Route: Bishkek → Kochkor → Kyzart → (on horseback) summer pastures → pass → Son-Kul → Bishkek
This short but intense tour shows the Kyrgyzstan of the nomads. From Bishkek you drive through the Boom Gorge and Kochkor to the village of Kyzart, where local horsemen are waiting with the horses. The ride leads up a green valley to the summer pastures, where you spend the first night in a yurt with a herding family.
On the second day you cross a pass of more than 3,000 m and suddenly see Son-Kul below you: a huge lake on a grassy plateau, surrounded by yurts and grazing herds. After a second night in a yurt camp on the shore – with home-made bread, kymyz for the brave and an unforgettable starry sky – a vehicle takes you back to Bishkek. No riding experience is required; the horses are calm and used to the trail, and a horseman stays with the group.
Early departure from Bishkek and a drive of about 4–5 hours via the Boom Gorge and Kochkor to the village of Kyzart. Lunch, meeting the horseman and a short riding briefing. Afternoon ride of about 3–4 hours up the valley to a herders' summer camp. Dinner and night in a yurt.
After breakfast you ride up to a pass of more than 3,000 m, with wide views over the mountains. On the other side the trail descends gently to the shore of Son-Kul. About 5–6 hours in the saddle with a picnic lunch. Evening at the yurt camp: walk along the lake, watch the herds return and enjoy dinner with the family.
Sunrise over the lake and breakfast in the yurt camp. Drive by 4x4 over the mountain road down to Kochkor and on to Bishkek (about 6–7 hours with stops). Arrival at your hotel in the late afternoon or early evening.
Prices per person in USD. The final price is confirmed with your booking. Child (2–11 years): −15%.
The cancellation terms for this tour are confirmed in writing together with your booking, before you pay anything.
Read our cancellation & refund policyYes. The horses are calm local horses that walk the trail every summer, and the horseman leads beginners where necessary. You should be in reasonable health and prepared for several hours in the saddle each day.
Yurts are warm and cosy, with mattresses and blankets on the floor, usually shared by several guests. Toilets are simple outdoor toilets, showers are basic or not available, and electricity is limited. It is simple but very authentic.
Yes. We can add an extra day at Son-Kul, a longer ride, or combine the trip with Issyk-Kul. Send us a custom tour request with your dates.
Mountain weather can change quickly. If riding over the pass is not safe, the guide will adjust the route or take the group to Son-Kul by vehicle. Safety always comes first.
Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Kochkor and Son-Kul
Eight days around Issyk-Kul and up to the high-altitude lake Song-Kul – with nights in yurts, an eagle hunter show and genuine nomadic hospitality.
Ala-Archa National Park and the Karakol valleys (Ala-Kul, Altyn-Arashan)
A compact but demanding mountain trip: acclimatisation in Ala-Archa, then the classic trek over the Ala-Kul pass to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs.
Ala-Archa National Park, Chuy region (about 40 km from Bishkek)
A guided day in the mountains just an hour from Bishkek: spruce forests, a glacier river and the Ak-Sai waterfall trail, with lunch in the park.
English
Deutsch
Русский
中文
Kyrgyzstan
