# Song-Kul Horse Trek & Ala-Kul Hike - 7 Days Three days on horseback from Kyzart to Song-Kul and back, a day on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, then three days on foot: to the Sirota hut, over to Ala-Kul and down through Altyn-Arashan to Ak-Suu. Runs June to September. - Duration: 7 days - Type: Combined - Best season: June to September - Starts and ends in: Bishkek - Pace: Moderately paced - Activities: horse riding - 3 days, trekking - 3 days - Accommodation: 1 night at hotel, 2 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at yurt - Total driving: 1030 km - Price: on request (depends on group size, season and options). Free quote, no prepayment to enquire. - Group: small group or fully private, with a local English-speaking guide - Page: https://azattours.com/tours/song-kul-horse-trek-ala-kul-hike-7-days/ ## Highlights - Three days on horseback to Song-Kul and back - A day on the south shore of Issyk-Kul - A night at the Sirota hut on the way up - Ala-Kul lake, then down through Altyn-Arashan ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Drive to Kyzart & horse-ride to Kilemche We set out by road to Kyzart Village, tucked into the hills below Song-Kul. A home-cooked lunch waits at a family homestay, and before you climb into the saddle your guide takes you through the basics so you feel at ease with your horse. From there the trail follows the Chaar-Archa River through broad, quiet valleys to Kilemche. It is a gentle first ride, a chance to find your rhythm. By evening you reach a herder family's yurt camp, where you can wander the slopes and watch the day wind down before dinner. - Transfer: 280 km · 4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 21 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Lunch at guesthouse, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (2700 m) ### Day 2: Horse-ride to Song-Kul Lake Today the riding asks a little more of you as the trail climbs toward Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3300 m. The effort pays off at the top, where Song-Kul opens out below in a wide sheet of blue ringed by summer pastures. After the descent and lunch, you ride west along the shore, passing nomad camps and grazing herds. The night is spent at the Tuz-Ashuu pasture beside the lake, with nothing between you and the stars. - Activity: Horse riding · 23 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 3: Ride back to Kyzart & drive to Issyk-Kul You retrace the high country over Tuz-Ashuu Pass and down to Kyzart Village, leaving the saddle behind after a final morning among the pastures. Lunch and a chance to freshen up follow at the homestay. In the afternoon we drive to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, threading through canyons and open hills as the great lake comes into view. The day ends at a guesthouse in Bokonbaev Village. - Transfer: 200 km · 3-4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 20 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch and dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 4: Along the south shore of Issyk-Kul The morning brings an eagle hunter and his bird, a tradition still kept alive in these villages. From there we visit the Fairy-Tale Canyons, where wind and water have shaped the sandstone into strange, glowing forms, and stop in Tamga Village for lunch. The afternoon takes in the Barskoon Waterfalls and the red rock ridges of Jety-Oguz Valley before we reach Karakol. A short tour of the town rounds off the day ahead of dinner. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast and lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 5: Trek to Sirota hut A short transfer brings you to the trailhead in Karakol Gorge, where the trek begins. The path climbs gently through alpine forest, following the river, with a picnic by the water to break the walk. Beyond the rest stop the trail steepens and turns rocky underfoot as you gain height. The day ends at the Sirota hut, the staging point for Ala-Kul, where you settle into a yurt for the night. - Transfer: 20 km · 40 min - Activity: Trekking · 14 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt ### Day 6: Trek to Ala-Kul Lake & Altyn-Arashan This is the big day, so we start early. A sandy path climbs steeply beside a rushing stream until the turquoise of Ala-Kul appears, held in a ring of snow-streaked peaks. It is a hard pull but an unforgettable reward. From the lake the trail crosses Ala-Kul Pass at 3900 m, then drops through Keldike Gorge into the Altyn-Arashan Valley. A guesthouse and its natural hot springs wait at the end, the perfect place to ease tired legs. - Activity: Trekking · 19 km · 7-8 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 7: Trek to Ak-Suu & drive to Bishkek A final walk down through river and forest brings you out at Ak-Suu Village, where the trekking ends. We drive on to Karakol for lunch before the long road home. The route follows the northern shore of Issyk-Kul back toward the capital, with the lake at your side for much of the way. You reach Bishkek around 8 or 9 in the evening, the journey complete. - Transfer: 410 km · 6-7 h - Activity: Trekking · 12 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 7 days, starting and ending in Bishkek. **When is the best time to go?** The season runs June to September. June to September brings the warmest days, and the high-pasture yurt camps are open. **How fit do I need to be?** It's moderately paced, with 3 days horse riding and 3 days trekking. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing. **Do I need horse-riding experience?** No. Our guides match each horse to your level and keep the first day gentle, so complete beginners ride this route every season. **Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 1 night at hotel, 2 nights at guesthouse, 3 nights at yurt. ## How to book Send your dates and group size and we confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours: https://azattours.com/tours/song-kul-horse-trek-ala-kul-hike-7-days/#book - WhatsApp and phone: +996 502 888 001 (https://wa.me/996502888001) - Email: azatbeyshenaliev1@gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azattourskg/ - Enquiry form: https://azattours.com/#plan - Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan