Horseback riding tour near Lake Son-Kul - Through the most beautiful mountain spaces
Horseback riding tour near Lake Son-Kul

Through the most beautiful mountain spaces

Horseback riding tour near Lake Son-Kul
(Through the most beautiful mountain spaces)

Our equestrian tour runs from the beautiful Son-Kul lake through the Sary-Bel valley, Jon-Bulak pass, Zangi and Backchetin canyons to the village of Ottuk. Mountain Lake Son-Kul is a favorite place for summer pastures for local residents and Kyrgyz nomads. Endless green plains and small hills surround this amazing mountain lake.

Only in summer you can fully enjoy the blue lake, get acquainted with the life of modern nomads, live in Kyrgyz yurts and taste the national dishes of these hospitable people. Only for the summer they get to the Son-Kul jailoo, paying tribute to their ancestors, the nomadic Kyrgyz, who spent their whole lives in transitions from one place to another, going up to the mountains with their flocks in the summer and going down into the valleys for the winter.

An equestrian tour near Son-Kul Lake will be able to reveal to you the real life of nomads, their culture and traditions, their hospitality and simplicity, their hard work and despite this the ability to enjoy every day, simple little things that we perceive completely differently and which are common for us. Beautiful mountain plains, snowy peaks, cold, turbulent rivers and deserted expanses. Immerse yourself in the kingdom of nature, not enslaved by people with all its grace and beauty with us.

Available dates

  • June 30 – July 06.2025 | 4 places Book
  • Aug 04 – Aug 10.2025 | 4 places Book
  • Individual dates are also available. Contact the program manager.

Trip details

Intensity Level 2
Season Summer
Begins in Bishkek
Ends in Bishkek
Airport Airport Manas (FRU)
Airport out Airport Manas (FRU)
Wildlife Mountain goats, Marmots, Birds, Predator birds, Rodents, Yaks, Hares

Price: $ 1,250 (≥ 10 people)
≥ 8 people in the group: $ 1,370 per person
≥ 6 people in the group: $ 1,450 per person
≥ 4 people in the group: $ 1,600 per person

Great for Individuals Couples Families

The high-mountainous Son-Kul Lake will meet you with a reflection of the blue sky, high passes will open for you magnificent views, deep canyons, real Kyrgyz villages without embellishment and the opportunity to get acquainted with the locals, staying in yurts, shepherds and ordinary houses. You will learn about kyrgyz everyday life and Kyrgyz traditions, you will see yurts and their interior, kids and their national games, huge flocks of sheep, horses, cows, perhaps you will meet camels and yaks. Immerse yourself in the usual habitat of the nomadic people, who have not lost their uniqueness for dozens of centuries.

What's Included:

  • Accommodation by the program (Bishkek - "Asia Mountains" hotel or same standard)
  • Accommodation along the road is in yurts or houses of local people
  • Meals - full board
  • Horses
  • Transport by the program
  • English speaking guide
  • Professional horse guide

What's not included:

  • Any changes in the program
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Excursions not included in the program
  • Tips for driver, guides and hotel personnel
  • Any personal expenses: international calls, bar, souvenirs, etc.
  • Single supplement of 60 USD
  • Personal equipment for horse riding (helmets, kneecaps, etc)
  • Insurance of any kind
Day
1

Arriving at the airport Manas. Transfer to Bishkek. Accommodation at the hotel and rest (check-in time is 14:00). City tour with visiting colorful Osh bazaar where you may buy fresh and dry fruit, berries and nuts. You will visit the main Ala-Too square with the change of guards, old square with the Lenin statue, Manas complex with Philharmonic hall and Victory square with the central mall - ZUM.

Day
2

Moving to the southern shore of Lake Son-Kul. On the way visit to the historical complex Burana Tower (X - XII in). Burana tower (minaret) is located on the territory of an ancient settlement 90km far from Bishkek. The historians and archeologists proved that the settlement was once the capital of Karakhanid Khanate and was called Balasagun founded in 10th century AC. Burana tower is the central monument of this complex. Arriving at the lake, we stop for the night in a yurt camp.

Day
3

Start of the horse trek. First, we will go to the serpentine called 33 parrots. Lunch on the way. Further going down the serpentine we will approach the waterfall. We will stop near the yurts at a place called Sary-Bel, where the forester lives, a small group of people can stay here for the night. In another case, we will go further for about 5 km and spend the night in the house of the forester on the river.

Day
4

From the valley of Sary-Bel to the stay of shepherds Teshik. From Sary-Bel along the valley of the same name, we will climb the Jon-Bulak pass. Here we organize lunch and then go down to the place Teshik. Overnight in the house of local residents or in a yurt.

Day
5

Today we are going to see two beautiful canyons: Zangi and Bakchetin. On the way, we will come across the shepherds, we will be able to see their life, have a cup of tea and listen hunter stories. Canyons height varies from 150 to 300 meters. You may want to spend the extra day to explore the area. People say that standing on one edge of the canyon, you can watch Capricorns safely walk on the other side of it and easily make photos of them.

After lunch, we will climb to the ridge called Kyr-Jol, which means "the road running along the ridge" and ride to the village Jerge-Tal. Dinner and accommodation in the guest house. Here in the village, it's possible to organize an extra day and get acquainted with the life of the local population. Locals will be happy to show you how they make felt products, toys; you can taste kumys, the national drink made from mare's milk, and just feel like a guest, met by the Kyrgyz traditions.

Day
6

From the guest house we go riding in the gorge called Baydyluu and make a circular move along the slopes of the beautiful Kyrgyz mountains back to the main road. Here we will say "Good Bye" to our guides and go through Dolon pass by car. Descending from the pass, we will stop for the night in the home of local elders.

Day
7

This morning will be free. We will be able to stroll through the village; we will see how people make home things for yurts. After lunch we will return to Bishkek. Accommodation at the hotel. Farewell dinner. Transfer to the airport for the flight home. End of the program.

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720021, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Lineinaya str. 1a