Winter horse riding to Song-Kol Lake
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Winter horse riding to Song-Kol Lake Highlights
This 4-day winter adventure from Bishkek takes you on horseback across snowy mountains to the frozen Song-Kol Lake, which in winter can only be reached on horseback. It is an extreme tour for travelers in good physical condition – the weather can be very harsh, especially while riding over the high pass.
After a drive over the Too-Ashuu Pass and through the Suusamyr Valley to Kyzyl-Oi village, you saddle up in Kyzart and follow the Chaar-Archa River to the Kilemche Valley, a winter pasture of the local herders, where you spend the night in a winter house. The next day the trail climbs over the snow-covered Tuz-Ashuu Pass, with panoramic views of the frozen lake, down to the shore, where you sleep in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt (boz-ui) under a starry winter sky before riding back to Kyzart and driving to Bishkek.
Difficulty: Challenging Three days of horse riding in snow (18 km, 15 km and 21 km, 4–5 hours a day) over the snow-covered Tuz-Ashuu Pass; the old page calls it an extreme tour that needs good physical condition, as winter weather can be very harsh. The riding is slow and without big altitude differences. Drives of about 200 km over the Too-Ashuu Pass and 280 km back to Bishkek.
Tour Itinerary
After breakfast, leave Bishkek and drive south over the Too-Ashuu Pass into the wide Suusamyr Valley, which is covered with deep snow in winter. Continue along the road to Kyzyl-Oi village, your stop for the first night. On arrival, settle into your guesthouse in the village and enjoy dinner with your hosts before the riding days ahead. The drive is about 200 km (4–5 hours). In winter the road over the Too-Ashuu Pass can be harsh, so the drive is taken at a steady pace.
Bishkek, Suusamyr Valley, Kyzyl-Oi
- Bishkek → Kyzyl-Oi (200 km)
Overnight: Kyzyl-Oi (Guesthouse)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive from Kyzyl-Oi to Kyzart village, arriving by lunchtime. After lunch, it is time to saddle up for a horseback ride to the beautiful Kilemche Valley. Leaving the village behind, the trail gradually climbs along the west bank of the Chaar-Archa River before turning right into the Kilemche Valley – a winter pasture of the local herders. After your arrival and a cup of tea, enjoy the calm atmosphere of the valley and its sweeping winter views. Release the horses for the night with your guide and have dinner at the winter house in the valley. The drive is about 90 km (2 hours) and the ride about 18 km (4 hours).
Chaek, Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours, Kilemche
- Kyzyl-Oi → Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (90 km)
- Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours → Kilemche (18 km)
Overnight: Kilemche (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast in Kilemche, continue on horseback towards the Tuz-Ashuu Pass on the way to Song-Kol Lake. The snow-covered trail to the pass is thrilling and rewards you with a great panoramic view of both the frozen Song-Kol Lake and the Kilemche Valley on the other side. After enjoying the view and giving the horses a break, ride down until you reach the yurt by the lake. Warm up with hot tea after the adventure and fuel up with a hearty lunch. Song-Kol Lake is beautiful in summer but especially impressive in winter. Take a walk around and keep your camera handy to catch the sunset over the frozen lake. Enjoy supper in the yurt under a starry night sky in this beautifully wild landscape and spend the night in a boz-ui, the traditional yurt of the Kyrgyz people. The ride is about 15 km (4–5 hours).
Kilemche, Song Kul
- Kilemche → Song Kul (15 km)
Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take some extra time to enjoy the scenery of the winter Song-Kol Lake before you head back to Kyzart village. With snowy mountains in the background, the lake looks even more beautiful in the morning sunlight. Once on your horse again, take the upper trail for better views of the lake and make your way towards the pass. From here the ride is moderately strenuous as you descend towards the village, followed by the last hours of smooth riding until you reach Kyzart. On arrival, have lunch at a guesthouse and finish your winter horse riding adventure with the drive back to Bishkek. The ride is about 21 km (4–5 hours) and the drive to Bishkek about 280 km (4 hours).
Song Kul, Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours
- Song Kul → Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (21 km)
- Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours → Bishkek (280 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $980 |
| 2 travelers | $625 |
| 3 travelers | $520 |
| 4 travelers | $485 |
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What's included
Included
- Transportation for the whole tour
- English-speaking guide
- All meals and accommodation during the tour (3 nights)
- All permits and entrance tickets
- Horse riding (3 days)
Not included
- International flights
- Insurance
- Hotel and meals in Bishkek
- Water
- Airport transfer
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Good to know
- Physical condition: This tour requires good physical condition and can be considered an extreme tour, as the weather can be very harsh, especially on the high pass while riding.
- Accommodation: Nights are in two-person rooms or a yurt.
- Altitude: The altitude on this tour rarely causes problems, as the riding goes at a slow pace without big differences in altitude. Walk slowly and drink plenty of fluids.
- Risks: Participants must be aware of and accept the possible risk of personal injury; riders are responsible for their own actions and involvement.
- Insurance: Medical insurance is required.
What to bring
- Clothing: thermal base layers (top and bottom), a warm fleece or wool mid-layer, an insulated winter jacket (down or synthetic), a waterproof outer shell (jacket and pants), warm waterproof and insulated winter boots, thick wool socks with extra pairs, insulated gloves and a spare pair, a warm hat covering the ears, a neck gaiter or thermal scarf, hand and foot warmers
- Horse riding: long pants for riding, riding gloves (optional), a small daypack for essentials
- Other essentials: sunglasses and sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, personal toiletries and a towel, a basic first aid kit and personal medications, a camera or smartphone, a power bank and charging cables (the cold drains batteries fast), your passport, ID and copies of your travel documents
- Optional: binoculars for wildlife spotting, light snacks, a notebook or travel journal
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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