This 9-day Song-Kol trek is the classic jailoo-hopping route of central Kyrgyzstan: about 145 km on foot from the Shamshy gorge to Lake Song-Kol, while pack horses carry your bags. You cross six passes up to 3,570 m, ford mountain rivers and walk from one summer pasture to the next — Sarala-Saz, Sook, Kolduu-Suu, Kilemche — until Song-Kol appears below Jalgyz-Karagai pass. Nights alternate between shepherd yurts and tent camps. For fit hikers with trekking experience who want nomad life far from roads. Short on time? Try the 3-day Song-Kol trek from Kyzart.
The price is calculated individually: it depends on group size, dates and accommodation level. Send a request and we will prepare an offer for your group.
Price on request — a private trek for your group, any start date from June to September. The price per person depends on the group size.
Included
Not included
Moments that stay with you
River crossings and plan B
On days 1 and 2 the trail fords the Shamshy river several times, and on day 4 you cross the Karakol river. After heavy rain or fast glacier melt the water rises and the trek becomes harder. If the river is too strong, the guide changes the plan: we drive to Sarala-Saz and start the trek there, and add an extra day at Song-Kol instead.
Luggage
Leave your main luggage at your hotel in Bishkek. Pack horses carry your bag together with the tents and food — one horse carries up to 60 kg for up to 5 people, so pack light. You carry only a daypack (30–50 l) with water, snacks and warm and rain layers.
Season and weather
June to September. Days are warm and sunny, nights in camp drop to around 0 °C, and the weather on the passes can change within an hour. July and August are the warmest months; in June there may still be snow on Shamshy pass.
What to bring
Broken-in trekking boots, sandals or water shoes for the river crossings, trekking poles, waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece and down jacket, hat and gloves, sun hat and sun cream, head torch, water bottle and a sleeping bag with comfort −1 °C or lower (rental 10 $ per day).
Food
Breakfast with porridge, eggs, pancakes, bread, jam and honey; picnic lunch on the trail; hot dinner mixing European and Central Asian dishes. Vegetarian food on request.
You should be able to hike 5–7 hours a day for several days in a row, with up to 1,000 m of ascent on the pass days. Previous multi-day trekking experience is recommended. The route is rated 4 of 5; with high water in the rivers it becomes a 5.
On the first two days you ford the Shamshy river several times on foot — bring sandals or water shoes. After heavy rain or fast glacier melt the river can be too strong; then we start the trek at Sarala-Saz and add a day at Song-Kol instead. The guide decides on the spot, safety first.
5 nights in yurts with shepherd families — simple, with shared sleeping places on felt mats and blankets — and 3 nights in tents. There are no showers on the trek; you wash in rivers and streams.
Pack horses carry your bag, the tents and the food. You walk with a daypack of 30–50 l only. Main luggage stays at your hotel in Bishkek.
It is a private trek, so the price depends on the number of hikers and your dates: larger groups pay less per person. You can also go alone or as a couple. Send us your dates and group size and we reply with an exact offer within 24 hours.
Yes — the 3-day Song-Kol trek from Kyzart walks the last part of this route over Uzbek pass to the lake. It suits travellers with less time or less trekking experience.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
