
Horse trekking to Son-Kul Lake
12-Day Autonomous Horseback Ride to High-Altitude Jailoos and the Legendary Son-Kul Lake
Duration
12 days
From
€1,850/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
Set off for a 9-day independent horseback adventure across the breathtaking landscapes of Kirghizistan, a true paradise for nature lovers and horse enthusiasts. On horseback, you will explore the vast jailoos (high-altitude pastures), dominated by majestic mountains and dotted with traditional yurts. Cross remote valleys, climb spectacular mountain passes and discover the nomadic life of this warm and welcoming people.
The adventure begins with a visit to Bichkek, the country's dynamic capital, before taking you to the heart of the mountains, where the silence of the heights and the beauty of lakes such as Son-Kul will offer you total immersion in Kyrgyz culture. Along the way, you will discover centuries-old traditions, taste local products and participate in evening folk performances. An unforgettable experience where each step is an invitation to discover the soul of Kyrgyzstan.
This tour is available between June and mid-September.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary

Discovery of Bishkek and Ala Archa
Aéroport International De Manas → Bishkek
Upon your arrival at Manas Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver, who will take you directly to your hotel in Bichkek.
You will meet at 11:00 a.m. in your hotel lobby, where your guide will be waiting for you.
You will then leave together for a visit to the Ala Archa Natural Park, an ideal place for a short walk in nature. This park, located just 40 km from the capital, is a privileged spot to discover the beauty of the Kyrgyz mountains.
At the end of the day, you will return to Bishkek to enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Visit to Burana Minaret and Horse Riding at Shamshy
From Bishkek
You stop to visit the ruins of the Burana Minaret, an ancient Jami mosque destroyed in the 13th century during the Tatar invasions. You then climb to the top of the minaret, where you enjoy a clear view of the surrounding countryside. The visit continues with the associated museum, which provides a better understanding of the site's history.
After visiting the minaret, you will rejoin your team in the magnificent Shamshy Gorge, where you will begin your ride.
9-day horse trek independently. You will ensure the transport of logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.
Peacefully, you will follow the watercourse that will lead you to the majestic Shamshy Pass (3600m). You will evolve through an alpine landscape of great beauty, surrounded by pine forests and lush meadows, offering a serene and unforgettable experience in the heart of nature.
Excursion and descent to Sarala Saz
After breakfast, you get back in the saddle to undertake the col's ascent. You will travel along a more winding path before reaching your objective. Once at the summit, a magnificent view will open up before you, where, in the distance, the mountains of Kara Moinok and Sunduk stand tall. You will then begin to lose altitude to descend into the jailoo of Sarala Saz.
9-day horse trek in autonomy. You will ensure the transport of logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.
Shamshy Gorge → Sunduk

Discovery of the Iri-Suu Valley
These vast pastures will give you the opportunity to gallop and explore the Iri-Suu valley. You will visit shepherds who have come for summer transhumance, a great opportunity to discover local products and yurt life.
You will set up camp in the Kashka-Suu valley, where herds graze.
9-day horse trek in self-sufficiency. You will carry logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.
Sunduk → Vallée De Kashka-Suu

Hiking at Buchuk Pass and Sook Valley
A long day awaits you in this vast expanse where the land becomes more arid and vegetation less abundant. At a leisurely pace, you will cross the Karakol River before heading towards the new pass, which peaks at 3400m altitude.
The Buchuk pass will welcome you at its summit, where you will enjoy a lunch break. Below, the magnificent Sook valley will open up before you.
Vallée De Kashka-Suu → Yiri-Suu

Adventure in the Kum Bel and Kolduu Suu Valley
You will set off for a new day that will take you to the Kum Bel valley, where a new pass awaits you. From there, you will continue along the East ridge, heading towards a peak reaching 3656 meters. From the summit, a breathtaking 360-degree view will open up before you.
You will then lose altitude to discover the Kolduu Suu valley, with its vibrant colors and its dandelion fields.
Yiri-Suu → Sook

Morning hike towards Kilemche valley
It is in the freshness of the morning that you will resume your mounts. You will ride through fields, heading towards the Chaar-Archa valley, via the ascent of its small pass (3061m). The magnificent Kilemche valley will welcome you in its embrace, where you will come to rest on the banks of its river, with its peaceful waters.
Sook → Kilemche

Discovery of Jalgyz Karagai Pass and Son-Koul Lake
A new step that brings you closer to your objective. It is along a rocky path that you will cross the Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), where you will be able to observe the magnificence of the landscape below, reflected in the blue waters of the lake. You will finally arrive on the shores of the Son-Koul lake, the second wonder of Kirghizistan.
This immense alpine lake is the country's first freshwater reserve. Located in the heart of the Celestial Mountains, it reaches an altitude of 3016 meters and has long stimulated the imagination of foreign travelers. Its crystalline water, of unparalleled purity, changes color throughout the day, shifting from blue to green, and sometimes turning orange.
9-day horse trek in self-sufficiency. You will carry the logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.

Discovery of Lake Son-Koul
After breakfast, you will continue exploring the lake along its western shore, in the direction of Tulpar-Tash. This day will offer you a stunning view of the lake, where a few shepherds' yurts are scattered.
In the afternoon, you will settle in with your hosts for the day.
9-day horse trek in autonomy. You will carry the logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.

Excursion to Uzbek Pass and Traditional Show
Last kilometers on your mount, before leaving this welcoming land. You will head North, where you will make your final ascent. The Uzbek Pass will offer you a spectacular view of the region.
It is with emotion that you will say goodbye to your team, who accompanied you throughout this unforgettable adventure, marked by discovery and sharing.
In the evening, you will attend a traditional Kyrgyz folk show. On the program, a storyteller will tell you about the exploits of Manas, the legendary Kyrgyz heroes, accompanied by traditional music and songs.
Tulpar-Tash → Kyzart
Kyzart → Kochkor
In the evening, you attend a traditional Kyrgyz folkloric show. On the program: a Manas storyteller, traditional music and songs that immerse you in the country's epic tales and legends.

Bishkek Visit: Osh Bazaar and Ala-Too Square
Last day of travel before reaching the Kyrgyz capital. You will leave the majestic green mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where you discovered a warm people with deeply rooted traditions, to arrive in Bishkek. Once at your destination, you will be settled in your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy some moments of rest.
Finally, you will visit the Osh Bazaar, the most vibrant market in Kyrgyzstan. Stalls of dried fruits and spices will multiply as you explore, offering you a true glimpse of the colors of Central Asia. It is also an ideal place to find traditional souvenirs from the country.
Stroll through Ala-Too square, in the center of Bishkek. A meeting place for Kyrgyz youth, it comes alive every evening with crowds of people who come here to walk around. This square has also been the scene of numerous revolutions in the country's history.

Welcome back and see you next time
Breakfast at the hotel, before your transfer to Bishkek international airport. The return transfer will be arranged at the time of your choice, depending on your flight schedule, allowing you to depart in complete peace of mind after this enriching experience in the heart of Kirghizistan.
Bishkek → Aéroport International De Manas
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International Transport
- Passport & Visa Fees
- Repatriation insurance
- Travel insurance
- Extra drinks / alcohols
- Meals in Bishkek
- Phone calls
- Any excursion not mentioned in the program
- Single Room Supplement
Included
- Airport / hotel / airport transfers
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Bishkek, breakfast included
- 1 night in a camp
- 5 nights under canvas, camping
- 3 nights staying with locals in yurts
- 1 night in a guest house
- Full board during the excursion
- Mineral water
- Vehicle + driver
- Essence
- English-speaking guide
- Cook for groups > 4 participants
- Local guide
- Grooms
- Pack animals for transporting equipment during independent trekking days
- Equestrian equipment with Kyrgyz trekking saddles
- Droits d'entrée des parcs et musées mentionnés
- Traditional show
- IRIDIUM Satellite Phone
- Kitchen equipment (mess tent, camping tables and chairs) and for sleeping (tent, sleeping bag, ground mat), sanitary tent
Your accommodations
Grand Hotel

Camping - Sous tentes
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns entry requirements for tourism stays in Kyrgyzstan. Entry requirements may vary depending on your nationality. We recommend verifying the conditions with the embassy or consulate of Kyrgyzstan in your country of residence, as well as with your own country's authorities, before departure.
Passport
To enter Kyrgyzstan, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry and must contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Tourism entry requirements
Entry requirements for tourism stays depend on your nationality and the applicable bilateral agreements between Kyrgyzstan and your country of citizenship.
Verify the specific conditions with the embassy or consulate of Kyrgyzstan in your country of residence to determine whether you require a visa or whether an exemption applies, and the maximum duration of stay permitted.
The authorities may request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return flight or onward travel),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
a confirmation of accommodation booking.
Registration with local authorities
Any traveller staying in Kyrgyzstan is required to register with the immigration services within five working days of arrival.
In practice, this registration is generally completed automatically by the hotel or accommodation provider. If staying with a private individual (private rental, host family), it is the responsibility of the host or the traveller to complete this formality at the local registration office (ОВИР).
It is advisable to keep a copy of the registration certificate, which may be requested during police checks or when leaving the territory.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
When a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Health and vaccines
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Kyrgyzstan. However, certain vaccinations are recommended for preventive purposes, including:
typhoid and hepatitis A, due to local sanitary conditions,
rabies, particularly for travellers planning activities in rural or mountainous areas,
tick-borne encephalitis, for hikers visiting forested or high-altitude areas.
It is advisable to consult a doctor or international vaccination centre before departure.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended that you have assistance and repatriation insurance as well as medical expense coverage abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to an insurance policy, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed to travel peacefully!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one of these.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim reporting procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim reporting procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout the duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To enter Kyrgyzstan, a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date is required. No visa is necessary for short-term tourist stays. Kyrgyzstan offers an accessible destination to discover the Tian Shan and nomadic culture. Check with Kyrgyzstan's consular authorities for entry conditions applicable to your nationality before booking.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 110 and 180 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and guide. International flights (500-900 euros return, often via Istanbul) are additional. Kirghizistan is one of the most affordable mountain destinations in the world.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you have the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage that protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Let's talk about your adventure — High Valleys of Tian Shan
Our travel expert, Nomade, based in Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan isn't just visited. It's lived in, over a shared cup of tea in a yurt, at the pace of horses, wind, and human connection.
— Nazira






