The best of Kyrgyzstan in 8 days: Issyk-Kul and the yurts of Song-Kul
Bishkek → Issyk-Kul → Karakol → Song-Kul
Price on requestView tour
Life on the jailoo · Kyrgyzstan
Song-Kul
A high alpine lake where herders move their yurts every summer.
Song-Kul is a high alpine lake at roughly 3,000 m, surrounded by grassy pastures and mountains. From June to September, herding families move here with their horses, sheep and yurts, and some open their camps to visitors.
A night or two at Song-Kul, with horse riding, felt-making demonstrations, simple meals and a sky full of stars, is for many people the highlight of Kyrgyzstan.
- Time needed
- 1–2 nights
- Best time
- Mid-June to mid-September
- Getting there
- About 5–6 hours from Bishkek by road, the last part on unpaved mountain tracks; or on horseback from Kochkor.
Don’t miss
Highlights
- 01
Yurt camps
Sleep in a herder family’s yurt by the lake.
- 02
Horse riding
Ride across the pastures with a local guide.
- 03
Stargazing
Very little light pollution at this altitude.
- 04
Felt-making
Watch shyrdak carpets being made.
Tours
Tours that include Song-Kul
Nearby
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