Description:
Experience Kyrgyz culture and the best scenic Central Asia in the most exciting way possible. Dive headfirst into the world of horse trekking and experience Kyrgyzstan through its scenic valleys and sweeping vistas, and come away with an experience of a lifetime. This unique adventure offers the opportunity to learn the basics of horse riding and to practice your new skills amongst the mountains of the Tian Shan Range.
You will make your own horsewhip, gallop through open fields and learn to play traditional Kyrgyz horse games. Stay with local shepherd families, and truly get a taste of nomadic life. Your teachers and guides are expert horsemen and you will be immersed in a truly authentic Kyrgyz Nomad experience. This trek is excellent for those with little to no horse-riding experience. As well as outdoor enthusiasts looking for a unique adventure, and has options up to 9 days to fit into any schedule!
Bishkek to Kyzyl-Oi: Depart from Bishkek in the morning and drive about 200km south to Kyzyl Oi village. Nestled deep in the Suusamyr Valley and alongside the mighty Kokomeren River, Kyzyl-Oi is an idyllic mountain village full of friendly people and wonderful guesthouses where you will stay and rest up for your ensuing adventure.
Kyzyl-Oi to Oi-Kaying: Today your journey begins just outside of Kyzyl-Oi village, where you meet your guides and get acquainted with your horses. Setting off, you will slowly ascend along a very easy trail through the Oi-Kaying Jailoo. At the 6 kilometer mark, you will pass a large rock with ancient Persian writing, an interesting sight for archeological enthusiasts and history lovers alike. After this you will continue through the Jailoo for about 15km, ascending gradually until you reach your camp spot at an elevation just below 3000m, overlooking the valley from which you just came. You will camp near local shepherd settlements and learn a little about Kyrgyz nomadic life and taste the local cuisine.
Entertainment: Evening you will start to learn “how to make you own Kyrgyz horsewhip”. You will not be allowed to do horse galloping without your own, handmade horsewhip.
Oi Kaying to Sary Kol: Start the day by continuing to climb gradually up the Oi Kaying Jailoo until you reach the mountain pass sitting at 3411m. Here you will be rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of the valley below, dotted with horses, cattle, yurt settlements, and fir forests. As you snake your way down from the pass watch as the landscape around you changes from high alpine to dense forest. You will split from the main road, continuing on a smaller trail that traverses the mountainside, weaving between fir trees and winding creeks. After about 20km from your starting point, you will settle along the shores of Sary-Kul, a splendid lake surrounded by lush greenery and serene forests.
Entertainment: Continue your workshop on making the horsewhip.
Today continue horseback tour from Sary-Kol to Tegerek. The itinerary goes through the mountain’s valley and crossing several rivers. This day you will not cross the massive passes but many mountain hills open up for you, providing different views of the nomad’s landscape with a lot of cattle on the pastures. Feel the nomad’s spirit as you walk on the street of the nomad’s land. Enjoy your horse ride and work on your horseriding skills. After crossing the final uphill Kok-Kya, you will ascend the Jailoo Tegerek. Camping in the wild.
Entertainment: Today will have been the 4th day to get used to horseback riding. You will already have learned practical horseback riding skills. It is time to finalize your workshop on making the horsewhips. Everybody should have its own, handmade horsewhip to be ready for the horse raсing the following days.
From Tegerek the ride proceeds on to the Kyzart Pass, traversing rolling hills and open fields. On the way will be a break in the valley Ok-Torkoy, where you can have a nice lunch in the yurt camp Ok-Torkoy. After a good rest, you continue the tour to the Kyzart pass. After arriving at the Kyzart Pass, there will be transportation provided to Kyzart village and you will spend the night at a local guesthouse. Enjoy a shower and a warm bed for the night, and recharge for the rest of the adventure that will continue the next morning!
After breakfast at the guesthouse from the village Kyzart, return to your guide team and continue your adventure. You will arrive at the Kyzart Pass, where your guide team welcomes you back and has everything ready to go. So your journey continues on the horseback by crossing the Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo. Ride over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3061m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley and eat a tasty lunch by the racing river, with views of the 4400m Baba-Ata Mountain. After lunch, you cross the river and follow the trail over lush hills to the Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers the whole mountain range. Stay the night at a yurt camp.
Entertainment: In the afternoon you will have some free time at Kilemche Jailoo. Your guide instructor will show you how to put the horseshoes on and tell you about the Kyrgyz horses.
Having eaten breakfast at Kilemche, you will spend the morning climbing the Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m). The trek crosses the Song-Kol Mountains and into the lake’s basin. The rocky and spectacular climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo. After lunch at Jaman Echki, follow the lakeshore west to the yurt at Tuz-Ashuu. Upon arrival meet your host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Food and accommodation will be provided by local families in yurts.
Entertainment: This day you can practice your first horseback galloping in the valley.
Today will be a relatively straightforward and easy ride to the western part of the lake along the lakeshore. It will be a good opportunity to check your horseback riding skills on Song-Kol’s flat, open valley. Explore jailoo and learn more about the Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle. In addition to this, you may have the chance to participate in traditional Kyrgyz horse games, an experience unique to this tour. Stay the night at Tulapr-Tash yurt camp.
Entertainment: In honor of your penultimate day on this equestrian tour, it will be organized horse game Kok-Boru. In this game, you can participate as a player at will.
Today you will wrap up your journey. Start at Tulpar-Tash and leave SongKol to Kyzart village via Uzbek Pass. The pass opens up to a spectacular panoramic view of all of Song-Kol valley. Ride down to the village and have lunch before a transfer will be provided to Kochkor village. End of the tour (You can stay in Kochkor to plan your next trip to Issyk-Kul region or return to Bishkek by public transport)
The tours start upon request. The itineraries can be adjusted individually to fit into your schedule and provide you with the best experience. Furthermore, we are happy to create tailor-made tours according to your wishes.
After having solved all the questions and programs confirming we issue an invoice for payment. You can make a bank transfer or pay upon your arrival time in Bishkek before the trip starts.
To better convey the pricing of individual tours along this route, consider the following revision: “The cost of each tour is determined through individual negotiations that take into account factors such as the duration of the tour, your specific needs and preferences, and the size of your group. This allows for a personalized and tailored experience that reflects your unique requirements and ensures a fulfilling and enjoyable journey.”
It is included:
It is not included:
It is Ok to do horse treks in Kyrgyzstan for beginners or the people who have never ridden before. The 90% of our visitors have no horseback riding skils but they can manage the horse treks because we use for our clients’ very quiet and calm horses with comfortable saddles and choose the relevant trek for horse tours. Our horseback guides will be your individual instructor to ride a Kyrgyz horse and help you to manage it.
Clothing for hiking in temperatures from +25C to -0C. A detailed kit list will be sent to you when you book on.
Kyrgyzstan has a free visa entry for many countries. Please check your availability on the e-visa online service – http://www.evisa.e-gov.kg/
Kyrgyz Republic. Bishkek city
Mon – Sat 9.00 – 18.00 Sunday CLOSED
© Kyrgyzstan tourism
