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. The route traverses remote Jumgal rayon, and reaches Son-Kul via Jalgyz-Karagai (Lonely Fir) pass on the north shore.
Day 1: After breakfast at Kochkor home stay head towards the west on the Kochkor — Jumgal road. Arrive at the Kyzart Pass, where your guide team welcomes you with horses waiting for you. Start your horseback tour with crossing the 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. Cross 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. Horse time: 5 hours
Day 2: After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), over the Son-Kul Mountains and into the lake’s basin. The morning climb offers 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 lunch at Jaman Echki, follow the lakeshore west to the yurt at Tuz-Ashuu. Upon arrival, meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and overnight are in a yurt of shepherds. Horse time: 5 hours.
Day 3: After breakfast take a horse to the west part of the lake along the lake shore. This day you will check your horseback riding skills on the Son-Kul flat open valley. Upon your arrival lunch time in Tulpar- Tash jailoo, after lunchtime you can rest and participate in the shepherd’s everyday life. Dinner and overnight in Tulpar-Tash yurt. Horse time is 4-5 hours.
Day 4: After breakfast at Tulpar-Tash leave Son Kul to Kyzart village via Uzbek Pass. The pass opens you spectacular panoramic view to all of Son Kul valley. Say “Goodbye Son Kul” and ride down to the village where your lunch will be waiting for you in the family home stay. After lunch transfer to Kochkor or Kyzyl-Oi. Accommodation and dinner in the home stay. Horse time is 4 hours, Kyzart – Kochkor or Kyzart-Kyzyl-Oi is 2 hours drive.
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