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Price for 4 PAX

Cultural Tour in Kyrgyzstan with 3 day horse trek to Song-Kul lake

$1580
+ flight to Bishkek and back home
Difficulty level
Comfort level
Duration
3 / 5
3 / 5
10 days
left 5 out of 12
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3 / 5
Adrenaline level
Group size
1 — Easy
2 — Light
3 — Average
4 — Challenging
5 — Extreme
AVAILABLE 2020
Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep
Transportation
All transfers by comfortable minibus
Guiding
English speaking tour leader
Meals
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinners)
Accommodation
Accommodation throughout the trip (hotels, guesthouses and yurts)
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Enjoy the views of the Tien Shan glaciers and alpine meadows
  • Visit small mountain villages and shepherd's yurts to plunge into the life of nomads
  • Permanently enjoy indescribable beautiful scenery and unite with pristine nature
  • Live a true nomadic life - horseback and donkey riding, wild honey, lamb, fresh trout, nights in yurtas with shepherds and an endless sky with millions of stars above
  • Wildlife: Mountain goats, Marmots, Birds, Predator birds, Rodents, Yaks, Hare, Reptiles

The mountains are calling! We will ride through the most beautiful places of untouched wildlife, see the life of real nomads and breathe in the incredible air of freedom.

This trip is suitable for people with NO riding experience.
We will ride horses for 15-20 kilometers each day.

Available: Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep
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Itinerary

Explore
our travel itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Most flights arrive very early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel and early check in at the hotel. You can have a rest after your long flight, take a shower and have breakfast.

Transfer to Ala Archa National Park, in the mountains, just 30km outside of Bishkek. We will have a walk in the Park, enjoying the nice views and fresh air. Optional 30min hike to panorama. Transfer back to Bishkek for lunch in the city center.

In the afternoon we will have a city tour in Bishkek. The tour includes Osh Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Ala-Too Square with the National History Museum, and monuments to national hero Manas, writer Chingiz Aitmatov and another Kyrgyz hero Baatyr Kozhomkul. Dinner in a nice local restaurant.

Hotel Madison or similar

Day 2: Bishkek – Chon Kemin (160km, 3h)
After breakfast we depart from Bishkek. First stop is Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok, 60km east of Bishkek. The minaret from the 11th century is the only remaining building from the ancient town of Balasagun, once capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a nice view of the Chuy valley. There is also a small open-air museum with "balbals", carved stone figures used as monuments.

We then continue driving further into the mountains to a guesthouse in the beautiful Chon-Kemin Valley. Upon arrival we have lunch at the guesthouse. In the afternoon you can have a walk in the village, observe the life of the local people, or go for a short horse riding tour into the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Ashu Guesthouse (single/ twin room with private bathroom)

Day 3: Chon Kemin - Kyzart village (160km, 3h)
After breakfast we depart from Chon Kemin. We will continue driving further into the mountains to mystic Kok-Moinok Canyons, which for many years has been transformed by wind into fabulous sculptures and formations. Walk, take photos and enjoy outstanding red Mars like landscape. Rest and lunch boxes by the canyons.

Optionally, instead of Kok-Moinok Canyons we may drive to Konorchek Canyons and have a hike for 1 hour one way for greater and epic canyons.

After a short hike in canyons we will continue driving to Naryn region and stop at panorama near Orto-Tokoi Water Reservoir. From these point opens an amazing panorama to reservoir and surrounding mountain ranges. Short stop for photos and mindful thoughts.

By the evening we will arrive to Kyzart village, where we will start our horse trek tomorrow. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Day 4: Kyzart village - Start of Horse trek 1st day
After fresh home made breakfast start your horse riding trip. This day we go through flat Kairak mountains and descend Bazar-Turuk valley. We will have lunch at midday at nomad's family. At the same time relax a bit and continue your journey to Kilemche. Kilemche means carpet in Kyrgyz language. As it's name said it is a beautiful summer highlands for the local semi nomads from Kyzart village. Dinner and overnight will be at the yurts. This day's total distance is 20 km.

Day 5: Horse trek 2nd day – Song-Kul lake
We get up and have breakfast. Say bye to your host family and continue your journey to the second biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is called Son-Köl. Today the journey will be harder. Because we will pass a pass which is 3400 m high from the sea level. Enjoy the view. After that we arrive to our yurts and have lunch. Relax by the lake till dinner time. Overnight in the yurts. Today's total distance is around 15 to 17 km.

Day 6: Horse trek 3rd day - Song-Kul lake
After breakfast we continue our horse riding trip to the south side of the lake. Total distance is 25-30 km. But the land is flat and our horses will not be tired. Lunch box by the lake. Dinner and overnight at the yurts.

Day 7: Song-Kul lake – Bokonbaevo (210km, 3h)
Transfer to Bokonbaevo Village. On the way stop in Kochkor. In Kochkor we will visit a workshop where local women produce carpets from felt. You can even try to make your own. At the place of the women's cooperative we will have lunch.

On arrival to Bokonbaevo demonstration of an eagle/falcon hunting show. It is an ancient tradition of Kyrgyz hunters. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 8: Bokonbaevo – Fairytale Canyon - Jety Oguz Valley - Karakol (200km, 3h)
After breakfast we drive along the southern shore of lake Issyk Kul to the village of Karakol. On the way we visit the canyon "Skazka", translated as "Fairytale" due to its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into fabulous sculptures and formations. We go for a short hike.

Next stop is Jety Oguz Valley with the famous red rock formations "Seven Bulls" and the "Broken Heart". Your guide will tell you the legends of how the rocks got these names.

Arrival to Karakol. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Day 9: Karakol – Cholpon-Ata
After breakfast in Karakol we have a tour of the town's most interesting sights. The tour includes the Dungan Mosque, built in 1904 with no metal nails and the wooden Russian Orthodox Church which has been standing since 1869.
Then we will continue driving along the northern shore of the lake and arrive to Cholpon Ata, to visit an open-air site with many ancient petroglyphs, i.e. stone drawings and visit cultural centre Ruh-Ordo.
Day 10: Cholpon-Ata – Bishkek
After breakfast transfer to Bishkek. And in the afternoon we will have a city tour in Bishkek. We will visit Osh Bazaar, where you can buy some souvenirs. Dinner in a nice local restaurant.

Hotel Madison or similar
Day 11: Bishkek - Departure
Today it's time to say a fond farewell to beautiful Kyrgyzstan. Our driver will provide your transfer to Bishkek International Airport. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will return soon to explore more of Kyrgyzstan.
Full route on the map
Prices
Price per PAX
2 pax 2385 $/per
3 pax 1846 $/per
4 pax 1580 $/per
5 pax 1415 $/per
6 pax 1310 $/per
7 pax 1235 $/per
8 pax 1175 $/per

Single supplement available for $300
Note: can be guarantied only in hotels

Departure for this tour is guaranteed

Terms of Payment
  • Deposit: 30% of total price
  • Deposit deadline: 5 days after booking
  • Payment method: Cash or Bank transfer
  • Final payment: 20 days Before trip start
If you had to cancel you trip, then we will gladly transfer your deposit to another journey that you choose at the time convenient for you.
Price Includes
  • Transfers from/to airport
  • All transfers according to the itinerary
    (comfortable mini bus)
  • Accommodation throughout the trip, including hotels, guesthouses and yurts (based on double/twin room sharing, four people in a yurt)
  • Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinners)
  • Mineral bottled waters (1L per day)
  • All activity fees according to the itinerary
  • All entrances fees and permits according to the itinerary
  • English speaking tour leader accompanying the group for the whole program
    (or any language upon request)
  • Horse rental for horse trek, including helmets (better to bring yours)
  • Horseman
Price DOES NOT include
  • Flight to Bishkek and from Bishkek back home (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals)
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Visa (if needed)
  • Tips for guides, drivers and porters
  • All additional deviations from the program
  • Hotel charges for additional services
  • Personal expenses, e.g. souvenirs
  • Alcoholic beverages

For additional payment
  • 3G mobile internet (prepaid local sim card with unlimited internet) - $20 for 14 days
  • Rent of extra personal equipment, if needed (full kit: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, etc.) - $50 for the entire expedition
  • Upgrade individual transport to Premium Class SUV 4WD cars (Toyota LC/Prado, Lexus GX/LX or similar) - price on request
  • Upgraded hotels in cities (4-5 star hotels) - price on request
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Expedition gallery

practical infornation

What is important to know
about our adventure

We will send you a full list of necessary items, special travel conditions, information about the necessary documents and visa application after payment of travel
Is this trip for you?
This trip is of average physical grade. It is suitable for people in normal physical shape who have some riding experience. We will rade horses for 15-20 kilometers each day. The highest altitude that we will reach is just over 4,000 meters above sea level. We will spend one night in the hotel, one in the guest house, and other nights in shepherd's yurts or in tents. During our stay in the mountains we will have three meals each day - breakfast, field ration food for lunch and hot dinner, cooked on the fire.
How old do I need to be?
The minimum age for this tour is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.
What kit do I need?
Clothing for hiking in temperatures from +25C to -0C. A detailed kit list will be sent to you when you book on.
How big is the group?
Most groups have 6-10 people, with a maximum of 12.
What kind of accommodations will I have?
Overnights during the activity tours you will have overnight in tents but most of the overnights will be in the yurt camps and local homestays,

We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards in Bishkek cannot be compared to a home stay in an isolated valley in Kyrgyzstan. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay. The accommodation will be based on 2 people sharing a room when that is available. When we are in the mountains we will be staying in tents and in local home stays that sometimes only offer central communal areas to sleep in.
Will it be able to have hot shower every day?
You can have a hot shower when you stay in the homestays and guest houses. The yurt camps around Song-Kul valley also can offer some shower facilities. But when camping stays and Kel-Suu area are not available to have a hot shower. If the group is big and has requested premium services in order to have a hot shower every day we can provide with mobile hot steam sauna and additional accompany staff for this.
Important notes
  • Travel insurance is required for this tour. You are free to choose any insurance company of your choice. We recommend for example using World Nomads.
  • Departure for this tour is guaranteed
The basic hints for travelers
  • During your travel time, please respect local culture, customs, traditions, and religion.
  • Try to buy local products and make a benefit for the local economy.
  • Always give fair prices for lodging, food and other services.
  • Take off your shoes, when entering home or yurt stay.
  • Smoking is prohibited at home.
  • Please share your ideas on food and accommodation preferences.
  • Ask people for photographing them.
  • Be friendly and try to get in contact.
  • Be careful during the evening and night time and aware of mass meetings.
  • Be careful with your documents, money and valuable items.
  • Be aware of pickpockets and strangers at bazaars and streets.
  • If someone asking for documents, wallets or cameras, saying that they are from the police, ask them to go police together.
  • Never give your belongings to strangers.
  • Wear good hiking shoes for outdoor activities.
  • Bring warm waterproof clothes even in summer.
  • Have your torch sunscreen and repellent.
  • Do not drink very cold water from unknown sources.
  • Drinking alcohol at high altitudes is unsafe.
  • If the food fat or not acceptable for you can taste a bit and say thanks.
  • Do not drink cold water after eating out, better hot tea or c It helps in high altitude digestions cases.
  • Wear warm clothes in the mountains, usually after eating out.
  • Bring your medicines and first aid kit.
  • If you feel unsafe or have issues to discuss, please share with your staff, host or tour manager.
  • Collect your litter. Pack up all non-biodegradable rubbish.
  • Please don't drop cigarette butts or litter.
  • High altitude vegetation is very fragile. Save the environment.
  • Use toilets in nature wherever available. Where are none, stay at least 40-50 m from streams and water sources and bury all waste and paper.
  • Leaving footprints, take just your photographs.
How to book?
Contact us and we issue the invoice for 30% payment from the net tour cost. You can send it by bank transfer. The rest of the payment you can pay in cash upon your arrival day in Bishkek (welcoming the first day with briefing ). Be informed that the bank transfer fee will be additionally 3% over the cost of the transaction and it will be on the client (For cash payment no additional costs).
We will ride through the most beautiful places of untouched wildlife, see the life of real nomads and breathe in the incredible air of freedom.
For openminded travelers
F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Which tickets to choose when I better fly in and out?
It is better to arrive no later than 07:00 on the day the program starts. Departure back at any time on the last day of the trip or you can stay further to explore Kyrgyzstan. Tickets from Istanbul to Bishkek for around 300 USD round trip.
I have no equipment
We rent all the necessary equipment. The cost of 50 USD for the entire expedition. We give: a tent, trekking poles, a backpack, a sleeping bag, foam, a flashlight and dishes. Everything except shoes and clothes, in any case they need to have their own.
Are wild animals dangerous?
We can meet wild wolves, foxes, birds and reptiles. They are not dangerous for our team. First of all, they themselves are afraid of people and are completely not interested in meeting with us. The main thing is to listen carefully to the guides and follow their instructions.
Will it be hard?
Our travels are designed for both beginners and experienced travelers. All tours are suitable for family travel unless otherwise specified. But we recommend training before traveling to enjoy walks in the highlands.
Will there be mobile communications and electricity?
Mobile communications and electricity are absent in high mountain areas away from large settlements. The rest of the time, we will almost always be in touch. We recommend using Powerbanks.
Can the travel program change?
  • The program may change due to weather conditions. We all look forward to good weather. But anything can happen, for reasons beyond our control.
  • All final decisions on the program are made by the team's main guide.
Get your PDF Adventure Guide
- Recommendations for Kyrgyzstan
- What to take equipment and clothes
- Tickets and weather
- Check list
Download PDF
We create trips to places in Kyrgyzstan where it will be difficult to travel on your own
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