Song Kul Lake Horse riding Tour
Join our 3-day horse riding group tour to Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan’s pristine alpine lake nestled at 3,000 meters, surrounded by rolling green pastures and towering mountain ranges.
Ride across vast alpine meadows, ascend rugged mountain passes, and experience the serene beauty of Song Kul’s crystal-clear waters. Along the way, you’ll connect with Kyrgyz nomadic traditions, stay in cozy yurts, and savor authentic local cuisine under star-filled skies.
Perfect for both seasoned riders and adventurous beginners, this trip offers a chance to disconnect from everyday life and explore the wild, untouched heart of Kyrgyzstan on horseback.
Duration: 3 days – 2 nights
Riding experience: beginner to advanced
Lodging: 2 nights in yurt camps
Start & Finish: Kyzart
Group size: from 2 to 10 people
REVIEWS: What travelers say about the Song Kul Tour
Every night in the yurt was just perfect – cozy, authentic, and a true taste of nomadic life. And the food… absolutely amazing! Even as vegetarians, we were spoiled with delicious, hearty dishes that made us look forward to every meal.
3-day TOur iTINERARY
Day 1: Kyzart to Kilemche Valley (riding time: 4 hours)
The horse riding tour begins at noon in Kyzart Village, where you’ll meet at a local guesthouse. Over a home-cooked lunch, you’ll get to know your English-speaking guide and fellow travelers.
After lunch, you’ll be introduced to your horse and receive a short briefing on riding techniques and safety before setting off. The ride takes you through rolling hills and lush valleys, gradually climbing towards the beautiful Kilemche Valley.
Along the way, you’ll be treated to a perfect first glimpse of Kyrgyzstan’s wild landscapes with wide-open views of green pastures framed by rugged mountain peaks.
In the early evening, you’ll arrive at a welcoming yurt camp in Kilemche. After a warm, traditional Kyrgyz dinner, you’ll settle in for the night in a shared yurt, surrounded by the quiet of the mountains.
Meals included: lunch + dinner.
Accommodation: shared yurt
Facilities: outdoor toilet, no electricity, no wi-fi, no hot shower
Day 2: Kilemche VAlley to Song Kul Lake (riding time: 4 hours)
After breakfast at the yurt camp, you’ll saddle up for the journey over the Tuz Ashuu Pass (3,400m), offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The climb is challenging yet rewarding, leading you to the breathtaking alpine plateau of Song Kul Lake.
As you descend, the shimmering blue lake emerges, surrounded by vast pastures where nomadic herders graze their livestock. You’ll have time to explore the area on foot and, if the weather is find, go for a swim in the lake.
You’ll spend the night in a lakeside yurt camp, experiencing the peaceful rhythm of nomadic life and enjoying a hearty meal prepared by your local hosts.
Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner.
Accommodation: shared yurt
Facilities: outdoor toilet, no electricity, no wi-fi, no hot shower
Day 3: Son Kul Lake – Kyzart Village (Riding time: 6 hours)
In the early morning, you have some time to go for an early morning swim or short hike at the lake. After enjoying breakfast at the yurt camp, a you’ll saddle up for your final day on horseback, leaving the wide-open plateau of Song Kul Lake behind.
The trail leads you over another magnificent mountain pass, offering sweeping views of the lake and the surrounding highlands one last time. As you cross the pass, the landscape gradually changes from alpine pastures to rolling hills and fertile valleys. The descent follows quiet trails through open countryside, revealing a different side of Kyrgyzstan’s rural life.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive back in Kyzart Village, where the horse trek comes to an end, completing a memorable journey through high mountain passes, vast landscapes, and the timeless beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic heartland.
Meals included: breakfast
sONG kUL lake Horse Riding tOUR dates
The Song Kul Lake Horse Riding Tour can only be booked between June 5th and September 20th due to weather conditions.
If the tour dates below don’t suit you, contact me. We can add your tour dates and I’ll try to collect more people to join the tour. Booking is possible until 7 days before the departure date.
TOUR COSTS
| Number of people | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8-10 |
| Price per person (EURO) | 440 | 360 | 320 | 290 | 250 |
Why choose our Song Kul Horse Riding Tour?
This Song Kul Horse Riding Tour is designed for travelers who value authentic experiences, small groups, responsible tourism, and genuine connections with local people.
Having organized horse riding adventures in Kyrgyzstan for many years, I’ve built a trusted network of local partners who share my passion for creating safe, meaningful, and unforgettable journeys.
From the moment you book, I’ll personally help you prepare for your adventure. You’ll receive a detailed information guide, packing list, and practical travel tips, and I’m always happy to answer your questions before you leave.
During the trek, you’ll be accompanied by one of our personally trained English-speaking guides. Together with experienced local horsemen, they’ll introduce you to the nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan and ensure you feel comfortable, well looked after, and fully immersed in the experience.
We carefully choose our yurt camps for their warm hospitality and comfort, work with horsemen who genuinely care for the wellbeing of their horses, and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals prepared by local families.
Responsible tourism is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in treating both people and animals with respect, supporting local communities through fair partnerships, and creating experiences that are enjoyable not only for our travelers but also for the people who make these journeys possible.
When you join this tour, you’re not simply booking a horse trek; you’re choosing an experience that has been thoughtfully designed, personally tested, and built around quality, safety, and authentic cultural exchange.
What’s included in your experience
- English-speaking guide throughout the 3-day trek
- Experienced local horsemen accompanying the group for extra safety
- One horse per person for the entire trek
- Two nights in carefully selected yurt camps:
- 1 night in Kilemche (shared yurt with 4–6 people from the group)
- 1 night at Song Kul Lake (shared yurt with 4 people from the group)
- Meals included:
- Day 1: Lunch & dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast
What’s not included in this price?
- Helmets (can be rented at 300 KGS per day)
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water (boiled water and tea are available at the yurt camps)
- Insurance: I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI backpacker if you want a good insurance provider for horse riding (in case you don’t have one yet).
At Journal of Nomads, our focus has always been on quality rather than quantity. We’d rather organize fewer tours and create unforgettable experiences than compromise on the things that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact me if you have more questions!
Booking & Cancellation
Confirm your participation by filling out the booking form and paying the non-refundable deposit of €60 per person.
Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.
As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. You have 48 hours to pay the deposit. If not, I have to cancel your participation and reserve the place for the next person who books.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (additional fees might apply) at the latest one week before the start of the trip.
If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you can’t join this tour, you’ll receive a refund of the tour cost – minus the deposit and transaction fees – , if you cancel at the latest 10 days before the start of the tour.
In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs).
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☛ Are you looking for a private guided tour with your partner, family and/or friends?