6 DAYS HORSE RIDING TOUR KYRGYZSTAN
Issyk-Kul and Son Kul Lakes
Horse Riding Tour
TOUR DETAILS
-
Period
April - October -
Tour length and Participants
6 days, 5 nights, 1 - 4 participants -
Price from
$570 or €533 / person (group of 4 ppl)
Kyrgyzstan Horse Riding Tour information
Issyk Kul and Son Kul are the two major lakes of Kyrgyzstan and best seen from horseback. During this six-day horse riding tour through Kyrgyzstan, starting from the Kyzart village, you’ll make your way on horse to Son Kol Lake and further to Issyk Kul Lake. Accommodation during the tour will be in yurts or guesthouses.
Horse trek Itinerary
During the first morning you will drive to Kyzart village. The drive time is five hours, so you will arrive in the village by the lunchtime. Before you will get on your horse, you have lunch in a local guesthouse.
After a brief demonstration of horse riding from your guide, you will set off on journey on horse towards to Kilemche pasture. As you will leave the village behind, follow the trail as it gradually climbs up the west bank of the stream of Chaar-Archa river. Then you will break off to the right towards the valley of Kilemche which is a summer pasture of the local nomads.
After your arrival and cup of tea, get ready to enjoy the smooth atmosphere of the valley with sweeping views. Keep your camera near to catch the beautiful sunset over the mountains. Release the horses for overnight with your guide and go for the dinner at boz-ui (yurt) a traditional dwelling of the nomad Kyrgyz people.
Fast facts: 280 km transfer (4-5 h) 18 km of horse riding – (4-5) Accommodation in a yurt
After breakfast in Kilemche, you will continue the journey on horseback towards to Jalgyz-Karagai pass (3400 m) on the way to Son-Kol Lake. The pass provides a great panoramic view to both – Song-Kol lake and Kilemche valley on the other side. After enjoying the view and giving a break for the horses, the ride continues across grassy hills that are a summer home to grazing herds of sheep, goats, horses and cattle.
During the warm summer months, nomad families are busy with daily chores including milking cows and horses. You will arrive in yurt camp by the lake for lunch and be fueled up by a hearty lunch before hitting the road again. You will have about two hours more of horse riding on the trail by the lake until you reach the Tuz-Ashuu pasture, where the local shepherd’s family will cordially welcome you with a bowl of kymyz – a national Kyrgyz drink made from horse milk.
The remainder of the day you will spend with the family watching their daily life. For hiking lovers, the valley is a great place to have a stroll in the mountains around.
Fast facts: 23 km of horse riding – 6-7 hours. Accomodation in yurt
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at yurt and start your second day dedicated to horse riding. Get on your horse and begin your journey to the eastern part of the lake, following the path by the shore. The ride is smooth and easy, offering an opportunity to enjoy both the lake and mountain landscapes. Once you make it to the the half way, you will linger for lunch at a shepherds’ yurt.
On the second half of the day, as we get more confident on horse, we will try to do a gallop as the Son Kul lakeshore offers a great opportunity to run fast with the horses. In the evening, we will arrive at the camp on the western side of the lake where a dinner will be waiting for us. Before going to bed, we will watch the stars. The stars are especially bright over Song-Kol Lake where there is no light pollution.
Take some extra time to enjoy the scenery of Song-Kol lake before you start the journey. With mountains in the background, the lake looks even more beautiful in the morning sunlight.
Once you get on your horse again, choose the upper trail for better views of the lake and make your way towards Kara-Kiya pass. From here, the ride is fairly moderately strenuous as you will descend towards the village, then spend the last hours of smooth riding until you will reach the village.
On the arrival back to our car, you will have a lunch at guesthouse and continue your journey east driving to Bokonbayevo village at the Issyk Kul. During the drive you will enjoy great mountain views of the enormous mountains of Terskey-Ala-Too. In the village of Bokonbaev, you’ll meet eagle hunter for eagle hunting show.
The last stop of the day is at the Skazka (Fairy-Tale canyons). The red and yellow cliffs here, towering above a lunar-like landscape, are immense and the area is perfect for some easy hiking. Afterwards you will check-in at the guesthouse and can rest until dinner.
Fast facts: 20 km of horse riding – 4-5 hours. 250 km transfer – 5 h. Accommodation at guesthouse.
After a 40 minute drive to Tuura-Suu village in the morning, it’s time to hit the trails again on horseback. We start with a ride along a river with a quiet, crystal clear water and a stony bottom and a backdrop of rolling mountain peaks. From there, follow the trail up to Karaly-Archa (2900m) pass with a majestic view of Ysyk-Kol Lake and snow-capped Teskei-Ala-Too mountains on the other side.
After picnic and rest, we continue the trek to Boz-Salkyn pasture where yurts sit on calm valley surrounded by the forest. Here, you’ll overnight at a yurt. Boz-Salkyn is another great place to see the Kyrgyz sunset over Ysyk-Kol Lake.
Fast facts: 21 km of horse riding – 5-6 hours. Accommodation at yurt
Following your trip itinerary, grab your whip and start your last horse riding day. Today’s trail takes you to Shatyly viewpoint with a majestic view of Ysyk-Kol Lake surrounded by the canyons, villages and snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Afterward, you’ll drive back to the village for lunch in a guesthouse.
We finish your Kyrgyzstan horse riding experience with a drive day back to Bishkek. The last stop on your travel map is an archaeological and architectural complex “Burana Tower“, registered on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Founded in the 11th century, the Burana tower was the minaret of a mosque in the city of Balasagun, the capital of the once largest empire in the area, called the Khara-Khanid Khanate of local Turkic-speaking tribes in Central Asia.
Only the tower remains intact (restored) from the once great walled city above the ground today. There is a museum onsite that explains the history of this important site and showcases some of the archaeological discoveries. Take a tour of the ruins and then visit the top of the tower for a view of Chui Valley.
After arriving to Bishkek late evening, your guide will take you for farewell dinner.
Fast facts: 10 km of horse riding – 3-4 hours. 270 km – 4-5 h.
Tour Information
INCLUDED
- English speaking guide
- Transport
- Horses
- Meals and accommodation at yurt
- Guesthouse in Bokonbaevo
NOT INCLUDED
- Accommodation and meals in Bishkek
- Water
- Last dinner in Bishkek
PRICE FOR GROUP
|
Amount of people in the group
|
USD | EURO |
| 1 pax | 1344 | 1278 |
| 2 pax | 1680 | 1590 |
| 3 pax | 1950 | 1850 |
| 4 pax | 2240 | 2117 |
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Rain clothes
- Sunscreen
- Cap for the sun and sun glasses
- Personal medications
CHECK YOUR VISA POLICY FOR KYRGYZSTAN
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan
Book your tour here
If you would like to customize your tour please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to organize a custom tour or to provide a modified itinerary based on one of the tours provided by the tour operators or to have a one fully custom made for your needs.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Money & costs
Safety
Entry & exit
Best time to go
Health
Money & costs
Money & costs
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). In the capital, Bishkek, an abundance of ATMs can be found, some of which dispense US dollars in addition to local soms. Beyond the city limits, ATMs are increasingly prevalent in few largest towns but are mostly not available in smaller towns except at the northern shore of Issyk Kul.
Mastercard is universally accepted at all ATMs but Visa is still the more widely accepted card of choice in Kyrgyzstan. Maestro or other cards might be accepted in few select machines. Demirbank with their red colored ATMs has been the best option lately for all foreign cards with moderate fees.
Currency exchange services are readily accessible in major cities, ensuring seamless exchange of rubles, US dollars, and euros into soms. It is imperative that foreign currency banknotes remain pristine, fresh, and devoid of any signs of wear. Larger banknotes from 50 USD and 50 EUR are favored by the cash exchange services and are sometimes the prerequisite for a better exchange rate.
While credit cards face limited acceptance nationwide the convenience of utilizing debit or credit cards extends to major hotels, restaurants, expansive supermarkets, and selected museums in Bishkek and Osh and rarely even in taxis. However, outside these two prominent cities and Northern Shore of Issyk Kul, the practicality of card payments remains unfeasible.
Safety
Safety
Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe for travelers, but adherence to standard precautions is crucial. The country is experiencing an active surge in tourism. Key recommendations encompass:
- Always have your passport or a notarized copy with you, as lacking proper identification may lead to arrest by the police.
- Incidents of robberies, some of which can be violent, and thefts are commonplace especially in crowded places like the bazars. Caution is advised, particularly when venturing out after dark. Instances of sexual violence and harassment have been reported in public transportation.
- Steer clear of crowds and demonstrations to ensure personal safety.
- Show respect for local traditions, customs, laws, and religious practices at all times.
- The possession or use of narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Photography of anything related to the armed forces or security services is not allowed.
- While same-sex relationships are legal, they are not widely discussed and lack public recognition.
- Avoid solitary walks or travels, especially during nighttime.
- Utilize established taxi services in advance to ensure reliability.
- The southern regions are susceptible to smuggling activities, rendering the security situation unstable and hazardous along the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- Mind where you step in the cities as there are sometimes large holes on the streets and the pavements are not in pristine condition on the pedestrian areas.
Entry & exit
Entry & exit
Kyrgyzstan extends a visa-free arrangement to travelers from 69 countries. Alternatively, others can opt for the electronic visa system or submit applications through the embassy. Comprehensive information about visas is available here. For a tourist visa in Kyrgyzstan, a majority of passport holders require an invitation letter from a tourism company. Since September 1, 2017, Kyrgyzstan has introduced an electronic visa system. Special authorization is mandated for visits to border regions in Kyrgyzstan.
Best time to go
Best time to go
The optimal time to experience Kyrgyzstan is during the summer months of July and August. Despite the temperatures reaching approximately 30°C, this period witnesses the liveliest bazaars in the country. It is also the perfect season to delve into the mountainous landscapes and trekking routes that may be inaccessible during other times of the year. In July and August, you have the opportunity to explore Kyrgyzstan’s mountains either on foot or horseback, immersing yourself in traditional yurt accommodations with local families. Additionally, this time of the year hosts annual festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
While the winters in the highlands are prolonged, limiting passage through the elevated mountain passes, it presents a captivating season for exploring Kyrgyzstan. Engaging in various activities, akin to those enjoyed in summer (with the exception of rafting), such as hiking, horseback riding, or skiing in the mountains, allows for a unique experience. Accommodations in traditional yurts are also available during this season.
Health
Health
The overall state of healthcare in this country is recognized as relatively subpar, prompting a strong recommendation for travelers reliant on regular medications to carry ample supplies. Locating necessary drugs locally might pose challenges or incur significant costs. Medical facilities are anticipated to be scarce, underscoring the importance of securing comprehensive medical and travel insurance prior to arrival. In the event of a serious accident or illness, emergency air evacuation to a neighboring country may be necessary.
It is imperative to treat tap water and other local water sources as contaminated, necessitating thorough boiling before consumption. Opting for bottled water throughout the entire duration of stay in the country is a prudent choice. Exercise particular caution when consuming unpasteurized dairy products or animal products that may be susceptible to contamination.
Before entering the country, obtaining additional vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis is recommended, and other vaccinations may also be deemed necessary. Malaria poses a risk in the country, predominantly in the southern regions.
