Sary-Chelek Horseback Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Sary-Chelek Horseback Tour Highlights
This 9-day horseback tour starts and ends in Osh and takes you deep into the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the western Tien Shan famous for its alpine landscapes, dense forests and sparkling mountain lakes. On the way in you explore the 12th-century minaret and Karakhanid-era mausoleums of Uzgen and visit a local rice farm before reaching Arkit, the gateway village of the reserve.
Six riding days of 8–20 km lead over the Kyzkorgon, Kuldambes (2,750 m), Ashuu, Makmal and Kuturma passes, through peaceful valleys and meadows, past emerald-green Semenov firs and blue Tien Shan spruces, to the shores of Sary-Chelek Lake. One of the highlights is Kara-Kamysh (Kara-Suu) Lake, a deep, clear alpine lake in a dramatic gorge with the Min-Teke range mirrored in its waters. You camp in tents along the way, meet herders and their flocks on the summer pastures and finish the ride through a walnut forest from the small Iri-Kol Lake to the village of Kyzyl-Kel.
Back in Osh, a city tour takes you up Sulaiman-Too, the sacred mountain and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Museum of Spiritual Culture inside a natural cave. Combining adventure, culture and breathtaking scenery, the tour suits nature and riding enthusiasts with a moderate level of fitness.
Difficulty: Moderate Six riding days of 8–20 km a day (about 92 km in total) over passes of up to 2,750 m (Kuldambes), five nights in tents at about 1,800–2,100 m and altitudes between 900 and 2,750 m. The first and eighth days are long drives of about 320–330 km between Osh and the reserve.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive at Osh Airport and enjoy breakfast upon arrival. Travel to the historic town of Uzgen and explore its 12th-century architectural complex, including the minaret and mausoleums from the Karakhanid era. Visit a local rice farm along the way, then continue to Arkit Village at the gateway of the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve. Enjoy lunch en route, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in a guesthouse, experiencing the warmth of local hospitality. The drive is about 330 km.
Osh, Uzgen, Arkit
- Osh → Arkit (330 km)
Overnight: Arkit (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, meet your guide and horses and set off on horseback along the western side of the Kyzkorgon Pass (2,400 m), with breathtaking mountain scenery and panoramic views. Enjoy lunch during a scenic break along the way. In the evening, settle in for dinner and an overnight stay in tents at Aristanbuka Camp (1,800 m), surrounded by the beauty of the mountain landscape. Today’s ride is about 8 km.
Arkit
Overnight: Tent camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, ride along the South Aflatun River on a good dirt road through a scenic canyon lined with Tien Shan spruce trees. Stop for lunch during a break along the way. After lunch, continue up the gorge of the South Aflatun River to its confluence with the Uyalma River (2,100 m), where you camp for the night. Today’s ride is about 20 km.
Overnight: Tent camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, cross Kuldambes Pass (2,750 m) and continue toward Sary-Chelek Lake via Ashuu Pass (2,551 m). From the saddle of Kuldambes Pass, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Uyalma Valley with the Chatkal Range rising above it. The route then continues to Ashuu Pass, which offers a breathtaking first view of Sary-Chelek Lake. Descend from the pass into the valley of Sary-Chelek Lake, where you camp for the night. Today’s ride is about 10 km.
Sary Chelek
Overnight: Sary Chelek (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave the shores of Sary-Chelek Lake and follow the river upstream to its confluence with the Makmal River. A narrow trail winds along the river, first through alpine meadows and then up to the wide saddle of Makmal Pass (2,654 m). From here, descend along the Kurumdu River into the Kara-Suu Valley (2,000 m) to the beautiful Kara-Kamysh Lake. Along the way, experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle and learn about local customs from the herders on the summer pastures. Today’s ride is about 20 km. Instead of the tent, you can stay overnight in a traditional yurt (optional).
Sary Chelek, Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek)
- Sary Chelek → Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) (20 km)
Overnight: Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a walk along Kara-Suu Lake, begin a gentle ascent to the saddle of Kuturma Pass (2,446 m). The trail follows a scenic path between juniper trees and rocky outcrops. From the pass, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the southern end of Sary-Chelek Lake. Descend from the pass and stop for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk around the smaller lakes of Sary-Chelek, surrounded by pristine mountain scenery. Dinner and overnight stay in tents on the shore of Iri-Kol Lake. Today’s ride is about 16 km.
Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek), Sary Chelek
- Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek) → Iri-Kol Lake (16 km)
Overnight: Iri-Kol Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Iri-Kol Lake, follow a good trail heading south. Along the way, pass through a walnut forest, one of the region’s natural treasures. In the evening, arrive in Kyzyl-Kel Village, where you enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a local guesthouse. Today’s ride is about 18 km.
- Iri-Kol Lake → Arkit (18 km)
Overnight: Arkit (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Osh. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour including Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Museum of Spiritual Culture, located inside a natural cave on the mountain. Overnight at a hotel in Osh. The drive is about 320 km.
Sulaiman Too, Osh
- Arkit → Osh (320 km)
Overnight: Osh (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast and transfer to Osh Airport for your departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 travelers | $1,921 |
| 3 travelers | $1,472 |
| 4 travelers | $1,369 |
| 5 travelers | $1,277 |
| 6 travelers | $1,242 |
| 7 travelers | $1,185 |
| 8 travelers | $1,150 |
| 9 travelers | $1,104 |
Optional extras
Single room in Osh (1 night, per person): $15 per person
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 Toyota Land Cruiser (2–4 travelers) or a minibus (5–9 travelers) throughout the tour
- Tour escort / guide for the entire trip
- Horses for the riding days (days 2–7)
- Accommodation as per the program in double occupancy: guesthouses in Arkit and Kyzyl-Kel, tents on the trail (5 nights), Sunrise Hotel in Osh
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water: 1 liter per person per day
- Guided tour in Uzgen and city tour in Osh
- Entrance fees in Uzgen and Osh
Not included
- Sleeping bag with foam mat and helmet (can be rented during the tour)
- Visa support
- Medical insurance and related expenses
- Single room in Osh (15 USD per person)
- Optional: inflatable boat rides on Kara-Kamysh Lake
- Optional: traditional sports games at Kara-Kamysh Lake
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Arkit
Guesthouse U Musy or similar
-
Night 4
Sary Chelek
Tent camp at Sary-Chelek Lake or similar
-
Night 5
Kara-Suu Lake (Sary-Chelek)
Tent camp at Kara-Kamysh Lake or similar
-
Night 6
Iri-Kol Lake
Tent camp at Iri-Kol Lake or similar
-
Night 7
Arkit
Guesthouse U Bazarkul or similar
-
Night 8
Osh
Sunrise Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Fitness and altitude: The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Altitudes range from 900 to 2,750 m above sea level; five nights are spent in tents.
- Equipment: A sleeping bag with foam mat and a helmet are not included but can be rented during the tour.
- Optional at Kara-Kamysh Lake: inflatable boat rides, traditional sports games and an overnight stay in a traditional yurt instead of the tent.
Meals on the trail
- Breakfasts and lunches: porridges, cheese, eggs, muesli, biscuits, sweets, fresh vegetables, canned fish and bread, with tea and coffee
- Dinners: soups such as rice soup, vegetable soup, shorpo or lentil soup, and main dishes such as lagman, dymdama, plov, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage and other local specialties, served with fresh vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, bread, jam and honey, tea and coffee
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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