Kyzart
Kyzart: Gateway to Song-Kul Lake by Horse
Kyzart is a small village in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn Region and the most popular starting point for horseback treks to Song Kul Lake. For many travelers it is where the paved road ends and the classic Kyrgyz experience begins with days in the saddle, high summer pastures, and nights in felt yurts beside one of Central Asia’s most beautiful alpine lake. Kyzart village lies in Jumgal District, Naryn Region, on the road between Kochkor and the Jumgal valley. The drive from Bishkek covers about 280 km and takes 4–5 hours, usually with a stop in Kochkor, which is another regional hub for trekking and horse riding.
The village sits at roughly 2120 m above sea level, so arriving here already puts you at altitude. That makes it a good place to spend a night before setting out toward the lake. Kyzart is also the starting point of many of our Son Kul Horseback riding tours.
Kyzart pass
Just above the village is the Kyzart Pass to Song Kul. Its name comes from the Kyrgyz words for “girl” and “pass”, and it lies between the Kum-Bel and Baba-Ata ranges, linking the Kochkor and Jumgal valleys. At 2664 m, the pass stays open all year; its eastern side at the lake side is gentle while the western side is steep.
For hikers, the pass is a trailhead in its own right. The most popular walking route to Song-Kul starts here and takes two days of moderate trekking to reach the lake.
Horse trekking from Kyzart to Song-Kul
The Kyzart–Song-Kul horse trek is one of the signature adventures in Kyrgyzstan. The standard trip lasts three days with two nights in yurts, although shorter and longer versions exist. Riders should expect roughly 18–25 km on the first day and about 15 km on the second.
Do you need riding experience? No. Complete beginners manage well as the horses know the trails, though saddle soreness after a long day is normal. A local guide leads the group and handles the horses.
Best time to visit Kyzart
The main season for horse trekking from Kyzart runs June to September, when the pastures are green and yurt camps operate at Song-Kul. July and August bring the warmest weather, while September is quieter with autumn colors. Even in season, nighttime temperatures at the lake can drop to around 0°C, so warm layers are essential. This said, Song Kul horseback riding trips from Kyzart can be also carried out also during other seasons, even during the coldest winter but bad weather can impact the tours from time to time outside the summer season.
Altitude and preparation
As the treks to Son Kul from Kyzart climb from about 2100 m to over 3000 m, allow time to acclimatize. Spending at least a full day around Kochkor, at about 1800 m, before the trek helps, as does drinking plenty of fluids and keeping a slow pace.
Other Sights near Kyzart
Page updated 18.9.2026