Kyrgyzstan Horseback Riding Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan Horseback Riding Tour Highlights
Kyrgyzstan is a country of mountains, but also of horses – an old proverb says that “horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz”, and they still play a big part in nomadic culture. This 10-day private tour from Bishkek is made for horse lovers: on five days in the saddle you ride through wild, untouched nature and learn about the life of the Kyrgyz nomads.
After a city tour of Bishkek with Ala-Too Square, Oak Park and the Osh Bazaar, you drive past the Burana Tower to the Chon Kemin valley. From here a 2-day ride with a night in tents crosses the Kalmak-Ashu Pass (3,530 m) down to the north shore of Issyk-Kul near Balykchy, and you can swim in the lake at Tamchy. On the way to Kyzart you pass the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir and join a felt-making master class in Kochkor.
The second ride leads through the Kilemche valley, carpeted with mountain herbs and alpine flowers, and over the Tuz-Ashu Pass (3,400 m) to Son-Kul Lake. Three nights in shepherds’ yurt camps give you time to ride on the wide pastures above the lake and to get to know the hospitality, lifestyle and customs of the semi-nomadic herders, before you return to Bishkek over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass and through the Boom Gorge.
Difficulty: Moderate Five riding days of 4–6 hours (17 km and 14 km on the ride to Son-Kul, with up to +800 m a day) over passes of 3,530 m and 3,400 m; one night in tents and three in shared yurts (4–6 people) with outdoor toilets. Drives of up to 315 km (5–6 hours).
Tour Itinerary
Arrival at Manas Airport, where our team picks you up and drives you to the capital. Standard check-in at the hotel is after 14:00. A sightseeing tour of Bishkek takes you to sights such as the central Ala-Too Square with its monuments and the Oak Park. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the famous Osh Bazaar (closed on Mondays). As soon as you step into the market, you plunge into a real oriental atmosphere: an endless stream of people and a huge variety of goods and colors. In the evening, dinner at a traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine. We highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.
Bishkek, Ala Too Square, Bishkek Oak Park, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek)
- Manas International Airport → Bishkek (30 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
After breakfast in Bishkek, we drive to the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan, close to the town of Tokmok. The tower with its funerary monuments, earthworks, the remains of a castle and three mausoleums is all that is left of the ancient town of Balasagun, founded by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century. Then we head to Tar-Suu village in the Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and its rich diversity of animals and plants. You can take a walk through the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Burana Tower, Chon Kemin
- Bishkek → Chon Kemin (200 km)
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we start a 2-day horse trek to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. We ride towards the pastures of Akkytay and around noon climb to a point with a panoramic view over the entire valley, where we have a picnic and the horses can rest too. After lunch we continue towards the Kalmak-Ashu Pass (3,530 m) and set up our tents at the foot of the pass. Dinner around the campfire and overnight in tents. Horse riding: about 6 hours.
Chon Kemin
Overnight: Tent camping
- Shower: No
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Breakfast at the camp. Then we take our horses and ride down towards Issyk-Kul Lake, with a picnic on the way. At around 15:00 we reach the end of the trek in the Issyk-Kul region near Balykchy, where your driver picks you up and your horse guide returns with the horses to Chon Kemin. You drive to the guesthouse in Tamchy to rest and take a shower. Later you can swim in the lake and relax on the beach. Horse riding: about 6 hours.
Balykchi, Tamchy
- Chon Kemin → Balykchi
- Balykchi → Tamchy (50 km)
Overnight: Tamchy (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic)
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we drive towards Kochkor village. On the way we see the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, the first reservoir built in Kyrgyzstan, in 1956. It is used to irrigate farmland in the Chuy region and in southern Kazakhstan. In Kochkor we take part in a master class in making traditional felt products. After lunch, we continue to Kyzart, the starting point for trekking and horse-riding routes to Son-Kul. In Kyzart you can take a leisurely walk, relax and enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Orto Tokoy Reservoir, Kochkor, Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours
- Tamchy → Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (175 km)
Overnight: Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the guesthouse and transfer to the starting point. Today the 2-day horse trek to Son-Kul Lake begins. We ride down through the Kilemche Valley. The valley’s name means “like a carpet” in Kyrgyz, and the carpet is the variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering the slopes all around. A 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, +/– 200 m, about 4 hours. The yurts sleep 4–6 people; the toilets are outside and the camp has no shower.
Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours, Kilemche
- Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours → Kilemche (17 km)
Overnight: Kilemche (Yurt camp)
- Shower: No
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast we continue our trek. Riding a horse is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of this area and feel part of nature. Today we cross the Tuz-Ashu Pass (3,400 m). From the pass Son-Kul Lake looks very small, but as we ride down and approach it, it turns out to be a big and gorgeous lake. At the yurt camp you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle and their customs. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Horse riding: 14 km, +800 m / –400 m, about 5 hours. The yurts sleep 4–6 people; the toilets and the shower are outside. Optional: a demonstration of national horse games for 200 USD per group – it must be booked in advance and can be paid on the spot.
Tuz-Ashuu Pass, Song Kul
- Kilemche → Song Kul (14 km)
Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast in the yurt. Today you have time to learn a lot about the way of life of the Kyrgyz shepherds, the semi-nomads, to ride across the wide meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake and to take pictures of this magical place. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
Song Kul
Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast in the yurt camp and transfer to Bishkek. We return to civilization over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,400 m) and through the Boom Gorge, with stops to take pictures of the breathtaking scenery. Lunch on the road at a café in Kochkor. On arrival in Bishkek there is time to visit the local market and buy some presents. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, Kochkor, Bishkek
- Song Kul → Bishkek (315 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport and departure.
Bishkek
- Bishkek → Manas International Airport (30 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- Transfers in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle: SUV for 2 travelers, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus for 4–10 travelers
- English-speaking driver (2 travelers) or English-speaking guide (4–10 travelers)
- Local horse guides during the horse treks (days 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8)
- Horse rental (days 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8)
- Accommodation as described in the program (twin/double rooms, yurts)
- Breakfast (except on day 1)
- Lunches during the horse treks (days 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8)
- Dinners on days 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8
- Visits as described in the program
Not included
- International flights
- Single room supplement: 197 USD per person (not available in the yurt camps in Kilemche and Son-Kul)
- Early check-in on arrival day in Bishkek: 85 USD per double/twin room, 65 USD per single room
- Late check-out (check-in at hotels is after 14:00, check-out before 12:00)
- Lunches and dinners not listed as included (set menu: salad, soup, main course, bread, tea and water): 170 USD per person
- Permanent English-speaking guide for a group of 2: 1,204 USD
- Two-person tents for the 2-day ride from Chon Kemin to Balykchy: 12 USD per tent per day
- Sleeping bags and mats
- Riding equipment (helmets etc.)
- Optional activities, such as the national horse games demonstration (200 USD per group)
- Insurance
- Alcohol
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
- Other items not mentioned as included
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Bishkek
My Hotel or similar
-
Night 2
Chon Kemin
Kemin Guesthouse or similar
-
Night 4
Tamchy
Ethno Guesthouse or similar
-
Night 5
Kyzart starting point for Song Kul Tours
Kyzart Guesthouse or similar
-
Night 6
Kilemche
Yurt camp in Kilemche or similar
-
Nights 7–8
Song Kul
Yurt camp at Song Kol or similar
-
Night 9
Bishkek
My Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Arrival: Most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning, so we highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel. Check-in at hotels is after 14:00, check-out before 12:00.
- Transport and guide: Groups of 2 travel by SUV with an English-speaking driver; groups of 4–10 travel by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus with an English-speaking guide. A permanent English-speaking guide for a group of 2 costs extra.
- Horse treks: Local horse guides accompany you on all riding days. At the end of the first trek your driver picks you up near Balykchy and the horse guide returns with the horses to Chon Kemin. Riding equipment such as helmets is not included.
- Tents and yurts: The night below the Kalmak-Ashu Pass is spent in two-person tents (12 USD per tent per day); sleeping bags and mats are not included. In the yurt camps at Kilemche and Son-Kul 4–6 people share a yurt and the toilets are outside; Kilemche has no shower, at Son-Kul the shower is outside. There is no single room option in the yurt camps.
- Accommodation: The accommodation is subject to availability; reservations are made only after confirmation and payment.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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