The wings of nomads

• Season: Late May – September
• Duration: 12 days / 7 days of horseback riding

Kyrgyzstan is not only a country of mountains but also of horses. According to an ancient proverb, "horses are the wings of the Kyrgyz". It plays a significant part in the nomadic culture. This trip will be ideal for horse lovers. Enjoy the wild and untouched nature and learn about the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz nomads while riding the beautiful Kyrgyz horses.

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 40 min)

• We will pick you up at the airport / border point and bring you to hotel situated in the capital (early check-in at the hotel after 6:00)
• After some rest, a visit to the city of Bishkek is planned. We will visit sights such as the central square Ala Too with its monuments and Oak Park
• After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market, Osh Bazaar. Just as you step the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a big variety of goods and colors
• Dinner in a traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine
• Meals included: breakfast (it is served at hotel until 10:00)
• Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

Day 2. Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin (ca. 200 km, 3 hours)

• After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards Burana Tower
• Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north of Kyrgyzstan. It is close to the city of Tokmok. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, the remains of the castle, and three mausoleums—that’s all that remains of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century
• Then we head to the Tar Suu village, located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people
• Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse
• Meals included: breakfast
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)

Day 3. Chon Kemin – Kalmak Ashu (horseback riding)

• After breakfast in the guest house, you start a 2-day horseback trek to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul
• We head towards the pastures of Akkytay, and around noon we will climb to the point where we will have a panoramic view of the entire valley. We have a picnic there. Horses can rest too
• After lunch, we continue our trek. We go towards the Kalmak Ashu pass
• We install the tents at the foot of the pass. Dinner around the fire and rest in the tents
• Horse riding: 6 hours
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: Tent

Day 4. Kalmak Ashu – Balykchy (horseback riding) / Tamchy (ca. 50 km, 40 min)

• Breakfast in the camp. Then we take our horses, and we go down towards Issyk Kul Lake. Picnic on the road. At around 15 hours, we reach the point where our trek ends
• We are already in the region of Issyk Kul in Balykchy. Your driver picks you up. Your horse guide returns with his horses to Chon Kemin
• You go to the guesthouse, where you rest and take a shower. You can swim in the lake later and relax a bit on the beach
• Horse riding: 6 hours
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (Tamchy Guesthouse or similar)

Day 5. Tamchy – Kyzyl Tuu – Kochkor (ca. 200 km, 3 hours)

• After breakfast in the guesthouse, we go towards Kochkor village
• On the way, we can stop in the small village of Kyzyl Tuu. Here, you will see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts, and you will try to set up, with the help of local people, the real Kyrgyz yurt. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation (option)
• Lunch in the guesthouse or in the local restaurant. Free time before dinner. You can stroll through the village and visit the local market
• Kyrgyz women can show you the process of producing traditional felt handicrafts (option)
• Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse
• Meals included: breakfast
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
• Optionally: yurt show (70 USD per group); felt show (60 USD per group). Must be booked in advance. Possible to pay on the spot

Day 6. Kochkor - Kol Ukok Lake (horseback riding)

• Breakfast is in the guesthouse. Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village (15 minutes). From here, you start the horse trek towards the Ters Tor pastures, famous for their pure air and crystalline waters. Picnic on the way
• Arrival in the shepherds' yurt in Kol Ukok. You can walk around and take nice photos of the lake and surrounding mountains
• Dinner in the yurt
• Horse riding: 15 km, +1000m, 5h
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: Yurt camp
• Note: yurt capacity is 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. There is no shower in the camp

Day 7. Kol Ukok Lake – Kochkor (horseback riding) / Kyzart (ca. 70 km, 1h)

• After breakfast in yurt, we return on horseback by the same path to the starting point of our trek, where the driver is waiting for us
• Lunch in Kochkor in the local restaurant or guesthouse. Transfer by car to Kyzart village (1 hour). On arrival, you can rest and take a shower / sauna
• Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse
• Horse riding: 15km, 1000m, 4h
• Meals included: breakfast
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)

Day 8. Kyzart – Kilemche (horseback riding)

• Breakfast is at the guest house. Transfer to the starting point.
• The 2-day horse trek to Son Kul Lake begins. We will ride down through the Kilemche valley.
• The valley’s name means, in Kyrgyz language "like a carpet", and this carpet is presented by the
• variety of mountain herbs and alpine flowers covering all the nearby slopes.
• A picnic on the way is planned.
• We arrive at the shepherds' yurt camp, where we spend the night. Dinner in the yurt.
• Horse riding: 17 km, + - 200m, 4 hours
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: Yurt camp
• Note: yurt capacity 4-6 people. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp

Day 9. Kilemche – Son Kul (horseback riding)

• After breakfast, we continue our trek
• A horseback ride provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places and feel like part of nature. Today we cross Tuz Ashu Pass (3,400m). From the pass, Son Kul Lake seems very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears to be a big and gorgeous lake
• When we arrive in the yurts camp, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle and their customs
• Diner and overnight in the yurt camp
• Horse riding: 14 km, +800m, -400m, 5h
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: Yurt camp
• Optionally: national horse games demonstration (150–200 USD per group). It is possible to book and pay on site
• Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and showers are outside

Day 10. Son Kul (horseback riding)

• Breakfast in the yurt
• We suggest you go horseback riding on the large meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake and take pictures of this magical place
• You can learn a lot about the way of life of the Kyrgyz shepherds, the semi-nomads. We also advise you to taste Kymys, the famous national drink (mare's milk)
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: Yurt camp
• Optionally: national horse games demonstration (150–200 USD per group). It is possible to book and pay on site
• Note: 4-6 people per yurt. Toilets and showers are outside

Day 11. Son Kul – Bishkek (ca. 315 km, 5-6h)

• Breakfast in the yurt camp. Transfer to Bishkek
• We will return to civilization by descending from Kalmak Ashu pass (3400m) and through Boom gorge. You can take pictures of this beauty and breathtaking sceneries
• Lunch on the road in the café in Kochkor
• Upon our arrival in Bishkek, we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents
• Meals included: breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

Day 12. Bishkek – Airport – Departure (ca. 30 km, 40 min)

• Transfer to the airport. Departure

Price includes:

• Group transfers in comfort and air
• conditioned vehicle:
  • 2-4 passengers: SUV
  • 6–10 passengers: one Minibus type / Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
• English-speaking driver (2-4 passengers)
• Russian-speaking driver (6–10 passengers)
• Local horse guides during the treks (days 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10)
• Horse rental (days 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
• Accommodation described in the program in twin / double room / yurt / tent
• Early check-in on day 1 after 6:00
• Breakfast
• Lunches during the horse treks (days 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10)
• Dinners during the horse treks (days 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10)
• Tents during the 2-day trek from Chon Kemin to Balykchy (2 people per tent)
• Visits described in the program

The price does not include:

• International flights
• Personal expenses
• Single room supplement: 167 USD*
• Insurance
• Late check-out**
• Lunches & dinners not mentioned as
• included: 160 USD per person
• Permanent English speaking guide for the group of 2-6-8-10 people: 1320 USD
• Permanent English-speaking guide for the group of 4 people: 1548 USD (due to a vehicle)
• Optional activities
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Sleeping bags and mats
• Horse equipment: helmets, etc.
• Alcohol
• Other items not mentioned as included

*Except guesthouses and yurt camps in Kol Ukok, Kyzart, Kilemche, and Son Kul
**Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00