Kyrgyzstan is not only a country of mountains but also of horses, at least according to an ancient proverb that states that "horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz". The horse in fact 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.

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Kyrgyzstan is not only a country of mountains but also of horses, at least according to an ancient proverb that states that "horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz". The horse in fact 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.

Price per person: 

2 pax (SUV) 4 pax (SUV) 6 pax one minibus type Mersedes Sprinter 8 pax one minibus type Mersedes Sprinter 10 pax one minibus type Mersedes Sprinter 
2630 USD  1740 USD  1550 USD 1390 USD 1315 USD

 

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Emir
Trip offered by Emir - Travel Land Spoken languages: Italian, English, French, Russian Travel expert in Kyrgyzstan

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Bishkek
  • End Bishkek
  • Countries
    • Kyrgyzstan
  • City
    • Bishkek
    • Chong-Kemin
    • Kalmak-Ashuu
    • Tamchy
    • Kochkor
    • Kol Ukok
    • Kyzart
    • Kilemche
    • Son Kul
  • Theme Horse riding
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Not Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Airport – Bishkek (30 km, 40 min)
    Day 1 Transfer by car

    Arrival to Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick up you and drive you to hotel
    situated in the capital (early check-in at hotel after 06:00).

    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 the 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 making the city a great place to live.

    After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market Osh bazar. Here you can appreciate the
    creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step the market, you plunge into the real
    oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a big 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: breakfast*

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
    *Breakfast is served at hotel until 10:00

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • 2
    Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin (200 km, 3h)
    Day 2 Transfer by car

    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 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)

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
    • Chong-Kemin
  • 3
    Chon Kemin – Kalmak Ashu (horseback riding)
    Day 3

    After breakfast in the guesthouse 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

    Visited places:
    • Chong-Kemin
    • Kalmak-Ashuu
  • 4
    Kalmak Ashu – Balykchy – Tamchy (horseback riding) (50 km, 40 min)
    Day 4 Transfer by car

    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.

    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.

    Horse riding: 6 hours

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Tamchy Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Kalmak-Ashuu
    • Tamchy
  • 5
    Tamchy – Kyzyl Tuu – Kochkor (200 km, 3h)
    Day 5 Transfer by car

    After breakfast in the guesthouse 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 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, lunch, dinner 

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Tamchy
    • Kochkor
  • 6
    Kochkor – Kol Ukok Lake (horseback riding)
    Day 6

    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.

    Arrival in the shepherds' yurt in Kol Ukok. You can walk around and take nice photos of the lake and surrounding mountains.

    Dinner in the yurt.

    Horse riding: 15 km, +1000m, 5h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Yurt camp*

    *Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.

    Visited places:
    • Kochkor
    • Kol Ukok
  • 7
    Kol Ukok Lake – Kochkor – Kyzart (horseback riding) (70 km, 1h)
    Day 7

    After the breakfast in 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 or guesthouse. Transfer by car to Kyzart village (1 hour). On arrival you can rest and take a shower / sauna.

    Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

    Horse riding: 15km, - 1000m, 4h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Kol Ukok
    • Kyzart
  • 8
    Kyzart – Kilemche (horseback riding)
    Day 8

    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 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: 17 km, + - 200m, 4-5h

    Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Yurt camp*

    *Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.

    Visited places:
    • Kyzart
    • Kilemche
  • 9
    Kilemche – Son Kul (horseback riding)
    Day 9

    After breakfast we continue our trek.

    The horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel a part of the nature. Today we cross 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 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*

    Optionally: horse riding (25 USD per group). Possible to book and pay on spot. 

    * Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.

    Visited places:
    • Kilemche
    • Son Kul
  • 10
    Son Kul (horseback riding)
    Day 10

    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: Horse riding 25 USD per person. Possible to book and pay on site

    * Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.

    Visited places:
    • Son Kul
  • 11
    Return to Bishkek (315 km, 5-6h)
    Day 11 Transfer by car

    Breakfast in the yurt camp. Transfer to Bishkek.

    We will return to the civilization by descending from Kalmak Ashu pass (3400m) and through Boom gorge. You can take pictures of this beauty and breathtaking sceneries.

    Lunch on the road in the restaurant in Kochkor.

    Upon arrival in Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents.

    In the evening, we will have a dinner in the traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

     

    Visited places:
    • Son Kul
    • Bishkek
  • 12
    Bishkek – Airport - Departure (30 km, 40 min)
    Day 12 Transfer by car

    Transfer to the airport. Departure.

    Meals included: breakfast

     

     

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Group transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle:
    • English speaking driver (2-4pax)
    • Russian speaking driver (6-10pax)
    • Local horse guides during the treks (days 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
    • Horse rental (days 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9,10)
    • Accommodation described in the program in twin/double room/yurt/tent 
    • Early check-in on day 1 after 06:00 
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches and dinners during the horse treks
    • Tents (2pax per tent) 
    • Visits described in the program
    Price does not include
    • International flights
    • Personal expenses
    • Single room supplement – 195 USD per person*
    • Insurance
    • Late check-out**
    • English speaking guide during the whole trip – 1520 USD per group (except the group of 4pax)
    • Lunches & Dinners not mentioned as included – 185 USD per person
    • Optional activities
    • Tips for guides and drivers
    • Sleeping bags and mats
    • Horse equipment: helmets etc. 
    • Alcohol
    • Other items not mentioned as included

     

    *Except guesthouses and yurt camps in Kol Ukok, Kyzart, Kilemche, Son Kul

    **Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00