanid Khanate. Excavations have revealed that the double walls of the settlement enclosed 30 sq km, including a fortress, many workshops, bazaars, a bathhouse, and a plot of arable land. Water brought by a large pipe from a neighboring canyon. As the Karakhanid rule was shaken by Mongol invasions, Balasagun began a slow decline, eventually becoming a ghost town in the 15th century.

Burana Tower is the most visible remnant of the old city. Built in the 11th century, the tower is thought to have been a minaret. It was originally double it’s current height of 24.6 meters. Historian’s believe the top half to have been destroyed in a 15th century earthquake.

Chong-Kemin Valley – In the Chuy region this small 500 hectare park covers an incredible range of terrain, from semi desert to glacier. Trek the gorge and check out the extreme landscapes, and unique animal and plant life including the Tolai Hare, pheasant, and fir-needle ephedra.

Issyk-Kul Lake – the crown jewel of the Tian Shan , Lake Issyk-Kul is 6232 sq m of sparkling blue paradise. The second largest saline lake in the world, its name in Kyrgyz means “hot lake”– though surrounded by spectacular snow capped peaks, the water never freezes. Silk Road traders stopped here to recover from the grueling trek over the passes of the Tian Shan, and it is still the most popular destination in Kyrgyzstan to relax for both tourists and locals.

Lake Son-Kul – in Kyrgyz “the final lake”. Son Kul gleams like a brilliant sapphire on it’s lush green mountain plateau. At 3016 m it is inaccessible during winter months, and even in summer weather conditions can change rapidly. “The Last Lake” is considered one of the most beautiful areas for summer pasturing with an area of 270 km sq. In winter the lake freezes over with ice more than a meter thick.

Nomads have been making the upland trek to this 3016 m asl lake since ancient times with their livestock. Some left mysterious “standing stone” arrangements. Lake Son-Kul is a beautiful place to experience life on a jailoo – summer pasture. Ride horses in the surrounding mountains, or stay in a yurt and experience an old-fashioned Kyrgyz summer.

Services Included

Price includes:

• Accommodation according the program at home stay, guest houses and yurt camps • Meals during tour (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners), except alcoholic drinks • Transport services • English speaking touring guide • Visiting cultural/historical places and entrance fees • Cultural events and show according to the program • 2 days trek from Kyzyl-Suu to Jety-Oguz gorge • 2 days trek to Song-Kol lake

Price doesn’t include:

• accommodation in Bishkek; • meals at cafes; • single supplement; • personal expenses; • activities out of program; • travel insurance; • tips; • international air fare; • boat trip and rafting

Trip Itinerary

Bishkek – Chong-Kemin Valley – Karakol Town – 2 days Trek from Kyzyl-Suu to Jety-Oguz gorge – Bokonbaevo Village – Kochkor – 2 days trekking tour to Song-Köl Lake – Bishkek

This day drive to Chong-Kemin Valley. Visit the Burana Tower architectural complex (10th-11th century, an important point on the Great Silk Road) on the way (15 km from the main road, 1 hour). Upon arrival to Chong-Kemin have a lunch at home stay. Accommodation in a local guesthouse. Optional: horse riding or walk around the village.

After breakfast drive to Karakol (about 5-6 hours). On the way make a stop in Cholpon-Ata to visit an open-air petroglyph (rock painting) gallery (5km from Cholpon-Ata, heading to the mountains). Continue your way to Karakol, make another stop for lunch at cafe. Upon arrival to Karakol, visit Dungan Mosque and Russian Ortodox Church. Dinner will be at café, overnight at guest house.

Morning after breakfast transfer from Karakol town transfer to Kyzyl Suu valley (40 km from Karakol). Trekking towards Jeti Oguz valley via Jeti Oguz pass – 18 km walking distance, max elevation 2800 m. Lunch on route, on the way visiting: waterfall in Kok Jayik gorge. Overnight and diner in the yurt camp

After breakfast make a short hike to the view point of Oguz Bashy Peak (5180 meters elevation) you will have amazing view of beautiful snowy mountain, back to the yurta, make lunch. After lunch walk down by Jeti Oguz mountain range towards 7 Bulls rock, finishing trekking at Panoramic view point. Next our stop will be at Skazka canyons. Upon arrival to Yurt camp, dinner and B&B will be provided.

Afternoon transfer to Jaychi yurt camp, where you will see eagle hunting show. Then continue your way to Kochkor village, have a lunch at home stay at Kochkor village.

Transfer from Kochkor to Kyzart pass. Arrival at Kyzart pass, meet your guides team and start the tour. 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.

After 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, transfer the lakeshore east to the yurt at Batai-Aral. Upon arrival meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and overnight are in a yurt of shepherds.

After breakfast transfer to Bishkek, via Kalmak-Ashuu pass. Upon arrival to Bishkek, end of the tour.

Book this Tour Now!

Related tours, explore the largest glacier in kyrgyzstan, festival of manas and nomad games in talas region, explore sary-chelek national biosphere park with nomad games festival_2024, express trip to issyk-kul and song-kol lakes (3 days).

Horse Riding in Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan – Everything you Need to Know about Going on a Horse Trek to Song Kul

This is a guide to horse riding in Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan. It explains in detail how to organize a horse trek to lake Song Kul in summer and winter with practical information on what to bring, which companies to contact and where to stay in Song Kul. It also gives you an itinerary and explains exactly what you should expect on a horseback trip to the lake.

Lake Song Kul is the highlight of any trip to Kyrgyzstan . If there is one place that you should visit during your trip to this Central-Asian country, it’s this lake. You may ask why. Well, let’s start with just how beautiful Song Kul is.

It’s really hard for me to describe how stunning it is. I loved it from the first moment I walked on its shores!

Sunset at Song Kol Lake - Journal of Nomads

There is a beautiful peace that surrounds the water and the hills all around it. The landscape there is particularly special with the yurts scattered here and there.

Horse Riding in Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan - Everything you Need to Know about Going on a Horse Trek to Song Kul

It’s not an easy place to access but the more challenging it is to reach a destination, the more rewarding it will be. This is exactly the case with Song Kul Lake.

I went there for the first time with my brother after a long horseback trek through mountain passes covered in snow. Getting there was relatively challenging. We were attempting to reach this lake at the hardest time of the year.

Kyrgyzstan horse trek Song Kol in winter - Journal of Nomads

When we arrived, we were left breathless by the beauty of the surrounding mountains and by how untouched the region around the lake was! The challenge of reaching this lake by horse in winter was totally worth it!

Watch this video to see how much of an adventure it was to reach this beautiful lake in winter.

Horseback trek to Song Kol in winter - Journal of Nomads

Kyrgyzstan is a land of horses and I think no trip to the country would be quite complete without a horse trek to lake Song Kol. This feels like the embodiment of everything Kyrgyzstan has to offer.

My favorite travel photos of 2018 - Journal of Nomads - nomadic shepherd Kyrgyzstan

It’s possible to reach this lake by horse almost throughout the whole year and in this article, I’ll tell you how to organize your own trip there.

If you would be interested in reaching the lake on foot, we also explain how to hike there from the small town of Kyzart here .

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide: 20 things you should know before you go

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Kyrgyzstan Travel Essentials

20 things you need to know before traveling to Kyrgyzstan
The 25 best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan
The top 28 things to do in Kyrgyzstan
The 14 best hikes & treks in Kyrgyzstan
The 9 best horse riding destinations in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Budget Guide
Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tours & Kyrgyzstan Tour Planning
Visa: Required Kyrgyzstan travel documents
Getting there: Search for flights to Bishkek or Osh
Where to stay : Find a yurt camp,homestay, hotel, hostel or guesthouses
Travel Insurance: Choose the best travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Why should you go horse riding in Kyrgyzstan and go on a horse trek to Song Kul?

Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan is an amazing adventure that offers in a condensed version a lot of the highlights of the country.

When you go on a horse trek to Song Kul, you’ll ride your horse through the beautiful valleys and meadows that surround the lake and you’ll appreciate the beauty of untouched surroundings.

If you start your trek in Kilemche valley, you’ll see herds of hundreds of horses grazing in the hills all around. To reach the lake you will have to cross some very high beautiful mountain passes where you’ll be able to see miles around in every direction.

Horses running freely in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

You’ll get to experience the life of the nomads and their culture by sleeping in yurts along the way. If you’re there at the right time of the year you might even be able to taste Kymyz, a Kyrgyz traditional drink made of fermented milk.

When you finally arrive at Lake Song Kol, you will be absolutely thrilled! You’ll be able to walk or ride along the lake, meet nomadic shepherds and visit their dwellings.

You’ll also get to taste some lovely Kyrgyz dishes. If you’re lucky you will see some teenagers playing the traditional game of Kok Boru in the distance.

Kok Boru - Dead Goat Polo - National Sport Kyrgyzstan - Central Asia - Journal of Nomads

Ready, Steady, Goat! An insight into Kok Boru, the unusual National Sport of Kyrgyzstan

Best things to do in Kyrgyzstan - Stay with the nomadic shepherds

The locals keep their livestock in the meadows (jailoo) around the lake from June till September and it’s a fantastic sight to see.

The whole journey to the lake will give you an unforgettable taste of the wilderness and freedom of the Kyrgyz nomadic life.

Horses grazing around Song Kol Lake - Journal of Nomads

2. A few things you need to know before you go on a horse trek to Song Kol

Do people in kyrgyzstan speak english.

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan is becoming easier and easier since more guides now speak English. Remember though that a big part of the population still speaks only Kyrgyz and Russian.

Learning a few words or expressions in those languages before visiting the country will definitely be handy.

If learning languages is not your thing, I would recommend getting your hands on the Lonely Planet Russian phrasebook and dictionary .

It’s packed with thousands of sentences that will help you in different situations and scenarios such as ordering food or finding a place to stay.

Is it safe to go horse riding at Song Kul Lake?

In general, riding a horse to lake Song Kul is probably safer than riding a horse to other remote lakes around the country.

However, do remember that horseback riding wherever you are in the world comes with a certain dose of risk.

Regardless of your skills as a horse rider, riding a horse in completely new and different terrain is not the safest thing.

Some of the passes that surround the lake are very high and can be quite treacherous at certain times of the year.

Horse Riding in Kyrgyzstan - Best destinations horseback trek Kyrgyzstan - Horse riding Karakol

The complete guide to horse riding in Kyrgyzstan with the best horse riding destinations

Horseriding to Song Kol Lake - Journal of Nomads

It is paramount that you have good travel insurance before going on a horse trip to Kyrgyzstan.

The insurance we recommend is HeyMondo . It covers almost anything that could virtually happen to you in high mountain altitudes and covers you on treks of up to 5,000 meters.

HeyMondo is also one of the few policies that won’t require you to be in your home country to purchase, renew or extend your insurance. If your trip happens to go on a little longer than planned, you can easily extend your plan online.

What kind of weather should you expect in the mountains around Song Kul?

The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is between the months of June and September. The weather around Bishkek is at its best during that time.

In the mountains, however, the weather can be very cold at night depending on how high you are. The average temperature during the day can be between 10°C (50°f) and 25°C (77°f). At night the temperature easily goes down to 5°C or 0°C (41°f or 32°f).

In extreme situations and at high altitudes it could still snow and freeze at night.

I’d recommend you bring a good warm sleeping bag and some warm and waterproof clothes regardless of the time of the year you visit the country.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TREKKING IN KYRGYZSTAN WITH 14 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HIKES OF THE COUNTRY!

The Complete Packing List for Kyrgyzstan

Best time for horseriding in Kyrgyzstan- Journal of Nomads

3. How long does it take to reach lake Song Kul by horse?

Depending on where you start your journey, riding a horse to Song Kul lake can take anywhere between a day and a whole week.

Starting directly from Kilemche valley, for example, takes only a day. If you start from the small village of Kyzart, reaching the lake takes about two days.

It’s possible to do a round trip from Kyzart and back in four days of riding.

Some people also start the horseback trek in Kochkor and ride all the way to the lake and back as part of a six days adventure.

During the 10 days adventure trek that Cynthia organizes in Kyrgyzstan in the summer, you’ll take two days to ride from Kyzart to Song Kol.

Kyrgyzstan Overland Tour - Yurt Camp Stay Kyrgyzstan

T h e 2 8 Top Things to do in Kyrgyzstan

On the way from Kyzart to Kilemche Valley

4. How much does a horse trek to Song Kol lake cost?

Paying for an organized horse trek to song kul lake.

There are a lot of companies in Kyrgyzstan offering horseback treks to Song Kol lake and they all offer very different packages.

What can be an average price to expect for a trip to the lake? It really depends on the duration of the journey, if you travel with an English speaking guide and if you’ll sleep in yurts and eat there.

It also depends on if you arrange your tour through a travel agency or through the local CBT (community-based tourism)

If you arrange your tour through a CBT, you’ll save a lot of time. However, you might end up paying much more than if you would organize your trek independently as the CBTs in Kyrgyzstan tend to overcharge.

An average price for an organized tour for two people renting two horses and a guide, sleeping in yurts with families along the way and having dinner and breakfast there would be between 300 to 400 USD.

Would you love to go on an epic adventure on foot, on horseback or by 4×4 to the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan with a small group of adventurous travelers?

Check out my 6 Fantastic Kyrgyzstan Adventure Tours!

Going on an independent horseback trek to Song Kul

On average, renting a horse at one of the yurt camps at Son Kul lake costs around 1500 som per day which is roughly equivalent to $15. If the horses have to be brought to the area where you will start your trek, the prices will go up slightly. Renting the services of an experienced horseman costs around $30 per day.

There are many yurt camps spread on the way to the lake, operated by different travel organizers and families. You can arrange your stay in these yurt camps ahead of time or directly with the yurt owners upon arriving there.

Adventure Trekking in Kyrgyzstan July 2019

The average price for a yurt stay if you arrange directly with the families is around $ 25 to $30 , which includes dinner and breakfast the next day.

If you have your own tent, you could camp anywhere you want on the way to Song Kol.

If you want to rent camping equipment before your horseback trek, you could do this through the Trekkers Union of Kyrgyzstan and it usually doesn’t cost much. Have a look at their average costs of renting equipment in this article .

What you need to Know and Pack before you go Trekking in Kyrgyzstan – A Complete Packing List for hiking in Kyrgyzstan - Journal of Nomads

5. What should you bring on a horse trek to Song Kol?

If you organize your trek through an agency, you won’t have to bring much. You’ll be sleeping in yurts along the way and eating homemade traditional Kyrgyz food. This means you practically won’t have to carry anything except warm clothes.

If you are going independently on a horse trek, it’s important that you pack wisely. To make sure you’re prepared and you don’t forget anything, Cynthia created a list of everything you need to pack and do when you’re planning a multiple-day trek in Kyrgyzstan .

6. What are reliable guides or agencies organizing horse treks to Song Kol?

Many different travel agencies and companies organize horse treks to Song Kol. Some guesthouse in Kyzart and Kochkor also rent out horses and may even organize a guided trek to the lake for a modest price.

Remember that prices will vary depending on the company you deal with.

Are you looking for a customized guided tour in Kyrgyzstan and/or other countries in Central Asia ? Do you need help planning your itinerary ?

Have a look at my C e n t r a l A s i a tour and itinerary planning services !

7. Where can you start a horse trek to Song Kol?

There are two starting points that are quite popular for horseback treks to Song Kol, those are the towns of Kochkor and the village of Kyzart .

How to reach Kochkor by public transport from Bishkek

You can get a shared taxi or a Mashrutka to this town from the western bus station in Bishkek.

A marshrutka ticket from Bishkek to Kochkor should cost around 350 som and the journey to get there from the capital should take less than 3 hours.

How to reach Kochkor with your own car

If you have your own car or if you a renting one, driving to Kochkor will be a great opportunity to discover the beautiful Kyrgyz landscapes.

If you have your own car or if you a renting one, driving to Kochkor will be a great opportunity to discover the beautiful Kyrgyz landscapes. I would suggest making a small stop along the way at the Orto-Tokoi reservoir.

To get to Kochkor from Bishkek you will have to follow highway A365 towards the east. Since the highway splits in two at one point, make sure you follow the road that goes south.

The distance between the capital and Kochkor is 196 km and it should take around 3 hours to get there.

Where to stay in Kochkor before your horse trek to Song Kol?

Kochkor has a good selection of Guesthouses and homestays where you could stay a few days before your horse trek.

I wouldn’t recommend staying there too long however as the town in itself is not super interesting. The one thing I would recommend seeing there however if you have a bit of time is the Sunday morning animal bazaar.

Here are the two guesthouses we recommend in Kochkor:

Guest House Kol-Ukok

We highly recommend this guest house because it’s located away from the noise of the city.

Although this guesthouse is a bit outside of the city center (4 km), it’s still close to a lot of good restaurants and small convenience stores.

If you arrive in the center of Kochkor, do not hesitate to contact the owners and they will gladly arrange a taxi or come and pick you up.

The rooms in this guesthouse have very large windows so the rooms can be full of light during the day. The beds are also very cozy and the owners cook very delicious food.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Guest House Kol-Ukok”

Guest House Nur

This guesthouse is colorfully decorated with traditional Kyrgyz rugs. The rooms are quite comfortable and they have super cozy beds. The breakfast is very good and even includes pancakes and eggs.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Guest House Nur”

Horse riding to Song Kol - itineraries - Journal of Nomads

From Kyzart, it takes about two days to reach the lake by horse. The ride is quite pleasant as you go through a pristine valley called the Kilemche valley and you also cross a few rivers along the way.

Mountain pass from Kyzart to Song Kol lake - Journal of Nomads

How to reach Kyzart from Kochkor by public transport

From Kochkor, it’s possible to hitchhike or take a taxi to Kyzart. You can easily get to Kyzart by shared local taxi for less than 2 USD. If you want to pay for the whole taxi instead of waiting for it to fill up, you will pay at least 10 USD.

You will be dropped off on the main road at the junction for Kyzart. You can then walk for about 10 minutes towards the village itself.

Before you really reach the main village area you can take the first street to your left and you will find most of the guesthouses. They can all arrange horses to take you up to the lake.

How to reach Kyzart with your own car

If you go to Kyzart with your own car, you’ll have to reach Kochkor first (see above). I would suggest driving carefully on the road between Kochkor and Kyzart because it has quite a lot of potholes and is not so well maintained.

To get there, simply follow highway A367 towards the south-west for an hour and a half and you’ll reach the small village.

Where to stay in Kyzart before your trek to Song Kol?

Kyzart is much smaller than Kochkor and also has a lot fewer guesthouses. However, it still remains my favorite place to start a horseback trek to Song Kol from.

It feels much more untouched and idyllic and I would strongly advise you try to organize a horse trek to Song Kol from this village.

The guesthouses are all located in the first big street on the left when you go from the highway to the village.

8. Is it safe to go on a horse trek to Song Kol in winter?

Riding a horse to Song Kol in winter is relatively safe providing that you have a good guide, good horses, proper equipment and warm clothes.

Horseriding in Kyrgyzstan in winter - Journal of Nomads

I would strongly advise not going there alone as that could be very dangerous. Temperatures during winter can drop to -30 C (-22 F) in the evening in the mountains that surround the lake.

It’s important that you reach a yurt camp before the end of the day and that can only be done if you are going with a reputed guide or company that has organized tours like this in the past.

Horseback riding in Song Kol in winter - Journal of Nomads

Even if there is a certain measure of risks associated with going there in winter, it still remains a beautiful and unforgettable experience.

It’s the best way to discover the frozen beauty that surrounds the lake and the best time to meet the fishermen that stay all winter on the shores of the lake.

Horse trek to Song Kol Kyrgyzstan in winter - Journal of Nomads

Going to Song Kol during the colder months of the year is a lot less popular, so there won’t be many yurts to be found on the shores of the lake.

I wouldn’t suggest organizing your trip there independently and trying to reach the lake by yourself. It is of utmost importance that you go there with someone.

If you would want to reach this lake in winter, I would advise contacting Kyrgyz Nomad and going on a trek with them as I did with my brother last winter.

Horse riding to Song Kol in winter - Journal of Nomads

Again, I want to state that reaching this lake in winter can and should only be done in the company of an experienced guide. Be safe.

Have a look at the equipment we recommend for your trip to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan .

Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan - horse trek to Song Kol Lake in winter - Journal of Nomads

Read: Is Kyrgyzstan safe? 1 5 Useful Things to Know before You Go

8. Where can you stay around lake Song Kul?

If you go there during summer, there will be plenty of camps around the lake. They are all operated by different travel organizers and families.

You can arrange your stay in these yurt camps ahead of time with your tour operator or directly with the yurt owners upon arriving there.

If you prefer to arrange your stay ahead of time you could book a yurt in Yurt Camp Azamat .

If you visit the lake during winter, it might be a bit trickier to find yurt camps around the lake.

Some owners of the guesthouses in Kyzart keep some yurts around the lake even during winter but it would be preferable to contact them ahead of time just to be sure.

By booking your winter horse trek to the lake with a reputed company, you will be assured of sleeping in one of the few yurts that remain permanently next to the lake.

Staying at Song Kol Lake in winter - Journal of Nomads

I hope this guide will help you have an awesome horse riding adventure to lake Song Kul.

You will surely enjoy the beauty of the mountains there as much as we did. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us . Have a great trip to lake Song Kol!

Kyrgyzstan Horse riding - Going on a Horse Trek to Song Kol in Summer and Winter - Everything you need to Know - Journal of Nomads

More Kyrgyzstan Travel Resources

The Complete Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
The 14 best hikes in Kyrgyzstan
The 25 most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan
8 beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan
15 useful safety tips for Kyrgyzstan
The complete packing list for Kyrgyzstan
28 Things to do in Kyrgyzstan
13 Top Things to do in Bishkek – City Guide
How to visit the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek
14 Top Things to do in Osh – City Guide
15 Best Things to do in Karakol – City Guide
The 21 best hikes in Karakol and Jyrgalan
Tash Rabat Travel Guide
The complete travel guide to Kel Suu Lake
The complete travel guide to Arslanbob
How to visit Sary Chelek Lake and Nature Reserve
Top things to do around Issyk Kul Lake, a one week itinerary
Facts and legends of the Burana Tower
Everything you need to know about horse riding to Song Kul lake
A comprehensive guide to skiing in Kyrgyzstan
6 reasons why you should visit Kyrgyzstan in winter
Visit Kyrgyzstan in winter by using this 10-day Kyrgyzstan winter itinerary
Here are the 7 best hikes in the Alay Mountains near Osh
Use this day-by-day itinerary to hike independently to Ala Kul lake
Hike independently to Son Kul lake by using these 2 itineraries
8 great day trips and hikes near Bishkek
Ready steady goat! An insight into Kok Boru, Kyrgyzstan’s unusual national sport
Meet the Golden Eagle Hunters of Kyrgyzstan

15 thoughts on “Horse Riding in Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan – Everything you Need to Know about Going on a Horse Trek to Song Kul”

Hi, is it possible to do a two-day horse riding tour with a night in a yurt? If so, do you have a tour to recommend. I am looking to do this at the end of March. Thanks!

Hi Adam, there are several tour companies I work with. Send me an email (hello (at)journalofnomads (dot)com and I’ll refer you to someone, depending on your wishes and needs 🙂

Hello Cynthia, great journal, I love it! …for doing only 1-day of horse riding do you think it is possible to hike from Kyzart or Kockor to Kilemche Valley, sleep there in a yurt and the next day horse ride to the lake? then the 3rd day go back to Kyzart/kockor by taxi or hiking?

Hi Sebastiano, this is possible on the second day if the yurt camp has horses and a horse guide available (which might not always be the case). To return by taxi on the 3rd day, you’ll need to arrange one beforehand.

Hello, thank you for telling us about your experience. I wonder if there are marshutkas or shared taxis that travel between Karakol and Kochkor or Kyzart Village? And if not, is it possible to take a private taxi on this route and travel late in the evening/at night?

Hi Ola, there should be marshutkas traveling between Karakol and Kochkor. To reach Kyzart, you can try to find a share taxi in Kochkor or take a private taxi if you want to travel in the late evening. Have a great trip and feel free to send me and the readers here an update of your journey!

Hello, is there also public transport from Son Kul (Kochkor or Kyzart) to Issyk Kul? It looks much closer than Bishkek so I would suppose there would be more options? Trying to map out a route as we want to do some horse riding + spend time around Issyk Kul and Karakol, so would be great if we don’t have to back track to Bishkek. Thanks!

Or do you have other recommendations for horse riding around Karakol area?

Hi Dianshan, you can take a mashrutka (mini van) or shared taxi from Kochkor or Kyzart Village to Issyk Kul, but not from Son Kul lake itself.

Best wishes, Cynthia

Thank you so much for this inspiring article. I have frequently been to Kyrgyzstan and did a one-day horse riding. Now I want to organize a several-day horse riding tour with 8 friends in summer 2022. Do you have a recommendation of an agent in Biskhek who will organize such an individual tour, for similar rates that you mentioned in the article? As I will be there in a week I could directly approach them in Bishkek. Best wishes from Germany, Heiko

Hi Heiko, I always work with Aleksei from Kyrgyz Nomad. I organize tours with him so he’s a good person to talk to. You can find him on Facebook or on Instagram @kyrgyz.nomad. Please mention that you got his contact through me. Best wishes!

Thank you so much, Cynthia. I will contact him.

Wow looks Amazing. Thanks for shring with your experience. This year we went for 6 days horse riding with Kyzart Travel local company, I think its more cheaper compare others. Our guide was English speaking. We loved this Horsew riding trip. Im planning againg in winter time. Is there possible for freeride skiing?

Hi Melanie, I’m very happy to hear you had such great experience! There are many possibilities for freeride skiing in Kyrgyzstan in winter but mainly in the Karakol region and near Chunkurchak. I don’t think people go skiing near Song Kul as it’s firstly hard to get there in winter and also not an ideal area for skiing… I have an article on the blog that covers everything you need to know about skiing in Kyrgyzstan 🙂

Hey, we went through your blogs on Kyrgyztan and we are planning to visit there in May 2020. Would like to know if it is possible to reach Song-Kol lake by vehicles as we are planning to rent a car there for the entire trip.

Hi Nupur, it really depends on the weather whether or not Son Kul is accessible. By the end of May is definitely shouldn’t be a problem though to get to Son Kul lake by car.

Song Kol Flex Travel guests house

Saparbayev str Kyzart, 722705, Dzhangyaryk, Kyrgyzstan – Show map

Song Kol Flex Travel guests house Reserve now

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Featuring mountain views, Song Kol Flex Travel guests house in Dzhangyaryk features accommodations and a garden. Private parking is available on site at this recently renovated property. On-site staff can arrange a shuttle service. Sightseeing tours are available close to the property. If you'd like to discover the area, walking tours is possible in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Manas International, 178 miles from the guest house, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Airport shuttle
Non-smoking rooms
Free parking
Family rooms

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Continental, Vegetarian, Halal, Asian

Free Private Parking Available On Site

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Categories:, amenities of song kol flex travel guests house.

Toilet paper
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Shared toilet
Inner courtyard view
Mountain view
Dining table
Socket near the bed
Live music/Performance Additional charge
Cooking class Additional charge
Tour or class about local culture
Themed dinners
Walking tours
Evening entertainment
Horseback riding Additional charge Off-site
Shuttle service Additional charge
Private check-in/out
Baggage storage
Express check-in/out
Laundry Additional charge
Airport shuttle Additional charge
Hardwood or parquet floors
Entire unit wheelchair accessible
Entire unit located on ground floor

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From 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

From 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

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Children of all ages are welcome.

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The number of cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

There are no extra beds available at this property.

All cribs are subject to availability.

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There's no age requirement for check-in

This property only accepts cash payments.

Pets are not allowed.

FAQs about Song Kol Flex Travel guests house

How much does it cost to stay at song kol flex travel guests house.

The prices at Song Kol Flex Travel guests house may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

How far is Song Kol Flex Travel guests house from the center of Dzhangyaryk?

Song Kol Flex Travel guests house is 0.7 miles from the center of Dzhangyaryk. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

What is there to do at Song Kol Flex Travel guests house?

Live music/Performance
Horseback riding
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Check-in at Song Kol Flex Travel guests house is from 10:00 AM, and check-out is until 12:00 PM.

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Welcome to Kochkor

Making your tour dreams true since 2001.

Jailoo Hopping to the Song-Kol Lake

Song-Kol, Kyrgyzstan

Jailoo Hopping to Song-Kol Lake

Jailoo hopping to the song-kol lake via tuz-ashuu pass, make your tour memorable and safe with us.

A Few About Us In may 2000, a project called Community Based Tourism (CBT) was initiated in the village of Kochkor. CBT has put areas on the map that were previously off the radar for international travelers. Pair this with local hospitality, a tradition of self-reliance and an underlying nomadic heritage."The mountains are normal things for us," and it's easy to see how the country's, rural offerings are a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

Songs of Travel 9+

An interactive graphic novel, causa creations interactive media gmbh, designed for ipad, screenshots, description.

An animated graphic novel exploring the unique stories of five migrants. An animated graphic novel exploring the unique stories of five migrants seeking new beginnings in Europe. Together, these stories paint a mosaic of themes such as our hopes, dreams, and identities and the things we treasure most. The aim of Songs of Travel is to bring the personal stories of migrants to a wider audience and paint a vivid picture of the topic of migration. The narratives are tied together by the experiences of the Syrian artist Jack Gutmann, who co-developed the award-winning game "Path Out" with the game’s developer, Causa Creations. These tales are set to the backdrop of a specially curated soundtrack by Northern Irish composer Elaine Agnew. The use of this music is a vital element of the project, which will be presented in the four partnering festivals in Ireland (Cellissimo), Sweden (Fairplay Chamber music), Norway (Valdres Sommersymfoni) in 2024, and in the Netherlands (Piano Biennale) in 2025. Follow the narratives of: * Light, a non-binary Syrian refugee who arrives in Vienna after years of hardship and war in Syria and the United Arab Emirates. * Vân, the daughter of a Vietnamese contract worker who grew up in East-Germany and who must deal with the duality of being Vietnamese-German. * Michele, the son of Francesco Cicora, an Italian coal miner who died in the great mining disaster of Marcinelle 1956 in Belgium. * Hasan, who came to Austria at the age of 1, when his mother moved there from Istanbul, Turkey. * Olya, a Ukrainian lawyer and a refugee who has had to flee twice: first when she left her home of Donetsk in 2014 and fled to Kyiv, and then when she fled from Ukraine once war erupted in 2022.

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Die Andere Stadt

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2 days, 830km and Song-Kol lake
Visit Song Kol on a trip to Kyrgyzstan
Visit Song Kol on a trip to Kyrgyzstan
song kol river waterfall
Visit Lake Song-Kol
2 days, 830km and Song-Kol lake

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Matamist Song Kol Saksak 2024 Fresh
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Kol Youm, كل يوم ممكن يكون بداية -- Cairokee, كايروكي -- Coke Studio بالعربي S02E03
Kyrgyzstan

COMMENTS

Song Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan: the ultimate travel guide
The most popular way to travel to Song kol lake is on the back of a horse and this is possible all year long. The other option is by road and requires your own mode of transport. In summer you can also hike or cycle independently to the lake. Horse back riding trips: Horse treks are one of the most popular ways to reach Song kol lake. They can ...
Hike Independently to Song Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan with these 2 Great
The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is between the months of June and September. The weather around Bishkek is at its best during that time. In the mountains, however, the weather can be very cold at night depending on how high you are. The average temperature during the day can be between 10°C (50°f) and 25°C (77°f).
Song Kol Lake
The instructions in the my guidebook, Song Kol/Kilemche section suggested the alternative way of getting to Song Kol. Surprisingly, the instructions were mostly clear if not 100% accurate. Note: the timings below are appropriate for those trekking light. Those carrying their own equipment should add some 25-30% to my timings mentioned below. Day 1:
Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan Guide
Horse riding in Song Kol is a must. To rent a horse is 250SOM per hour. You don't need a guide, but if you'd feel more comfortable with one you'll need to pay for his horse on a per hour basis and between 500-700SOM for him. The horses are well trained, well looked after and obedient (most of the time). You can rent a horse and just ride ...
Visit Lake Song-Kol
Lake Song-Kol is just over 280 kilometers from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and most travel from Bishkek will follow the Bishkek-Naryn highway. This road is generally in very good condition, but you will eventually need to leave the highway to go through Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, which is easily traversed by most vehicles in the summer.
Song-Kol Travel
Song-Kol Travel, Kyzart, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. 467 likes · 9 talking about this · 213 were here. Horseriding Trekking Cultural tours Extreme tours
Living With The Nomads At Song-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan: A Travel Guide
Holing up in a yurt in Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan with nomadic herders in the countryside cottage began to sound awfully appealing. At an altitude of 3,447m, the Kalmak-Ashuu pass is one of four passes that lead up to the Song-Kul lake. ... " The true risks of travel are dissapointment and transformation: the fear you'll be the same person ...
Song Kol lake
Song Kol is a high-altitude lake fed by the glacier water of the surrounding mountains, smack-bang in the centre of Kyrgyzstan. The jailoos surrounding the lake have been a summer camp spot for Kyrgyz shepherd families for centuries. These days, the shepherd yurts have gotten the company of tourist yurts and the tents of hikers and cycle tourists.
Song Kol Lake Kyrgyzstan: Yurt Stay With Nomadic Herder Family
Song Kol is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3016m above sea level meaning it literally freezes over in winter. The roads are closed and the herders vacate the area for the season. But in summer, Song Kol Lake has been the choice of nomadic families as their jailoo, or summer pastures, for centuries.
How to Visit Song Kul Lake in 2024
Song Kul is located in Naryn Oblast in Central Kyrgyzstan. The lake is surrounded by a large summer pasture fringed by rolling hills. The nearest hub, and where most people base themselves to get organised for a trip to Song Kul Lake, is Kochkor, about 40 km away. Kyzart, about 72 km from Kochkor, is a small village close to Song Kul.
Song-Kol Lake
The truly magical alpine lake Son-Kul (Son-Kol) is located in the intermontane depression between the Moldo-Too, Sonkol-Too and Boor-Alba ridges, at an altitude of 3016 m. Its maximum depth is 22 m. Average depth - 9.2 m, length of the lake - 29 km, maximum width - 18 km. 18 streams flow into the lake, of which only four have a constant ...
Song-Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan: all about the lake
Song-Kol Lake is a popular destination for tourists in the summer months. It can be reached by off-road vehicle either from the east via the 3,446-metre-high Kalmak Pass or from the south via the 3,150-metre-high Moldo Pass. Tourists can stay overnight at the lake in specially built yurt camps.
Dreaming up to Lake Song-Kol…
The authors of my guidebook recommended any traveler going to Song-Kol by car to have at least one with four-wheel-drive but made clear in between the rows, it would be better to have some hovercraft-tank-truck-helicopter-all-terrain-vehicle to reach it safely. For Kyrgyz people, a roughly 25 years old red VW Polo seems to be enough.
Song Kol lake tour
Lake Song-Kol is just over 290 kilometers from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and most travel from Bishkek will follow the Bishkek-Naryn highway. This road is generally in very good condition, but you will eventually need to leave the highway to go through Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, which is easily traversed by most vehicles in the summer.
Song Kol Lake Kyrgyzstan
One loves it the most when the journey and the destination both are extremely picturesque. One such exhilarating experience one gets while travelling to Song Kol Lake.Second Largest Lake after Issyk Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, with fresh water Song Kol Lake sits at the height of 3000m.Another high altitude alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, Song Kol is surrounded by 3500m peaks and yurts which belong to ...
SONG-KOL TRAVEL (Bishkek)
Me and my two friends participated in a 4 day cultural festival with Song Kol Travel which included horse riding from Kyzart village down to Song Kol and back. The festival brought together members of the local communities for a spectacular showcase of Kyrgyz culture. As well as adventuring across the breathtaking Kyrgyz countryside on ...
Song-Kol Lake
Song-Kol Lake. Song-Kol Lake — «The Last Lake» is considered one of the most beautiful areas for summer pasturing. It is in the Naryn district, and Kyrgyzstan's second largest lake with an area of 270 km sq. In winter the lake freezes over with ice more than a meter thick. Chamomile, sage, friar's cap and golden root are prized for ...
Kyrgyzstan: A Horse Trek To Song-Kol Lake
Ascot and Nick on horses in Song-Kol Kyrgyzstan. Nick Wharton photos. By Nick Wharton. Kyrgyzstan is a country deeply connected to the traditions of horseback riding. Kyrgyz people are raised in equestrianism like Canadians are raised in hockey. They sometimes learn to straddle a steed long before they can even walk.
Song-Kol Travel
per adult (price varies by group size) 2-Days in Song Kul Lake as Nomad - horseback riding & Yurt stay. 15. 4WD Tours. from. $400.00. per adult (price varies by group size) All in one-day: Bishkek city tour and Ala-Archa National Park. 28.
Trip to Song-Kol & Karakol every week
Bishkek, Songkol. Wednesday: Departure from Bishkek to Lake Song Kol at 9:00 a.m. On the way you will stop at Burana Tower. Short visit. Arrive at Song Kol Lake for the afternoon. Welcome to the yurt camp, located on the northern shore of Song Kol Lake. Dine and sleep in the yurt camp. (optional horseback riding, hiking) (4-5 hour drive).
Horse Trekking and Yurt Living in Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan
This would be our launching pad for the 2-day horse trek to Song Kol, a beautiful alpine lake set in Kyrgyzstan's northern Naryn Province. ... Depending on the roads, it's about a half day of travel from Bishkek to Kochkor, a half day riding to the first yurt camp, a full second day of riding to reach the camp by Song Kol Lake, and then ...
Pearls of Kyrgyzstan: Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul Lakes
Trek the gorge and check out the extreme landscapes, and unique animal and plant life including the Tolai Hare, pheasant, and fir-needle ephedra. Issyk-Kul Lake - the crown jewel of the Tian Shan , Lake Issyk-Kul is 6232 sq m of sparkling blue paradise. The second largest saline lake in the world, its name in Kyrgyz means "hot lake ...
Song-Köl
Song-Köl (Kyrgyz: Соң-Көл, IPA:, also Соңкөл Songköl, literally "following lake", Russian: Сон-Куль, romanized: Son-Kul', also Сонкёль Sonkyol') is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan.It lies at an altitude of 3016 m, and has an area of about 270 km 2 and volume of 2.64 km 3.The lake's maximum length is 29 km, breadth about 18 km at its widest, and ...
Horse Riding In Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
6. What are reliable guides or agencies organizing horse treks to Song Kol? Many different travel agencies and companies organize horse treks to Song Kol. Some guesthouse in Kyzart and Kochkor also rent out horses and may even organize a guided trek to the lake for a modest price. Remember that prices will vary depending on the company you deal ...
Song Kol Flex Travel guests house, Dzhangyaryk, Kyrgyzstan
Featuring mountain views, Song Kol Flex Travel guests house in Dzhangyaryk features accommodations and a garden. Private parking is available on site at this recently renovated property. On-site staff can arrange a shuttle service. A continental, Asian, or vegetarian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.
The Shoppertainer
The Shoppertainer - Ngôi Sao Chốt Đơn 2024 là một chương trình truyền hình thực tế tìm kiếm các nhân tố livestream mới, có khả năng bán hàng chuyên nghiệp, đặt mục tiêu xây dựng nền tảng và nâng tầm việc kinh doanh online tại Việt Nam. Chương trình bắt đầu phát sóng vào ngày 26 tháng 4 năm 2024 trên kênh YouTube và ...
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CBTKOCHKOR TRAVEL AGENCY. Let's Enjoy The Wonders of Nature Together. Ask for a quote. Welcome to Kochkor Making your tour dreams true since 2001 Tours Tours list All tours About Us Make Your Tour Memorable and Safe With Us A Few About Us In may 2000, a project called Community Based Tourism (CBT) was initiated in the village of Kochkor.
‎Songs of Travel on the App Store
An animated graphic novel exploring the unique stories of five migrants seeking new beginnings in Europe. Together, these stories paint a mosaic of themes such as our hopes, dreams, and identities and the things we treasure most. The aim of Songs of Travel is to bring the personal stories of migrants to a wider audience and paint a vivid ...

Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan Guide

Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan Motorcycle Guide

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Join a horse riding tour in Lake Song Kol

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Song Kol lake

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How to get there and away

On public transport

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Direction Suusamyr

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Direction Kazarman

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Staying with a nomadic family at Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan.

About Song Kol Lake

Things to do at Song Kol Lake

Go horse riding at Song Kol Lake

Share meals in the family tent

Join in with daily routine

Hike or wander the lake shore

Experience Kyrgyz herder lifestyle

Downtime (in the yurt)

Booking a trip to Song Kol Lake

Getting there

What to pack for Song Kol Lake

Our experience of Song Kol Lake

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How to Visit Song Kul Lake in 2024

What is Song Kul

Where is Song Kul

Best time to visit Song Kul Lake

Why you should visit Song Kul

How to get to Song Kul

Song Kul Horse Trek

How to Organise a Horse Trek to Song Kul

Organising a Horse Trek to Song Kul Independently

Hiking to Song Kul

Transportation to the Trailhead

2-Day Trekking Itinerary to Song Kul

Day 1: Kyzart Pass to Kilemche Valley

Day 2: Kilemche Valley to Song Kul

How to get back to Kyzart or Kochkor from Song Kul

Driving to Song Kul

Mountain Biking

Accommodation at Song Kul Lake

How to organise a yurt stay at Song Kul

Camping at Song Kul

What to Expect at Song Kul

Mobile Reception and Electronics

Tips and Tricks

Where to Stay in Kochkor Before or After Your Trip