Tien Shan: Under The Blue Sky Of Kyrgyzstan. Horseride.

Region: Central Asia, Kyrghyzstan, Tien Shan Mountains, Song Kul Lake area
Activity: horse riding, etnographic experience, hiking
Trip Category: regular, fixed dates and on demand
Difficulty: easy, no need of special skill
Fixed dates tour to join: Variant 1, July, 03-09; August, 05-11

Tien Shan - "The Celestial Mountains" is one of the world's biggest and highest (up to 7,439 m - peak Pobeda) mountain land on the south of Central Asia where virtually all kinds of mountain outdoors are possible - from easy trekking to extremely difficult mountaineering. The entire area keeps ecological purity and untouched wild nature so far.

The Alpine lake Song-Kul lies at an altitude of over 3000 m in one of the loveliest regions of central Kyrgyzstan. From June to August friendly herders from the Kochkor valley graze their livestock on the surrounding lush pastures, which are perfectly suited to exploration on the back of a horse. At night we camp beneath crystal clear skies in remote and beautiful locations and enjoy the camaraderie of a blazing campfire.

We offer several variants horse ride treks in Kyrgyzstan which covers the most beautiful sites of Tien Shan Mountains.

Variant 1. Song Kul Lake horseride, 7 days (Tour To Join: August, 01-07)

Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrival to Bishkek. Meeting at airport, transfer to the hotel where tonight is spent. Facilities include air conditioning in all rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and barbeque. This afternoon we explore Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's small and beautifully positioned capital at the foot of the mountains with views of the surrounding glaciers. We will see the enormous Alatau Square, and may also visit the history museum or the state department store, where it is possible to buy beautiful Kyrgyz felt carpets and hats.
Day 2	This morning we transfer by road to Lake Song-Kul (5-6 hours), a drive that takes us 3000m high into the Tien Shan (Celestial Mountains). On the way we visit the historical complex Burana Tower (X - XII AC). The lake is situated at the centre of a small plateau surrounded by a ring of mountain peaks, and is one of the most beautiful spots in Kyrgyzstan. The shores are dotted with yurts (nomadic dwelling), inhabited by Kyrgyz families who spend the summer up here with their animals (sheep, yaks and horses). Arriving at the camp on the southern shores of the lake, we will lunch in a yurt, owned by a local Kyrgyz family. Afterwards there will be an opportunity to try out the horses, which are Kyrgyz, ridden with Russian cavalry saddles.
Day 3	Start of the horse trek. First we will go to the serpentine called "33 parrots". Lunch on the way. Further going down the serpentine we will approach the waterfall. We will stop near the yurts at a place called Sary-Bel, where the forester lives, a small group of people can stay here for the night. In another case, we will go further for about 5 km and spend the night in the house of the forester on the river.
Day 4	From Sary-Bel through the valley of the same name we will make ascent to the Jon-Bulak Pass. Here we will arrange lunch and then go down to the "Teshik" site. Overnight in the local residents house or yurt.
Day 5	Today we are going to see two beautiful canyons: Zangi and Bakchetin. On the way, we'll come across the shepherd's area and will be able to see their life, have a cup of tea and listen hunter stories. Canyon depth varies from 150 to 300 meters. You may want to spend the extra day to explore the area. People say that standing on one edge of the canyon, you can watch Capricorns safely walk on the other side of it and easily make photos of them. After lunch, we will climb to the ridge called Kyr-Jol, which means "the road running along the ridge," and by this old road we will ride to the Ottuk village. Dinner in the cafe. Accommodation in the guest house where you can take a hot shower and sit by the fireplace. In this village it's also possible to organize an extra day and get acquainted with the life of the local people. Perhaps pay a visit to a local shaman, who banishes evil spirits and heal people. Locals will be happy to show you how they make felt products and toys. You can taste "kumys", the national drink made from mare's milk, and just feel like a guest, met by the Kyrgyz traditions.
Day 6	From the guest house we go riding in the gorge called Baydyluu and make a circular move along the slopes of the beautiful Kyrgyz mountains back to the main road. Here we will say "Good Bye" to our guides and go through Dolon pass by car. Descending from the pass, we will stop for the night in the home of local elders.
Day 7	This morning will be free. We will be able to stroll through the village, we will see how people make home things for yurts. After lunch, we will return to Bishkek. Accommodation at the hotel. Farewell dinner. End of the program.

Variant 2. From Chatkal Lake to Sary Chelek Lake horseride, 15 days

Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrival to Bishkek. Meeting at airport, transfer to the hotel where tonight is spent. Facilities include air conditioning in all rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and barbeque. This afternoon we explore Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's small and beautifully positioned capital at the foot of the mountains with views of the surrounding glaciers. We will see the enormous Alatau Square, and may also visit the history museum or the state department store, where it is possible to buy beautiful Kyrgyz felt carpets and hats.
Day 2	We leave Bishkek early in the morning going to the small village called Djaryk-Tash, it is located on the main road connecting Bishkek with Osh. We will drive about 600 km by the good paved road until we finally turn to the mountains and continue our way by rural road. We will have our lunch on the way. In the evening we will pick our camp on the river bank near the trail that goes into the mountains. All our trip this day will take about 9 hours.
Day 3	Today we will start our horseback riding trip. The stunning scenery of forested mountains encircled by the snow peaks will be waiting for us, at the bottom there are green meadows full of beautiful field flowers. After the picnic we will make a descent to the bank of Kara-Suu river in the picturesque valley where we will make our camp for tonight. The distance of our trip will be about 30 km.
Day 4	Today we will make about 27 km. At first going through Kyzyl-Kyol village where you will see and old-style blacksmith shop that still works. After that we will go up into the mountains covered by the bright carpet of field flowers from where there is an axciting view of the horizon. This day we will have our lunch in the Kyrgyz family house in their summer camp on Jailoo (summer pasture) and get acquainted with their way of life. Then we will descent into the neighboring gorge to the Arkyt village where we will camp on the bank of mountain river.
Day 5	This day we will spend on horseback riding nearby our camp, we will see the close mountains enjoying the magnificent sceneries and join one more Kyrgyz family for lunch. After that we will get back to our camp.
Day 6	Today our aim is to make more30 km of the gorgeous way. One can see it as if he suddenly found himself in the real reserve, the nature here is so untouched and it’s so beautiful. The fruit gardens are all around, walnut forests, picturesque meadows. After our lunch under the mulberry and walnut shadows we will continue our trip to the foot of Ashuu Pass ( 2551 m). We will sleep in the camp at it’s foot in a beautiful secluded valley covered by wild raspberries and flowers.
Day 7	Today we head to the Bakaly Lake, the distance is about 24 km. At first we will ride by the trail that goes straight into the mountains through the forest landscape and then cross the wild flower pastures on the way to the lake, hidden at the foot of high cliffs. After having lunch on the lake shore we will make other 15 km along the shores of Cacha-Kul and Iri-Kul lakes and camp  in the great place on the shore of turquoise waters of Iri-Kul where the encircling mountains rise high above us and where we will have a chance to fish and swim. Not far away from our night stay there is a spring with the crystal clear water rich with minerals.
Day 8	We leave our camp in the morning to go to the south shore of Sary-Chelek lake. Our lunch will be in this one of the most beautiful places on Earth, on the shore of the lake that is surrounded by sheer cliffs and caves, hidden in the high green fir thickets full of bats. After lunch we go back by different path to our camp on the shore of Iri-Kul lake.
Day 9	Today is the rest day for you and for your horses. While your horses are grazing on the meadow you have a chance to choose what you prefer to do today, either it’s fishing, swimming or walking along the closest mountains. This place really reminds us the heaven on Earth so you may just stay on the camp side nearby the shore enjoying your rest after so many days of trip. This will be our last night at Iri-Kul lake.
Day 10	We go to Kara-Suu lake today which is about 15 km far. The cross over Kyotyormyo Pass will be very steep and narrow and you will be very surprised by the ability of Kyrgyz horses to go up by such difficult and rocky passes. From the top of the pass you can enjoy the picturesque view before the horses will finally start going down by the trail curling between the high boulders which most of the time leave just inches to go through. We finally will come to Kara-Kamysh lake where we will pick our camp for tonight.
Day 11	Our agenda for today is to go up the mountains and see the summer stays of Kyrgyz shepherds. After lunch we will have a chance to see Kyrgyz national game called Ulak-Tartysh.
Day 12	Today we will descent from the Kara-Kamysh Lake along the banks of Kara-Suu river passing the breathtaking waterfalls on our way. The river takes it’s waters along small meadows and then suddenly flows into the narrow canyon, the view changes so fast that one cannot get used to one scene for the other comes fast as in kaleidoscope. At lunch time there is a chance to swim in the river and get rest from the day heat. After lunch we will end our horse ride trip coming back to civilization and overnight in Kyzyl-Kyol village.
Day 13	We will be transferred back to Bishkek and stay in the hotel for tonight.
Day 14	Rest/sightseeing/shopping in Bishkek by your choice. We provide a van with a driver for you. At the end of day there is going to be a farewell dinner.
Day 15	Transfer to the airport. Departure home.

Variant 3. From Shamsy Gorge to Song Kul Lake horseride, 9 days

Itinerary:

Day 1	Meeting at the airport and transfer to Shamsy gorge. On the way we visit historical-architectural complex “Burana Tower” (IX – X AC). Then we will go to the gorge called Tuura-Kayin where our cooks, guides, horses and the setout wait for us. Lunch and acquaintance. The ride to Shamsy gorge will take us about two hours and this will be enough for the first day. This ride is good for the acquaintance of the group, checking of the shape and riding skills. Also it’s good for getting acclimatized as Tuura-Kayin gorge is located on the height of about 2100 m ASL and our further riding will be on height much bigger than this one. We will have dinner upon arrival. Overnight in tents.
Day 2	In the morning after breakfast out team will divide into two. The cars will go around Kyrgyz range through Tokmok and Kemin towns, through Boom gorge and Kochkorka village onto Sarala-Saz pastures to get everything ready for the moment we arrive. As for us, we will ride at first to the merge of Eastern Tuyuk and Shamsy riversand then along the Shamsy gorge to the same named pass (3570 m). The trail is going along the river with crystal clear water, along the fir tree forest, through the meadows full of flowers. On the way you are able to see many different birds, sometimes deer and mountain goats but already above the tree line. A little higher there is snow but here you may find mountain turkeys, ubiquitous crows, and eagles soaring high in the sky. We will go slow and stop whenever you would want to make photos. We will organize a little picnic on the way. The descent goes on talus and alpine meadows. There’s no forest on the other side of the ridge and onr won’t find it anymore along our whole trip except for a few groves at the rivers, and juniper bushes on the slopes. Our camp is going to be on the height of 3000 m. Here, there are no bushes only meadows and hills. A lot of edelweisses are here. Herds of horses and sheeps like dark clouds graze on the green slopes. On the East beneath you will be able to see villages, fields and roads. To the West same green meadows go and they seem to proceed somewhere to the sky. On the South there are summits and behind them there is the aim of our trip – lake Son-Kul. On the North – Kyrgyz there is ridge from where we will come. Dinner. Overnight in tents.
Day 3	After breakfast we will ride to south-west. Along the slope not losing the height we will go to the river called Eastern Karakol. The cars will go down to the villages to go around the mountains and come to the shore of the river across Buchuk pass (3400 m) first to cook dinner for us. There on the very bank of the river they will pick our camp. On the way if we are lucky we will be able to try kumys – Kyrgyz national drink made of mare’s milk and of course Kyrgyz national bread – lepyoshka or non. Here, in Kyrgyzstan, if you won’t try the bread you are given you may offend the host as bread here is considered to be the symbol of Kyrgyz hospitality. We will get to the camp in the evening. Dinner. Overnight in tents.
Day 4	Today our aim is to go over Buchuk pass. In the morning our cars will leave us and will be waiting for us on the other side of the pass. Our trip will take us about 4 hours. The river valley here is marshy. Every year one may watch here the life of a big marmot family. It’s very interesting how they play, fight, repair their burrows and just lay with their bellies to the sun. We will have a lot of free time today and if you have a desire we may have a little walk to gumbez – the grave of one unknown Kyrgyz noble. It’s quite destroyed but still makes an impression. Dinner. Tent overnight.
Day 5	The aim of this day will be the horse riding over the Saryk Pass and then go down to Kochkorka-Soyok road not far from Kyz-Art pass (2664 m). Today it’s going to be our last camp on the way to Song-Kul lake as on the day after we will already stay overnight on the shores of the lake. The yurts are everywhere here as well as the herds of horses, cows and sheep. There’re no trees, no bushes only grass and further up there are talus and rocks. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6	Today we will finally come to the Song-Kul Lake. After breakfast we will get on our horses and start to ride. Very long trip is waiting for us today. We will have to ride over two passes: Chaar-Archa and Tyuz-Ashuu down to the northern shore of the lake. There we will meet with our cars. Song-Kul is a big alpine lake. Its height is over 3000 m ASL, the climate here is very severe. In winter the thickness of the ice is about 1 meter. You may see a lot of waterfowl. All the shores are covered by edelweisses but there are many other flowers too. Again many yurts on the shores of the lake and animal herds, but sometimes you are able to see one difference here – camels. Along the shores there are hills. In winter it gets really cold here and that’s why in November you will not see even one person here. Dinner. Overnight in tents.
Day 7	Today we will go on the other side of the lake along its western shores and come to yurts the host of which will be waiting for us. The road is becoming difficult: swamps, streams, steep ascents and descents but finally it changes into the flat western shore. Again we will see the yurts and maybe try tea with lepyoshka (flat bread or non) and kumys. Then the full meal will be waiting for us in the yurts and the joy from the fact that we did it! We will say goodbye to our guides and enjoy the evening on the shores of an amazing alpine lake. Today we will stay overnight in yurts.
Day 8	Today the return to Bishkek, the hotel is waiting for us. After breakfast we will say goodbye to the host and start off to Kochkorka where we will have our lunch and then go straight to Bishkek. Upon arrival we will accommodate in the hotel where we will have a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 9	Transfer to the airport. Departure home.

Cost: us for an offer!

Variant 4. From Naryn to Tash Rabat horseback riding, 16 days

Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrival to Bishkek. Meeting at airport, transfer to the hotel where tonight is spent. Facilities include air conditioning in all rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and barbeque. This afternoon we explore Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's small and beautifully positioned capital at the foot of the mountains with views of the surrounding glaciers. We will see the enormous Alatau Square, and may also visit the history museum or the state department store, where it is possible to buy beautiful Kyrgyz felt carpets and hats.
Day 2	Drive to the city of Naryn. On the way visit to the historical complex Burana Tower (X - XII in). Lunch in the of local residents family. Arriving to Naryn, we stop for the night in a guest house. Dinner.
Day 3	Start horseride trek. From Naryn we ride to the village of Char, where we organize lunch. Along the way we will meet a large number of local residents and herders. Further our path lies through the mountains to the village Okmuz, where we stop for the night in local family house.
Day 4	After a day of horseback riding we will definitely need to rest, so on this day we should get some of it. We will spend the day in the village, getting acquainted with the culture, customs and traditions of the local people, as well as be able to see the workshops for the manufacture of handycrafts made of felt.
Day 5	Riding horses again, we will continue our way to the village Borondu. Lunch time. Further, through the Kok-Kumbez we get to the mountain yurt camp Sary-Tal, where we will stop for the night.
Day 6	Today there is going to be an amazing trip to the mountains called "Selkinchek", where the famous Kyrgyz movie "Kojo-Jash" was filmed. The name of the movie means "The Descendant of the Snow Leopard." These beautiful wild places, untrodden paths, where you can find traces of ibex, goats, wolves, foxes, hares, and mountain deer. We will start from the village of Sary-Tal, ride to the yurt village of Bosogo. Here we will have lunch and walk through the village. In the Kyrgyz customs man can pass from one tent to another all day on paying a visit to this or that family, where he will always be welcome and will always find fresh bread and tea. After being a guest in couple of houses we will continue our horseride and stop in 5-6 km before the pass Kyndy. Here we will be able to taste kumys in one of the yurts and rest a bit, we will go into the mountains and soon come to the destination point. In the evening we will return to the village of Sary-Tal. Night in a yurt.
Day 7	On this day we will have a small horse ride to Ozgorush village where we will stop for the night in the home of local residents.
Day 8	From the village of Ozgorush we climb into the mountains. Next we get to the village of Taldy-Suu, where we will be able to see the real water mill and see the whole process of the production of flour. Lunch in the family and ride into the gorge Jol-Bogoshtu. Overnight in the yurt camp.
Day 9	Today our goal will be a beautiful waterfall called Shar. Picnic. The descent to the village of Bash-Kaiyndy. Night in the local residents house.
Day 10	Morning will be free. We will meet with the villagers, elders (ak-sakals), and will get a chance to see the trout farm. After lunch we will make the horseride to the village of At-Bashi. Night in the family.
Day 11	Today will be of mixed impression. The entire path will run through beautiful mountains. We will visit the remains of the fortress of Koshoi-Korgon. Then, after passing through the village of Kalinin, we will see the old mosque built here in the 18th century. This night we will stay in the Zhanyguch village.
Day 12	Going down and getting up, we will ford small rivers and cross green meadows, and finally we will reach the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, then come to the village of Kazybek. Lunch in the family. At night we will stay in the village of "Pogranichnic" ("Borderguard").
Day 13	Our next stop will be the famous old fortress of Tash Rabat. Overnight in a yurt camp.
Day 14	Day of rest. Excursion to the historic complex - Tash-Rabat fortress. A walk through the gorge. Picnic. Return to the camp.
Day 15	Long drive to Bishkek (560 km). Lunch in Naryn. Arrival to the capital. Accommodation at the hotel. Farewell dinner.
Day 16	Transfer to the airport. Departure home.

Cost: us for an offer!

Tailor made trips, for example, horserides for experienced riders in Terskey Ala Too gorge are possible as well! us for an offer!