This 6-day horse trek links two protected areas in the west of Kyrgyzstan: about 57 km in the saddle from the Alatay National Park near Toktogul to the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve. You ride to Lake Alatay, cross the Kalaa pass (3,610 m) – the highest point – descend through the Min-Bugu gorge to the village of Kara-Suu and climb over the Kotormo pass (about 2,440 m) to the forested lakes Iri-Kul and Sary-Chelek. Three nights in tents, two in village guesthouses, local horsemen and full board. June to September, private trip from Bishkek for 2–12 riders.
Alatay National Park was founded in 2016 and covers about 56,800 hectares of mountains, forests and lakes in the Toktogul region. Want a longer, wilder way to the lake? See our 7-day Sary-Chelek horse riding tour via the Aflatun valley.
The price is calculated individually: it depends on group size, dates and accommodation level. Send a request and we will prepare an offer for your group.
Private horse trek for your own group – the price depends on group size and dates. Send us your dates and we will reply with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Moments that stay with you
Included
Not included
Your final list of services is confirmed in your personal offer.
Water
Bottled water is available for the first two days. On the trek days you refill from mountain springs and rivers – bring a water filter bottle or purification tablets.
What to bring
A warm sleeping bag, long trousers and closed shoes for riding, layers for 0 to 25 °C, a warm jacket, rain jacket or poncho, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, headlamp, water bottle with filter and personal medicine. Pack in a soft bag that can be tied to a saddle.
Yes, good riding experience is needed: you spend up to 6–7 hours a day in the saddle on steep mountain trails, with a climb of about 1,400 m to the Kalaa pass on day 3. If you have not ridden for a while, take a few riding lessons before the trip.
Yes. The route also works as a trek: pack horses carry the luggage and each day takes one to two hours longer than on horseback. Tell us when you ask for an offer.
Two nights in local guesthouses – in Toktogul and with a family in Kara-Suu – and three nights in tents at Lake Alatay, in the Min-Bugu gorge and at Lake Iri-Kul. Tents and sleeping mats are provided; bring a warm sleeping bag.
The tour starts in Bishkek: about 270 km (5–6 hours) to Toktogul on day 1. On day 6 the car takes you from Sary-Chelek via Arkyt back to Bishkek, about 535 km – a long drive, so you can also end the tour in Osh or add a night on the way.
The price depends on group size (2–12 riders) and dates – the larger the group, the lower the price per person. Send us your dates and we will reply with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Choose this trek to combine Alatay National Park with Sary-Chelek in 6 days. Longer and wilder: the 7-day Sary-Chelek horse riding tour via the Aflatun valley. All horse treks: horse riding tours in Kyrgyzstan.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
