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.
We will pick you up at the airport/border point and bring you to the capital (check-in at 14:00).
A sightseeing tour in Bishkek is planned. We will visit sights such as the central square Ala-Too with its monuments and Oak park.
After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market, Osh bazaar. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, and a big variety of goods and colors.
Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: no meals
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)
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 that 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 go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, you start the horse trek.
We head towards the pastures of Akkytay, around noon we will climb to the point where we will have a panoramic view of the entire valley. We have a picnic there. Horses can rest too.
After lunch, we continue our trek. We go towards the Kalmak Ashuu pass.
We install the tents on the foot of the pass. Dinner around the fire and rest in the tents.
Horse riding: 6 hours
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Tent
Breakfast in the camp. Then we take our horses and we go down towards Issyk Kul Lake.
Picnic on the road. At around 15 hours we reach the point where our trek ends.
We 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.
Then you will go to the guesthouse where you can rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and relax a bit on the beach.
Horse riding: 6 hours
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Tamchy Guesthouse or similar)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, we go towards Kochkor village.
On the way, we can stop in the small village of Kyzyl Tuu. Here you will see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts and you try to set up with the help of local people the real Kyrgyz yurt. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation (option).
Lunch in the guesthouse or in the local restaurant. Free time before dinner. You can stroll through the village and visit the local market.
Kyrgyz women can show you the process of producing traditional felt handicrafts (option).
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
Optionally: yurt show, felt show
Breakfast in the guesthouse.
Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village (15 minutes) from here you start the horse trek towards Ters Tor pastures, famous for their pure air and crystalline waters.
Picnic on the way. After we continue our trek to get Kel Ukok Lake.
Kol Ukok Lake is a quiet and peaceful place, ideal for a leisurely, tranquil hike. In summer, you can meet local shepherds. There are wolves, foxes, rabbits and mountain goats as well as many wild plants and flowers like wild garlic and edelweiss.
Dinner in the yurt.
Horse riding: 5 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. But during the low season, you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to availability. No shower in the camp.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
After breakfast in the yurt, we return on horseback by the same path to the starting point of our trek where the driver is waiting for us.
Lunch in Kochkor in the local restaurant. Transfer by a comfortable car to Kyzart village (1 hour).
Upon arrival, you can take a walk in the village and see how the local population leaves here.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Horse riding: 4 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)
Today our horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. In the morning, we go to the starting point where we will get our horses and a local horse guide.
We will ride down through the Kilemche valley. The valley’s name means in the Kyrgyz language “like a carpet”, and this carpet is presented by the variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering all the nearby slopes.
Overnight in the yurt.
Horse riding: 5 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. But during the low season, you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
After breakfast in the yurt, we continue our adventures toward Son Kul Lake.
A horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel a part of nature. Today we cross Tuz Ashuu pass (3 400m).
From the pass Son Kul Lake seems very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake.
When we arrive at the yurts camp, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle, and their customs.
Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
Horse riding: 6 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. But during the low season, you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: national horse games demonstration
Today we ride horses along the Son Kul lakeshore.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the yurt camp.
Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. But during the low season, you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: national horse games demonstration
Breakfast in the yurt camp. Transfer to Bishkek.
We will return to the civilization by descending from Kalmak Ashuu pass (3400m) and through Boom gorge. You can take pictures of these beautiful and breathtaking sceneries.
Lunch on the road.
Upon arrival, we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents.
In the evening, we will have dinner in the traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)
Transfer to airport. Departure.
Meals included: breakfast
