Horse Riding Tours in Kyrgyzstan 2027

Horse riding tours in Kyrgyzstan take you where roads end: across high-mountain pastures (jailoo), over Tian Shan passes and down to alpine lakes such as Song-Kol, Kel-Suu and Sary-Chelek. Horses are still part of everyday nomadic life here, so you ride with local horsemen, sleep in yurt camps or tents and share the pastures with shepherd families and their herds. Below you'll find all our horseback tours, from a 3-day first ride to Song-Kol (from $290) to 10-day expeditions deep into the mountains – as a private trip on your dates or in a small group with fixed departures in 2027.

Why ride a horse in Kyrgyzstan

More than 90% of Kyrgyzstan is mountains, and many of its most beautiful places can only be reached on foot or on horseback. Horse trekking lets you cover real distances without carrying a heavy backpack, and it is the traditional way to travel between summer pastures. Kyrgyz horses are small, calm and sure-footed on steep trails, which makes them a good choice for beginners as well as experienced riders.

Group horse trek with fixed dates 2027

Travelling alone or as a couple? Join our Nomadic Horse Trek from Kyzyl-Oi to Song-Kol: 10 days, 177 km on horseback over eight passes above 3,000 m, nights in tents, yurts and with a host family. Departures 13–22 July and 13–22 August 2027 (guaranteed), $2,000 per person, small international group of up to 12 riders. You reserve your place online with a deposit of $300.

Choose your horse riding tour

Tour	Days	Season	Price p.p.	Best for
Song-Kol Horse Riding Tour from Kyzart	3	Jun–Sep	from $290	First-time riders, yurt night at the lake
Jeti-Oguz & Oguz-Bashy Horseback Tour	4	Jul–Sep	from $600	Combining with Issyk-Kul and Karakol
Kol-Ukok Lake & Ukok Pass Horse Trek	5	Jul–Sep	from $700	Alpine lake and a pass in a few days
Arabel Plateau Horseback Tour	5	mid-Jun–mid-Sep	from $550	High plateau, glaciers, open spaces
Kel-Suu Lake via Bogoshtu Pass	6	Jul–Sep	on request	Remote turquoise lake near China
Alatay National Park & Sary-Chelek	6	Jun–Sep	on request	Forests and lakes of the south
Alay Heights Horseback Tour	6	Jul–Sep	on request	Alay range with Pamir views
Sary-Chelek Horse Riding Tour via Aflatun	7	Jun–Sep	on request	Small groups, walnut and spruce forests
Horseback Riding & Nomadic Culture Tour	8	Jun–Sep	from $1,050	Riding plus nomadic traditions
Toktogul to Arslanbob Horseback Tour	8	Jun–Sep	from $850	Long ride to the walnut forests
Nomadic Horse Trek Kyzyl-Oi → Song-Kol (group)	10	Jul & Aug 2027	from $2,000	Fixed dates, international group, 177 km
Kel-Suu Horseback Expedition	10	Jul–Aug	on request	Experienced riders, remote wilderness
Winter Horseback Tour to Song-Kol	3	Dec–Apr	from $410	Frozen lake, heated yurt
Horse Riding with Eagle Hunters	4	Oct–Apr	from $640	Real winter hunt with golden eagles
Winter Nomad Group Tour (group)	4	28 Nov – 1 Dec 2026, start 1–10 Dec 2026 or 10–13 Jan 2027	from $520	Song-Kol on horseback + eagle hunters
Winter Nomadic Horseback Expedition	8	Dec–Apr	on request	The longer winter adventure

Not sure which route fits you? Tell us your dates and riding experience and we will suggest the best option or build a private horse trek for your group.

Horse riding regions in Kyrgyzstan

Song-Kol and the Kochkor valley

The classic horse country: wide summer pastures and yurt camps around Lake Song-Kol (3,016 m). Start with the 3-day Song-Kol ride from Kyzart, join the 10-day group trek from Kyzyl-Oi, or ride from Kochkor over the Ukok pass (3,870 m) on the 5-day Kol-Ukok horse trek.

Issyk-Kul, Karakol and the Arabel plateau

Red canyons, spruce forests and glaciers above the lake: the 4-day Jeti-Oguz ride to Oguz-Bashy and the 5-day Arabel plateau expedition.

Kel-Suu and the At-Bashy region

Remote valleys near the Chinese border lead to the turquoise Kel-Suu lake: 6 days over the Bogoshtu pass or the 10-day Kel-Suu expedition.

The west and south: Sary-Chelek, Arslanbob and Alay

Forests, walnut groves and lakes: Alatay & Sary-Chelek in 6 days, the 7-day ride via the Aflatun valley, the 8-day ride from Toktogul to Arslanbob and 6 days in the Alay below Lenin Peak.

Do I need riding experience?

No experience is needed for our shorter tours, such as the 3-day ride to Song-Kol Lake. Local horsemen choose a calm horse for you, show you the basics and ride with the group all the way. Longer expeditions of 7–10 days cross high passes and spend many hours in the saddle, so they suit riders who are comfortable on a horse and in good physical shape. Before you go, read our 7 safety rules for horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan.

Best time for horse riding in Kyrgyzstan

The main horse riding season runs from June to September. This is when shepherd families move their herds up to the summer pastures, the passes are open and yurt camps operate around Song-Kol and other high lakes. July and August are the warmest months; June brings green valleys and wildflowers, and September offers clear skies and autumn colours. For a different experience, we also run winter horseback tours to Song-Kol and Issyk-Kul.

What a horse trek looks like

A typical day starts after breakfast in camp, with several hours of riding through valleys and over passes, a lunch stop on the pasture and arrival at the next camp in the afternoon. Depending on the route, nights are spent in yurt camps or tents. Your guide and local horsemen take care of the horses, the route and the logistics, so you can simply enjoy the ride.

Frequently asked questions

Which horse riding tour is best for beginners?

Start with the 3-day ride to Song-Kol Lake. It is short, the pace is easy and you spend the nights in a yurt camp on the shore of the lake. After that, many guests come back for a longer expedition.

What is the difference between a short ride and an expedition?

Tours of 3–5 days focus on one lake or valley and have shorter riding days. Expeditions of 6–10 days cross several passes, reach remote places like Kel-Suu or Sary-Chelek and involve longer days in the saddle, so they need more stamina.

Can I go horse riding in Kyrgyzstan in winter?

Yes. Besides the summer season from June to September, we run winter horseback tours to Song-Kol and an 8-day winter expedition to Song-Kol and Issyk-Kul.

How much does a horse riding tour in Kyrgyzstan cost?

Private tours start at $290 per person for 3 days to Song-Kol; 5–8 day tours cost about $550–1,050 per person, depending on group size. The 10-day group trek costs $2,000 per person. Prices include horses, horsemen, guide, meals and nights on the route; hotels in Bishkek are not included.

Are there horse riding group tours with fixed dates?

Yes. The 10-day Nomadic Horse Trek runs in July and August 2027, and the Winter Nomad Group Tour runs on 28 November – 1 December 2026, with a flexible start between 1 and 10 December 2026, and on 10–13 January 2027. All other routes are private and start on any date you choose.

Can you organise a private horse riding tour?

Yes. Any of our routes can be run as a private tour for your family or group, and we can combine horse riding with trekking or cultural tours. Contact us with your dates and group size.