AUTHENTIC HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR – 5 DAYS

Sights visited on this tour

Song-Kol Lake

Kilemche Pasture

Why you will love this tour

Itinerary

Day 1. Drive to Epkin Village. Horse riding to Kereshke pasture

. This morning you will drive from Bishkek to Epkin Village, where you will enjoy lunch at a local homestay and meet your horses. Afterward, you will begin your ride toward the Kereshke pasture. Today’s route is mostly smooth and relaxed, following a trail with wide views of the Korumduand Baba-Ata mountain ranges.

. The ride allows time to get comfortable on horseback while enjoying the open landscapes and fresh mountain air. By early evening, you will arrive at a shepherd’s house on the Kereshke pasture, a truly authentic setting far from modern life.

. The day ends with a traditional homemade dinner, shared with local family, and time to talk, learn about their daily life, and experience genuine Kyrgyz hospitality.

Transfer:

Total: 230 km – 4 h.

Asphalt: 230 km

Dirt road: 0 km

Horse riding: 17 km – 4 h.

Meals:

lunch at guesthouse,

dinner at shepherd’s house

Overnight: shepherd’s house (2500m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– You will leave your large bag at the guesthouse in Epkin and take only a small backpack with essential items and clothing for the next five days. You will get your large bag back upon returning.

Day 2. Horse riding to Mai-Tor Pasture

• Today you continue riding toward the wide Mai-Tor pasture. The route crosses gentle hills and passes yurts, winter houses of local nomads, and herds of grazing animals. In May or early June, you may even join nomadic families as they move with their livestock toward Song-Kol Lake.

• Along the way, you will stop for lunch at a shepherd’s yurt and share a meal with the family. In the afternoon, the trail gradually climbs to Kyzyl-Kiya Pass, the gateway to Mai-Tor pasture. After crossing the pass, you arrive at a small yurt camp set in open alpine grasslands, where you will stay overnight.

• You will take part in daily nomadic life, help with simple tasks, enjoy a home-cooked dinner, and share the yurt with a local family for the night.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 21 km – 5-6h.

Meals:

Breakfast at shepherd’s house,

lunch at yurt,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (2800m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Day 3. Horse riding to Song-Kol Lake

• Wake up in the yurt to a traditional Kyrgyz breakfast, surrounded by the sounds of horses and cows grazing nearby. Today’s ride follows the Chaar-Archa River and continues across the wide landscapes of Kilemche pasture, where you stop for lunch at a nomadic yurt.

• After lunch, the route becomes more challenging as you ride steadily up to a mountain pass Jalgyz-Karagay (3400m) with panoramic views of the surrounding ranges. At the top, you are rewarded with your first view of the vast Song-Kol Lake and give the horses a well-earned rest. You then ride down to the lakeshore and arrive at the yurt of a local family for an overnight stay.

• Before dinner, enjoy a walk by the water, spend time with nomadic children, help release the horses for the night, and end the day with a home-cooked dinner in the yurt.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 23 km – 5-6 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at yurt,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (3100m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Day 4. A day with nomads at Song-Kol Lake

• Today is a fully immersive nomadic day. From early morning horse milking to collecting dried cow dung for the fire, the day is yours to experience real nomadic life, which still thrives in Kyrgyzstan.

• Join shepherds as they move sheep, bring cows in for milking, and observe the powerful stallion guarding the horse herd. You are welcome to help with preparing lunch and other daily tasks around the yurt. If you wish, you can also go for a short ride into the surrounding hills of Song-Kol Lake for wider views of the landscape.

• There is no fixed schedule – move at the rhythm of nomadic life. The day ends peacefully with a shared dinner in the yurt, stories, and quiet moments under the open sky.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: optional

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at yurt,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (3100m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Day 5. Horse riding back to Bokonbaev. Return back to Bishkek

• Today you’ll return to Kyzart Village via the scenic Tuz-Ashuu Pass. After saying farewell to the nomadic family, you’ll set off on horseback, riding up to the pass at 3,300 m. From the top, enjoy your final sweeping views of the stunning Song-Kol Lake before descending toward Kyzart Village.

• Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a lunch and have time to rest and refresh after your morning ride. In the afternoon, your journey concludes with a drive back to Bishkek, returning to the comforts of the city.

• As you reach Bishkek, your unforgettable horse-riding and nomadic adventure comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of Kyrgyzstan’s majestic mountains, serene lakes, and the authentic life of nomadic families.

Transfer:

Total: 280 km – 4 h.

Asphalt: 280 km

Dirt road: 20 km

Horse riding: 20 km – 4 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at guesthouse

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Map

Additional information

Month	June, July, August, September
Start from	Bishkek
Duration	5 days
Tour speed	Moderately paced
Accommodations	3 nights at yurt, shepherd’s house – 1 night
Activities	Horse riding – 5 days
Total drive	510 km

What to pack?

Clothing:

Warm layers (fleece or down jacket) for chilly mornings and evenings
Lightweight clothes for daytime (t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts)
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Hat or cap for sun protection
Gloves and warm socks
Scarf or buff for wind
Comfortable trekking boot

Horseback Riding

Long pants for riding
Comfortable trekking pants and shorts
Riding gloves (optional)
Comfortable trekking shoes or boots
Lightweight, breathable clothing

Other Essentials:

Sunglasses and sunscreen
Small daypack for essentials
Reusable water bottle
Personal toiletries and towel
Basic first aid kit and any personal medications
Camera or smartphone for photos
Power bank and charging cables
Passport, ID, and copies of travel documents

Optional:

Binoculars for wildlife spotting
Light snacks for trekking
Notebook or travel journal

Before you go

Tour Overview:

This tour is non-touristic, even though it visits the well-known Song-Kol Lake. You will stay in authentic nomadic yurts, not tourist camps. Horse riding is not difficult, though prior experience is welcome. Accommodation and meals are local – please be prepared to experience real, traditional nomadic life.

Meals:

Meals provided are traditional Central Asian cuisine.
Vegetarian meals are available; however, for the full cultural experience, please note that traditional Kyrgyz cuisine is largely meat-based and vegetarian options may be limited.
Buying bottled water is not possible during the horse-riding trip in the mountains, so you should bring 2–3 liters with you before the ride. You can also bring a water purifier or get boiled, cooled water from the yurts.

Money & Payments:

Credit cards are widely accepted in towns, but it’s recommended to carry some local currency (Kyrgyz Som) for small purchases.
Around 10 USD per day is usually sufficient for personal expenses.
Avoid exchanging USD at the airport; better rates are available at banks or official exchange offices in Bishkek.

Communication & Internet:

Internet is generally available in cities and towns, but coverage may be limited or slower in remote mountain areas.
Consider purchasing a local SIM card for better coverage. Recommended operator: MEGACOM.

Electricity:

Kyrgyzstan uses 220V electricity with Type C and Type F plugs (European-style round plugs). Bring the necessary adapters for your devices.
Electricity at the yurts is not stable. They mainly use solar power for evening lighting, and it’s not enough to charge devices. Please bring power banks

Languages:

Official languages: Kyrgyz and Russian.
Basic English is spoken in urban areas, but learning a few phrases in Russian or Kyrgyz can be helpful in rural regions.

Health & Safety:

Travel insurance covering medical emergencies and adventure activities is strongly recommended.