Across the Tien Shan on Horseback

Here is the program by day

Day 1 / Arrival in Bishkek

Arrival in Bishkek. Check-in at a hostel in the city center. Walk and visit the Kyrgyz capital. Meals are on your own. In the evening, briefing with the guide.

The drive takes about 3 hours. We cross a mountain pass and a tunnel at 3200m. Picnic outdoors with the horse guide team. Start a 2-hour horseback ride. The afternoon is easy and relaxed. Overnight and dinner in a tent at 2200m.

Day 2 / Transfer to Suusamyr.

A full day of exploration on horseback. The goal is acclimatization and getting to know the horse guides and horses. Overnight and dinner at the same camp as the previous night.

Day 3 / Horseback riding

In the morning, we get back on our horses. Ride up the valley along the river of the same name. Meet nomads in their yurts and tents. Picnic along the way. Mid-afternoon arrival at camp at 3000m, at the foot of Aramza Pass. Overnight and dinner in a tent. 4–5 hours on horseback.

Day 4 / Horseback riding in the Kichi Suusamyr Valley.

Descend into the Aramza Valley. Several ascents and descents over hills through bushes. Picnic en route. In the afternoon, we begin to encounter nomads again in their yurt camps with their livestock. Overnight and dinner in a tent around 2500m. About 5 hours on horseback.

Day 5 / Horseback riding in the Aramza Valley.

Early departure. We climb Balyk Kol Pass at 3300m. Picnic after the pass. Descent toward the village of Kyzyl-Oy. The landscape changes from green to more arid. Arrival in the village. Our horses leave us here. Overnight and dinner with a local family. 4–5 hours on horseback.

Day 6 / Horseback ride to the village of Kyzyl-Oy.

We take the vehicle again to reach the lake. On the way, we pass a “lost lake” in the middle of the Tien Shan, a small oasis. Continue to Chaek village for lunch. Then drive to Lake Son Kul via Kara Keche Pass at 3325m. Arrival on the southern shore of the lake. Overnight and dinner in a yurt. 150 km.

Day 7 / Transfer to Lake Son Kul.

In the morning, we ride horses to reach the northern side of the lake. We walk and gallop from yurt to yurt. Picnic along the way. Late afternoon arrival at a yurt camp by the lake. Overnight and dinner in a yurt. 5–6 hours on horseback.

Day 8 / Horseback riding to the north of Lake Son Kul.

Early morning departure from Lake Son Kul. The goal is to reach the beach in the early afternoon. Stop in Kochkor village for the market and lunch. Arrival at the yurt camp around 3:00 PM. Free time on the beach. Overnight and dinner in a yurt camp.

Day 9 / Transfer to Lake Issyk Kul.

In the morning, meet an eagle hunter at 8:30 AM. Then visit a yurt artisan. Lunch in the town of Balykchy. About 3 hours’ drive to Bishkek. Check-in at a guesthouse. Free time before dinner. Overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 10 / Transfer to Bishkek.

Price

Price in €

4 pax – 1730€/person
5 pax – 1555€/person
6 pax – 1420€/person
7 pax – 1340€/person
8 pax – 1280€/person
9 pax – 1225€/person
10 pax – 1180€/person

Price Includes:

Pick up from the airport, transfers and drop off at the airport in Bishkek,
Guide translator, and equestrian guide,
Accommodation in the local family house, in the yurt camp in Bokonbaeva and guest house in Bishkek,
Full board, (all meals),
Rent of horses.

Price Excludes:

Travel insurance.
International air tickets.
Alcohol and mineral water.
Others services non mentioned in the program.

Map

Notes

Visa-Free Entry Citizens of the EU, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and some other countries can enter without a visa (up to 60 days).
Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
Other Nationalities: Please check https://evisa.e-gov.kg for your country.
Tour Difficulty and Requirements
Tour Type: This is a horseback riding tour through mountain terrain.
Level: You don’t need to be an experienced rider, but you must feel confident on a horse and be able to control it.
We ride for 4–6 hours each day, so good physical condition is important.
Altitude: The tour goes through high mountain areas, up to 3300m
Age Limit: Tour is for participants 18 years and older. If you are younger, please ask us in advance.
Safety
During the trek, there will be local people around who can help evacuate if someone gets seriously hurt.
The guide will have a satellite phone with them during the trek.
Our guides carry a simple first-aid kit.
Medical Information
Medication: Bring any personal medicine you need.
Where You’ll Stay: Guesthouses (overnight stay is at the home of the local horse guide; several guests will sleep in the same room, and beds may not be available),
tents (2–3 person tents / toilet in nature), or yurts with shared bathrooms.
In remote areas, conditions are simple. Accommodation depends on the route.
Meals and Diets
Food: We serve traditional Kyrgyz meals — meat, rice, noodles, and vegetables.
All meals are Halal.
Breakfast: Tea or coffee, jam, bread, butter, eggs (fried or boiled), vegetables, and fruits.
Lunch: Salad, sandwich, bread, dried fruits, and vegetables.
Dinner: Hot meal, dried fruits, jam, butter, bread, and tea.
Diet Options: Vegetarian meals are available, but in the mountains it’s better to bring your own special food if you have strict dietary needs. Gluten-free food is available in big cities.
Water is not included.
Weather and Packing Tips
Weather: Temperatures change depending on location and altitude. Check the route weather using Google Weather before your trip.
Clothing:
Wear layers: base layer, warm layer, waterproof jacket.
Bring gloves and a warm hat.
Extra socks and underwear.
Shoes: Riding boots and something to wear at the campsite (slippers — we highly recommend Crocs).
Also bring: Headlamp, sunscreen, sunglasses.
Gear
KAGAN Provides: Tent, kitchen staff, helmets
You Should Bring: Sleeping bag, filter bottle, and mattress
Luggage
A small backpack (20–30 liters) which you will carry yourself for personal items (sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, water). Luggage will be transported by jeep.
Booking and Payment
Deposit: A €300 deposit is needed to confirm your booking.
Final Payment: Pay the rest in cash when you arrive in Bishkek. Bank transfer is also possible (bank fees not included).
You can pay by credit card.
Cancellation: The deposit is non-refundable but can be used for a future trip.

Gallery

transport & guide

Private Car with Driver for Journey

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accommodation

Stay in a 4 Star Hotel incl. Breakfast

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other tour services

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