Mountain Lakes of Kyrgyzstan

This horseback trip to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes of Kyrgyzstan is a fascinating 10-day journey through untamed Kyrgyz landscapes. On the journey, we visit some of the most impressive crystal Alpine lakes of the Tien Shan: Kol-Suu (3550 m), Chatyr-Kol (heavenly lake 3530 m.) and Son-Kol (3016 m). Some of these lakes belong to protected zones and have an international importance as home to endangered and migratory birds from the Altai, Siberia and Kazakhstan.

During the trip, we will have camp on the shores of these picturesque lakes, surrounded by spruce forests and the Alpine meadows, allowing us to go wildlife watching, rare birds spotting, fishing and swiming. To reach the lakes, we will overcome high-mountain passes, including the Torugart (3752 m), Kyndy (3102 m), Dolon (3030m), Kyzyl-Bel (2484m) and Ak-Bayit (3282m) passes, and cross the Ak-Sai valley to explore the local caves.

Our path will also pass some of the architectural monuments of the Turkic Karakhanid state and the Great Silk Road. We will get the chance to stop and explore Burana Tower and Tash-Rabat Caravansarai. Following the route of the ancient nomads, we will become acquainted with their culture and way of life, spending the night in traditional felt yurts, and tasting ecologically clean products such as kumysayran, cottage cheese and freshly baked bread.

Book now from $ 910

Tour characteristics

July - September
10 days
71 km
+2860 m  -2610 m
Complexity: 

You are going to love it

  • Take a great horseback ride through the mountain ranges with the best Kyrgyz horses
  • Explore cultural and historical dimensions in Ak-Say and at the caravan-saray of Tash-Rabat.
  • Walk along the beautiful Kol-Suu Lake.
  • Enjoy the delights of our cuisine at a farewell party in the city of Bishkek.
  • Program
  • Sights
  • Conditions and Recommendations
  • Track map
  • Book now

1 Day. Airport “Manas”-Bishkek

Meet at the airport and transfer to accommodation at the hotel. After a short rest, we will go on a little tour around Alamedin Gorge (1800-2000 m) for our introduction to the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range. 30 minutes from Bishkek, surrounded by tall fir trees, bushes of black currant, barberry, rose hips and buckthorn, you can truly relax after your long flight and enjoy views of the mountain river and waterfall, and even take a hot bath in the thermal hot springs. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bishkek.

Locations

Bishkek
Alamüdün District
B L D

2 Day. Bishkek City - Naryn City

 On the way to Naryn city, we will stop at Burana tower, all that remains of the 10-11th century Turkic Karakhanid capital of Balasagun. From here, our route will pass through beautiful Boom Gorge, along Orto Tokoi reservoir (1700 m) and over the Dolon pass (3030 m). We will spend the night in Naryn town.

Accommodation

Locations

Issyk Kul District
Naryn
Bishkek
B L D

3 Day. Transfer: Naryn city – Chatyr-Tash pasture

In the morning, we head south along the Ak-Sai Valley, surrounded to the East and West by the mountain ranges of Naryn-Too, At-Bashi and Jany-Jer. In order to get to the starting point of our horseback tour, we must cross two more passes: Kyzyl-Bel (2484 m) and Kyndy (3102 m).

At the Kyndy pass, there is a frontier outpost where our documents will be checked as special permits are required. The landscape here is very diverse, sagebrush plateaus and valleys alternate with high fir trees and thick vegetation. The drive will take us 4-5 hours. We can spend the night in yurts or tents under the open sky.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

Naryn
At-Bashy District
4-5 h
B L D

4 Day. Chatyr – Tash Pasture – Ak-Sai Cultural Center

In the morning we will have a briefing in horsemanship, before continuing to the  Ak-sai cultural center (3560 m) where old houses from Soviet union era are still preved. On the way we will pass the panoramic views of the Ak-Sai valley and mountain river. The trip will pass through the summer pastures of the nomadic shepherds where we will see the shaggy yaks resistant to the high mountains and extreme cold. Overnight in yurts or tents.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
26 km
4-5 h
+1130 m  -870 m
B L D

5 Day. Ak-Sai Cultural Center  - Eastern side of Kol-Suu

This day is one of the easiest of our trips. We will cover 15 km on horseback through the highlands and small rivers. After dinner we will spend the night in the Ak-Sai valley on the border with China.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
15 km
4-5 h
+790 m  -520 m
B L D

6 Day. Kol-Suu lake

Today we will reach the pass from which we can see Kol-Suu lake (3,550 m.) The Eastern shore of Kol-Suu lake is considered the most beautiful highland lake view in Kyrgyzstan. The length of the reservoir, which was formed from a strong earthquake, is 15 km, and the water has a clear greenish color. Here, we are likely to see rare Marco-Polo mountain goats and rams as wild animal paths lead to the lake. We will enjoy lunch at the lake and then return to the cultural center for the night.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Yurt camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
18 km
5-6 h
+620 m  -900 m
B L D

7 Day. Kol – Suu West Coast

After an early breakfast, armed with the flashlights, we will climb to the pass to see the lake from the west side. In some places, there will be the marshy terrain. On this side of the pass there are many rocks and caves, which we can inspect with flashlights. We will then return to the camp where we will spend the night in yurts.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Yurt camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
12 km
4-5 h
+320 m  -320 m
B L D

8 Day. Kol-Suu – Chatyr-Kol – Tash-Rabat Caravan-Sarai

On Day 8 of our trip, we will visit two unique objects of nature and history. The first part of our route will pass through the Ak-Sai valley and over the Torugart pass (3752 m) on the border with China, bringing us to the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Chatyr-Kol (Heavenly lake, 3530 m).

Chatyr-Kol, is the largest freshwater mountain lake in the country. It belongs to the protected part of the Karatal-Zhapyryk State Reserve and has international significance. Chatyr-Kol is not only a nesting place for the protected mountain goose, but also a migratory camp for birds from the Altai, Siberia and Kazakhstan. Here you can relax on the shore of the picturesque lake surrounded by spruce forests and alpine meadows.

The final point of our trip on this day will be a stone caravansarai (inn), Tash-Rabat (3500 m), which was built in the 15th century as a stop on the Great Silk Road. In ancient times it was a resting place as well as shelter from the weather and robbers for the merchants and travelers traveling to China and back. We will have dinner and overnight in yurts.

Accommodation

Economy: Yurt camping
Standard: Yurt camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
B L D

9 Day. Tash-Rabat Caravan-Sarai – Son-Kol lake

From Tash-Rabat, we take a trip over the Ak-Bayit pass (3285 m) to our final fabulous high mountain lake and heart of Kyrgyzstan, Son-Kol (3016 m). The lake is located on a plain surrounded by alpine meadows. Part of it belongs to protected area of the Karatal-Zhapyryk reserve, which is also a home for wild animals and more than 100 species of birds and 10 species of fish. Here we can watch the animals and birds, visit the chabans (shepherds), taste national drinks, fish and swim. We will spend the night on the coast in tents or yurts.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Yurt camping

Locations

At-Bashy District
Kochkor District
B L D

10 Day. Son-Kol Lake -Bishkek City

On the way back to Bishkek city we will stop at Kochkor village, where the local felt craftswomen will give us a master class. You will have a chance to try the technique of felting, and learn about the manufacture of souvenirs and carpets from them. Overnight in the hotel in Bishkek.

Locations

Kochkor District
Bishkek
B L D

Create your own group and travel profitably!

If you have been waiting for the right time to go on a journey in the footsteps of the ancient nomads of Central Asia, it has come! For the first time in Kyrgyzstan, "Baibol Travel" gives you a unique opportunity to travel at affordable prices, collecting a group of travelers from your relatives, friends, colleagues, as you are hungry for new experiences and incredible discoveries! We are happy to adapt our services to your requests and requirements, so we suggest you choose the conditions of travel with the comfort and conditions that suit you. The more people in your group, the greater the benefits will be received by all its participants!

Tour cost

The prices are indicated according to the classification of the tour and the number of people.

Number of persons / Class Economy Standard VIP
1-2 $ 1995 $ 2450 $ 2995
3-4 $ 1330 $ 1650 $ 2335
5-6 $ 1140 $ 1470 $ 2170
7-8 $ 1030 $ 1330 $ 1950
9-10 $ 910 $ 1260 $ 1790

Conditions        

Suite of service

Vip

Standard

Econom

Transport (all transfers according to the program)

       suv premium class

High-end suv

Class 4x4 minivan

Accommodation (in hotels, guest houses and yurts according to the program

Guide – translator  

Guide assistant (for groups over 6 people)

-

Cook

Cook's assistant (for groups over 6 people)

Horse guide

The grooms

Horses

Equestrian backing during the tour

Three meals a day (+ snack for trekking trips)

Four meals a day

Three meals a day

Three meals a day

Tents for accommodation

Kitchen and dining room tent (for groups over than 6 people)

-

-

Portable restrooms

-

-

Sleeping bags

-

Camping mattress

-

Kitchen things

National games

National equestrian games

-

Master classes

Excursions

Rafting

Folklore concert

-

  

Horse tour recommendations

On our horse tours, the horse will carry the bulk of your luggage, but that does not mean you can take anything you want. Overloading can lead to delays, and instead of enjoying a leisurely trip to natural attractions, your journey will turn into a quick race. Our universal list for horse tours is made taking into account everything you need from clothes to accessories (the list will change only in the case of a specialized tour).

Please use the following as a guide:

  • tent, sleeping bag and mat (if not included in the list of things provided by the company);
  • backpack or travel bag + lightweight backpack of not more than 30 liters (optional, for tours with auto-support);
  • riding shoes (without a heel or platform, secure and closed), sneakers are preferred;
  • a spare pair of shoes (if the first is wet or broken);
  • thick pants (for riding);
  • windproof and waterproof jacket (windbreaker);
  • a couple of t-shirts, a long-sleeved t-shirt (for sun protection);
  • a set of warm clothes in case of cool weather;
  • a pair of t-shirts;
  • a head covering (for sun protection);
  • no less than 2 pairs of woolen and 2 pairs of normal socks;
  • gloves;
  • gaiters;
  • sunscreen;
  • personal hygiene items and personal first-aid kit;
  • watch, altimeter (optional), power bank (optional);
  • sunglasses;
  • camera and batteries;
  • headlamp and batteries;
  • handbag for documents.