Trekking

3-Day Son-Kul Trekking & Yurt Stay

POPULAR
Duration 3 days
Difficulty Easy
Max Altitude 3,016 m
Season June – Sep
Group Size 2–10
Starts Bishkek / Kochkor

Overview

Son-Kul is a high-altitude lake at 3,016m, reached by a winding mountain road from the town of Kochkor. The plateau surrounding it is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Central Asia — vast grasslands, wild horses, nomad yurt camps, and silence broken only by wind and birdsong.

This three-day trip is the ideal introduction to both trekking and nomadic culture in Kyrgyzstan. The walking is gentle — the plateau itself is relatively flat — making it perfect for beginners or anyone who wants the mountain experience without technical difficulty. The cultural immersion is exceptional: you stay in working nomad yurt camps, eat with local families, and can try kumiss (fermented mare's milk), participate in felt-making, or simply walk among the wild horses.

Itinerary

Drive via Kochkor village (2h from Bishkek). Ascend to Son-Kul plateau. Check into nomad yurt camp. Afternoon walk along the lakeshore. Sunset over the water with wild horses grazing nearby.

Full day trekking around the lake — 12–15km at gentle gradient. Visit a nomad family, try kumiss. Optional horse ride. Photography of the extraordinary plateau landscape.

Morning sunrise on the plateau. Breakfast in the yurt. Descend to Kochkor. Transfer back to Bishkek or Karakol.

What's Included

Included

  • Guide (trekking & cultural)
  • Traditional yurt accommodation (2 nights)
  • All meals (full board)
  • Transfer Bishkek/Kochkor–Son-Kul–return
  • Park entry permit

Not Included

  • Personal gear & clothing
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Horse riding (available at extra cost)

Route Map

Interactive route map — Phase D