Horse back riding tour from Shamsi to Son-Kul

11
Days
June
-
September

We offer you this amazing tour through the Kyrgyzstan, which covers the most interesting places. You will be meeting with nomads, enjoying horse-riding, sleep in yurts and explore areas, that few people dared to travel!

Program
Day
1

Bishkek

Arriving to Bishkek. Transfer to hotel, followed by the city tour. Having lunch in one of the city's cafe's. At afternoon we will pay a visit Ala-Archa gorge. At the evening we will return to Bishkek. Dinner at at one the local restaurants. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day
2

Bishkek- Shamsi gorge

Shortly after breakfast we will drive you to Shamsi gorge (120 km away from Bishkek). Along our way we will visit the famous tower of Burana, followed by the lunch on our way. Arrival at the gorge. Walking through the fir fir forest, leisure time, enjoying nature. Dinner and accommodation at the yurt inn.

Day
3

Shamsi gorge - Shamsi pass

We will met up with our horsekeepers and then start our horseback tour towards Shamsi pass (3570 meters). Overnight in tents. Time spent riding: 6 hours.

Day
4

Shamsi pass - Sarala - Saz jailoo

Shortly after having breakfast we will continue our tour and finally cross Shamsi pass. From there we will have a great view of Kochkor-Shamsi valley. Then we will hike to Sarala-Saz jailoo, from which we will enjoy the sights of Sandyk mountains. There we will meet with local nomads and get accustomed with local customs and traditions. Rest at the tents near the yurt camp of nomads in Sarala Saz, which look like mushrooms from mountain summit. Time spent riding: 6 hours.

Day
5

Sarala - Saz jailoo - Karakol river - Iri- Suu jailoo

Continue riding towards Karakol river. We will descend to Iri-Suu jailoo, from where we will take a walk to the magnificent Karakol river valley at the evening. Night in tents. Time spent riding: 4 hours.

Day
6

Iri-Suu- Buchuk pass- Sook valley

Preparation for a long-day tour. Passing over Buchuk Pass (3400 m). After we cross it we will take a break for lunch. Lately we will continue our route to the terrific Sook valley.  This place is covered in green and has many colorful meadows, which provide food for many animals, such as golden eagles, who often soar in the sky. Encamping on the river bank of Sook river. Time, spent riding: 6-7 hours.

Day
7

Sook valley - Kum-Bel pass - Jumgal valley - Kyzart pass

At early morning after breakfast we will go to the valley on the west, called Kum-Bel towards the Ku-Bel pass (3600 m). From there we will climb to the mountain summit and enjoy 360 degree view at the height of 3656 meters above the sea. After having lunch we will descend to Jumgal valley and travel towards the Kyzart pass (2664 m). There we will set up the camp before passing it. Time spent horse-riding: 6-7 hours.

Day
8

Kyzart pass - Kyzyl - Kiya jailoo - Kilemche jailoo

In the morning we will get through the Kyzart pass (2664 m) and then venture through Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, through the seas and waves of grass. There we will continue our trail over the Chaar-Archa pass (3061m) towards the valley of Chaar-Archa. We will have a lunch and then cross the river heading towards the hills of Kilemche jailoo. "Jailoo" in kyrgyz means like a carpet, and it's common throughout the Kyrgyzstan, covering wide mountain ranges. Night spent in tents. Time spent horse-riding: 5 hours.

Day
9

Kilemche jailoo - Jalgyz Karagai pass- Son-Kul

Shortly after breakfast we will depart for ascending Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400m), heading towards the Son-Kul mountains and head to lake's basin. In the morning we will reach the viewpoint, which gives us an amazing views of Kilemche jailoo and the pass itself. It would be a turning point, from where we will be able to see the lake Son-Kul. From first it would seem small and distant, but hour after hour it would become closer and larger. Not only the lake, but mountains around it would become larger, aiming with their peaks towards the sky, until you would not see anything except the blue tranquil waters of a lake and mountain range, towering the horizon. We will have a lunch at Jaman Echki, then follow the lakeshore east to the yurt camp at Batai Aral. After arrival we will introduce you to the host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Meals and night stay are provided in the yurt of shepherds. Time spent horse-riding: 5 hours.

Day
10

Son-Kul - Bishkek

Breakfast. Return transfer to Bishkek. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day
11

Bishkek- airport Manas

Transfer to airport Manas. Fly to home.

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Included

  • Transportation on s comfortable vehicle with AC (driver’s services, meals and accommodation, petrol)
  • English speaking guide’s services (his meals and accommodation)
  • Accommodation based on twin room share (where possible) according to the list below
  • Meals: full- Board
  • Entrance and ecological fees
  • Trek: horses, horsemen, tents, meals: full-board

Not Included

  • Visa, visa support
  • International and domestic air tickets
  • Additional services at the hotels\guest houses\home stays\hostels
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks
  • Tips
  • Any other items not mentioned above

Notes

The participants of horse riding trip should be well trained horse riders. Group size: 5 to 6 persons.

Potential extension by car:

  • Day 10. Son-Kul- Kyzyl-Oi- Chychkan. Overnight in a hotel.
  • Day 11. Chychkan- Arslanbob. Overnight in a home stay.
  • Day 12. Arslanbob- Osh. Overnight in a hotel/guest house.
  • Day 13. Osh- Bishkek flight or transfer to the Kyrgyz- Uzbek border “Dostuck”

Or

  • Day 13. Osh- Sary-Tash. Overnight in a home stay.
  • Day 14. Sary-Tash- Kyrgyz- Chinese border “Irkeshtam” or Kyrgyz- Tajik border “Kyzyl-Art”

List of accommodation:

  • Bishkek- hotel
  • Trek- yurts