Horseback riding in the Celestial Mountains

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  BISHKEK – KYZART – KILEMCHE

  

  Transfer to the village of Kyzart. The trek begins in the afternoon, after lunch with a local family. You will meet your guide-horseman and the horses. Kyrgyz horses are known for their calmness and reliability; moreover, those accompanying you are used to working with travelers. After about 4 hours of hiking, you reach the Kilemche mountain pasture. Dinner and overnight in a yurt. Elevation gain: +1600 m

• day 2

  KILEMCHE – LAKE SON-KOL

  

  In the morning, after breakfast, we resume the trek. We climb up to the Jalgyz-Karagay pass (3300 m) before descending towards the lake, where a lunch in a yurt awaits us. We then set off again on horseback to reach the Jaman-Echki alpine pasture. Allow 4 to 5 hours of trekking in total. Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt. Elevation gain: +800 m; –300 m

• day 3

  SON-KOL LAKE – NARYN

  

  We take the morning easy before heading back towards the city of Naryn. On the way, short and easy walks are possible to enjoy the scenery. It takes about 3 hours by road to reach Naryn. Check-in and rest in a small comfortable hotel, then dinner in a local restaurant. Elevation change: –1000 m

• day 4

  NARYN – KYZYL TUU – SHYRYKTY

  

  In the morning, the driver takes us to the starting point of the hike, near the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, in the At-Bashy region. There we meet our local guide and his horses. We then begin a horseback trek of about 5 hours before setting up our tents in the beautiful Shyrykty valley. Elevation gain: +1100 m

• day 5

  SHYRYKTY – TASH RABAT

  

  We continue our trek and cross a small pass at 3450 m altitude before reaching Tash Rabat, a remarkably well-preserved 11th-century caravanserai. Arrival around noon and settling into a yurt camp. Lunch on site. The afternoon is free for you to rest or visit the caravanserai. To wash, we go to a Russian sauna. Dinner and overnight in a yurt (a comfortable and well-heated house is also available). Elevation gain: +350 m; –350 m

• day 6

  TASH RABAT – PANORAMA – TASH RABAT

  

  6 to 7 hour horseback trek (round trip) to the Panorama Pass, from where you will discover a spectacular view of Lake Chatyr-Kol, located on the other side of the mountain range. Return at the end of the day to the same yurt camp. Elevation gain: +950 m; –950 m

• day 7

  TASH RABAT – CHON KEMIN

  

  Transfer to the village of Kalmak-Ashu, in the Chon-Kemin valley. On the way, we take a hike of about 2 hours in the impressive Konorchek canyons. Arrival in the Chon-Kemin valley in the middle of the afternoon and check-in at a guesthouse. Elevation change: –1400 m

• day 8

  CHON KEMIN – TORU-AIGYR VALLEY

  

  In the morning, our local guide-horseman joins us with his horses. Start of the horseback trek: we cross villages, rivers, and forests before reaching a place called Foot of the Toru-Aigyr Valley, where we set up our camp. 4-5 h of trekking. Elevation gain: +600 m

• day 9

  TORU AIGYR VALLEY - KOL KOGUR

  

  We continue our trek, with the goal of reaching the shores of the small Kol-Kogur lake. About 5 hours of horseback riding are needed to get there. Upon arrival, we set up our tents on the edge of this small lake. Elevation gain: +900 m

• day 10

  KOL KOGUR – ISSYK KOL

  

  We climb even higher up to the Toru-Aigyr pass, from where there is a spectacular view of the largest lake in the country: Issyk-Kol. We then continue the hike for about 4 hours before meeting our driver, who takes us to a village on the lakeshore. Swimming and relaxing at the lake, then dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Elevation change: –1600 m

• day 11

  ISSYK KOL – BISHKEK

  

  Road to the capital. On the way, we will visit the Burana Tower dating from the 11th century. Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon. City tour. Check-in at a hotel. Farewell dinner in a restaurant. Elevation change: -800

• day 12

  TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

  

  Transfer to Bishkek airport. Have a good trip and see you on your next adventure!