Horseback riding expedition / Central Tien Shan

BISHKEK → KYZYL SUU

Pick-up from the airport or in Bishkek. We transfer 380 km toward Kyzyl Suu, stopping for lunch on the way. We then have time to swim on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake before arriving late at the guest house. Overnight and dinner in the family house of the equestrian guide in Kyzyl Suu village.

🚗 Transfer 380 km · Issyk Kul · 🏡 Family house · Dinner

KYZY L SUU → BOKONBAEVA → SKAZKA → JUKUCHAK

Very early in the morning, we take our vehicle again and continue along Lake Issyk Kul. We meet an eagle hunter and have lunch in the village of Bokonbaeva. We continue toward Skazka Canyon, with the possibility of swimming in the lake. At the end of the day, we arrive at the camp in Jukuchak Valley, where we meet our equestrian team and horses.

🚗 300 km · Skazka Canyon 🦅 Eagle hunter· 🏔 2,000 m

JUKUCHAK VALLEY → MOUNTAIN CAMP

We begin our horseback journey into the mountains. We ride for 5–6 hours before reaching our campsite. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 2,700 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback · 2,700 m ⛺️ Tent

JUKUCHAK → JUUKU VALLEY

We continue deeper into the mountains, riding through Juuku Valley. The route takes us into increasingly remote high-altitude landscapes. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,700 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback · 🏔 3,700 m · High-altitude camp

JUUKU VALLEY → ARABEL VALLEY

We continue across the high mountain landscape toward the Arabel Valley. The route follows open alpine terrain with dramatic views of the Central Tien-Shan. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,300 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback · 🏔️ 3,300 m · Alpine plateau

ARABEL VALLEY → KARASAY

We continue riding through remote mountain terrain toward Karasay village. We spend 5–6 hours on horseback before reaching our campsite. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,500 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback · 🏔️ 3,500 m · Remote area

KARASAY → CHAKYR KORUM VALLEY

We continue our expedition through the remote Chakyr Korum Valley. The route remains high in the mountains, with another 5–6 hours on horseback. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,300 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback · 🏔️ 3,300 m · Mountain valley

CHAKYR KORUM → JETIM BEL → JAGALMAY

We cross Jetim Bel Pass at 4,100 m and descend into the southern Arabel Valley. We have a picnic at the South Jetim summer pasture, with the option to stop in a nomad’s yurt. We then continue to the camp at 3,700 m by the Arabel River.

🐎 7 h horseback · 🏔 4,100 m pass · Nomad yurt · 3,700 m camp

JAGALMAY → KOBURGONTU VALLEY

Today is an exploration day. We can explore the surrounding landscape on horseback or simply enjoy this beautiful remote location. Overnight and dinner at the same campsite.

🐎 Horseback riding, Exploration day · ⛺️ Remote camp

KOBURGONTU → KUNAN ASHU

We continue the expedition through Kunan Ashu Valley, riding for 5–6 hours through remote mountain landscapes. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,200 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback ⛺️ 3,200 m · Tent

KUNAN ASHU → UNKUR TOO

We continue through Unkur Too Valley, riding for 5–6 hours. The route remains remote and mountainous. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,000 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback 🏔️ 3,000 m · Mountain valley

UNKUR TOO → KIZIL JAR

We ride deeper into the Central Tien-Shan through Kizil Jar Valley. After another 5–6 hours on horseback, we reach our campsite. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,200 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback ⛺️ 3,200 m · Remote camp

KIZIL JAR → JYLANACH BASHI

We continue toward Jylanach Bashi Valley. This is the final evening with our equestrian team and horses. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 3,100 m.

🐎 5–6 h horseback ⛺️ 3,100 m · Final horseback camp

JYLANACH BASHI → KOK KIYA

We ride for around 4 hours. After a picnic, we meet our driver and complete the border-zone formalities. We then transfer for approximately 2 hours to Kok Kiya Valley. Overnight and dinner in a yurt at 3,200 m.

🐎 4 h horseback 🚗 2 h transfer · Border zone · 3,200 m

KOK KIYA → KEL-SUU → NARYN

In the morning, we pick up the horses from the camp and hike to Kel-Suu Lake at 3,500 m. The hike takes around 3 hours round trip. We have lunch in a yurt before driving approximately 3 hours to Naryn. Dinner in a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

🏔️ 3,500 m · Kel-Suu Lake 🥾3 h hike · Naryn

NARYN → SON-KUL

In the morning, we leave for Son-Kul Lake, the jewel of the nomads. We arrive around midday and have a free afternoon to explore the area around the camp. Overnight and dinner in a yurt at 3,016 m.

🚗 3 h driving 🏔️3,016 m 🛖 Son-Kul Yurt