Song-Kul Horseback Journey
Three days on horseback across the high pastures of Song-Kul Lake
Song-Kul sits at 3,016 meters in the central Tien Shan — a vast alpine lake surrounded by rolling jailoo (summer pastures) where Kyrgyz herders have brought their livestock for centuries.
The Route
Starting from Kyzyl-Oi village, the three-day trek crosses two mountain passes above 3,500m before descending to the lake shore. Yurt camps along the way offer kumys (fermented mare's milk) and beshbarmak — a communal feast that brings herder families together.
This video captures a typical morning departure from camp, with the caravan of horses silhouetted against the endless grassland.