Winter

Winter adventure to the Song Kul Lake

The most exciting winter experience in Kyrgyzstan

Duration
5 days
Travel window
Start day
1
Start month
End day
25
End month
Countries
Kyrgyzstan
Discover the journey
kilemche backcountry song kul region.jpg
Private field journal 5 chapters

The story

The journey

According to your tastes and preferences

You will enjoy a real adventure to the Song Kul's lake, and sleep in the only all year around yurt camp. One of the most exciting winter experience you can live with Nomad's Land.

Route map

The route

Day by day

The journey, day by day

5 chapters

  1. Day 01

    On the road to Kyzart village

    Bishkek Kyzart

    A day road to Jumgal valley, through the Boom gorge, the Orto Tokoï reservoir, Kochkor and Kyzart pass. 

    (options for this day: visit of Burana tower, walk of 2-3 hours in the Konorchek canyon, to pass by the west shore of Issyk Kul lake, handicraft show in Kochkor, rafting in Chuy or Chong Kemin river 2-3 hours)

    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Stay Ruslan's homestay

    Memorial of Kojomkul at the Bishkek's Sport Palace
  2. Day 02

    Horseback riding to Kilemche valley

    Kyzart Kilemche Jailoo

    After breakfast, we leave Kyzart village to get to Kilemche jailoo (pastureland). We take horses and ride the 20 km long track up to the pastureland. The winter scenery of this valley is stupendous, and there are still many shepherds with their animals on the pasturelands, as some families live there all year round.
    We get accommodated at a shepherd family’s yurt or house and we will have time to get immersed into their daily life. 
     

    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Kyzart village, also called Djanaryk
  3. Day 03

    Heading to Song Kul lake

    Kilemche Jailoo Tuz Ashuu (Song Kul)

    This morning, we take the path to reach the shores of Lake Song Kul. On skis, snowshoes or on horseback, and depending on the snow conditions, you will choose your favorite activity to reach the immense plateau of Lake Song Kul. All morning, we climb to the Tuz Ashuu pass by road, then from the pass, we descend to the shores of the lake, which we follow to reach our winter camp in yurts.

    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Stay Ruslan's yurt camp

    Horseriding in Kilemche
  4. Day 05

    Skiing in the morning, then drive to Bishkek

    Tuz Ashuu (Song Kul) Bishkek

    In the morning, you horseride till the pass of Tuz Ashuu, then you will enjoy 6 km downhill skiing till the Kilemche river where your driver will be waiting for you. Drive to Bishkek. Dinner in the town. Installation in our guesthouse.

    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Tuz Ashuu (Song Kul's lake)

Further reading

More from this journey

Title
New Year Trip at Song Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
Video
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEhkPS0tKQ

Practical information

Prepare for the journey

  • All transportation in a private vehicle
  • All airport transfers
  • Accommodation as described in the program
  • Meals (3 per day)
  • Bottled water (when possible) & tea
  • English-speaking trekking guide
  • Horses with local saddles
  • Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen
  • Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)
  • All the activities listed in the program
  • Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
  • Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
  • Domestic flights mentioned in the program
  • A contribution to our sustainable development projects
  • Organisation of the trip & local taxes

Reviews of Nomad's Land

Travelers, in their own words

Published reviews of our team and service.

Nous tenions à vous remercier pour l’organisation de notre voyage au Kirghizistan. Ce pays est magnifique avec des personnes très accueillantes. Grâce à l’énergie positive de notre guide Baktygul, nous avons pu entrer en contact avec la population locale, aidée par quelques vodka bien sûr.

Hélène and Stan B.
Nomad's Land
Read the complete review

Nomadsland organized a 5 days 4 nights winter tour from Bishkek to Issyk Kol lake via Chom Keming (horse riding), Jyrgalan (snow shoeing), Karakol (museums) and Bokanbaevo (fairy canyon, 7 bulls, eagle hunting), then back to Bishkek. Nikita, our guide, picked us up from the airport and drove us round the snowy roads in his excellent v8 4wd.

Nick Read the complete review

4 Day Hike through Archa Tor pass It’s my first trip to Kyrgyzstan! My wife and I are independent travelers and prefer the solitude of traveling without guide or porters. I found Aibek Nomad's Land online as we were on a short 5 day trip, 3 or which were full day hikes so transport to and from the exact start and end points were essential.

Marc James Read the complete review

Private travel, made personal

Plan this private tour

Tell us your dates, group and travel preferences. Our team will shape the details with you.

Your quotation depends on dates, party size, transport, guide needs and overnight arrangements. Agree inclusions and requested changes with the team. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.