Kyrgyzstan Horseback riding tour

Kyrgyzstan horse tour

TOUR DETAILS

HIGHLIGHTS OF HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR

Kyrgyzstan is not only a country of the mountains but also of horses. According to  an ancient proverb “horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz”. It takes a significant part  in the nomadic culture. This trip will be ideal for horse lovers. Enjoy the wild and  untouched nature and learn about the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz nomads while riding  the beautiful Kyrgyz horses. 

Kyrgyzstan Horseback riding tour
The Kyrgyz way of nomad horse riding

TOUR ITINERARY

Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to the  capital. Standard check-in at hotel after 14:00. 

A sightseeing tour of Bishkek is planned. We will visit sights such as the central square Ala Too  with its monuments and the Oak park. 

After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market, Osh bazar (closed on Mondays).  Just as you step the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable  stream of people, a big variety of goods and colors. 

Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine. Meals included: not included 

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel) 

Note: it is highly recommended to book an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.

After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards Burana Tower. 

Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. It is close  to the city of Tokmok. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle  and three mausoleums – that’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was  founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century. 

Then we head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the  rich diversity of animals and plants. You can go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle  of the local people. 

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse. 

Meals included: breakfast, dinner 

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse)

After breakfast in the guest house, we start 2-day horse trek to the northern shore of Lake Issyk  Kul. 

We head towards the pastures of Akkytay, around noon we will climb to the point where we  will have a panoramic view of the entire valley. We have a picnic there. Horses can rest too. 

After lunch we continue our trek. We go towards the Kalmak Ashu pass (3530m). We install the tents on the foot of the pass. Dinner around the fire and rest in the tents.  Horse riding: 6 hours 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Tent

Breakfast in the camp. Then we take our horses and we go down towards Issyk Kul Lake. Picnic  on the road. At around 15 hours we reach the point where our trek ends. 

We are already in the region of Issyk Kul in Balykchy. Your driver picks you up. Your horse guide  returns with his horses to Chon Kemin. 

You go to the guesthouse where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and  relax a bit on the beach. 

Horse riding: 6 hours 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch 

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Ethno Guesthouse)

After breakfast in the guesthouse we go towards Kochkor village. 

On the way we will see the Orto tokoy reservoir, the first reservoir built in Kyrgyzstan in 1956. It  is used for irrigation of agricultural lands in the Chui region and southern Kazakhstan. 

Upon reaching Kochkor, we will take part in a master class on crafting traditional felt products. 

After lunch, we will continue our journey to Kyzart, which serves as a starting point for trekking  and horse-riding routes toward Son Kul. 

In Kyzart you can take leisurely walk, relax and enjoy the serene mountain environment. 

Dinner and overnight in the guest house. 

Meals included: breakfast 

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kyzart Guesthouse)

Breakfast at the guest house. Transfer to the starting point. 

Today 2-day horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. We will ride down through the Kilemche valley.  The valley’s name means in Kyrgyz language “like a carpet”, and this carpet is presented by the  variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering all the nearby slopes. 

Picnic on the way is planned. 

We arrive at the shepherds’ yurt camp where we spend the night. Dinner in the yurt.  Horse riding: 17 km, + – 200m, 4h 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Yurt camp 

Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.

After breakfast we continue our trek. 

Horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel a  part of the nature. Today we cross Tuz Ashu pass (3 400m). From the pass Son Kul Lake seems  very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake. 

When we arrive in the yurts camp, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle  and their customs. 

Diner and overnight in the yurt camp.  

Horse riding: 14 km, +800m, -400m, 5h 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.  

Accommodation: Yurt camp 

Optionally: national horse games demonstration – 200 USD per group. Must be booked in  advance. Possible to pay on the spot.

Breakfast in the yurt. 

Today you will have time to learn a lot about the way of life of the Kyrgyz shepherds, the semi nomads, go horseback riding on the large meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake and  take pictures of this magical place. 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Yurt camp 

Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside. 

Breakfast in the yurt camp. Transfer to Bishkek.  

We will return to the civilization by descending from Kalmak Ashu pass (3400m) and through  Boom gorge. You can take pictures of this beauty and breathtaking sceneries. 

Lunch on the road in the café in Kochkor. 

Upon arrival in Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents. Dinner in local restaurant. 

Meals included: breakfast 

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel) 

KYRGYZ HORSE TOUR INFORMATION

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.

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Tour updated 13.3.2025

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