Horse Trek to Son Kul Lake

• Your driver will pick you up at your arrival at the Manas airport. Transfer to your hotel.

  Your guide will pick you up at 11H30 at the hotel lobby, to start exploring Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful nature. After a small one-hour hike in the valley of Chunkurchak , we settle for a delicious barbecue. You can enjoy your afternoon, relax in this calm environment, or continue your hike up to a waterfall.

Bishkek - Burana's minaret

• We stop to visit the ruins of the Burana Minaret , a Jami mosque destroyed in the 13th century during invasions. The monument is rich in history, archeological findings and legends, and belongs to the Unesco world heritage. We can climb at the top of the tower to get a beautiful view on the valley and the mountains. We’ll also visit the museum on site.

Burana's minaret - Shamshy gorge

• After this cultural visit, we reach the beautiful valley of Shamshy , where we’ll start our horse trek.

• We start by calmly following a stream that leads to the Shamshy pass (3600m). We travel in this alpine landscape amidst pine forests and green pastures.

Shamshy gorge - Sunduk

• After breakfast, we get back on our horses to climb the pass. We take a small sinuous trail until we reach the summit. From there, we’ll enjoy a stunning view on the Kara Moinok and Sunduk mountains. We then start going back down into the Sarala Saz jailoo .

Sunduk - Kashka-Suu

• These large pastures are the ideal spot to gallop. We move towards the Iri-Suu Valley. We’ll be able to visit some of the nomadic shepherds who came here with their herds for the summer. This is a great opportunity to discover yurt life and local products.

  We’ll set our camp in the Kashka Suu Valley , surrounded by many grazing animals.

Kashka-Suu - Yiri-Suu

• We have a long day before us, in this vast space where the earth is more arid and less green. We accurately cross the Karakol River before heading towards a new pass, at 3400m altitude. Buchuk welcomes us at its summit, where we have lunch with a panoramic view on the Sook Valley underneath.

Yiri-Suu - Sook

• This new day leads us towards the valley of Kum Bel , where we’ll have to overcome a new pass, located at 3656m, from which we’ll be able to enjoy a striking 360 degree view on the surroundings.

  We’ll then go down into the Kolduu Suu Valley and explore its vibrant colors and dandelion fields.

Sook - Kilemche

• We get back on our horses in the fresh dawn. We ride across fields, towards the Chaar-Archa Valley. We’ll climb a small pass (3061m). We’ll arrive in the magnificent Kilemche Valley , where we’ll be able to rest by the river side.

Kilemche - Son Kul lake

• We are getting closer to our goal. We climb the Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m) on a rocky path. From the summit, we’ll get to see a beautiful sight of mountain landscape reflecting in the lake’s water.

• We arrive on the shores of Son Kul Lake . This huge alpine lake is an important water reserve in Kyrgyzstan. Nestled in the celestial mountains, it is located at 3016 m (9895 ft) above sea level. Its crystal clear water changes colors depending on the weather, which can change every hour. The lake takes on blue, turquoise and sometimes even orange colors. It hosts nomadic shepherds and their herds in the warm months of summer.

Son Kul lake - Tulpar-Tash

• After breakfast, we continue exploring Son Kul Lake on its west shore, towards Tulpar-Tash . We get a breath-taking panoramic view on the lake, where we’ll spot a few shepherds’ yurts. In the afternoon, we’ll meet our hosts for the day.

Tulga-Tash - Kyzart

• These are our last kilometers on our horse. We leave towards the North, for a last climb. We cross the Uzbek pass and enjoy the view on the region.

  We say goodbye to our four-legged friends and the fabulous team that helped us during this adventure.

Kyzart - Kotchkor

• In the evening, we’ll have the chance to attend a Kyrgyz folklore show . Discover the traditional instruments and songs of Kyrgyzstan, and watch the performance of a Manaschi, a Manas epic storyteller.

Kotchkor - Bishkek

• This is our last day before getting back to the capital. We leave the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where we met a generous culture, and go back to Bishkek . Drop-off at your hotel, where you’ll be able to relax.

• Walk on the Ala Too Square in the center of Bishkek. Meeting place for Bishkek’s youth, it comes alive every evening with families and friends who come here to relax. It’s also an important historical place, since it hosted several revolutions.

• We visit the Osh Bazar , one of the most fascinating markets in Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy the colors and the smells coming from stands of dry fruits and spices. You can also buy a few traditional souvenirs to bring home.