Three Lakes: Highland Horse Trek and Off-Road Adventure

Ten days of real mountain travel: two days in the saddle over a 3,400 m pass to Song-Kul, a day with nomads, and an off-road expedition to Kel-Suu, a lake between sheer canyon walls.

Overview

A true outdoor adventure in the Tien Shan. You ride for two days over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass (3,400 m) to the shore of Song-Kul, spend a slow day with a nomad family, then travel by 4×4 deep into the border highlands to Kel-Suu, a turquoise lake held between sheer canyon walls, explored on horseback and by boat.

Expect real mountain conditions: long days in the saddle, bumpy off-road tracks, cold nights above 3,000 m and some days without a shower or phone signal. In return you see a side of Kyrgyzstan that very few travellers reach.

Who it suits

Fit, adventurous travellers. No riding experience is needed, but you should be comfortable with about four hours a day in the saddle on days 2 and 3 and on the ride to Kel-Suu. Kel-Suu is in a border zone: we arrange your permit with your passport details in advance.

Day-by-day itinerary

D1 Bishkek – Burana – Kyzart

Arrive in Bishkek the day before: the transfer from Manas airport and your first hotel night are included, so you start rested.
The Burana tower and the drive into the mountains to the village of Kyzart. Night in a village guesthouse.

D2 Kyzart – Kilemche valley (horse trek, day 1)

Meet your horses and horse guides and ride about four hours into the Kilemche valley. Night in a yurt camp, no signal.

D3 Jalgyz-Karagai pass – Song-Kul (horse trek, day 2)

Ride over the 3,400 m pass and down to the north shore of Song-Kul. Night in a yurt camp or glamping tent.

D4 A slow day at Song-Kul

Visit a nomad family, watch shyrdak felt being made and move round the lake to the south shore camp.

D5 The 33 Parrots road – Naryn

Down the hairpin road from Song-Kul to Naryn. A rest and recovery day with a hot shower in a comfortable hotel.

D6 Naryn – Kyndy pass – Kok-Kiya valley

Off-road through the Bosogo gorge and over the Kyndy pass into the remote Kok-Kiya valley, with a short hike. Two nights in a simple wooden cottage, with a traditional sauna.

D7 Kel-Suu lake

Ride or walk about two hours to Kel-Suu at around 3,500 m, take a boat between the canyon walls and return to Kok-Kiya.

D8 Kok-Kiya – Naryn – Tash-Bashat

Back down to the valleys and a night in a guesthouse in the village of Tash-Bashat.

D9 Kochkor – Kyzyl-Tuu – Bokonbaevo

A day of nomad culture: the yurt makers of Kyzyl-Tuu and a golden eagle hunter on the south shore of Issyk-Kul. Night in a yurt stay in Bokonbaevo.

D10 Bokonbaevo – Kok-Moinok canyon – Bishkek

A last walk in the red Kok-Moinok canyon on the way back to Bishkek.

Included and not included

Included

  • English-speaking local guide for the whole trip
  • Private car and driver (4×4 on mountain roads)
  • Hotel night in Bishkek before the tour
  • All accommodation listed in the itinerary
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Entrance fees and activities in the itinerary
  • Horses and horse guides for the trek and the Kel-Suu ride
  • Border zone permit for Kel-Suu
  • All meals from day 1 to day 10

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Drinks and snacks between meals
  • Tips for guides, drivers and hosts
  • Travel insurance must cover horse riding, high altitude and evacuation

What to bring

  • Walking shoes with good grip
  • Warm layers, hat and gloves: mountain nights are cold even in August
  • Rain jacket
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
  • Power bank: charging is limited in the mountains
  • Swimsuit for hot springs and the lake
  • Long trousers for riding (no jeans)
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Headlamp

Questions and answers

I have never ridden a horse. Can I join?

Yes. Kyrgyz horses are calm and sure-footed, a horse guide rides with you and we match each horse to its rider. You do need to be fine with about four hours in the saddle on three days.

Why do you need my passport details?

Kok-Kiya and Kel-Suu are in a border zone, so we apply for a permit for each traveller. We will tell you the deadline when you book.

How basic are the camps?

There is no shower for two days during the horse trek, and the Kok-Kiya cottage has a sauna instead of a shower. Toilets in the mountains are simple outdoor ones. You have hot showers in Naryn and the guesthouses.

10 days

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Three Lakes: Highland Horse Trek and Off-Road Adventure · 10 days

A private trip for your group, on your dates, with your own guide. Send a request and a manager will confirm the details and the final price by email. Nothing is paid on the website.

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