On horseback along Kyrgyz trails

• Your guide will pick you up at 11H00 at the hotel lobby, to start exploring Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful nature. After a small one-hour hike in the valley of Chunkurchak, we settle for a delicious barbecue. You can enjoy your afternoon, relax in this calm environment, or continue your hike up to a waterfall.

Bishkek - Burana's minaret

• We leave early in the morning to Kyzyl Suu, the starting point of our equestrian adventure. On the way, we stop to visit the Burana Tower, a mosque that was destroyed in the 13th century during invasions. We’ll be able to climb up on the roof of this Unesco world heritage site, from which you’ll have a splendid view on the mountains. We’ll also visit a small museum, which shows the history of this sight and archeological treasures found nearby.

Burana's minaret - Kyzyl-Suu

• Then, we’ll drive by the Issyk-Kul Lake, the second biggest alpine lake in the world, located at 1609m altitude. This lake, which looks like a landlocked sea, is often nicknamed Kyrgyzstan’s jewel. It is surrounded by high snowy summits, towering above 5000m altitude, that reflect in the lake’s deep blue water. A couple of dozen of rivers flow from the mountains to the lake, and form many stunning valleys.

• On the way, we’ll also visit the amazing Skazka canyons, whose name translates as Fairy Tale Canyons. This multicolor rock formations rise high above the Issyk Kul Lake. They were formed from years of erosion. The diversity of the forms and colors will make you think that you are, in fact, in a fairy tale.

Kyzyl-Suu - Chon Kyzyl-Suu

• We are transferred to our starting point, and meet the team that will accompany us on this horseback riding adventure. We prepare our horses and equipment for this 9 day trek.

  Finally, we start our horse trek through the stunning Chon Kyzyl Suu Valley, at the foot of the Terskey mountain range. We ride in a green valley, on a path decorated by many pine trees.

Chon Kyzyl-Suu - Gorge Kitchi Kyzyl Suu

• This morning, we discover the Karatakia Gorge, with its pine forest. We slowly gain in altitude until we reach a pass. We’ll have lunch with this splendid panoramic view, and then go back down into the Kitshi Kyzyl Suu Valley.

Gorge Kitchi Kyzyl Suu - Gorge Jukutchak

• After breakfast, we leave for the Kashka-Tor pass (3 937m). The slope is not particularly difficult, but we climb up slowly. At the summit, enjoy the view on the valley below. After, we’ll continue riding in the Jety Orguz Valley. With its beautiful vegetation and red rocks, this is considered one of the most beautiful gorges in the country. The 37 km long valley also has many beautiful legends on its creation, that add to the mystic of this site. We’ll have lunch by a waterfall.

• In the afternoon, we continue towards the Jukutchak Valley, where we’ll spend the night.

Gorge Jukutchak - Gorge Ashu-Kashka Suu

• We start our day by climbing to the Archa Tor Pass, at 3636m altitude. On our way, we’ll be able to see a beautiful waterfall, which contrasts with the surrounding rocks. We’ll take our lunch there. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Asha Kashka Suu Valley.

Gorge Ashu-Kashka Suu - Kashka-Suu Lake

• Today, we’ll discover the Kashka-Suu alpine lake. We leave our camp early in the morning to cross a pass at 3891m altitude. We leave the green valleys for a rocky landscape, with the stunning Tian Shan Mountains in the background. We’ll reach the lake in the middle of the day, at an altitude of 3800m. This is where we’ll set our camp for the night.

Kashka-Suu Lake - River Kumtor

• We continue our horseback riding adventure to a high altitude plateau nestled in the Ak Shyrak mountain range, which translates as “white sheep”. We travel on a path devoid of vegetation, and enjoy the view on the snow-capped summits. We go towards the Kumtor River, a stream rich in gold.

River Kumtor - Arabel Suu

• This new day brings us to the Arabel Syrty Valley. The valley is crossed by a river of the same name, devoid of vegetation. We arrive at a view point where we can enjoy a breath-taking panorama on the valley of eight lakes, our destination for tomorrow.

Arabel Suu - Chokoly Lake

• We take our horses in direction to the Chokoly Lake. We move towards a glacier.

Chokoly Lake - Lake Ashil

• Not far from our last stop is a small altitude lake called Ashil Lake. This is our goal for the day.

Lake Ashil - Barskoön

• For our last day on our horses, we go back to the Jukku Valley, where we’ll be able to meet local shepherds. We stop at a family to try local products.

• After our breath-taking horse trek, we’ll enjoy this day to rest and discover Kyrgyz culture. In the morning, you’ll attend a demonstration of eagle hunting. The Kyrgyz hunter, on his horse, will command his eagle to fetch a small prey, like a rabbit.

• Then, we’ll arrive in the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, famous for its craftsmen who make traditional handmade yurts. One family will show you how to build a yurt, and you can help put it together.

Kyzyl-Tuu - Kyzart

• After breakfast with our hosts, we take the road to Kyzart. We drive in the steppes of Kyrgyzstan before reaching this village, our starting point for our trek.

Kyzart - Son Kul lake

• From Kyzart (2664 m), we’ll go horseback riding for 4 to 5 hours in direction of Son-Kul Lake. We ride across typical Central Asian landscape, where you’ll see nomadic shepherds and their herds of sheep, horses, and goats. We’ll go through the Tuz-Ashou pass (3227m), before going back down to the lake shore (3016m).

• We arrive by Son Kul Lake, one of Kyrgyzstan’s must-see destinations. This huge alpine lake is the first source of water in the country. Nestled in the celestial mountains at the impressive height of 3016m, this lake is they typical “postcard” landscape of Kyrgyzstan. Its water changes color with the weather, which can change several times every day.

Day 15

• You can enjoy the day to explore the lake, and discover nomadic lifestyle with the family that is welcoming us. Watch them make Kumys, the mare milk, and gather their herds.

Son-Kul lake - Tash Rabat

• We travel in time at the Tash Rabat caravanserai. Located on the road towards Khasgar, the Tash Rabat caravanserai is one of the best preserved monuments of the Silk Road. Dating back from the 15th century, it had many rooms to welcome the traveling merchants.

Tash Rabat - Chatyr Kol

• This new day of adventure will bring us to the **Chatyr-Kul Lake, which translate as “celestial lake” from Kyrgyz. It is located between the At Bashy and Torugart Too crests, at an attitude of 3530m. Third biggest lake in the country, the Chatyr Kol Lake impresses with its crystal clear water.

  Not far from it are hot mineral sources and a mausoleum.

Chatyr Kol - Tash Rabat

• We take the road back to Tash Rabat. The way back is easier. We enjoy these few hours on our horses to go sight-seeing and watch this picturesque landscape.

Tash Rabat - Naryn

• We drive back to Naryn, where you’ll settle in your hotel. Your guide will accompany you for a short walk in the city.

Naryn - Kotchkor

• We take the main road to Bishkek, where we’ll arrive tomorrow. On the way, we’ll stop in the village of Kochkor, known for its local development initiatives. We’ll visit a felt fabric held by an association of local women, who make felt rugs (shyrdaks) and other handicraft.

• In the evening, we’ll attend a concert of traditional Kyrgyz music. Not only will you be able to enjoy Kyrgyz songs and instruments, you’ll also get a demonstration of the Kyrgyz epic recital by a manaschi.

Kotchkor - Bishkek

• This is our last day before getting back to the capital. We leave the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where we met a generous culture, and go back to Bishkek. Drop-off at your hotel, where you’ll be able to relax.

• We visit the Osh Bazar, one of the most fascinating markets in Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy the colors and the smells coming from stands of dry fruits and spices. You can also buy a few traditional souvenirs to bring home.

• Walk on the Ala Too Square in the center of Bishkek. Meeting place for Bishkek’s youth, it comes alive every evening with families and friends who come here to relax. It’s also an important historical place, since it hosted several revolutions.

• Finally, we'll finish our trip with a visit of the National historical museum.

Bishkek - Manas airport

• Breakfast at your hotel. We drive you back to the airport at the time of your flight.