KYRGYZSTAN HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR – 6 DAYS

Sights visited on this tour

Song-Kol Lake

Ysyk-Kol Lake

Kilemche Pasture

Fairy-Tale Canyons

Boz-Salkyn Valley

Why you will love this tour

Itinerary

Day 1. Drive to Kyzart Village. Horse riding to Kilemche

• Your journey through Kyrgyzstan begins with a drive to Kyzart Village near Song-Kol Lake. Upon arrival, enjoy a homemade lunch at a local homestay before receiving basic riding instructions from your guide.

• In the afternoon, start a gentle horseback ride along the beautiful Chaar-Archa River, passing through wide valleys and peaceful mountain landscapes on your way to Kilemche. The path is smooth, making it a great opportunity to gain confidence and build a good connection with your horse.

• By early evening, you arrive at a yurt camp run by a local herder family. After settling in, take time to walk in the surrounding hills, enjoy the fresh mountain air, and observe the daily life of Kyrgyz nomads. Overnight in a traditional yurt.

Transfer:

Total: 280 km – 4 h.

Asphalt: 280 km

Dirt road: 0 km

Horse riding: 21 km – 4-5h.

Meals:

lunch at guesthouse,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (2700m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: No

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– No prior horse-riding experience is required. You will leave your large bag at the guesthouse in Kyzart and take only a small backpack with essential items and clothing for the next three days.

– You will get your large bag back upon returning.

Day 2. Horse riding to Song-Kol Lake

• Today’s horse ride will be more demanding. After breakfast, you’ll begin your ascent toward the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass. (3300m). The climb is challenging at times, but the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains make the effort worthwhile. As you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with your first sweeping view of the magnificent Song-Kol Lake shimmering below.

• After a rest break on the pass, you’ll descend toward the lake and arrive at a yurt camp for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll continue riding west along the lakeshore, passing traditional nomadic yurts, grazing animals, and wide-open pastures that define the highland landscape.

• Your destination for the night is the Tuz-Ashuu pasture, beautifully situated by the lake. Once you arrive, you’ll release your horses for the night, settle into the yurt, and enjoy a dinner surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of Song-Kol.

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: Mobile phone

Shower: On request

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– Although daytime temperatures can be warm at Song-Kol Lake, evening can get chilly, so be sure to bring warm clothing.

Day 3. Horse riding to the western shore of Song-Kol Lake

• Today you’ll enjoy a relaxing day of horse riding along the shores of Song-Kol Lake. After two days in the saddle, you are feeling more confident, and your guide will lead you at a canter or even a gallop across the smooth lakeside terrain, without needing to ride over any mountains.

• By midday, you will reach the Ozbek-Ashuu pasture on the western shore of Song-Kol, where you’ll stop for lunch in a yurt owned by local nomads. This is also where you will spend the night. After lunch, you have free time to walk by the lake, observe the peaceful nomadic life around you, or head out for another short ride into the nearby hills.

• Dinner will be served in the yurt before you settle in for an overnight stay.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 16 km – 4 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at yurt,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: yurt (3100m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: Mobile phone

Shower: No

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Day 4. Horse riding to back to Kyzart Village. Road trip to Ysyk-Kol Lake.

• Today you’ll return to Kyzart Village via the scenic Ozbek-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 have lunch and a chance to rest and refresh after the morning ride. In the afternoon, your journey continues to Ysyk-Kol Lake, traveling along its southern shore with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

• Close to the evening, you can take a short trip to the Fairy-Tale Canyons and enjoy the sunset over the canyons and Ysyk-Kol Lake. Then you’ll arrive at your guesthouse in Bokonbaev Village, where you can enjoy dinner and relax after your memorable horse-riding adventure.

Transfer:

Total: 200 km – 3-4 h.

Asphalt: 200 km

Dirt road: 0 km

Horse riding: 20 km – 4-5 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at guesthouse,

dinner at guesthouse

Overnight: guesthouse

WC: Shared / Private

Internet: Wi-Fi

Shower: Available

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– Bokonbaev is located a bit farther from the lake shore. If you prefer to stay closer to the lake, please confirm with your tour manager – yurt accommodation options are available by the lake.

– The tour to the Fairy-Tale Canyon is optional and available for an additional fee; please confirm with the tour manager.

Day 5. Horse riding to Boz-Salkyn pasture

• This morning, you’ll saddle up and begin your ride toward the nomads’ summer pasture in the Boz-Salkyn Valley. The first part of the journey is gentle, taking you through open fields, grazing meadows, and small nomadic farms. It’s a great chance to get comfortable in the saddle, enjoy the fresh mountain air, and see daily life in the highlands.

• Around midday, you’ll stop by a riverside for a picnic and rest. Afterward, the trail becomes more challenging as you ascend toward the Karaly-Archa Pass (2800m). From the top, enjoy a stunning panorama of Ysyk-Kol Lake, framed by mountains, canyons, and villages.

• After photos and a short break, you’ll descend through fragrant forests to reach a traditional nomadic yurt camp in Boz-Salkyn, where a warm welcome, hot tea, and a peaceful night in a yurt await you.

Transfer:

Total: 0

Horse riding: 23 km – 5-6 h.

Meals:

Breakfast at guesthouse,

lunch-picnic,

dinner at yurt

Overnight: Yurt (2500m)

WC: Sharing WC

Internet: Mobile phone

Shower: On request

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– Instead of driving in a UAZ, you can also trek or ride a horse to Altyn-Arashan for a more active adventure.

Day 6. Horse riding back to Bokonbaev. Return back to Bishkek

• Wake up in a yurt in the mountains and mount your horse for the ride back to Bokonbaev Village. The trail downhill is easier, winding through a scenic gorge with stunning mountain views along the way.

• Upon reaching the village, you’ll meet Kyrgyz eagle hunters and witness the ancient art of eagle hunting. Learn about the traditions and techniques, and capture memorable photos with an eagle perched on horseback. After this unique experience, continue your final ride to the guesthouse for a lunch.

• In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Bishkek, reflecting on your horseback adventure and nomadic experiences. This marks the end of your trip, filled with mountains, lakes, and the nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan.

Transfer:

Total: 270 km – 4 h.

Asphalt: 270 km

Dirt road: 0 km

Horse riding: 16 km – 4 h

Meals:

Breakfast at yurt,

lunch at guesthouse

NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

– The eagle hunting experience is a demonstration with explanations and staged hunting on animal skins. Real hunting on horseback is only available in winter.

– The eagle hunting demonstration is optional – if you prefer, you can skip it.

– You’ll arrive back in Bishkek at around 7-8 PM.

Map

Additional information

Month	May, June, July, August, September, October
Start from	Bishkek
Duration	6 days
Tour speed	Moderately paced
Accommodations	1 night at guesthouse, 4 nights at yurt
Total drive	750 km
Activities	Horse riding – 6 days

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 & trekking

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:

The tour is suitable for beginners, but you should be comfortable spending five days in the saddle
The tour has two parts: four days of horseback riding to Song-Kol Lake and two days of riding along the south shore of Ysyk-Kol Lake. You will transfer between the two locations by car, refresh at a guesthouse, change horses, and continue your journey for the next two days

Meals:

Meals provided are traditional Central Asian cuisine.
Vegetarian options are available – please inform your tour manager of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
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. Your guide can assist with currency exchange.

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.

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. Don’t worry – you’ll always have your guide-translator by your side.

Health & Safety:

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