Nomadic horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan between lakes and high plateaus
In summary
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Sports
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Duration13 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationAsia / Kyrgyzstan
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AgeFrom 13 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions451.78 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Explore the vastness of Kyrgyzstan through an exceptional equestrian adventure in the heart of the Tian Shan Mountains . This unique itinerary in Central Asia consists of several stages of horseback trekking , expertly interspersed with breaks in guesthouses or hotels to enjoy well-deserved comfort.
Your journey begins with a deep immersion in the culture of nomadic herders . You'll traverse verdant valleys and wild high plateaus , where time seems to stand still. The rhythm of the horses will lead you to the crystalline shores of secluded alpine lakes , nestled in high-altitude landscapes.
Each evening, experience the authentic charm of a night in a yurt , sharing the warmth of Kyrgyz traditions beneath a sky of rare clarity and starlight. This trekking adventure prioritizes an authentic and unspoiled approach, offering a striking contrast between the rugged exertion of high-altitude horseback riding and the gentle warmth of local encounters. Between hikes, meticulous planning allows you to recharge before setting off again to explore breathtaking landscapes. A timeless escape for those passionate about wide-open spaces and ancestral culture.
The highlights
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Several horseback treks in varied and unspoiled regions
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Alternating adventure and comfort: guesthouses and hotels between treks
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Reliable and suitable horses, ideal for an adventure in the great outdoors
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 4h30
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h
- Average distance/day: 7 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 100 m
- Average daily descent: 100 m
Management
This is a perfectly fluent French-speaking guide (or English-speaking for non-French-speaking travelers).
You will be accompanied by a guide throughout the trip and by local grooms during horseback riding excursions.
Program
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Arrival in Bishkek
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 45km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. A day dedicated to exploring the Kyrgyz capital: History Museum, Ala-Too Square, Osh Bazaar, etc. Lunch and dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 1 -
Transfer + horseback riding
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 270km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation Yurt
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer to the village of Kyzart. The trek begins in the afternoon, after lunch with a local family. You'll meet your guide/groom and the horses. Kyrgyz horses are renowned for their calm temperament and reliability; moreover, the horses accompanying you are accustomed to working with travelers. After approximately four hours of hiking, you'll reach the Kilemche alpine pasture.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Day 2 -
Discovering Lake Son-Kol
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Accommodation Yurt
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, after breakfast, we resume our trek. We climb to the Jalgyz-Karagay pass (3300 m) before descending to the lake, where lunch awaits us in a yurt. We then set off again on horseback to reach the Jaman-Echki alpine pasture. The entire trek takes 4 to 5 hours.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Day 3 -
Horseback riding and overnight stay in Naryn
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 140km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Still at Lake Son-Kol, we set off on horseback westward to the Tulpar-Tash site, offering a beautiful view of the lake and herds of horses (3-hour ride). Lunch in a yurt, then drive to Naryn. The drive takes approximately 3 hours. Check-in and rest in a comfortable small hotel, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 -
Beginning of the second horseback trek
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 75km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, the driver takes us to the starting point of the trek, near the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, in the At-Bashy region. There we meet our local guide and his horses. We then begin a horseback trek of about 5 hours before setting up our tents in the beautiful Shyrykty Valley.
Day 5 -
Arrival at the caravanserai on the ancient Silk Road
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our trek and cross a small pass at 3450m altitude before reaching Tash Rabat, a remarkably well-preserved 11th-century caravanserai. We arrive around noon and settle into a yurt camp. Lunch is provided. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the caravanserai. To cleanse, we visit a Russian sauna. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse.
Day 6 -
Hike to see Lake Chatyr-Kol
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A 6-7 hour (round trip) horseback trek to Panorama Pass, where you'll discover a spectacular view of Lake Chatyr-Kol, located on the other side of the mountain range. Return at the end of the day to the same yurt camp.
Day 7 -
Transfer to Chon-Kemin Valley
- Transportation Minibus - 05h30 - 320km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer to the village of Kalmak-Ashu in the Chon-Kemin Valley. En route, we'll hike for approximately two hours through the impressive Konorchek Canyons. We'll arrive in the Chon-Kemin Valley in the mid-afternoon and check into a guesthouse.
Day 8 -
Beginning of the third horseback trek
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, our local guide-groom joins us with his horses. The horseback trek begins: we cross villages, rivers, and forests before reaching a place called the foot of the Toru-Aigyr valley, where we set up camp. 4-5 hours of trekking.
Day 9 -
Night spent next to a very small lake, "Kol-Kogur"
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our trek, aiming to reach the shores of the small Kol-Kogur lake. It takes approximately 5 hours of horseback riding to get there. Upon arrival, we set up our tents by the lake.
Day 10 -
Arrival at the shores of the country's largest lake - Issyk-Kol
- Transportation Car - 01h - 30km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We climb even higher to the Toru-Aigyr pass, where we discover a spectacular view of the country's largest lake: Issyk-Kol. We then continue hiking for about four hours before meeting our driver, who takes us to a village on the lake's shore. We enjoy a swim and some relaxation in the lake, followed by dinner and an overnight stay with a local family.
Day 11 -
Back to Bishkek
- Transportation Minibus - 03h30 - 200km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Drive to the capital. En route, we will visit the 11th-century Burana Tower. Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon. City tour. Check-in at a hotel. Farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Day 12 -
Transfer to the airport
- Transportation Minibus - 00h45 - 35km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Transfer to Bishkek airport according to your flight schedule. Have a good trip and until next time!
Day 13
Accommodation
In yurt camps: basic comfort. Accommodation in shared yurts (2 to 4 people). Sanitary facilities are outside (dry toilets or standard toilets). Showers are generally unavailable or very basic. Electricity is limited, often provided by a generator only in the evening.
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
We can provide tents upon request; however, many travellers prefer to use their own equipment.
During treks on foot or horseback in remote areas, conditions are truly wild: there are no sanitary facilities. Toilets are used outdoors, and washing is generally done in rivers or with carried water. These experiences offer total immersion, but require very basic comforts.
- Individual tent
- Double tent
- Triple tent
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- Quadruple room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- Quadruple room
Access
Go to the starting point
Airport to hotel return transfers are included.
Price details
The price includes
- The accommodations included in the program
- The stay will be supervised by a French-speaking Kyrgyz guide.
- Full board from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 13
- Transfers during the stay
- The services of stable hands during treks
- Renting packhorses
The price does not include
- International flights
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
- Camping equipment: sleeping bag, tent, mattress, etc.
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Tents are provided for multi-day horseback or hiking trips when travelers do not wish to bring their own equipment.
Equipment to bring
- Small, lightweight sleeping bag (blankets are available in the yurts)
- Flashlight (or headlamp)
- Knife (remember to leave it in your checked luggage on the plane!)
- Toiletries, swimsuit and bath towel
- Wipes can be very useful
- A small sewing kit
- Sunglasses (lenses with high filtering power)
- Sunscreen
- Hat or cap
- Telescopic umbrella or poncho
- An alarm clock (a mobile phone serves as one)
- Small basic first aid kit (there is no communal first aid kit)
- If you wear glasses, a spare pair
- Photocopies of the first two pages of the passport were placed at the bottom of the bag.
- The fewest pieces of jewelry and valuables possible!
Clothing to bring
This route offers varying weather conditions depending on the altitude. Pack simple, comfortable clothing, including warm layers for nights at higher elevations where temperatures can drop close to 0°C. Examples include: lightweight cotton clothing, a sweater or fleece, a waterproof windbreaker, a scarf, comfortable walking shoes with ankle support, and flip-flops or casual shoes.
The Ilichbek team
Our local expert is the ideal partner for authentic, tailor-made adventures in Kyrgyzstan. Combining expertise and passion, he designs immersive experiences, from horseback riding and trekking to cultural encounters. With his professional team of French-speaking guides, he ensures seamless logistics and optimal safety. Each tour is carefully optimized to guarantee comfort and satisfaction, offering travelers a reliable and memorable stay.
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