This 3-day Song-Kol trek takes you on foot from Kyzart Pass to Song-Kol Lake (3,016 m), along shepherd trails and the summer pastures of the nomads. In 43 km you cross three passes above 3,000 m, the highest being Jalgyz-Karagai (3,326 m). A pack horse carries your luggage, so you hike with a light daypack. You sleep in a yurt camp at Kilemche and with a shepherd family by the lake, and finish in the Bazar-Turuk Gorge, only 10 km from Kyzart. Want the full crossing? The 9-day jailoo-hopping trek from Shamshy reaches Song-Kol over six passes.
Route: Kyzart Pass → Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m) → Kilemche → Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3,326 m) → Song-Kol → Tuz-Ashuu Pass (~3,270 m) → Bazar-Turuk Gorge
Price per person, depends on group size
Price per person for a private trek. Solo travellers: price on request.
Other ways to reach Song-Kol: ride a similar route on horseback with our 3-Day Horseback Adventure to Song-Kol Lake, or take more time with the 9-day Jailoo Hopping trek from Shamshy Gorge.
Included
Not included
What to bring
Broken-in hiking boots, warm layers and a rain jacket (nights at Song-Kol are cold even in summer), sun hat and sunscreen, headlamp, water bottle, trekking poles, personal medicine and a small daypack. Your main bag goes on the pack horse.
Getting there
Pick-up at your hotel in Bishkek in the morning; the drive to Kyzart Pass takes 3–4 hours. You are back in Bishkek in the early evening of day 3.
It is moderate: 13–15 km and 5–6 hours of walking per day, with three passes above 3,000 m. You don’t need technical skills.
No. A pack horse carries your main luggage, and you walk with a light daypack.
In traditional yurts with beds and warm blankets. You don’t need a sleeping bag.
From mid-May to mid-September.
It is a private tour for 1–6 people. Contact us about solo travel or groups larger than 6.
Yes, on request we provide a German-speaking guide.
The trek stays between 2,280 and 3,326 m, and day 1 over Chaar-Archa Pass (3,061 m) works as acclimatisation. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you get a headache.
Yes. The trek ends close to Kyzart, so it fits easily before or after a trip to Issyk-Kul, Naryn or Tash-Rabat. Tell us your dates and we will plan the route.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
