If you’re planning to go horseback riding to Song Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, figuring out what to pack can be a little confusing.

You’re spending several days in the mountains, sleeping in yurts, riding a horse for around five hours a day, and dealing with weather that can change quickly. At the same time, you don’t want to bring a huge backpack full of things you won’t actually use.

I did a 3-day, 2-night horseback riding trip to Song Kul Lake in the summer, and there are definitely a few things I was very glad I packed—and a few things I realized I didn’t need.

The biggest thing I would tell you is pack light, but don’t skimp on warm clothing.

Song Kul is over 3,000 meters above sea level, and even during the summer, temperatures can drop close to freezing at night. Mountain weather can also change quickly, so having layers and something waterproof or windproof is important.

Here’s exactly what I recommend packing for a Song Kul horse trek.

Additionally, check out my article about what I wish I knew before the trek here

Song Kul Horse Trek Packing List: Quick Facts

Trip length: 3 days, 2 nights
Horseback riding: Approximately 5 hours per day
Accommodation: Yurt camps
Showers: Limited or unavailable
Electricity: Very limited or unreliable
Cell service: Limited
Altitude: Approximately 3,016 meters
Best time to go: Generally June through September
Main packing priority: Warm layers + comfortable riding clothes + minimal luggage

1. Warm Jacket

This is probably the most important thing on my packing list.

Do not assume that because you’re going to Song Kul in the summer, you won’t need a warm jacket.

I visited during the summer and was absolutely freezing at our first yurt camp and around the lake.

At one point, I was wearing four layers, leggings, pants and socks—and I was still cold.

Song Kul sits at around 3,000 meters, so temperatures can drop dramatically at night even during the summer months.

I would bring a warm, packable jacket that you can easily throw into your bag during the warmer parts of the day.

2. Windbreaker or Waterproof Shell

A warm jacket is great, but I would also bring a windproof or waterproof outer layer.

The wind was one of the things that made the cold feel so much worse when I was riding.

You can be sitting on a horse for hours with nothing protecting you from the wind, so having an outer layer that blocks it makes a huge difference.

Mountain weather can also change quickly, so a waterproof shell is useful if you get caught in rain. Current Song Kul packing recommendations consistently recommend a waterproof or windproof outer layer.

3. Multiple Layers

Instead of packing one extremely heavy jacket, I recommend bringing several layers that you can add or remove throughout the day.

My ideal combination would be:

• T-shirt or lightweight base layer

• Long-sleeve shirt

• Fleece or warm mid-layer

• Warm jacket

• Windbreaker or waterproof shell

The temperature can feel completely different depending on whether you’re riding in the sun, sitting around camp or dealing with wind.

Layers are your friend on a Song Kul horse trek.

4. Long Pants for Riding

You’re going to be spending hours sitting on a horse, so your choice of pants actually matters.

I recommend comfortable long pants that allow you to move easily.

Hiking pants, leggings or other flexible pants can work well. Some current packing guides also recommend padded shorts or seamless base layers to help with saddle soreness.

Personally, I would avoid anything that is extremely stiff or uncomfortable around your waist.

And definitely bring long pants rather than shorts.

Not only will they be more comfortable while riding, but they also give you some protection from the sun, dust and saddle rubbing.

5. Comfortable Underwear

This sounds obvious, but when you’re riding for five hours a day, comfortable underwear becomes much more important.

You don’t need a completely different outfit for every day, but I would bring enough underwear to stay comfortable throughout the trip.

Quick-drying or moisture-wicking underwear is ideal if you have it.

And remember: there aren’t normal showers along the trek.

Everyone in my group essentially wore the same clothes throughout the trip, and by the end, everything smelled like horses anyway.

So don’t waste half your bag packing a new outfit for every day.

6. Warm Socks

Bring several pairs of warm socks, if they are high socks even better to protect your calves from the stirrups if you are not wearing boots.

I would also keep one completely dry pair specifically for sleeping.

There is nothing better than putting on a clean, dry pair of socks at the end of a long day of horseback riding.

And when it’s cold at night, warm socks make a surprisingly big difference.

7. Gloves

I strongly recommend bringing gloves.

They’re useful for keeping your hands warm in the morning and evening, but they can also make riding more comfortable.

You’ll be holding the reins for hours, so a lightweight pair of gloves can help protect your hands and give you a little extra grip.

If you have riding gloves already, great. If not, even a simple lightweight pair is better than nothing.

8. Hat or Beanie

Bring a warm hat or beanie.

Again, this is one of those things you might look at when packing for a summer trip and think, Do I really need that?

Yes.

At 3,000+ meters, evenings can get very cold, and you’ll be glad you have something warm for your head.

A hat also takes up almost no room in your bag.

9. Sun Hat

I would actually bring both a warm hat and a sun hat.

You’re spending hours outside at high altitude, and there isn’t much shade when you’re riding through the mountains.

A baseball cap or lightweight hiking hat works perfectly well. Just make sure it is tight so it does not fall off while you are riding.

10. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are another must-have.

You’ll be outside for most of the day, and the sun can feel surprisingly strong at altitude.

Plus, sunglasses can help protect your eyes from dust kicked up by the horses in front of you.

11. Sunscreen

Do not forget sunscreen.

You’re spending hours outside every day and getting more UV exposure at altitude.

I’d bring a small bottle that you can easily access during the day rather than burying it in your main luggage.

And remember to apply it to areas you might not normally think about, like your ears and the back of your neck.

12. A Buff or Neck Gaiter

This is one of those optional items that I think is actually really useful.

A buff can be used to:

• Protect your neck from the sun

• Keep your face warm when it’s windy

• Cover your mouth when the horses ahead of you kick up dust

• Keep your hair back

It’s tiny, lightweight and takes up almost no room in your bag.

13. Comfortable Shoes

You don’t necessarily need huge hiking boots for the entire trip.

You’ll be spending most of your time on horseback, but you will also be walking around the yurt camps and getting on and off your horse.

I would bring comfortable, sturdy shoes that you can walk in for a few kilometers.

Some current Song Kul guides recommend sturdy boots with a small heel for riding, while others find comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners sufficient. What you need will depend somewhat on your tour and the type of horse tack they use.

The important thing is that your shoes are comfortable, secure and suitable for uneven ground.

14. A Small Backpack or Daypack

You don’t need to carry your entire travel backpack with you on this tour.

Many Song Kul tours will not let you bring a bag that weighs more than 6kg with you on the trek. This pack will not be accessible during riding but you can access it at each stop and when arriving at the yurt camps.

Just make sure everything is securely zipped inside.

I saw people lose things along the trail because they had them in open pockets, including hats, phones and jackets.

15. Power Bank

A power bank is one of the things I would consider essential.

There were outlets at our yurt camp, but none of them worked when we were there.

You’re going to be taking photos, using your phone and potentially using it for maps, so don’t assume you’ll be able to charge it every night.

Other Song Kul trekkers report the same issue, with charging being limited or unreliable at the camps.

Charge your power bank before you leave and keep your phone on low-power mode when you don’t need it.

16. Headlamp or Small Flashlight

A headlamp is another small item that takes up almost no space but can be incredibly useful.

Yurts can get very dark at night, and you don’t want to be trying to find your phone flashlight every time you need to get up.

It’s also useful if you need to walk to the bathroom at night.

Current Song Kul packing lists consistently recommend bringing a headlamp or flashlight.

17. Reusable Water Bottle

Bring a reusable water bottle that you can refill.

You’ll be outside and riding for several hours a day, so staying hydrated is important.

I would aim for at least 1 liter of carrying capacity, although your exact water needs will depend on the route and what your tour provides.

Ask your tour operator beforehand where your drinking water will come from and whether you’ll be able to refill along the route.

18. Basic Toiletries

Don’t bring your entire bathroom cabinet.

You really don’t need it.

I’d stick to the basics:

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Wet wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Any personal medication

• Small quick-dry towel

There are no normal showers during the trek, so wet wipes will probably become your best friend.

I would also avoid bringing large bottles of anything.

19. Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

These deserve their own section.

There weren’t normal showers at the camps we stayed at, and you’ll be spending several days riding horses, so having wet wipes makes it much easier to feel somewhat human at the end of the day.

Hand sanitizer is also useful when you’re eating or using basic camp facilities.

Just remember that Song Kul is a beautiful and relatively remote environment. Don’t leave wipes or other rubbish behind.

20. Snacks

Bring a few snacks especially if you have dietary restrictions. Even if the dietary restrictions were mentioned ahead of time, the yurt camps are not always the most careful.

Your tour should provide meals, but you may also want something between meals.

Some easy options:

• Protein bars

• Nuts

• Chocolate

• Dried fruit

• Granola bars

• Candy

There aren’t normal shops around Song Kul Lake, so don’t assume you’ll be able to buy snacks once you arrive.

21. Camera

If you’re into photography, you’re going to want a camera.

Song Kul is incredibly photogenic, and you’ll have opportunities to photograph the mountains, horses, yurts, lake and surrounding landscapes.

But I wouldn’t bring a huge camera setup unless photography is one of your main priorities.

You’re going to be riding for hours, and carrying a bunch of equipment can quickly become annoying.

Your phone is honestly enough for most people.

22. Hair Ties or Braids

If you have long hair, tie it up before you start riding.

I wore my hair in braids and was very glad I did.

Your hair gets dusty, tangled and dry incredibly quickly when you’re riding through the wind for hours.

This takes up basically no room in your bag, so bring a few extra hair ties.

Your future self will thank you..

Do You Need a Sleeping Bag for Song Kul?

This depends on your tour.

Many Song Kul yurt camps provide mattresses and blankets, and some travelers report being comfortable without bringing a sleeping bag. However, conditions and bedding can vary between camps.

For my trip, I would check with the tour operator before bringing a bulky sleeping bag.

If you’re a particularly cold sleeper, a sleeping bag liner can be a much more practical option because it takes up significantly less space.

If you’re traveling during the colder shoulder seasons rather than the middle of summer, I’d be much more inclined to bring additional sleeping insulation.

What to Wear While Horseback Riding to Song Kul

If I were doing the trip again, my basic riding outfit would be:

Top:

• T-shirt or base layer

• Long-sleeve layer

• Fleece if needed

• Windbreaker or jacket

Bottom:

• Comfortable long pants

• Comfortable underwear

Feet:

• Warm socks

• Sturdy shoes or boots

Extras:

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Hat

• Gloves

• Buff

The goal isn’t to look cute.

The goal is to be comfortable for five hours on a horse while dealing with wind, dust, sun and changing temperatures.

Trust me.

My Actual Song Kul Packing Priorities

If you don’t want to read through a huge packing list, these are the things I would prioritize above everything else:

Must-have

• Warm jacket

• Windbreaker/waterproof shell

• Multiple layers

• Comfortable long pants

• Warm socks

• Gloves

• Hat/beanie

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Comfortable shoes

• Power bank

• Water bottle

• Headlamp

• Basic toiletries

• Phone with offline maps

• Personal medications

Very useful

• Buff

• Snacks

• Wet wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Small daypack

• Camera

• Hair ties

• Sleeping bag liner

Probably don’t need

• Lots of clothes

• Multiple pairs of shoes

• Formal clothes

• Large toiletries

• Heavy electronics

• Anything you wouldn’t normally use outdoors

Final Song Kul Packing Advice

The biggest lesson I learned from my Song Kul horse trek is that you need to pack for the mountains, not for summer.

I went in the summer expecting relatively warm weather and ended up wearing four layers and still being cold.

At the same time, you don’t want to bring a huge bag because you’ll be spending hours on horseback and most of what you pack probably won’t get used.

Pack light. Pack layers. Bring warm clothes. Protect yourself from the sun and wind. And make sure anything you’re carrying while riding is securely packed away.

The Song Kul horse trek is one of those trips where being prepared makes the experience so much better.

You don’t need fancy gear or a huge amount of equipment. You just need the right basics—and after spending three days riding through the mountains, sleeping in yurts and arriving at Song Kul Lake, you’ll probably realize you didn’t need half the things you thought you did.

And don’t forget the most important thing:

Your clothes are probably going to smell like horses by the end anyway.