We live 100% outside during the trekking. A wonderful experience but with bad weather it can be hard.
Most of the time we are in the saddle. We will be most of the time between 2000 and 4000m a.b.s.l. Our days in the saddle are shorter than on other trekkings which allows more relaxing mornings, long lunchbreaks and time for many picture stops or a walk in the evening.
During the whole trekking we sleep in our tents. This area of Kyrgyzstan is very wild, cold nights or unexpected snowfall can always be the case.
For intermediate horse riders. Although we move pretty slow the terrain is challenging. On day 8 we have a gallop session in the flatlands, we can split up the group here in experienced and intermediate riders.
Day 1: Flight to Istanbul and onward flight to Bishkek.
Day 2: Arrival at Bishkek airport. Transfer to the guesthouse in Barskoon (approx. 5 hours drive). Here we meet our guide for the first trek, Joldosh.
Days 3–6: 4-day horse trekking tour through varied landscapes:
Day 3: Start in the Barskoon Valley, ascent through mountain forest to breathtaking views of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Distance: approx. 25 km – Riding time: 4–6 hours.
Day 4: From the Tash-Kechuu River up to the Altyn-Kungoi Pass (3,400 m). Overnight before the Tosor Pass.
Riding time: 4–5 hours.
Day 5: Crossing the Tosor Pass (3,800 m) into the Kerege-Tash Valley. Overnight at the mountain lake Chunkur-Kol.
Riding time: 5–6 hours.
Day 6: Through the Kerege-Tash Canyon to the Sary-Moinok Pass (3,200 m). Partly on foot due to challenging terrain. Return drive to Barskoon with the opportunity to swim in Lake Issyk-Kul.
Distance: approx. 25 km – Riding time: 5–6 hours.
Day 7: Transfer from Barskoon to Enilchek (approx. 6 hours with photo stops). Lunch break in a picturesque setting near Karakol. Overnight in the abandoned mining town of Enilchek – once home to around 3,000 people, now only a few families and a couple of guesthouses remain.
Days 8–9: 2-day horse trekking in the Kaindy Valley – easy route with gallop opportunities for experienced riders. Overnight in a tent. On the second day, arrival at our horse guide’s yak farm and enjoy a touch of luxury (Banja time!!).
Days 10–11: 2-day tent trek towards the Chinese border – a true panoramic tour between glaciers and high mountains, an unforgettable highlight of the trip.
Day 12: After breakfast, transfer back to the town of Karakol.
Day 13: Early transfer to Bishkek (approx. 6.5 hours). En route, stop for swimming in Lake Issyk-Kul or enjoy more time in Bishkek (depending on the group).
Day 14: Return flight home.
Traveling Kyrgyzstan in the most authentic way. Even the locals agree on this! If you know how to deal with horses, you will enjoy the freedom riding through wide landscapes with little to no baggage, and be impressed of the horses’ confidence in difficult terrain.
Not much more to do than to take care of our horses and ourselves, and making some progress along the route. Sounds not much. Yet in the end always enough to be tired in the evening.
From meandering rivers in open valleys to wild waters in narrow gorges. From rocky mountain peaks to mellow pasture lands. From dense forests to sparse highlands.
Standard services unless stated otherwise.
VisitHorse Trekking for an overview.
Standard services unless stated otherwise.
Visit Horse Trekking for an overview.
2x hostel
4x yurt
5x tent
2x guesthouse
We will make a food plan and go (local) shopping together. Some food we will take from home. Cooking is team work.
While in civilisation we enjoy discovering the local cuisine. If you have allergies or food preferences please let us know (and learn the Russian word for it).
Please provide preferred dates (or a range) as well as the number of persons. Some facts about what you’re interested in and/or why you think this trip must be your next adventure help us to make sure it’s indeed the best choice – or find an even better match.
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