Song-Kul Circle
Duration_5 days
Route_Song-Kul Lake
Accomodation_mixed
Type_horseback
Recommended_May to September
Min. Number of People_2
Embark on a 10-day trekking experience through the breathtaking Tien Shan Mountains, from the Shamshy Nature Sanctuary, home to diverse alpine wildlife, to the basin of Song-Köl Lake nestled amidst the imposing peaks of the Songköl Too and Moldo Too mountains, with summits soaring well above 4000 meters. This immersive camping trail takes you through hidden valleys, river basins, and open meadows in the foothills of the Tien Shan, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural treasures and natural beauty Central Asia's mountain regions have to offer.
Throughout the expedition, nights are usually spent in a large communal tent provided by our team and sometimes in the yurt camp of local families of shepherds living in close proximity to nature. Of course, you'll have the choice to bring your gear.
Upon request, our team can provide presentations by our expert on the local flora and fauna, showcasing the species found in the area. You'll develop a keen eye for the subtle traces of life that intertwine with your path and discover the art of identifying species encountered, gaining insights into their unique characteristics and understanding the captivating world of animal behaviour that unfolds around you. The Shamshy Wildlife Range, sprawling across nearly 200 square kilometres, shelters an array of iconic Central Asian fauna, including the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), the argali sheep (Ovis ammon), the Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus) and even a small population of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) along with large birds of prey like the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and more than 10 more species of vultures and eagles.
Furthermore, with an anthropologist on the team, you'll have the chance to delve deep into the nomadic history and way of life to develop a profound appreciation for this alternative take on existence, and build out a good general understanding of how our ancestors organised their everydays in the past.
The itineraries can be adjusted individually to fit your schedule and provide you with the best experience. Furthermore, we are happy to create tailor-made tours according to your wishes.
day_1
Bishkek to Kyzart
Your guide will meet you at a given location in Bishkek and you'll be transported to Kyzart village. You’ll have lunch in Kochkor, a town near Kyzart the end destination of this first day. In Kyzart, you can immerse yourself in local life, check out the traditional market, maybe buy some souvenirs and appreciate what a town among huge mountains and a desert valley looks like in Kyrgyzstan. The fascinating atmosphere will catch you. After lunch and looking around in Kochkor, you’ll be transported to Kyzart village, where you’ll spend the night in a guesthouse and can enjoy the authentic local cousine of a local family.
day_4
Riding around Song-Kul #2
After breakfast, we head back towards the Sonkol-Too mountains on the northern side of the lake and arrive back at the yurt camp we stayed at a day before.
day_2
Reaching Song-Kul
After having breakfast and saddling the horses, you’ll start your day by riding into the Sonkol too mountain range. You’ll be crossing mountain streams and encounter sheep, cattle and horses grazing in the alpine mountainsides along the way. Making it to the pass on the steep rocky terrain after five hours of riding, you’ll have a chance to look around and appreciate the many colors of the Central Tien Shan range. As we make our way down the slopes on the other side, Song-Kol gradually reveals its splendour. Closing in, the towering mountains on the far side of the lake—the peaks of Moldo Too (4185 m)—rise higher and higher. Getting down to the basin, the lake fills our field of view. Reaching a yurt camp, we’ll spend the night there. These yurts have small wood-burning stoves and comfortable beds, which can help you to rest the day behind you.
day_5
Heading Home
After having breakfast in the yurt and maybe going on a morning walk as the first rays of the sun hit the surrounding hills, we saddle the horses and start our way back to Kyzart village. This is our last day of trekking before leaving our “nomadic lifeway” behind. In Kyzart village you’ll have the choice to be transported back to Bishkek the same day or spend one more night at the local guesthouse and have a chance to play with children on the village roads. By the time of breakfast, you’ll be transported back to Bishkek to your hotel or guesthouse.
day_3
Riding around Song-Kul #1
Today we’ll have a long ride from the yurt camp to reach the foothills of the Moldo-Too mountains situated on the other side of the lake. We’ll sleep under these peaks that night in a tent, but we can also organise a stay at a local shepherd's yurt.
Song-Kul
Song Kul is a magnificent high alpine lake located at an altitude of 3016 meters. It is the country's second-largest lake, covering an area of 270 square kilometres. Surrounded by the central Tian Shan mountains - the Moldo too range on the southern side and the Sonkul too range on the northern side - the lake is nourished by over 20 rivers. The absence of trees in the valley allows for the presence of lush extensive grasslands that provide ample grazing for livestock.
The Song Kul region boasts rich biodiversity, with around 70 species of birds nesting along its shores. The lake's unique ecological value led to its designation as a Wetland of International Importance and the establishment of the Karatal-Japyryk Nature Reserve to protect its delicate ecosystem.
Caspian plover birds form loose colonies during the breeding season (spring to early summer) and lay their eggs in nests situated on the bare ground or in little holes of the shore “humps”. They feed by foraging on the ground, searching for insects, snails, other small prey, and seeds.
The climate around Song Kul is characterized by cold temperatures, with average lows of -20 °C in January and highs of 11 °C in July. The basin receives an average annual precipitation of 300-400 mm from April to October and 100-150 mm from November to March.
The lake is frozen during winter, with ice thickness reaching up to 1.2 meters, and it starts to thaw in April.
The area surrounding Song Kul carries historical significance with signs of nomadic life from ancient times. Petroglyphs, round stone settings, and various burial mounds can be found in its valleys.
Overnights?
Accommodation during the tour will vary between guesthouses, yurt camps, and tents. The detailed description for each day will specify the type of accommodation. If you prefer, you can bring your own tents and sleeping bags, but we are also able to provide them for you. We can also provide inflatable mats for an extra price. Please let us know in advance if you have any special accommodation needs.
Water?
While trekking, the importance of water cannot be overstated. We provide boiled water or tea/coffee during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but please note that the availability of boiled water is limited and may not be sufficient for refilling your bottles for the next day. Fortunately, we’ll find running streams in the mountains. They have a low risk of carrying pathogens and contain fewer particulate materials compared to stagnant water. Natural springs are the best option for refilling water as they act as natural filters. Locals and tourists drink water directly from the source without issues, but if you are uncertain, bring water purification tablets from your home country as they have limited availability in Kyrgyzstan.
Book and pay?
Contact us and let us know your preferred dates using the form below. We offer flexible scheduling options and can customize the itineraries to suit your needs and preferences. Additionally, we are delighted to create personalized tours based on your specific requests. Please note that certain tours require a minimum number of participants to proceed (check the description). Once all the details and arrangements have been finalized, we will provide you with an invoice. You can conveniently make the payment through a bank transfer in USD.
Prices differ based on
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group size
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season
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special needs
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custom elements