Jailoo Hopping to the Son-Kul lake (3 days)

• Category: Horseback riding
• Duration: 3 days
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate
• Best season: late June – mid-September
• Accommodation & meals: 2 nights in yurt camp, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts.
• Start and end point: Kochkor
• Group size: from 3 to 12
• Requirements: trekking boots, weatherproof warm clothing, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

The jailoos are the pastures where Kyrgyz shepherds tend their flocks in the summer, and Son-Kul is the jewel of the jailoos, a stunning 270 km2 of sparkling water at 3016 m, surrounded by 3700 m mountains on all sides. For the fullest jailoo experience, approach the lake via the mountains enclosing the western end of Kochkor Valley, moving from jailoo to jailoo and staying with shepherd families in remote meadows far off the beaten path. Enjoy homemade jam, fresh cream, bread still warm from the oven, and the best kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) around.

DAY 1

Today after briefing in Kochkor CBT office, you will be meeting with your team, and transfer from Kochkor to Kyzart pass. Arrival at Kyzart pass and start the tour. Within sight of the road, cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3 061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley and eat a tasty lunch by the racing river, with views of holy 4400 m Baba-Ata Mountain. Sated, ford the river and follow the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak (shyrdak is a Kyrgyz felt carpet). Dine and sleep in a yurt, naturally.

DAY 2

After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), over the Song-Kol Mountains and into the lake’s basin. The morning climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo, and the pass itself is rocky and exciting. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you traipse down the slopes, it gets larger and larger; the mountains on the other side get higher and higher, until finally the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it. After delicious lunch at Jaman Echki, transfer the lakeshore east to the yurt at Batai-Aral. Upon arrival meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and overnight are in a yurt of shepherds.

DAY 3

Last breakfast in Song-Kol Jailoo and leave  to Kyzart village via Tuz-Ashuu Pass. The pass opens you spectacular panoramic view to Jumgal valley and behind the Song-Kol valley. Say “Goodbye Song-Kol” and ride down to the village where your lunch will be waiting for you in family home stay. After lunch transfer for Kochkor village. End of the tour.