WINTER HORSEBACK RIDING TO SONG-KOL LAKE – 3 DAYS

Sights visited on this tour

Song-Kol Lake

Kilemche Pasture

Why you will love this tour

Take a challenging winter horse-riding adventure through stunning snowy landscapes.
Test yourself against the winter cold and discover your inner strength.
Experience an unforgettable overnight stay in a cozy yurt surrounded by snow.
Enjoy a true once-in-a-lifetime winter adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1. Horse riding to Kilemche pasture

• Dress warmly and get ready to start your unforgettable horseback adventure with your local guide. The journey begins along a gentle riverside trail, where the calm pace allows you to get used to your horse and take in the peaceful beauty of the snowy landscape.

• Around midday, you’ll stop for a picnic near the frozen Chaar-Archa River, surrounded by quiet winter scenery. After a short rest, continue your ride through rolling hills and white valleys until you reach the winter home of a local Kyrgyz family in Kilemche Valley.

• Here you’ll be welcomed with warmth and traditional hospitality, enjoy a delicious homemade dinner, and spend the night in a cozy, rustic house.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 21 km – 4-5h.

Meals:

lunch at guesthouse,

dinner at homestay

Overnight: homestay (2700m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– No prior horse-riding experience is required.

– You will leave your large bag at the guesthouse in Kyzart and take only smaller backpack with essential items and clothing for the next three days.

Day 2. Horse riding to Song-Kol Lake

• Today’s ride takes you up to the majestic Tuz-Ashuu Pass (3300m), a beautiful but challenging route blanketed in snow. As you climb higher, the wind grows stronger, and the winter landscape opens wide around you. In some places where the snow is deep, you may need to dismount and lead your horse on foot – a true winter mountain experience.

• When you reach the top of the pass, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the vast frozen surface of Song-Kol Lake shimmering in the distance. After a short rest and some photos, begin your descent toward the lakeshore.

• Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with hot tea and a warm lunch in a traditional yurt camp. In the afternoon, you can take a walk on the frozen lake or simply relax by the stove, listening to the crackling fire. Spend the night in a warm yurt, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of Song-Kol in winter.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 17 km – 4 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at homestay,

lunch at yurt,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (3100m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: Mobile phone

Shower: On request

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Day 3. Horse riding back to Kyzart Village

• After a cold but peaceful night by the frozen lake, enjoy a breakfast in the yurt before beginning your journey back to Kyzart Village.

• You’ll retrace your route over the snowy Tuz-Ashuu Pass, taking one last look at the shimmering expanse of Song-Kol Lake below, a perfect moment to say goodbye to this magical place. The ride down offers new views of the white valleys and quiet winter trails you crossed on the way up.

• By afternoon, you’ll arrive back in Kyzart Village, where a warm welcome and a hot homemade lunch await you at your host family’s home. Your 3-day winter horseback adventure ends here, filled with unforgettable memories of mountain passes, frozen lakes, and the true spirit of Kyrgyz nomadic life.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 21 km – 4-5h.

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at guesthouse

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Map

Additional information

Month	January, February, March, April, November, December
Start from	Kyzart
Duration	3 days
Tour speed	Moderately paced
Total drive	0 km
Activities	horse riding – 3 days
Accommodations	1 night at winter homestay, 1 night at yurt

What to pack?

Clothing:

Thermal base layers (top & bottom)
Warm fleece or wool mid-layer
Insulated winter jacket (down or synthetic)
Waterproof outer shell (jacket & pants)
Warm winter boots (waterproof, insulated)
Thick wool socks + extra pairs
Gloves (insulated + a spare pair)
Warm hat covering ears
Neck gaiter or thermal scarf
Hand & foot warmers

Horseback Riding:

Long pants for riding
Riding gloves (optional)
Small daypack for essentials

Other Essentials:

Sunglasses and sunscreen
Reusable water bottle
Personal toiletries and towel
Basic first aid kit and any personal medications
Camera or smartphone for photos
Power bank and charging cables (cold drains batteries fast)
Passport, ID, and copies of travel documents

Optional:

Binoculars for wildlife spotting
Light snacks for trekking
Notebook or travel journal

Before you go

This winter adventure starts and ends in Kyzart Village. The tour departs before 12:00 PM and returns at approximately 14:00 PM the following day. You can travel from Bishkek to Kyzart by public taxi, or request a comfortable private transfer for added convenience.
Accommodation in the mountains is limited, and you may be required to share a yurt with other travelers. In these conditions, single, double, or twin rooms cannot be provided. Both yurt and homestay facilities are very basic, with outdoor toilets, so please be prepared.
No special horse-riding skills are required; however, you must be comfortable with extreme cold and challenging winter conditions. Please note that the pass to Song-Kol Lake may be closed in late February and March due to deep snow. If this happens, alternative routes or plans will be provided.
During winter, nobody lives at Song-Kol, so please do not expect to see nomadic life. Only the yurt camp staff reside there during the season.
Your guide will be an experienced local horseman who knows the winter routes extremely well. While English skills are basic, safety and local expertise are always prioritized.
Meals provided are traditional Central Asian cuisine. Vegetarian options are available – please inform your tour manager of any dietary restrictions or allergies.