Horseback Riding Tour Son - Kul Lake

Description

Horse riding on Son-Kul is a great way to get acquainted with nomadic life. On this multi-day tour, we will travel through different climates, from semi-desert to tundra.

Day 1: Arrival, Bishkek – Kochkor

Arrival in Bishkek, breakfast, and transfer to Kochkor village. There, we will visit a local felt factory, help make felt carpets, listen to their stories, interact with locals, and enjoy a meal.

Accommodation: Host family or family hotel, BLD

Day 2: Kochkor – Kilemche – Jaman Echki (5–6 hours horse riding)

Early breakfast and transfer to the Jumgal Valley, the starting point of the trail under the Kyzart Pass. We meet riders with trained horses. We pass the Kyzyl-Kiya prison and continue through the Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m) to the Chaar-Archa Valley. Lunch will be in the Kilemche pasture overlooking Mount Baba-Ata at an altitude of 4,400 m.

After lunch, we continue our journey through the Lonely Karagay Pass (3,400 m) towards the Son-Kul Mountains.

Accommodation: Sleeping camp in Son-Kul (4 people per cabin), BLD

Day 3: Jaman Echki – Tulpar Tash (4–6 hours horse riding)

After breakfast in the yurt, we continue our journey on horseback to the southern side of the lake. Lunch will be a picnic served in the middle of beautiful nature. We will arrive at the Silk Road yurt camp in the evening.

Accommodation: Yurt camp at Son-Kul Lake (4 people per yurt), BLD

Day 4: Tulpar Tash – Tulga Tash (4–6 hours horse riding)

After breakfast in the yurt, we continue our equestrian tour and explore stone circles on the southern shore of Son-Kul Lake. “Tash-Tulga” or “Tulga-Tash” means “heart” and is built of stones. In archaeological literature, they are known as “eight-stone memorial fences” and date back to the 1st century BC.

Accommodation: Yurt camp at Son-Kul Lake (4 people per yurt), BLD

Day 5: Son-Kul Lake – Bishkek (300 km drive)

After breakfast with a local family, we say goodbye to our hosts and return to Bishkek. On the way, we will visit the Burana Tower, a preserved structure from the ancient city of Balasagyn (11th–13th centuries). We will enjoy a delicious lunch with a local family and visit a museum showcasing Dungan traditions.

Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will check into a hotel. Later, we will explore the central part of the city, visit parks, discover its highlights, and have lunch at a national cuisine restaurant.

Day 6: Bishkek – Manas Airport

End of the tour. Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, taking with you wonderful and lasting impressions of your journey.

Price Includes:

Double accommodation

Meals: Full board (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)

Transport

English-speaking guide (except on the last day)

Groomsman during the horse tour

Entrance fees to Burana Tower

Felt carpet-making demonstration

Mineral water

Price Excludes:

Visa

Personal spendings

Single supplement

Early check-in and late check-out

Flight tickets

Horse rental fee

Personal insurance