Kyrgyzstan Horseback riding tour
Kyrgyzstan horse tour
TOUR DETAILS
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Tour length and Participants
12 days / 7 days of horseback riding - Participants 4 - 10 pax
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Price
2068 USD /person
SCHEDULED TOUR DATES IN 2024
04.08 – 15.08.2024
TOUR ITINERARY
We will pick you up at the airport / border point and bring you to the capital (check-in at 14:00).
After some rest, there will be a visit to the Bishkek city. 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 a famous old market called the Osh bazar. Just as you step the into the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere with an interminable stream of people and a huge variety of goods, smells and colors.
Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)
Breakfast in the hotel. Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient town Balasagyn founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch in Iskra village with a Doungan family, the Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine. 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 go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people.
Dinner in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
Option: horseback riding (13 USD /person horse rental + 25 USD local horse guide service). Possible to book and pay on site
After breakfast in the guest house you start 2-day horse trek to the northern shore of Lake Issykul.
We head towards the pastures of Akytay, 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.
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 tents. Then we take our horses and we go down towards Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. Issyk Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Its name means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz.
In the afternoon you will reach the point where your horse trek ends. Your driver picks you up. Your horse guide returns with his horses to Chon Kemin.
You go to the hotel in Cholpon Ata where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and relax a bit on the beach.
Dinner at the restaurant.
Horse riding: 6 hours
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Resort or similar)
After breakfast we go towards Kochkor village.
On the way we can stop in the small village Kyzyl Tuu. Here you will see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts and you try to set up with help of local people the real Kyrgyz yurt. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation.
Lunch in Kochkor in the guesthouse or in the local restaurant. Free time before dinner. You can stroll through the village and visit the local market.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village (15 minutes). From here you start the horse trek towards Ters Tor pastures, famous for their pure air and crystalline waters. Picnic on the way.
Arrival in the shepherds’ yurt in Kol Ukok. You can walk around and take nice photos of the lake and surrounding mountains. Dinner in the yurt.
Horse riding: 15 km, +1000m, 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp* *Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
After the breakfast in yurt we return on horseback by the same path to the starting point of our trek where the driver is waiting for us.
Lunch in Kochkor in the local restaurant or guesthouse. Transfer by car to Kyzart village (1 hour). On arrival you can rest and take a shower / sauna.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Horse riding: 15km, – 1000m, 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast at the guest house. Transfer to the starting point.
The 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
Accommodation: Yurt camp
*Optionally: national horse games demonstration (100-200 USD per group). Possible to book
and pay on site
* Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.
Breakfast in the yurt.
We suggest you go horseback riding on the large meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake and take pictures of this magical place.
You can learn a lot about the way of life of the Kyrgyz shepherds, the semi-nomads. We also advise you to taste the kymys, the famous national drink (mare’s milk).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
*
Optionally: national horse games demonstration (100-200 USD per group). Possible to book
and pay on site
* 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 Ashuu (3400m) and thought Boom gorge.
You can take picture of this beauty and breathtaking sceneries.
Lunch on the road.
Upon arrival we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents.
In the evening, we will have a dinner in the traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: 3 star My Hotel / Rixon or similar
Transfer to airport. Departure.
Meals included: breakfast
KYRGYZ HORSE TOUR INFORMATION
INCLUDED
- All transfers in comfortable and air
conditioned vehicle - Professional driver
- English speaking guide during the
whole trip - Accommodation described in the
program in twin /double room - Full board
- Visits described in the program
- Tents (2pax per tent)
- Horse rental (days: 3,4,6,7,8,9,10)
- Yurt show
- Our assistance 24/7
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement
- Insurances
- Tips for guide, driver etc.
- Optional activities
- *Early check in & late check out
- Porters for luggage in hotels and airport
- Alcoholic drinks
- Sleeping bags and mats
- Horse equipment: helmets
- Services not mentioned as included
*Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00
Price per person:
| Double / twin room | Single room supplement* |
| 2068 USD | 201 USD |
Bishkek – Hotel 3*
– Rixon Hotel (https://www.booking.com/hotel/kg/rixon.ru.html )
– Garden Hotel ( https://gardenhotel.kg/ )
– or similar
Chon Kemin – Guesthouse
– Kemin Guesthouse (https://goo.gl/qv3K6V )
– or similar
Cholpon Ata – Hotel 4*
– Kapriz Hotel (https://kaprizissykkul.kg/en/ )
– Karven Hotel (http://www.karven.kg/en/home-eng.html?catid=0&id=170)
– or similar
Kochkor – Guesthouse
– Mira Guesthouse (https://guest-house-mira.business.site/ )
– or similar
Kyzart – Guesthouse
– Maksat Guesthouse
– or similar
Kol Ukok, Kilemche, Son Kul
– Yurt camp
- This tour requires normal physical condition. There will be some walking in easy and moderate terrains.
CHECK VISA POLICY
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.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Money & costs
Safety
Entry & exit
Best time to go
Health
Money & costs
Money & costs
The official currency utilized 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, starting from 2023, the convenience of utilizing debit or credit cards extends to major hotels, restaurants, expansive supermarkets, and select museums in Bishkek and Osh and rarely even in taxis. However, outside these two prominent cities, 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.
Other tours in Kyrgyzstan
Tour updated 10.1.2024
