Kyrgyzstan Horseback Riding 2023

Description

Travel back in time at Son-Kul Lake! Exploring Son Kul by horse is an unforgettable experience. Besides the stunning landscapes, this area preserves all the attributes of nomadic life, which is what make this trip fascinating. You will meet Kyrgyz nomads who will happily invite you to their yurts and offer you tea or traditional dairy products. By sleeping in yurts, travelling by horse, and eating traditional food you will feel like a real nomad!

Minimum group size:  4 pax

Fixed Departure Dates for 2023:

14/05 - 20/05 / 2023
28/05 - 03/06 / 2023
11/06 - 17/06 / 2023
02/07 - 08/07 / 2023
20/08 - 26/08 / 2023

Itinerary

Day 1. (SUN) BISHKEK CITY. (30 KM / 45 MIN)

Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning. Upon arrival at the International Airport Manas you will be met by our tourist guide at arrival gates. Transfer to the hotel for early check-in.
Breakfast and rest till midday. Afternoon city tour.
We visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Walking tour around main Ala Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of the Guard of Honor, Kurmanzhan Datka Monument, main governmental buildings, and finish at the Old Square with Government House. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there. Visit of Osh market (closed on Monday). Return to the hotel. Dinner is not included.
(Breakfast – hotel, Lunch – local café)

Day 2. (MON) BISHKEK CITY – BURANA TOWER – KYZART VILLAGE (280 KM / 6-7 HOURS)

Drive to the village of Kyzart.
On the way visit Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok town. That minaret was constructed in Balasagyn town; one of the capitals of Karakhanid State existed in 11-12 centuries AD. Explore ruins of that important trading point at the Great Silk Road and visit a little local museum telling about that civilization. Also watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs.
Lunch en route. Upon arrival you will be accommodated in the house of local people.
You can have a walk in this typically Kyrgyz village.
Instructions and preparation for horse riding.
Dinner and overnight at the local homestay.
(Breakfast – hotel, Lunch – en route, Dinner – homestay)

Day 3. (TUE) KYZART VILLAGE – CHAAR ARCHA PASTURE – TUZ ASHUU PASTURE (16 KM ON HORSEBACK / APPROX 4-5 HOURS)

Today, after breakfast transfer by vehicle to the bridge (14 km) starting point of horse riding till Tuz Ashuu pasture. During the horse riding, we discover magnificent views of the pastures of Chaar Archa.
Picnic lunch with lunch boxes.
We take the height and arrive at Tuz Ashuu pass (3228m). We’ll stop there and enjoy beautiful Son Kul lake. Descent to the pastures of Tuz Ashuu (3050m), crossing on our passages several herds of cattle and sheep with their shepherds.  Upon arrival, meeting with the family of shepherds who welcomes us for dinner in the yurt camp (4-6 person in a yurt).
Distance by car from village to starting point: 14 km
Horse riding distance: 16 km, including 1,100m uphill and 200m downhill
(Breakfast – hotel, Lunch – lunch box, Dinner – yurt camp)

Day 4. (WED) TUZ ASHUU PASTURE – TULPAR TASH PASTURE (14 KM ON HORSEBACK / APPROX. 3-4 HOURS)

After breakfast, we take the west direction of the lake and horse riding along the shore of the lake. Small climbs and descents (max 100 m) await you before arriving at Tulpar Tash yurt camp.
Lunch in a yurt camp.
The shore of the lake is beautiful with the herds of horses, cows, sheep and goats. Possibility to go to the shepherds and taste fermented mare’s milk, kurut – cheese balls, and simply tea with cow’s milk.
Dinner and overnight at yurt camp (4-6 person in a yurt).
Horse riding distance: 14 km, including 100m uphill and 100m downhill
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – yurt camp)

Day 5. (THU) TULPAR TASH PASTURE – KAMBAR ATA PASTURE – TUULGA TASH PASTURE (18 KM ON HORSEBACK / APPROX. 5 HOURS)

This day, we walk 18 km the landscape is beautiful with the yurts of shepherds. Although, there are no trees or even bushes around the Lake, the altitude and climatic variations allow watching an exceptional flora and fauna.
Lunch at Kambar Ata Yurt Camp.
Fields of edeilweiss and forgetenots will be present during the hike. Possibility to observe different species of birds, such as: ducks, cranes, storks, mergansers, coots, plovers, golden eagles, carmorans, and thousands of seagulls. Сontinue horse riding till Tuulga Tash pasture.
Dinner and overnight at yurt camp (2 persons in a yurt).
Horse riding distance: 18 km, including 0m uphill and 0m downhill
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – yurt camp)

Day 6. (FRI) TUULGA TASH – BISHKEK (350 KM / 6-7 HOURS)

After breakfast we will take another beautiful drive to Bishkek city. We leave Song Kul Lake and will take the road in the morning through one of the most spectacular areas of Tien Shan, Kalmak Ashu Pass (3446m), towards Bishkek city. Lunch – en route.
Arrival in Bishkek, check-in.
If time permits, you may go shopping in the largest department store in the city – ZUM.
Optionally (for supplement): Folklore show at a local restaurant.
Especially for you musicians will play national melodies of Kyrgyz people and show you musical instruments. You will listen to a singing and enjoy the charming melodies of our ancestors.
(Breakfast – yurt camp, Lunch – local family, Dinner – restaurant)

Day 7. (SAT) BISHKEK CITY – AIRPORT “MANAS”. (30 KM / 45 MIN)

Breakfast. Morning transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home.
(Breakfast – hotel)

Map

Additional Info

Level of difficulty:

There are some difficulties on the route, so participants should be reasonably fit for horse riding. Please have in mind you will be horse riding in mountain roads up to 4 hours a day and more than 4 hours one day.

Clothes and equipment:

Please note that in summer the temperature in Bishkek can reach 40°C, while in the mountains the temperature can be as low as 10°C. Be prepared for unexpected changes in weather (rain, snow, wind, hail). The lowest temperature during the trek is on the shore of Son Kul. At night temperatures can go down till -2-4°C.

Responsibilities of clients:

Clients should accept and be aware of the risk that circumstances may arise which would cause some activities to be shortened or even canceled without reimbursement or refund. Such circumstance includes weather conditions, earthquakes and other acts of nature, as well as injuries or other medical problems clients may experience. Each participant should organize a medical insurance in his/her home country.

Money exchange:

If you plan to exchange Dollars or Euros to KGS, we recommend you to exchange 50 or 100 notes without stamps, inscriptions or any other damage. Damaged notes are not accepted in banks or exchange offices.
ATMs are available in Bishkek. Visa card is preferable than Master card or Maestro.

LIST OF REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR:

Obligatory:

1. Waterproof riding pants
2. Horse Riding Boots
3. Helmet
4. Waterproof jacket or rain cape
5. Sunhat or Cap with Ear and Neck Flap Cover
6. Daypack 30 to 40 litres with rain cover
7. Warm hat
8. Sleeping bag (comfort rated -5°C, please ask before about temperature)
9. Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic and antihistamine cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts
10. Sun protection (including total bloc for ears, nose etc.)
11. Fleece jacket or warm jumper
12. Good quality sunglasses
13. Warm gloves
14. Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
15. Water purification tablets
16. Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents, laptops, phones dry during trek
17. Lipsticks
18. Headtorch and spare batteries
19. Thermal underwear

Optionally:

1. 1 pair of tennis shoes or shoes for city walking
2. Trainers / sandals for river crossings
3. Socks (1 pair for 2 -3 days of trekking).
4. 1 Waterproof overtrousers
5. 1 scarf to cover your hair (during the visits of mosques and churches)
6. Thermal baselayer shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)
7. Shorts and/or swimwear (camps near lakes, hot springs or rivers)
8. Buff/scarf (to protect against dust and cold)
9. Washbag and toiletries
10. Antibacterial handwash
11. Small towel (fast dry material)
12. Thermarest or similar sleeping mat (please note that sleeping mats 5sm with thin sleeping pad are provided during 3 classical trekking of Ak-Sai Travel)
13. Sleeping bag liner (Optional)
14. Good quality anti-mosquito cream or lotion ( ask before trek about msoquitos)
15. Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
16. Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
17. Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)
18. 1 pair of high gaiters (Optional, please ask your tour operator before trekking)
19. Ear plugs against river noises, neighbor snoring (optional)
20. Toilet paper + lighter to possibly burn it

Photos

Prices

The trip cost for 2023 per person in USD:

Cost per person on double/twin base – 895 US dollars

Cost per person on single base only in hotels – 995 US dollars