If you love horseback riding and are passionate about nomadic life, why not join a transhumance during your stay in Kyrgyzstan?

As a nomadic people, the Kyrgyz have not abandoned their traditions despite the country's modernization. Herders continue to live according to this nomadic way of life, or at least semi-nomadic, moving their herds to fresh pastures with the seasons. They take their yurts and livestock with them, settling wherever the grass is lush and abundant.

When temperatures warm, herders leave villages or valleys to head into the highlands with their herds, to the summer pastures called "jailoo." Son Kul, Tach Rabat, and Kel Suu are among the most stunning jailoos to visit. As summer ends and snow begins to fall regularly on the jailoo, the herders descend back to the valleys with their herds. This phenomenon is called transhumance.

Transhumance takes place on different dates depending on the destination and climate, but generally late May or early June heading toward the jailoos, and late September or early October heading back to the lower valleys. The transhumance lasts several days, as herders move with hundreds, even thousands of animals, traveling on horseback themselves.

During your journey through Kyrgyzstan, you can join a transhumance for a truly authentic equestrian and human adventure. On horseback, you will accompany the herders on this long expedition, surrounded by vast herds and wild landscape. You can also simply observe transhumances if you visit Kyrgyzstan during the months mentioned above.