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 hotel situated in the capital (early check-in at hotel after 06:00).
The 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 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: breakfast*, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient town Balasagyn founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch in Iskra village with a Doungan family, the Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine.
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 in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
After breakfast in the guest house you start 2-day horse trek to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul.
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 Ashu 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, dinner
Accommodation: Tent
Breakfast in the tents. Then we take our horses and we go down towards Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. Issyk Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Its name means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz.
In the afternoon you will reach the point where your horse trek ends. Your driver picks you up. Your horse guide returns with his horses to Chon Kemin.
You go to the hotel in Cholpon Ata where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and relax a bit on the beach.
Dinner at the restaurant.
Horse riding: 6 hours
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Resort or similar)
After breakfast, we go towards Kochkor village.
On the way, we can stop in the small village Kyzyl Tuu. Here you will see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts and you try to set up with help of local people the real Kyrgyz yurt. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation.
Lunch in Kochkor in the guesthouse or in the local restaurant. Free time before dinner. You can stroll through the village and visit the local market.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer by car from Kochkor to the starting point (15 minutes). From here you start the horse trek to the Ters Tor pastures, famous for their pure air and crystalline waters.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Arrival in the yurt of the shepherds at Kol Ukok. You can walk and take beautiful pictures of the lake and the mountains that surround it.
Dinner and overnight in the yurt.
Horse riding: 5 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
*Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
After breakfast in the yurt, we return on horseback by the same path on the starting point of our trek where our driver is waiting for us.
Lunch in the cafe in Kochkor. Transfer to Kyzart village by car (1 hour).
Diner et rest in the guesthouse.
Horse riding: 4 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast at the guest house. Transfer to the starting point.
The 2-day horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. 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.
Picnic on the way is planned.
We arrive at the shepherds’ yurt camp where we spend the night. Dinner in the yurt.
Horse riding: 4-5 h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
*Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
After breakfast, we continue our trek.
Horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel a part of nature. Today we cross the Tuz Ashu 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: 5-6h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: national horse games demonstration
*Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets and shower are outside.
Breakfast in the yurt.
We suggest you go horseback riding on the large meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake and take pictures of this magical place.
You can learn a lot about the way of life of the Kyrgyz shepherds, the semi-nomads. We also advise you to taste the kymys, the famous national drink (mare’s milk).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: national horse games demonstration
*Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets and shower are outside.
After breakfast in the yurt, we come back to the capital.
The road to Bishkek passes through Boom gorge. You can take pictures of these beautiful and breathtaking sceneries.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we will have time to visit the local markets and buy some presents. You will not leave the bazaar unsatisfied; you will surely find something that you were looking for reminding you about Kyrgyzstan and your unforgettable trip here.
In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at the traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
Transfer to the airport. Departure.
*Except guesthouses and yurt camps in Kol Ukok, Kyzart, Kilemche, Son Kul
**Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00
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