Wild Nature and Nomads, Kyrgyzstan
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Native Kyrgyz Horses.
Nature of horses:
Kyrgyz Horses are very small but strong for their size and incredibly sure-footed over rough terrain.
Height of horses:
12.2 - 14hh on average.
Weight limit:
90kg / 14st 2lbs.
Tack type:
Russian saddles are offered to riding guests - these have a wooden tree and leather cushion. The guides generally ride in traditional Kyrgyz saddles (not so comfortable for visitors!).
Travel Advice
Please ensure you read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice before you travel.
Ride Description
These adventurous riding programmes take place in the Kyrgyz wilderness, home to nomadic families, native horses and spectacular nature. They are organised by Kuba, a professional working in tourism for almost 15 years. Kuba originally worked as a mountain guide and then as a tour operator before deciding to organise his own horse riding tours, fuelled by his love of these magnificent animals. This is a small scale set-up using a team of local horsemen, guides and translators to provide an authentic experience.
For each ride Kuba selects the best horses from his team of local owners in the desired location - he maintains partnerships with the same horse owners so that he can educate them on how best to treat and care for the horses. It's important to note that this is an authentic experience in Kyrgyzstan and you will experience a different culture which is part of the adventure. The local horses are small but strong and sure-footed and if a horse becomes injured on the trail then they are switched out for another. These tough little horses are the perfect means by which to explore this beautiful, untamed country. As Kuba says: "for somebody who is in love with horses, my country is a really lovely place. It is a country of nomads and riders."
These tours are designed to combine great riding opportunities with immersion in nature, different landscapes and local culture. Aside from climbing majestic mountains and cantering across flowering meadows, you can experience eagle shows, folk shows, museums and nomadic life. If you find peace in the great outdoors and have an adventurous soul then Kyrgyzstan could be for you.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is a mixture of hotels, home stays, yurts and basic tents. You should be an adventurer, happy with simple places to stay and comfortable sharing sleeping quarters and facilities. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat.
During the tours you can expect to experience traditional Kyrgyz cuisine which has been adapted for tourists to be a little bit lighter. Local meals are primarily focused on meat on dairy products, since this reflects the nation's traditional nomadic life, alongside rice and pasta. Your hosts have added in some more salad, vegetables and fruit to suit tourist tastes. Traditional dishes include soups, stews and noodle dishes as well as dumplings and various types of bread.
Tea is a popular beverage and you may also experience kymyz, a slightly alcoholic drink which is made by fermenting mare's milk.
Vegetarians and those with other special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice, although we do not recommend the ride for those with more complicated needs.
Activities
All participants on this tour need to take part in the riding, but there are other activities as part of the programme. These include hiking, cultural visits and fishing.
Further Details
Languages: French, English and Kyrgyz.
Health requirements: Fit, healthy and active.
Age limit: Children of 8 and over can be accepted if they travel with adult family members but they must be experienced riders.
Tuition: No.
Included: Airport transfers from/to Bishkek and all transfers required during the tour, shared accommodation, meals (except last dinner in Bishkek), guided horse riding, translator, museum/national park entries as detailed in the programme.
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, alcohol, mineral water, last dinner in Bishkek, extra services not mentioned, tips for guides.
Travel Information
You should aim to arrive to Bishkek in the morning on an overnight flight. Airport transfers are included.
Airport: Bishkek (Manas International)
Programmes
Wild Nature and Nomadic Life on Horseback
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This twelve night tour includes seven days on horseback and plenty of cultural visits. This is an affordable adventure and a chance to experience the authentic lifestyle of Kyrgyz nomads. You will even meet an eagle hunter! Day 1: Departure from home. Day 2 - Home - Bishkek - Chong Kemin: Arrival to Bishkek airport and transfer to the city. Breakfast and a city tour. From here you will head towards Karool-Dobo villagein Chong Kemin valley. On the way you will stop to visit the Burana Tower, an architectural complex from the 10th to 11th century and an important point on the Great Silk Road. After lunch there is time for a short walk around the village to Karool-Dobo and to the Orto Kaindi Gorge. In the evening you will return to the village to stay overnight in a home stay and have dinner there. Day 3 - Kayindi - Chelek Lake (Riding Day): After eating breakfast at around 09:00, you will begin your first day of riding in Kyrgyzstan! After a morning in the saddle you will stop for a picnic lunch at the entrance to Chong Kemin Park. Later in the afternoon you will arrive in the mountain pasture of Toru Aigur which is situated 2200m above sea level, the spot for your first campsite. It's time to put up the tents and prepare dinner. You will eat around a big fire. Riding time: approx 4 - 5 hours. Day 4 - Chelek Lake to Ayuluu-Tor Valley: After a hearty breakfast, it's time to catch your horses and cross the Toru Aigur meadow. You will climb up to 2500 - 2600m above sea level today and will face the Kol Konur Lake. You will help to set up the camp whilst the cook prepares the picnic at the edge of the lake. The afternoon is free - you can spend this time fishing in the lake! Riding time: approx 4 - 5 hours. Day 5 - Ayuluu-Tor Valley - Karakol: Very early breakfast today. You will leave your campsite to pass the Ak-Suu pass at 3200m above sea level where you will stop and have a picnic with the nomads. After this short break you will go down to Kytai Too to catch your bus to Kara Kol (about 3 - 4 hours drive). You will cross beautiful landscapes and can see Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant and overnight is in Askar Guest House. Riding time: approx 6 - 7 hours. Day 6 - Karakol - Bokonbaev Village: After breakfast you will visit the Duncan Mosque and the Holy Trinity Cathedral in order to better understand the life of Kyrgyz people in the 19th century. From there you will drive to Jeti Oguz Valley - after a short walk through the valley you will stop for a picnic lunch. Then you will drive on to the 'Fairytale Canyon' and you will have dinner and overnight in Gulmira guesthouse. Day 7 - Bokonbaeva - Kochkor - Song Kol: This morning you will visit an ancient family of eagle hunters and will have the chance to take a photo with their eagles and falcons. From there you will head to Kochkor where you will visit a felt show in a handicrafts centre before stopping for lunch in an authentic Kyrgyz yurt. Your trip then continues to Song Kol via Moldo Ashu pass. Dinner and overnight with a nomad family in Kumduu Suu. Day 8 - Kumduu Suu - Tash Dobo: After breakfast it's time to meet your new herd of horses and the local team. After a short period of instruction you will begin your horseback trek to Joloman's yurt camp in Tash Dobo. On the road you will stop for a pinic in a historical place called 'Manas Stones'. This afternoon you have a chance to take a hot shower in a handmade shower/bath. Dinner and overnight in yurt camp. Riding time: approx 4 - 5 hours. Day 9 - Tash Dobo - Tulpar Tash: Another day of your trek around the Son Kol. Today you will continue to explore the amazing culture of the semi-nomadic lifestyle. After three or four horses of riding you will join your host family for lunch under the blue sky. In the afternoon you can take some local training on the horses before dinner and night in a yurt. Riding time: approx 3 - 4 hours (plus instruction time). Day 10 - Tulpar Tash - Tuz Ashuu: After breakfast you will have another three to four hours in the horse trek, following by lunch with the family in Tuz Ashuu. After lunch you will say goodbye to the team and go to the beach of Song Kol lake for a few hours. Last dinner and overnight in yurt. Riding time: approx 3 - 4 hours. Day 11 - Tuz Ashuu - Kochkor: This day is your last horse riding day. After breakfast you leave Song Kol Lake, riding via Kyzart pass. Following the main road, this last day will be a bit longer than the others. In the afternoon you will come down to the main road between Kyzart and Kochkor village, stopping here for a picnic before continuing your journey by bus. Dinner in Kochkor village with folk show. Overnight with Nurjan family. Day 12 - Kochkor - Bishkek: After breakfast you will transfer to Bishkek, stopping for lunch on the road n Boom Canyon. You will arrive to the hotel around 16:00 and will have a few hours free to shower and relax. In the evening you will explore Bishkek by night, taking dinner in a local restaurant and bar. Overnight in a 3* hotel. Day 13: Transfer to airport for departure. |
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| Accommodation: | 1 night in hotel, 4 nights in home stays, 4 nights in yurts, 2 nights in basic tents. |
| Minimum group size: | 6 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Strong novice and above. This ride is adventurous and requires good fitness and a spirit of adventure, but you do not need to be an expert rider. You should however have experience riding at all paces and be comfortable in the saddle for long hours. |
| Type of ride: | Trail. |
| Total riding time: | 7 days riding, ranging from 3 - 7 hours per day. |
| Departure dates: | 2020: 19 June - 1 July (confirmed), 3 - 15 July (confirmed), 31 July - 12 August, 15 - 27 August (confirmed). |
| Pricing: |
2020: £859 per person. Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience. |