10-day horseback adventure in Kyrgyzstan

Airport - Bishkek

Day 1: Welcome to Bishkek!

Welcome! You will arrive at the Manas Airport in Bishkek where you will be picked up and dropped at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a city tour. You will visit the heart of the city Ala-Too Square where the State Historical Museum is located. After the tour in the museum, you can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people.

Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys, which make the city a great place to live. After lunch, you will have time to visit the local market Osh Bazaar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. In the evening, you can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin

Day 2: Be Amazed at the Burana Tower

After breakfast in Bishkek, you will go towards Burana Tower located about 80 km from the capital. Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan.

It is close to the city of Tokmok. The tower stands alongside funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – all that remains of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

After that, make your way towards the Chon Kemin gorge. It is a unique place thanks to its unbelievable beauty and its rich diversity of fauna and flora. You will have the opportunity to hike in the gorge and enjoy the beautiful alpine views.

Chon Kemin - Kalmak Ashuu

Day 3: Head Towards the Kalmak Ashuu Pass

After breakfast in the guest house, you can start the horse trek with the local English horse guide.

You will head towards the pastures of Akkytay, where around noon you will climb to the point where you will have a panoramic view of the entire valley. You can have a picnic there.

The horses can rest too. After lunch, continue your trek. You will go to the Kalmak Ashuu Pass and set up your tents in the evening. Enjoy dinner around the fire and rest.

Kalmak Ashuu - Balykchy - Tamchy

Day 4: Spend Time at Issyk Kul Lake

Have your breakfast at the camp. Then you will take your horses and go down towards Issyk Kul Lake.

Enjoy a picnic on the road. At around 3pm you will reach the point where your trek ends. You are already in the region of Issyk Kul. Your driver will pick you up.

Your horse guide returns with his horses to Chon Kemin. You will go to the guest house where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and rest a bit on the beach.

Tamchy - Kochkor - Kyzart

Day 5: Travel to the Gorges of Kyrgyzstan

After breakfast in your guest house, begin your journey towards Kochkor village. On the way you'll visit the Orto Tokoy Reservoir, the first reservoir built in Kyrgyzstan in 1956. It is used for the irrigation of agricultural land in the Chui region and southern Kazakhstan.

Upon reaching Kochkor, take part in a traditional felt crafting masterclass and break for lunch. Afterwards, you will continue on to Kyzart village, which serves as a starting point for trekking and horse-riding routes toward Son Kul.

In Kyzart you can take a leisurely walk, relax and enjoy the serene mountain environment, with dinner and an overnight stay in your guest house.

Kyzart - Kilemche

Day 6: Start Your Horse Trek to Son Kul Lake

Today your horse trek to Son-Kul Lake begins. In the morning, you will go to the starting point where you will get your horses and a local horse guide. You will ride down through the Kilemche Valley.

The valley’s name means "like a carpet," this is thanks to the variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering the nearby slopes. 

Kilemche - Son Kul

Day 7: Marvel at the stunning lake

Horseback riding provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel like a part of nature. Today, you will cross another pass (3400m).

From the pass, Son Kul Lake seems very small, but as you go down and approach the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake.

When you arrive in the yurt camp, you will get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle, and their customs.

Son Kul

Day 8: Ride Horses on the Lakeshore

Continue your horseback trek. Today you will ride horses along the Son Kul lakeshore. Marvel at the gorgeous scenery of the lake.

All your meals -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner- will be served in the yurt camp.

Son Kul - Bishkek

Day 9: Return to Bishkek and Go Shopping

The road to Bishkek passes through the Boom Gorge. You can stop to take pictures of the breathtaking scenery.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will have time to visit the local markets and buy some presents. You will not leave the bazaar unsatisfied -- you will surely find something that you were looking for reminding you about Kyrgyzstan and your unforgettable trip here.

Tonight, enjoy dinner with a traditional folk show at a restaurant in Bishkek.

Bishkek - Airport

Day 10: Farewell, Kyrgyzstan!

At the appointed time, you will leave your hotel for the airport in Bishkek to catch your plane home.

Safe travels, and visit again soon!