Day 0 – Arrival in Bishkek

We recommend arriving in Bishkek a day before the journey begins to rest and explore the city at your own pace. If you arrive early, we’ll be happy to suggest comfortable hotels for your stay.

Day 1 (Saturday) – Bishkek to Naryn

Winter in Bishkek may be cold, but the city’s atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming. We’ll start the day with a visit to a lively local bazaar and enjoy a traditional Uyghur lunch before heading south toward Naryn.
Driving time: 4–5 hours (300 km)
Overnight: Local guesthouse (hot water and shower available)

Day 2 – At-Bashi

We rise early to visit one of Central Asia’s largest livestock markets in At-Bashi, where traders from across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan gather to buy and sell horses. Together with our guide, Zhanibai, we’ll purchase a sheep as a traditional gift for the shepherd’s family hosting us.

After lunch, we ride into the wild frontier of At-Bashi. In winter, the village is alive with activity — herds of yaks, horses, and sheep fill the snowy pastures. We’ll stay with Mairanbek and his family, about 40 km toward Kel Suu. In the evening, we’ll visit Eshinbek, a local craftsman who makes traditional horse gear, and learn about the intricate art of leather and embroidery.
Driving time: 2 hours (100 km)
Riding time: 2 hours
Overnight: Local Kyrgyz home (hot water and shower available)

Day 3 – Taldy Suu

After breakfast, we join Mairanbek on a morning ride to check his yaks in the high mountains — a daily winter routine for local herders. The ride offers breathtaking alpine views of rugged peaks and vast valleys.

In the afternoon, the local Kok Boru team will meet us for a match of this ancient Kyrgyz horseback game — part polo, part rugby — where riders compete to carry a sheep carcass to goal. We’ll join the action and share dinner with the winning team.
Riding time: All day (morning ~20 km, optional galloping in the afternoon)
Overnight: Local Kyrgyz home (hot water and shower available)

Day 4 – Into the Kyrgyz Borderlands

Today, we journey deep into the Ak-Sai Valley, toward the remote Kel Suu region on the Chinese border. This is the true frontier of Kyrgyzstan — an untamed land of glaciers, wild herds, and endless silence.

We’ll pass through a military checkpoint (permits required) before reaching Meder’s homestead in Kok Kya. Meder, a yak herder who lives here year-round, welcomes us into his unique home — a converted military hangar.
Driving time: 7–8 hours (100 km on rough terrain)
Overnight: Meder’s place (military-style hangar at 3,200 m; limited hot water and sauna available)

Day 5 – Frozen Kel Suu Lake

We’ll follow Meder’s daily rhythm — releasing the yaks at dawn and checking on them throughout the day. Then we ride to the legendary frozen Kel Suu Lake, surrounded by towering cliffs and icy stillness.
Riding time: 4–5 hours (20 km)
Overnight: Meder’s place (limited hot water; Russian sauna available)

Day 6 – Return to Naryn

We say farewell to the highlands and drive back to Naryn, where a hot shower and soft bed await us.
Driving time: 10 hours (150 km, including 100 km of rough terrain)
Overnight: Local guesthouse (hot water and shower available)

Day 7 – Bokonbaeva: The Land of Eagle Hunters

An early start takes us to Bokonbaeva, home of Kyrgyzstan’s legendary eagle hunters. We’ll have lunch with Aitbek, a master falconer, and meet Aidana, a horseback archery athlete. In the afternoon, we’ll experience traditional and modern horsemanship firsthand — joining eagle training sessions and learning the art of archery from horseback.
Driving time: 5–6 hours (250 km)
Overnight: Local guesthouse (hot water and shower available)

Day 8 – Tura Suu

We ride with Aitbek and his golden eagle into the hunting grounds. The scenery shifts here — the climate is milder, the vegetation richer, and the pace of life more relaxed. In the afternoon, we’ll continue archery practice before returning to Aitbek’s home for the night.
Riding time: 4–5 hours (30 km)
Overnight: Local guesthouse (hot water and shower available)

Day 9 – Return to Bishkek

Our final drive takes us back to Bishkek. Upon arrival, we’ll visit Albina’s fashion atelier — where traditional Kyrgyz woolcraft meets contemporary design — and try our hand at pottery. In the evening, we’ll gather at Dari Kuduk, a Tajik restaurant known for its rich Central Asian flavors, to celebrate the end of our unforgettable winter adventure.
Driving time: 5 hours (300 km)
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek

Day 10 – Flight home

Early morning we head to the airport, 30 min driving from the capital Bishkek.

Guided by Mathieu,
English/Italian/Spanish/Portuguese/French/Russian speaking guide.