Horse Trek to Kel Suu Lake
The Horse Trek to Kel-Suu Lake is an extraordinary journey through Kyrgyzstan’s rugged beauty, perfect for adventurers seeking an authentic immersion in Central Asia’s stunning landscapes and nomadic heritage. Nestled high in the Tian Shan mountains, Kel-Suu Lake is an alpine marvel, renowned for its ethereal turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and serene atmosphere. This remote region is ideal for exploring untouched terrain, with paths winding through high mountain passes and lush valleys.
This trek offers a unique opportunity to observe some of Kyrgyzstan’s rare wildlife, including the iconic Marco Polo sheep and wild mountain goats. These majestic animals roam the rugged terrain surrounding Kel-Suu, allowing you to experience the pristine ecosystems of the Tian Shan mountains up close. Alongside breathtaking scenery and thrilling wildlife encounters, you’ll stay in traditional yurt camps, where you can connect with local herders, experience Kyrgyz hospitality, and learn about the rich customs of the Kyrgyz people.
This unforgettable adventure blends the thrill of horseback travel with the rich cultural traditions of Kyrgyzstan. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an experienced trekker, skilled guides and well-trained horses ensure a safe, comfortable, and deeply memorable journey, leaving you with lasting impressions of this remarkable region.
Destination: Naryn region, Kel-Suu Lake
Travel Style: horse trek
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Riding distance: 74 km
Service Level: Standard
Physical Rating: Moderate to Demanding depending on physical fitness
Max elevation: 3928 m
Min elevation: 2300 m
Total Gain/Loss:
Season: July to mid-September
Start / End: Bishkek city
Itinerary: Bishkek city – Naryn city – Kel Suu Lake – Naryn city – Bishkek
Horse Trek Map:
Day 1: Bishkek to Naryn
Driving distance/time: 315 km / 6 hours, Accommodation: Homestay
Depart Bishkek after breakfast and head toward Naryn, passing through scenic valleys and bustling small towns. On the way, we stop at the **Burana Tower**, a minaret from the 12th century with panoramic views of the Chuy Valley and remnants of the Karakhanid civilization. You can explore the on-site open-air museum, which displays ancient **balbals** (stone warrior statues) and petroglyphs.
The journey continues along a picturesque section of the **Great Silk Road**, now used as a trade route between Kyrgyzstan and China, offering a glimpse of the region’s economic pulse with trucks hauling goods. As we travel through quaint villages, you’ll witness everyday rural life—villagers tending to livestock and children playing along the roadside. Arrive in Naryn by late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy a warm welcome at a cozy homestay. After dinner, take a short stroll through the town to get a feel for its local charm.
Day 2: Naryn to Kok-Kiya Valley via Bosogo Pass
Driving distance/time: 140 km, 3 hours, Accommodation: Yurt camp
After an hour drive from Naryn, we take a scenic ascent over the switchbacks of **Bosogo Pass**. The landscape unfolds into the vast **Ak-Sai Valley, flanked by snow-capped peaks and dotted with summer nomadic yurts. We drive about 3-hours in this valley. Arrival at our yurt camp. Lunch will be served at our camp, followed by some time to relax. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle hike to nearby hills for panoramic views of the valley, where yaks and sheep graze peacefully. Don’t forget your camera—this is a perfect opportunity for wildlife photography and capturing authentic moments of nomadic life.
Day 3: Kok-Kiya Valley to Lush Valley via Sazduu Pass
Riding distance/time: 13 km/ 5-6 hours, Ascent/Decent: 514 m / 414 m, Accommodation: Tents
After breakfast, meet your horse and receive a short riding briefing from the guide. We ride into the small valley following a trail that crosses rivers and winds through high meadows. The ascent to Sazduu Pass (3,770 meters) offers a thrilling bird’s-eye view of the surrounding snowy mountains. Keep your binoculars ready—we often encounter **Marco Polo sheep** or **ibexes** grazing near the pass. Descend into a lush Ak Sai Uru Valley where clear streams wind between grassy slopes, home to more wild goats and sheep. We set up camp near the river. You will have a chance to learn how to prepare simple meals with your guides in this beautiful wilderness setting
Day 4: Through the Car Pass to Towering Peaks
Riding distance/time: 18 km / 6 hours, Ascent/Decent: 470 m / 488 m, Accommodation: Tent camp
Continue your journey deeper into the wilderness, crossing a second mountain pass named Car Pass at 3,791 meters. From the summit, take in sweeping views of the remote mountain range beyond—untouched nature at its best. Descend along narrow paths through a valley, where the sound of horse hooves is the only thing that breaks the silence. We cross a river and ascend gently towards Eshek Tor Pass at the foot of a snow-capped peak that looms majestically over our route. Watch for grazing yaks, sheep, and goats along the hillsides. As we arrive at our camping spot, enjoy some time to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings before nightfall. Overnight in a tent.
Day 5: Kel Suu Lake and Return to Naryn
Riding distance/time: 12 km / 3 hours by horse, Driving distance/time: 140 km, 3 hours, Ascent/Decent: 180 m / 261 m
Accommodation: Homestay
After breakfast, mount your horse and set off toward the hidden gem of Kel Suu Lake. This surreal alpine lake is tucked between dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops. Its emerald waters are a stunning contrast to the jagged gray peaks surrounding it. Spend time walking along the lake’s shores, taking photos, and soaking in the magical atmosphere. Return to the yurt camp for a farewell lunch before driving back to Naryn. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore the town or visit local markets. Overnight in a welcoming homestay with a hearty dinner.
Day 6: Naryn to Bishkek
Driving distance/time: 315 km / 5 hours
After breakfast, we set off for the drive back to Bishkek. Along the way, we stop at scenic spots for breaks and photos. Arrive in Bishkek by early afternoon, where you’ll have time to relax at your hotel or explore the city at your leisure. **Optional farewell dinner** at a local restaurant can be arranged to celebrate the completion of your adventure.
Price in USD:
| number of people | 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6 | 7-8 |
| price per person | 2200 | 1380 | 1150 | 1000 | 940 | 870 |
Included:
– Transport from/to Bishkek
– English-speaking guide
– Yurt stay 2 nights
– Homestay in Naryn City 2 nights
– Horses
– Horseman
– Meals: B, L, D
– Meals of personal
– Equipment: Tent, mats, gas, cooking dish
– Border permit
Not included:
– Meals and hotels in Bishkek city before and after the tour,
– Alcoholic drinks
– Services out of the program
– Tips
– Bottled water
– Insurance
– Sleeping bags
– Helmet
*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.
Join the following groups for summer 2024
(If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us, we will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you)
Horse Trek to Kel Suu Lake Photo Gallery
Practical Information for Horse Trek to Kel Suu Lake
The following section provides both practical travel information and specific details for horse trekking to Kel Suu Lake.
Sleeping in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt is a highlight for many travelers. One yurt usually sleeps 5-6 people and you will sleep on mats on the ground with blankets piled on top. Toilets are outside, so be sure to have a headlamp with you to navigate there at night.
Most of the meals on this tour are home-cooked and provided by a yurt camp, homestay or guesthouse. These traditional Kyrgyz meals usually include some sort of meat (often beef) served with potatoes, rice, or home-made noodles. Fresh bread rounds are also a must at every meal and you’ll often find homemade jams and traditional sour cream to go with this.
Yurt stays is able to cook vegetarian food. You should inform the company and guide in advance. In general, let us know if you have any specific preferences about food.
There are clean mountain springs along the trail where we can refill water bottles. You can take cleaning powders as well to clean river/spring waters. Yurt stays will provide boiled water if needed. Drink as much water as possible to avoid dehydration
The trail terrain has ups and downs and and has steep slopes with scree while getting over the Bogoshtu Pass on day three. And the trail on other days are flat. So, you will be asked to get off the horse and walk the pass. The walking will be about 30 minutes. Your guide will remind you. Some skilled riders can go over these difficult parts without getting off.
You always have a guide and horsemen at this trek. Guides will provide you with all the necessary information and be with you to make sure everything is OK and safe. All the guides speak good English and little bit of Russian. They have at least three year’s guiding experience.
The best season for this trek is from July to mid September. It gets + 10 to 20 at night during the best season. We also run this trek even in early June and late September with some snow on the high passes. The weather changes frequently on the high passes and gets windy so make sure to keep your bellies and stomach warm while crossing the high passes not get cold to your stomach. If you do get a cold, then you will have digestion issues.
We ask all to leave all the unnecessary luggage in Bishkek or Naryn city at our office and take the items needed for trek. You can take two bags: small day backpack carried by you where you put your bottled water, wallet and other personals items and a bigger backpack carried by luggage horses where you can put your clothes, pants, sleeping bag and other items. The bigger backpacks carried by horse should weigh 10 to 15 kilos. Horses have special bags designed for the trek. Each horse carries about 60 to 70 kilos.
Some of the clients come from a low land countries. Sleeping at 2600 meters high might cause some headache issues. You should judge your health. Otherwise, the first and second nights are at 2500 meters. High altitude sickness usually happen above 3000 meter elevations. Third night is at 3000 meters, so your nights at 2000 meters on day 1 and 2 will get you used to this elevation.
Yurtstays have blankets to cover up at night. However, having your own sleeping bag is handy. You can rent from us if you don’t have one.
Recommended packing list for the trek:
• Warm clothes and layers as it gets warm during the day, but can go below freezing at night and when it rains
• Good trekking shoes • Day pack to carry camera, water, sunscreen, etc.
• Sun protection as the sun is very strong at altitude: Sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 30 or above), and a sun hat /cap
• Water and windproof jacket and pants. It gets especially windy on the mountain passes
• Walking sticks are recommended (we can provide them if you don’t have them)
• Medical kit for treating blisters, traveler’s diarrhea and other minor illnesses.
• Water purification tablets or drops if you want to clean the spring water
• Refillable water bottle • Lip balm: your lips get chapped very easily in the mountains
• Wet wipes and/or anti-bacterial gel to clean hands
• Hat and gloves to wear at night for warmth
• Head lamp to navigate campsite and yurt camps at night
• Warm sleeping bag (we provide you with this if you don’t have one). Yurts and homestays provide blankets.
It is located in the At-Bashi District of Naryn Province of southeastern Kyrgyzstan close to the Chinese border. The mountains surrounding the lake is part of the Kakshaal Mountains of the Tian Shan Range.
Weather changes frequently in May, June, and September. The best months with less rain are July and August.
Well, there is no public transport. You can arrange private transport either from Bishkek or Naryn city. Arranging from Naryn city can be cheaper than doing from Bishkek. You can reach Naryn city from Bishkek by shared taxi or public bus.
If you are planning to drive your own car to Kel Suu Lake, then it is possible. You can drive up the yurt camp. It is about 8-9 hours drive from Bishkek to the yurt camp. Next day you can either take a short hike or ride a horse to the lake from the yurt camp. The hike is about 2 hours and horse trek is about 1 hour. We highly recommend not to drive to the foot of the lake since there is mud 1 km before the lake where usually self-drivers get stuck. Just enjoy doing it on foot or on horseback since the valley is scenic to do it. Also, know that the yurt camp have horses to rent and they offer a horseman, too, go go along with you.
It is about 185 km from the center of the city on the shore of the lake.
You drive on a paved road from Bishkek to Ak Muz village where unpaved gravel road starts all the way to the yurt camp. It is still possible to drive from yurt camp to the foot of the lake, 1 km before the lake, but not recommended since there is a mud on the way. The road is bumpy and rough. Good driving skills are required.
You will be stopped and checked for a border zone permit on the way by two military officials. You can issue your permit through local tourist offices in Naryn city or through Bishkek-based agencies in the capital. It is a Must Take Paper, so don’t ignore it.