Son Kol Lake Tour: 2-Day Horseback Riding & Yurt Stay

You sleep in a yurt on a mountain lake and ride horses through pastures the next morning.

A 2-day tour from Bishkek to Son Kol lake combines horseback riding across alpine meadows, an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, and stops at Burana Tower and Konorchek canyon. The route climbs to 3,000 meters and includes an English-speaking guide, all meals, accommodation, and hotel pickup. Morning of day two offers free time for walking or swimming before the descent back to Bishkek.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek to Son Kol lake journey

• Pickup from hotel in Bishkek
• Drive to Tokmok town
• Visit Burana Tower and museum
• Drive to Konorchek canyon
• Hike in Konorchek canyon
• Have lunch on the way
• Drive through mountain passes to Son Kol lake
• Explore lake and green pastures
• Horseback riding on alpine meadows
• Dinner at yurt camp
• Bonfire and stargazing
• Overnight in yurts

Day 2: Explore Son Kol and return to Bishkek

• Breakfast at yurt camp
• Free time for walking and swimming
• Drive down mountain passes
• Lunch in Kochkor town
• Stop at Orto Tokoi reservoir
• Drive to Bishkek
• Drop off at hotel in Bishkek

The experience

The route starts with a 4-hour drive from Bishkek through mountain scenery to Son Kol. On the way, you stop at Tokmok town to climb Burana Tower, an 11th-century structure where you spend about 30 minutes taking in views from the top, walking among balbals (ancient gravestones with carved figures), and visiting the archaeology museum. After that, the road leads to Konorchek canyon for a light hike with views before lunch on the way.

Arrival at Son Kol happens in the afternoon through serpentine mountain passes. You explore the lake and its green pastures on horseback, riding across the alpine meadows before dinner and a bonfire with stargazing. Sleep comes in a yurt, the traditional Kyrgyz dwelling used throughout the region. The second morning starts with breakfast and free time to walk around the lake or swim if the season allows, followed by a gradual descent back through the mountain passes.

The return journey includes lunch in Kochkor town and a stop at Orto Tokoi reservoir, a turquoise body of water visible from the road. Hotel drop-off in Bishkek marks the end of the tour. An English-speaking guide travels with the group the entire time, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles all transport between stops.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for both days.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transport.
• hotel pickup in Bishkek on day one and drop-off on day two.
• breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• one night accommodation in a yurt at Son Kol.
• horseback riding on the alpine meadows.
• admission to Burana Tower and the archaeology museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ventura Tours Central Asia

Is this one for you?Small groups work well here because the yurt camp and horseback riding operate on a shared-group basis, and the 2-day structure lets you experience the high-altitude lake without committing to a longer trek or expedition.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Bishkek to Son Kol lake?

The drive takes about 4 hours, with stops at Burana Tower and Konorchek canyon along the way, so the full first day includes travel, two major stops, and arrival at the lake in the afternoon.

What is Burana Tower and how much time do you spend there?

Burana Tower is an 11th-century watching tower in Tokmok town, about 80 kilometers from Bishkek. You spend roughly 30 minutes climbing to the top for views, walking around the site to see balbals (ancient carved gravestones), and visiting the archaeology museum before continuing to the canyon.

Can you swim in Son Kol lake during the tour?

Swimming is possible during the summer season. The second morning includes free time to walk around the lake or swim before the group begins the descent back to Bishkek.

What kind of accommodation is provided overnight?

You sleep in a yurt, a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling used by herders in the highlands. The yurt camp is located at Son Kol lake at 3,000 meters elevation.

Is horseback riding experience required for this tour?

No prior experience is needed. The tour includes horseback riding on the alpine meadows around Son Kol, and the itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the high altitude.

What meals are included in the 2-day tour?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day. Lunch on day one is eaten on the road during travel, and lunch on day two is in Kochkor town on the return journey.