Horseback Riding In The Meadows Of Celestial Mountains
About this tour
Even today, in Kyrgyzstan, more than anywhere else, the horse holds a great place in the traditions and lifestyle of semi-nomads. Explore the Kyrgyz mountains on the backs of docile horses, well treated and in excellent health, supervised by specialists. Passes, alpine lakes and mountain paths, you will discover the routes traditionally taken by semi-nomads and their animals. An experience to live at least once in your life!
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Arrival in Bishkek in the early morning. Welcome by our guide and transfer to the hotel for a time of rest. After breakfast, we begin our first walk to discover the capital of Kyrgyzstan with our guide. Bishkek is a green city with many parks and gardens. It is also a cultural capital that we discover, with operas, Kyrgyz and Russian theatres, circuses and philharmonic orchestras, not to mention the Bazaar of Och. We also visit the new mosque and the Orthodox Church. Accommodation: hotel (altitude 800 m) Walk: 4-5 h Transfer: 0,5 h
Day 2: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to At-Bashi, Kyrgyzstan
Departure for the At-Bashi Valley. On the way, visit the Tower of Burana (Karakhanid period, 10th century). We continue our journey to the Boom Gorge. We leave our vehicle for a 2-hour walk through the Konorchok canyons. We arrive at the village of At-Bashi, located in a valley surrounded by peaks rising to more than 4700 meters above sea level. Overnight at the homestay. Accommodation: homestay (altitude 2000 m) Walk: 2 h Transfer: 3 h
Day 3: At-Bashi, Kyrgyzstan to Kamandy jailoo
We leave the village of At-Bashi with our vehicle. After a short drive, we walk to the "jailoo" of Kamandy. This is how is called, an area of high altitude pastures in summer. Arrival and installation at the jailoo at the beginning of the afternoon. Night under the yurt, among the nomads. Accommodation: yurt (altitude 2750 m) Walk: 2,5 h Elevation: +500 m / -100 m Transfer: 1 h
Day 4: Kamandy jailoo to Kamandy Jailoo
During the summer, this area is occupied by many families who go there from their farms with their herds and settle there for several months. Staying at the jailoo with a family of breeders is the best way to discover their daily rhythms, to attend or join the gathering of a herd, to participate in the milking of mares and the preparation of the famous «koumiss» ... before tasting it. It is also an opportunity to help prepare meals, to laugh and sing together, to play with nomadic children. Without forgetting to go to the surrounding peaks to enjoy an incomparable landscape. Night in a yurt, among the nomads. Accommodation: yurt (altitude 2750 m) Horseback ride: 2-3 h Elevation: +100 m/ -100 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 5: Kamandy jailoo to Balyk Suu valley via Kol-Tor lake
This morning we start our trekking on horseback. We cross other summer areas with some camps of yurts of shepherds. Meetings on the way with the shepherds and their herds. We reach the lake Köl-Tör at an altitude of 3000 meters. In the afternoon we go down from the lake to reach the valley of Balyk-Suu. Arrival in the valley, installation, and rest. Night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 2800 m) Horseback riding: 6-7 h Elevation: +600 m/ -500 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 6: Balyk Suu valley to Kabyrga Bulak pasture
Today we are heading towards the Aksai Valley, on the border with China. We reach finally the pasture area of Kabyrga Bulak where our camp will certainly be surrounded by yurts of shepherds nearby. Night under the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3200 m) Horse riding: 6-7 h Elevation: +600 m/ -200 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 7: Kabyrga Bulak to Kok-Kya valley
Quiet morning, after our breakfast we go to the valley of Kök-Kya, where we have access to the lake Köl-Suu the next day. The flora and fauna of the valley, the beautiful view of the glacier, the beautiful landscapes around, the fresh air, the edelweiss under our feet… A feast for our senses! Arrival in the valley, installation, and rest. Night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3340 m) Horseback riding: 6-7 h Elevation: +500 m/ -400 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 8: Kok-Kya Valley to Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
The day is dedicated to the discovery of Lake Köl-Suu. Located at 3500 m of altitude, this lake is absolutely different from previous in the structure of its environment. Surrounded by high rocks, it welcomes us as if in a setting of turquoise water and gives us the impression of being at the end of the world. Night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3340 m) Horse riding: 4 h Elevation: +200 m/ -200 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 9: Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan to The ancient cultural centre of the Ak-Say Valley
After breakfast we continue our horse riding to the old cultural center of the Ak-Say Valley. We return to the Ak-Say Valley. Arrival at the cultural center, installation, and rest. Overnight in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3250 m) Horseback riding: 7-8 h Elevation: +200 m/ -300 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 10: The Ancient Cultural Centre Of The Ak-Say Valley to Kök-Aygyr
A long day of horse riding. The snow-capped peaks of the At-Bachy range come to us. At the end of the day camp in a summer pasture of Kök-Aygyr. Night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3500 m) Horseback riding: 8 h Elevation: +250 m/ -0 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 11: Kök-Aygyr to Chatyr Kol, Kyrgyzstan
Today we reach Lake Tchatyr-Köl, the third-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and whose name literally means «celestial lake». Arrival on horseback at Lake Tchatyr-Köl, installation and rest. Night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3500 m) Horseback riding: 6-7 h Elevation: +100 m/ -100 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 12: Chatyr Kol, Kyrgyzstan to Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan
Our last day of horseback riding takes us on the footsteps of the old silk roads to the Caravansérail of Tash-Rabat via the Pendi pass at 4000 meters. The Caravansérail of Tach-Rabat is a major historical relic of the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan. Dinner and night in the tent. Accommodation: tent (altitude 3000 m) Horse riding: 6 h Elevation: +500 m/ -1000 m Transfer: 0 h
Day 13: Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Departure for Bishkek. We drive all morning in the direction of the capital. Free afternoon to stroll in the vibrant atmosphere of Och Bazaar, ideal place to make the last purchases before the return or to enjoy a few last visits. Farewell dinner with your team. Accommodation: hotel (altitude 800 m) Transfer: 6 h
What's included
The price does not include: The international flight (or any other route to the place of appointment) that each must book, according to the time indicated on the program for a departure from a foreign country | The insurance (non-exhaustive list: cancellation insurance for flights, baggage insurance, individual insurance for medical and repatriation, insurance for civil liability on site, etc.) | Alcoholic beverages | Activities, excursions, non-company visits mentioned in the itinerary or suggested and specified as optional | Expenses of a personal character | Depending on any health constraints in force: the amount of the pre-return PCR test (€35 or $40), to be kept in the envelope until the last day | Tips
What to know
We offer you a carefully designed and tested itinerary. However, it is indicative and scalable. Without any commitment on your part, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to collect your expectations, to arrange with you the itinerary of your choice and to send you a personalized and detailed estimate.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan