HORSEBACK TREK IN THE CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS
This itinerary combines several horse treks in different regions. This arrangement allows travellers to enjoy nights in hotels or guesthouses between treks, so they can rest in comfort. Indeed, during horse treks, it is often not possible to take a shower or sleep in a comfortable bed.
DAY 1: BISHKEK – KYZART – KILEMCHE
Transfer to the village of Kyzart. Lunch with locals, then meet our guide-groom and his horses. Kyrgyz horses are renowned for their docility and are accustomed to travellers.
The trek begins in the afternoon. After about 4 hours on horseback, we arrive at the Kilemche mountain pasture, a vast mountain grazing area.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Elevation gain: +1,600 m
DAY 2: KILEMCHE – SON-KOL LAKE
After breakfast, continue the trek to the Jalgyz-Karagay pass (3,300 m), before a long descent to Lake Son-Kol.
Lunch in a yurt by the lake. In the afternoon, resume the trek to the site of Jaman-Echki.
4 to 5 hours of horse riding.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Elevation: +800; -300 m
DAY 3: SON-KOL LAKE- NARYN
Third day of our horse trek. We ride for about three hours along the shores of the lake, crossing pastures dotted with yurts and herds, with superb panoramic views of the water and surrounding mountains.
Lunch in a yurt, then time to say goodbye to our grooms and their horses.
In the afternoon, we set off by road to the town of Naryn (about 3 hours). Upon arrival, we check into a comfortable hotel, ideal for resting after two nights spent in a yurt.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Elevation: – 1000 m
DAY 4: NARYN – KYZYL TUU – SHYRYKTY
Morning transfer to the starting point of the trek, near the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, in the At-Bashy region.
Meet our local guide and his horses.
Horse trek of about 5 hours through magnificent mountain landscapes.
Set up camp in the pretty Shyrykty valley.
Night in tents.
Elevation gain: +1,100 m
DAY 5: SHYRYKTY – TASH RABAT
Continuation of the trek with the crossing of a pass at 3,450 m, then descent to Tash Rabat, an 11th-century caravanserai located on the ancient Silk Road.
Arrival around noon and settling into a yurt camp.
Lunch, then free afternoon to visit the caravanserai and relax.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt (option to sleep in a comfortable, well-heated house).
Elevation: +350; -350 m
DAY 6: TASH RABAT – PANORAMA – TASH RABAT
Horseback trek (6 to 7 hours) to Panorama Pass, offering spectacular views of Lake Chatyr-Kol, located on the other side of the mountain range.
Return to the same yurt camp at the end of the day.
Elevation: +950; -950 m
DAY 7: TASH RABAT – CHON KEMIN
Transfer to the Chon-Kemin Valley.
En route, hike for about 2 hours in the impressive Konorchek canyons.
Arrival in the Chon-Kemin Valley in the afternoon.
Settle in and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Elevation: -1,400 m
DAY 8: CHON KEMIN – TORU-AIGYR VALLEY
Meet with the local guide-groom and set off on horseback.
Pass through villages, rivers and forests before reaching the foot of the Toru-Aigyr Valley.
Set up camp.
Overnight stay in tents.
Elevation gain: +600 m
DAY 9: TORU-AIGYR VALLEY – KOL KOGUR
Continue the trek on horseback to the small mountain lake of Kol-Kogur.
Approximately 5 hours of hiking.
Set up camp by the lake in a peaceful natural setting.
Night in tents.
Elevation gain: +900 m
DAY 10: KOL KOGUR – ISSYK KOL
Climb to Toru-Aigyr Pass, which offers spectacular views of Lake Issyk-Kol, the largest lake in the country.
Descent on horseback (about 4 hours) to the meeting point with the driver.
Transfer to a village on the lake shore.
Swimming, rest and relaxation.
Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse.
Elevation: -1600 m
DAY 11: ISSYK KOL – BISHKEK
Drive to the capital.
On the way, visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret.
Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon.
Visit the city, check into the hotel.
Farewell dinner in a restaurant.
Elevation: -800 m
DAY 12: AIRPORT TRANSFER
Transfer to Bishkek airport.
Have a safe journey!
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