This Kyrgyzstan horseback riding tour takes you through mountain forests, alpine valleys, high mountain passes, and remote nomadic pastures. The 8-day private adventure combines long-distance horseback riding with authentic cultural experiences, traditional yurt stays, spectacular mountain landscapes, and a personal encounter with Kyrgyz eagle hunters. Experience Kyrgyzstan on horseback, following mountain trails through forests, alpine valleys, high mountain passes, and remote nomadic pastures. This adventure combines long-distance horseback riding with authentic cultural experiences, traditional yurt stays, spectacular mountain landscapes, and a personal encounter with Kyrgyz eagle hunters.
The route takes you from the forested valleys of Chong-Kemin to the high-altitude pastures of Kilemche and Song-Kol, before continuing to the remote mountain lake of Kol-Ukok and the Issyk-Kul region.
Along the way, you will stay in traditional yurts, meet local horsemen and nomadic families, and experience the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. With daily riding of several hours and mountain elevations reaching 3,300 metres, this is an active adventure designed for travellers who want to experience Kyrgyzstan from the saddle.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Riding: 12–20 km / 4–7 hours per day
Elevation: 1,600–3,300 m
Accommodation: Guesthouses & yurt camps
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Season: September–October – November | 8 Days / 7 Nights
After breakfast, depart Bishkek and drive to the scenic Chong-Kemin Valley.
Upon arrival, meet the local horsemen and begin your first horseback ride through the Boo-Jetpes mountain forest. Accompanied by local horse guides, follow quiet mountain trails through the forest and surrounding valleys.
The area is rich in wildlife, and with some luck, you may spot deer, wild boar, and other animals in their natural habitat.
Enjoy the peaceful mountain environment, fresh air, and beautiful views before returning to the valley.
Horseback riding: Forest trails and mountain terrain
Overnight: Guesthouse in Chong-Kemin
Meals: Lunch, dinner
After breakfast, continue your horseback journey through the mountain landscape toward Boo-Jetpes and Boom Gorge.
Ride along mountain slopes and through remote valleys, following local trails used by shepherds and horsemen. The ride offers a combination of open mountain scenery and rugged gorge landscapes.
The horseback section ends near Boom Gorge, where you will meet your vehicle and continue by 4×4 to Kochkor village.
Horseback riding: Approximately 12–15 km
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kochkor
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, drive to Kyzart village, where you will meet your local horse team.
From Kyzart, begin your horseback journey toward Kilemche Valley, riding through open mountain landscapes and traditional summer pasture areas.
The route takes you deeper into the mountains, with beautiful views of the surrounding ridges and valleys.
Horseback riding: Approximately 15–16 km
Overnight: Yurt camp in Kilemche
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today, continue your horseback journey from Kilemche toward Song-Kol Lake.
Ride through the high mountain landscape, crossing alpine pastures and mountain passes before descending toward the vast open basin of Song-Kol.
Eventually, the landscape opens up to reveal the spectacular Song-Kol Lake, surrounded by high mountains and traditional nomadic pastures.
Arrive at a yurt camp on the lake and spend the evening experiencing the traditional nomadic way of life.
Horseback riding: Full-day mountain ride
Overnight: Yurt camp at Song-Kol
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, saddle up for the return journey.
Ride across the Tuz-Ashuu Pass, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Song-Kol basin. Descend toward Kyzart village through scenic mountain valleys.
After lunch in Kyzart, continue by vehicle to Kochkor.
Horseback riding: Mountain pass and valley trails
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kochkor
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, drive to Ters-Tor Gorge, where you will meet your local horse team.
Begin a full-day horseback ride toward the spectacular Kol-Ukok mountain lake, surrounded by rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and remote mountain landscapes.
Depending on trail and weather conditions, continue toward Kol-Tor before beginning the return ride.
Meet your vehicle and transfer to Bokonbaevo village on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Horseback riding: Full-day mountain ride
Overnight: Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today is dedicated to one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remarkable living traditions: golden eagle hunting.
Meet local eagle hunters and spend the day in the surrounding countryside learning about the ancient tradition of training and hunting with golden eagles.
See the eagles and their handlers in action and learn about the special relationship between the hunters, their birds, and their horses.
This experience offers an opportunity to discover an important part of Kyrgyz nomadic heritage directly from local practitioners.
In the evening, return to Bokonbaevo.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, begin the journey back to Bishkek.
On the way, stop at the spectacular Kongorchok Canyons for a short hike and exploration of their dramatic red-rock formations.
Continue toward Bishkek with a visit to the historic Burana Tower, one of the most important surviving monuments of the medieval Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan.
Arrive in Bishkek in the late afternoon.
End of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Included
Not Included
No. This is a fully private tour. We do not combine travellers into groups or operate scheduled group departures.
The tour can be arranged for solo travellers, couples, friends, private groups, or B2B partners upon request.
Yes. As a private tour, the itinerary can be adjusted to suit your preferred dates, riding experience, pace, and interests.
Basic riding experience is recommended. You should be comfortable riding for 4–7 hours per day on mountain trails.
The tour is moderate to challenging, with daily riding of approximately 12–20 km and elevations up to 3,300 m.
Accommodation is provided in comfortable guesthouses and traditional yurt camps. Yurt stays offer an authentic experience of Kyrgyz nomadic life.
Mountain weather can change quickly. Temperatures can become cold, and rain or snow is possible at higher elevations.
Warm and waterproof clothing, comfortable riding trousers, sturdy shoes or boots, gloves, sunscreen, and personal essentials are recommended.
Yes. The tour includes a private experience with a local eagle hunter, where you can learn about the traditional Kyrgyz practice of hunting with golden eagles.
Yes. Routes may be adjusted according to weather, trail conditions, and the group’s riding ability.
Yes. We work with travel agencies, tour operators, and other B2B partners and can arrange private departures upon request.
This is a fully private tour, available on request for solo travellers, couples, friends, private groups, and B2B partners.
1. Confirm your dates
Send us your preferred travel dates and number of participants.
2. Pay a 10% deposit
A 10% deposit by bank transfer is required to confirm the booking.
3. Pay the balance
The remaining 90% can be paid:
4. Last-minute booking
The tour can be booked up to 2 days before departure, subject to availability.
Once the deposit is received, we confirm your private tour and finalize all arrangements.
Tell us about your travel plans and we'll craft a personalized proposal within 24 hours. No pressure, no generic packages — just a genuine conversation about your dream trip.
A winter horseback journey to remote Song-Kol, riding across silent snowfields and frozen valleys. Stay in heated yurts, travel with local horsemen, and experience authentic nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan’s high mountains.
