BEST TOUR
CENTRAL ASIA
Tours in Kyrgyzstan
Tours in Central Asia
On horseback to the world of nomads
On horseback to the world of nomads
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Duration: 14 days
Horse riding tours are very popular in Kyrgyzstan. Nomads could not imagine their life without a horse. They used to say: "Horses are man's wings". It is great pleasure to ride a horse in our celestial mountains and to feel as if you are a real nomad.
Places to visit: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Tamga - Chong Kyzyl Suu - pass Karatakia - gorge Kitchi Kyzyl Suu - Gorge Jukutshak - gorge Ashu-Kashka Suu - Lake Kashka-Suu - river Kumtor - Arabel Suu - Chokoli Lakes - Lake Ashil - Jukku valley (3005 - 2500m) - Kyzyl Suu - Bishkek
Tour itinerary:
Day 1: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek
Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to Bishkek City (30 min. drive), where you will start the day with a breakfast. After check in a hotel you will have some rest. Then you will be transferred to Natural Park Ala-Archa to have an excursion. This park is situated in the Ala-Archa gorge, on the Kyrgyz ridge (a spur of Tien-Shian), in 45 km from Bishkek-capital of Kyrgyzstan. This gorge situated on the altitude of 2100 m above sea level and it is one of the most beautiful gorges in Kyrgyzstan because it has juniper and fur tree forests, mountain river, waterfall and snow white peaks that are possible to be seem from a far distance. You will have a track to Ak-Sai falls, about 5-6 hours. From your path you can see the highest peak of the Kyrgyz range - Ala-Archa peak (4000 m). A lunch near falls. Descent to the gorge Ala-Archa. Returning to Bishkek. Evening excursion round the city. You will visit the central Ala-Too Square, Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Pobeda Square (Victory Square), National philharmonic, and many others places of interest.
In Short:
► Pick up at Airport and Transfer to City
► Breakfast
► Transfer to Ala Archa gorge
► Lunch
► City tour
► Dinner
► Overnight in a hotel
Day 2: Bishkek - Tamga
After breakfast we will start your trip to Tamga village (380 km,6h) by car. We will drive through a stunning gorge Boom and then we will continue to drive along the southern shore of the most beautiful lake of Kyrgyzstan - Issyk-Kul, which is second largest mountain lake in the world (1608m.above sea level). The lake is famous for its huge size and clean salty water. On the way we will visit the Burana Tower (minaret of the 11 century) and its attached open air museum of stone warriors - Balbals. Dinner will be served in the Tamga Guesthouse, where you will also spend the night.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Transfer to Tamga
► Visit of Burana Tower and Balbals
► Lunch at a local cafe
► Transfer to Tamga
► Dinner and Overnight in Tamga Guesthouse
Day 3: Tamga - Chong Kyzyl Suu
After a strengthening breakfast we will start our way to impressive Chong Kyzyl Suu Valley by car (70 km). Afterwards you will start your horseback riding along the Terskey mountain range (5h). On the way, you will see red mountains in different shapes, just before we will visit the mineral sources of hot springs at Jeli Suu ( Dungan Village), where you will have the possibility to take a bath in hot springs. Afterwards, a horseback riding tour to the Physical and Geographical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu is waiting for you (1 hour). Your dinner and overnight stay will be in yurts. A yurta is an original nomad's dwelling. It is made of a wooden skeleton that is covered by felt. This is a collapsible dwelling that is built without nails.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Transfer to Chong Kyzyl Suu Valley
► Horseback riding to the Geographical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu
► Lunch
► Jeli Suu - Hot Springs and possibility of taking a bath
► Dinner and Overnight in yurts
Day 4: Chong Kyzyl Suu - pass Karatakia - gorge Kitchi Kyzyl Suu
After breakfast you will have a horseback riding to the gorgeous Karatakia gorge and then over the Karatakia pass. After enjoying the view of the pass you will take a strengthening lunch. Afterwards you will have horseback riding down to the Kitshi Kyzyl Suu valley (6h). This is a place where you can test Kyrgyz national drink - Kumis (fermented mare's milk). Dinner is served at 7 p.m. Night in tents.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the Karatakia gorge
► Horseback riding over the Karatakia pass
► Lunch
► Horseback riding to the Kitshi Kyzyl Suu valley
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 5: Kitchi Kyzyl Suu - gorge Jukutchak
After breakfast you will start horse riding to Kashka-Tor pass (3937m above sea level). Afterwards you will ride a horse through the stunning red canyon. On the way you will come across the red cave that is called "500 rams" and there is also a mountain waterfall. You will have your lunch at the bottom of the waterfall. The waterfall is situated not far from hot springs (40 degrees Celsius) that are also possible to visit if you wish. After having a rest we continue our way to Jukutchak valley. Dinner is served at 8 p.m. Night in tents.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the Kashka-Tor pass
► visit the red cave
► waterfall
► lunch
► hot springs optional
► Horseback riding to the Jukutchak valley
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 6: Gorge Jukutshak - gorge Ashu-Kashka Suu
Your breakfast will be served at 8 o'clock. Afterwards there is an ascent on horses to the pass Ashu-Tor (3636m above sea level), on the way you will see a mountain waterfall and also you can take a bath in the sauna with thiocyanogen water. After taking lunch you will keep on your horse riding down in the gorge of Ashu-Kashka Suu (6h). Your dinner will be served at 8 p.m. Night in tents.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the pass Ashu-Tor
► Mountain waterfall
► Taking a bath in a sauna with thiocyanogen water
► Lunch
► Horseback riding in the red canyon
► Visiting of "500 rams" cave
► Horseback riding to in the gorge of Ashu-Kashka Suu
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 7: Ashu-Kashka Suu Gorge - Kashka-Suu Lake
At 8 o'clock is your breakfast. After packing your backpacks you will have an ascent on horses to the pass Kashka-Suu (3891m.), where you will take lunch. Then you will ride your horse to the Kashka-Suu Lake (6h). This lake finds its origin in a glacier, that is why the water is so clean and sparkling. This high mountain lake situated at an altitude of 3800 meters above sea level. Dinner is served at 7p.m. Night in tents.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the pass Kashka-Suu
► lunch
► Horseback riding to the Kashka-Suu Lake
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 8: Lake Kashka-Suu - river Kumtor (3012m)
After a strengthening breakfast you will start horse riding to Kumtor river (6h). You will ride among Ak Shirak Mountains, which have snow even in summer. You will be surprised by the changeable weather. It can change from summer heat to winter snow within 20 minutes. Kumtor River is the most famous place for gold diggers. Even in nowadays there are some people who tries to find gold there. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend the night in tents near the Central Tien Shan observatory.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to Kumtor river
► lunch
► Horseback riding in Ak Shirak mountains
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 9: Kumtor - Arabel Suu
The day starts with a breakfast at 8 o'clock. Afterwards you will ride your horse along Arabel Suu River (5h). After taking a traditional lunch, we will continue to the valley of mountain lakes. Dinner and night near the Arabel Suu River in tents. There is the valley of eight lakes. They are situated nearby to each other and you can see all of them simultaneously. It makes unforgettable feelings to walk there.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding along Arabel Suu river
► lunch
► Eight mountain lakes
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 10: Arabel Suu - Chokoli Lakes (3006m)
You will be served breakfast at 8 o'clock Then there is a continuation of horseback riding to the Chokoli Lakes. With a bit of luck you can notice Marco Polo sheep and ibexes there. Also you will visit a glacier not far from the mountain lake. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend the night in tents near the lake.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the Chokoli Lakes
► 1st stop to take lunch
► 2nd stop to visit a glacier
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 11: Lakes Chokoli - Lake Ashil (3000m)
Breakfast is served at 8 o'clock. Then you will have horseback riding to the Ashil Lake. In early times this was the favorite place for robbers. A lot of treasures were hidden in the nearby caves that still attract attention of some adventurers. After a strengthening lunch you will continue horseback riding down along the Great Silk Road to the Ashil Lake (6h). Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend the night in tents near Ashil Lake.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the Ashil Lake
► Lunch
► Free time on your disposal
► Dinner and Overnight in tents
Day 12: Lake Ashil - Jukku valley (3005 - 2500m) - Kyzyl Suu
After packing your backpacks, you will be served breakfast at 8 o'clock Then you will have
horseback riding down to the Jukku valley. Jukku is the place of Kyrgyz nomadic shepherds. It is possible to meet real nomads who still live in yurts. At this valley you even can try national
drink - kumis (fermented mare's milk). Afterwards you will be transferred to Kyzyl Suu. Your dinner and the night will be in the Kyzyl Suu Guesthouse.
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Horseback riding to the Jukku valley
► Short stop to take lunch
► Transfer to Kyzyl Suu
► Dinner and Overnight in Kyzyl Suu Guesthouse
Day 13: Kyzyl Suu - Bishkek
Breakfast will be served at 8 o'clock. Then you will be transferred to Bishkek (320 km), on the way you will visit red canyon Konorchek in Boom gorge, where you will have two hours for trekking and a picnic. Afterwards is transfer to the Kyrgyz capital to go shopping. A farewell dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Night in a hotel
In Short:
► Breakfast
► Transfer to Bishkek city
► 1st stop to have a hike in the red Konorchek canyon
► 2nd stop to go shopping
► Dinner
► Overnight in a hotel
Day 14: Flight home
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the airport.
