A journey through Kyrgyzstan & the Tian Shan Mountains - Son-Kul Lake | Andrew Bain

Local herder in the Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan | Lachlan Gardiner

Expansive views across the steppe, Kyrgyzstan | Maria Torres

Horses above our Yurt camp in the Tian Shan | Lachlan Gardiner

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Kyrgyzstan Horse Trek

Ride on horseback through the Tian Shan high mountain pastures and remote nomadic landscapes

Kyrgyzstan

11 Days from

$3290 USD

Trip Code: KHT

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single supplement (hotels & tents)

$360 USD

Duration

11 Days

Activities

8 days Horse Trekking

Accommodation

5 nights Yurts
3 nights Wilderness Camping
2 nights Hotel

Meals

10 Dinners
10 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

4 / 10

Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

37kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(407kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Ride through sweeping alpine pastures and high mountain passes in the Tian Shan
Experience nomadic life staying in traditional yurts with local families
Witness the wild beauty of Song Kol Lake from horseback
Cross remote valleys and ancient trade routes rarely visited by travellers
Journey alongside local horsemen deeply connected to this landscape

Overview

This guided horse trek takes you deep into the Tian Shan mountains, riding across alpine meadows, high passes and remote valleys shaped by nomadic life. Journey with local horsemen through sweeping jailoo, over rugged passes and along the shores of Song Kol Lake, one of Central Asia’s great high-altitude landscapes. Nights are spent in traditional yurts or wilderness camps, sharing meals and stories with nomadic families beneath vast mountain skies. This trek is suitable for first-time riders who are fit and comfortable spending several hours a day on horseback, with well-trained horses and experienced handlers supporting you throughout.

Itinerary

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Arrive in Bishkek and transfer from Manas International Airport to your hotel. After time to refresh, meet your guide for a briefing at 12.00pm and an introductory walk through the city centre. Explore Ala Too Square and key monuments that reflect Kyrgyzstan’s Soviet and post-Soviet history. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening. Accommodation: Asia Mountains Hotel or similar

Meals: L,D

Drive east into the Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range and arrive at Shamshy Gorge, where you meet your horsemen and crew. After lunch, mount up for a gentle introductory ride through alpine pasture, crossing several clear mountain streams. The route gradually climbs toward Shamshy Pass, allowing time to adjust to riding and altitude. Camp is set below the pass in a sheltered mountain valley. There will be 3 river fords. Camp overnight in tents before the pass (3014m / 9888ft). Ascent: 734m / 2408ft Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Ascend over Shamshy Pass (3570m / 11713ft), pausing for sweeping views across the northern Tian Shan. There will be 1 river ford. Descend into Sarala-Saz, where herders greet us with tea in their felt yurts. (2936m / 9633ft) Ascent: 656m / 2152ft Descent: 634m / 2080ft Accommodation: Yurt camp

Meals: B,L,D

Ride through undulating pastures framed by snow-tipped peaks over the Ak-Bel Pass (3041m / 9977ft) to reach Iyri-Suu Jailoo (2484m / 8150ft). There will be 2 river fords. After dinner, enjoy an evening walk into the Kashka-Suu valley. Ascent: 100m / 328ft Descent: 557m / 1827ft Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

A long, rewarding day. Cross the Karakol River, then climb 916 metres (3005 feet) to Buchuk Pass (3400m / 11155ft). Picnic with views of glacier-carved peaks before descending into the tranquil Soak Valley - where meltwater streams remind us that the Tian Shan feeds much of Central Asia. (2570m / 8432ft) Ascent: 916m / 3005ft Descent: 830m / 2723ft Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Today we ascend to the panoramic Kum Bel Pass (3550m / 11647ft) which reveals the glacier-studded Tian Shan interior. Continue along scree slopes to Kolduu Suu and descend into a flower-filled valley. Descend to Kolduu-Suu Valley and onward to Kyzart Pass, where your yurt hosts await. (2567m / 8422ft) Ascent: 980m / 3215ft Descent: 980m / 3225ft Accommodation: Yurt camp

Meals: B,L,D

Traverse the sweeping grasslands of Kyzyl-Kiya Pass (3061m / 10043ft), then descend into Chaar-Archa Valley beneath the sacred peak Baba-Ata (4400m / 14435ft). Arrive at Kilemche Jailoo, a summer gathering place for herders. (2600m / 8530ft) Ascent: 500m / 1640ft Descent: 460m / 1510ft Accommodation: Yurt camp

Meals: B,L,D

Climb to Jalgyz-Karagai Pass (3285m / 10778ft) to enter the Song-Kol basin, an alpine lake frozen for half the year. Descend to the shoreline camp at Zhaman-Echki (3033m / 9951ft). Enjoy the high-altitude serenity and nomadic lifestyle. Ascent: 685m / 2248ft Descent: 252m / 827ft Accommodation: Yurt camp

Meals: B,L,D

Ride along the shimmering lake, witnessing nomadic life and natural beauty on the jailoo. Weather permitting, wade or swim with your horse. Camp at Tulpar-Tash, sharing stories under the stars. (3050m / 10007ft). Ascent: 30-40m / 98.5 - 131.2ft Descent: 10-20m / 32.8 - 65.6ft Accommodation: Yurt camp

Meals: B,L,D

Say goodbye to your horses and crew. Drive back to Bishkek (7 hrs), stopping in Kochkor for lunch. Arrive in Bishkek for a farewell dinner celebrating the people and landscapes of the Tian Shan. Accommodation: Asia Mountains Hotel or similar Driving: 7hrs; 300km / 186mi

Meals: B,L,D

Transfer to Manas International Airport for departure. Carry home the silence of alpine valleys and the warmth of Kyrgyz hospitality. Driving: 30kms

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What's included?

Included

10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners
Bilingual local guide
Accompanied by camp crew, and skilled horse handlers
5 nights Yurt accommodation - note there are 4 people in each yurt
3 nights fully supported camping
2 nights in comfortable hotel accommodation in Bishkek on a twin share basis
Two person tents, group camping equipment & mess tent (but NO sleeping bags) whilst on horse trek
Horse rental and handler fees
Bishkek airport transfers, Days 1 & 11 only
Private transportation in quality vehicles
Sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
National Park fees
Medical kit & emergency communications equipment
Helmet

Not included

Sleeping Bags
Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, porterage, etc.
Tips and gratuities
International airfares & departure taxes
Visa’s and visa support fees (if necessary)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Any airport transfers other than days 1 & 11; or any optional activities
Photo/video fees at museums

Responsible travel

Extra trip info

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The trek operates during the summer months when high passes are accessible and pastures are lush.

The yurt and tented camps provide comfortable sleeping arrangements, shared facilities, and basic services such as meals, hot tea, and evening bonfires. The yurt accommodation is on a multi-share basis with 4 people in each yurt. In some camps, depending on the location and weather, we may also use large, high-quality tents instead of yurts; but the comfort level and services remain the same.

For meal inclusions, please refer to the detailed trip notes. Most lunches and dinners are included.

Breakfast – Full western style breakfasts will be provided by the hotels. Cereals, breads, spreads, tea / coffee

Lunch - vegetables, meats, rice, pasta, bread, tea / coffee

Dinner - soup, vegetable dish, noodles, meat dish, dessert, tea / coffee

For those who prefer a vegetarian diet, it should be noted that generally most dishes of Central Asia include some meat – so you should be prepared for a limited variety of vegetarian dishes.

Yes – safety is central to the design of the Kyrgyzstan Horse Trek. All guests are provided with riding helmets and our horses are fitted with comfortable western-style saddles, chosen to suit long days in the saddle. Combined with the support of our bilingual guide and professional horse handlers (at a 1:3–5 ratio), guests can ride with confidence while focusing on the adventure.

To learn more, please check out our blog on First time Horse Trekking - https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/horse-treks-for-beginners-what-you-need-to-know

Travel in Kyrgyzstan can generally be taxing – whether you are sitting in a vehicle or on horseback you should be prepared for an active journey. However, our riding trips can only be described as moderate. Any one with a reasonable level of fitness can join the trips. Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan is relatively easy. We provide the gentlest horses for our clients and are extremely comfortable to ride. No prior experience is necessary. On all our trips the guides will instruct you before the riding commences with some general rules about riding in Kyrgyzstan. Should you have any doubt as to your level of fitness or ability to join a trip please get in touch with us.

To learn more, please check out our blog on Horse Trekking for Beginners: What you need to know - https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/horse-treks-for-beginners-what-you-need-to-know