Horseback riding tours
Kyrgyzstan is not only a country of the mountains but also of horses. According to an ancient proverb “horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz”. It takes a significant part in the nomadic culture. This trip will be ideal for horse lovers.
Enjoy the wild and untouched nature and learn about the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz nomads while riding the beautiful Kyrgyz horses.
Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and drive you to the capital.
Standard check-in at hotel after 14:00.
We start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala- Too Square. After we can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys.
After lunch, we will have time to visit the local bazaar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people, and a great variety of goods and colors.
In the evening, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.
Meals included: no meals
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Note: it is highly recommended to book an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.
After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards Burana Tower.
Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. It is close to the city of Tokmok. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Then we head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You can go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After breakfast in the guest house, you start 2-day horse trek to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul with a local horse guide.
You head towards the pastures of Akkytay, around noon you will climb to the point where you will have a panoramic view of the entire valley. You have a picnic there. Horses can rest too.
After lunch you continue the trek. You go towards the Kalmak Ashu pass (3530m).
You install the tents on the foot of the pass. Dinner around the fire and rest in the tents.
Horse riding: 6h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tent
Note: Repack & Take only the things that are necessary for 2 days (sleeping bags, warm clothes, hat, helmets, sunglasses, trekking shoes etc.). Your main luggage (suitcases) is left in the car. You will get them back after trek.
Breakfast in the camp. Then you take our horses and you go down towards Issyk Kul Lake. Picnic on the road. At around 15 hours you reach the point where your trek ends.
You are already in the region of Issyk Kul in Balykchy. Your driver picks you up. Your horse guide returns with his horses to Chon Kemin.
You go to the guesthouse where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and relax a bit on the beach.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Horse riding: 6h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After breakfast, we go towards Grigoriev and Semenov gorges.
They are located on the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake and considered the most famous attractions in the Issyk Kul region. You can take a walk and enjoy the wild nature around you.
When we get to Karakol, we will visit its famous sights, such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.
For dinner, you can order the typical dish of this region ¨ashlan fu¨, Dungan traditional cuisine.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
After breakfast, we go towards Jeti Oguz gorge. The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Along the way, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.
In the village of Bokonbaevo, we offer an optional visit with a local eagle hunter and his bird of prey (optional). Eagle hunting is one of the ancient traditions of nomads.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Optional activities: eagle hunting (80 USD per group). Must be booked in advance.
After breakfast in the guesthouse, transfer by car to the village of Kara Tumshuk (30 min) to start your 2-day horse riding journey towards Ashuu-Tor jailoo.
Stop for a picnic lunch along the way.
In the afternoon, enjoy stunning sunset views of Issyk-Kul Lake. Then you continue to Jazuu Kechuu jailoo, where you spend the night in tents.
Horse riding: 15 km, 7h, +1695 m, -580 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tent
Note: Repack & Take only the things that are necessary for 2 days (sleeping bags, warm clothes, hat, helmets, sunglasses, trekking shoes etc.). Your main luggage (suitcases) is left in the car. You will get them back after trek.
After breakfast, you embark on an exhilarating horse riding to Tash-Tar Ata mountain, reaching an altitude of around 3,600 meters.
As you cross the pass, you enjoy stunning views of Issyk-Kul Lake while savoring a leisurely lunch.
In the afternoon, you descend to the beautiful Boz-Salkyn jailoo, where a driver will pick you up. Transfer by car to Kochkor village (2 hours). Upon arrival, you can rest and take a shower.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Horse riding: 10 km, 7h, +390 m, -915 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After breakfast at the guesthouse, transfer by car to the starting point – Kysart village (1 hour).
A 2-day horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. You will ride down through the Kilemche valley. The valley’s name means in Kyrgyz language “like a carpet”, and this carpet is presented by the variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering all the nearby slopes.
Picnic on the way is planned.
You arrive at the shepherds’ yurt camp where you spend the night. Dinner in the yurt.
Horse riding: 17 km, +- 200m, 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
Note: Repack & Take only the things that are necessary for 2 days (sleeping bags, warm clothes, hat, helmets, sunglasses, trekking shoes etc.). Your main luggage (suitcases) is left in the car. You will get them back after trek.
After breakfast, you continue your trek.
Horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel a part of the nature. Today you cross Tuz Ashu pass (3 400m). From the pass Son Kul Lake seems very small, but as you go down and approach the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake.
When you arrive in the yurts camp, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle and their customs.
Diner and overnight in the yurt camp.
Horse riding: 14 km, +800m, -400m, 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.
Breakfast in the yurt camp. Transfer to Bishkek.
We will return to the civilization by descending from Kalmak Ashu pass (3400m) and again through Boom gorge. You can take pictures of this beauty and breathtaking sceneries.
Lunch on the road in the café in Kochkor.
Upon arrival in Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents.
Dinner in local restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Transfer to the airport. Departure.
Check-in at hotels after 14:00, check-out before 12:00
Extra night in Bishkek:
