# Song-Kul to Ala-Kul on Horseback - 10 Days Ten days, and you ride on every one of them. From Kyzart to Song-Kul and along its shore, then the hills above Issyk-Kul by Boz-Salkyn and Kok-Bulak, a visit to an eagle hunter, and finally up the Altyn-Arashan valley to Ala-Kul. Cars only link the three riding areas. - Duration: 10 days - Type: Horse riding - Best season: June to September - Starts and ends in: Bishkek - Pace: Moderately paced - Activities: horse riding - 10 days - Accommodation: 1 night at hotel, 3 nights at guesthouse, 5 nights at yurt - Total driving: 1020 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-to-ala-kul-on-horseback-10-days/ ## Highlights - You ride every day, on three separate routes - Kyzart to Song-Kul and along its western shore - The Boz-Salkyn and Kok-Bulak pastures above Issyk-Kul - Up the Altyn-Arashan valley to Ala-Kul lake ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Drive to Kyzart & ride to Kilemche Your trip starts with a drive to Kyzart Village, tucked in the hills below Song-Kul. A homemade lunch at a family homestay sets you up for the day, and your guide takes you through the basics in the saddle before you head out. From there you ride along the Chaar-Archa River, through wide valleys that ease you into the rhythm of the trail. By evening you reach a herder family's yurt camp at Kilemche, time to settle in with your horse, wander the hillsides, and watch the quiet of nomad life 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: Over Jalgyz-Karagai Pass to Song-Kul Today the trail climbs. After breakfast you work your way up toward the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3300 m, a steady effort that pays off at the top, where Song-Kul opens up far below for the first time. You drop down toward the lake past grazing herds and scattered yurts, reaching the Tuz-Ashuu pasture in the afternoon. The evening is yours to rest by the water, and once the sun sets the sky here fills with stars. - Activity: Horse riding · 23 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 3: Along Song-Kul to the western shore An easier day in the saddle, riding the open shore of Song-Kul. With two days behind you, your guide may pick up the pace to a canter across the smooth lakeside grass. By midday you reach the Ozbek-Ashuu pasture on the western shore, where a nomad family hosts you for the night. The afternoon is free, walk the shoreline or take a short ride into the nearby hills before dinner. - Activity: Horse riding · 16 km · 4 h - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (3100 m) ### Day 4: Ride to Kyzart, then drive to Issyk-Kul You say goodbye to your hosts and ride back over the Ozbek-Ashuu Pass at 3300 m, with one last look down over Song-Kul before the trail drops to Kyzart. There's lunch and a chance to freshen up in the village. In the afternoon you swap the saddle for the road and drive to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. There may be time to catch the sunset over the Fairy-Tale Canyons before you reach your guesthouse near Bokonbaev for the night. - Transfer: 200 km · 3-4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 20 km · 4-5 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch & dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 5: Ride to Boz-Salkyn & Shatyly viewpoint Back in the saddle, you ride out of the village and up into the Boz-Salkyn summer pastures. A traditional lunch waits in a yurt before you carry on to the Shatyly viewpoint, where the whole sweep of Issyk-Kul spreads out between the peaks and canyons. You return by a different trail to the Boz-Salkyn pasture, where a herder family hosts you for the night. - Activity: Horse riding · 22 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, picnic lunch, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (2500 m) ### Day 6: Ride over Karaly-Archa Pass to Kok-Bulak A demanding day climbing through alpine forest to the Karaly-Archa Pass at 2900 m, where the view widens out over Issyk-Kul and the Terskey-Ala-Too range behind it. On the way down you stop for a picnic beside the Tuura-Suu River, then ride on through the afternoon to reach the Kok-Bulak yurt camp by evening. - Activity: Horse riding · 22 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, picnic lunch, dinner at yurt - Overnight: Yurt (2300 m) ### Day 7: Ride to Bokonbaev, eagle hunter & drive to Karakol An easy downhill ride through a scenic gorge brings you back to Bokonbaev. There you meet local eagle hunters, who share an old Kyrgyz tradition and let you see, and photograph, a trained eagle up close on horseback. Lunch follows at the guesthouse. In the afternoon you drive to Karakol along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, with a stop at the Fairy-Tale Canyons along the way. You arrive in the evening for dinner and a comfortable hotel bed. - Transfer: 150 km · 3-4 h - Activity: Horse riding · 14 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch at guesthouse, dinner at restaurant - Overnight: Hotel ### Day 8: Ride into Altyn-Arashan Valley A short drive to Ak-Suu village, then back in the saddle for a relaxed ride up into the Altyn-Arashan gorge, following the river through alpine forest with mountains all around. You stop for a picnic and to rest the horses along the way. You reach the guesthouse by evening, with time to explore further up the gorge or sink into the natural hot springs before dinner. - Activity: Horse riding · 17 km · 5 h - Meals: Breakfast at hotel, picnic lunch, dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 9: Ride & hike to alpine Ala-Kul Lake The big day. You ride out from Altyn-Arashan, crossing rivers and weaving through alpine forest to the Keldike Gorge. There you leave the horses and tackle the final climb on foot, a challenging push up to the Ala-Kul Pass at 3900 m, where the turquoise lake and its glaciers open out below. After a picnic and time to take it all in, you return to the horses and ride back down to Altyn-Arashan. The hot springs are waiting at the end of a long day, followed by dinner at the guesthouse. - Activity: Horse riding · 18 km · 5-6 h - Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner at guesthouse - Overnight: Guesthouse ### Day 10: Ride out to Ak-Suu & drive to Bishkek A final ride back down the river trail to Ak-Suu, one last morning in the saddle and a last lungful of mountain air. From there you drive to Karakol for lunch and a moment to look back on the week. The long drive home runs along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, reaching Bishkek by evening, around 8-9 pm, the close of a trip built on horseback days, high passes, and nomad hospitality. - Transfer: 420 km · 6 h - Activity: Horse riding · 16 km · 3-4 h - Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, lunch at restaurant ## Common questions **How long is this tour?** It runs 10 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 10 days horse riding. 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, 3 nights at guesthouse, 5 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-to-ala-kul-on-horseback-10-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