Minimum group size: 4 pax
Explore Kyrgyzstan’s stunning mountain landscapes and nomadic culture on horseback with this 7-day Kyrgyzstan Nomadic Culture and Horse-riding Tour of Bishkek and the area around Son-Kul Lake. Only in summer can you really discover the traditional lifestyle of the nomads who live in the yurts and the shepherds who herd their livestock on mountain pastures. The unique feature of this tour is the chance to travel in the traditional style – on horseback. Stay in yurts by the lake; get to know the locals over a cup of the traditional drink, kumis; photograph the landscapes, flora, and fauna; and try traditional foods.
Tour itinerary:
Driving distance: 30 km (45 min)
Driving distance: 280 km (6-7 hours)
Driving distance: 14 km
Horse-riding distance: 16 km, including 1,100m uphill and 200m downhill (4-5 hours)
Horse-riding distance: 14 km, including 100m uphill and 100m downhill (about 4 hours)
Hiking distance: 18 km, including 0m uphill and 0m downhill (about 5 hours)
Driving distance: 350 km (6-7 hours)
Optional, subject to agreement among the group: Folklore show at a local restaurant
Especially for you, local musicians will play the national melodies of the Kyrgyz people and show you their musical instruments. Enjoy the singing and the charming melodies of our ancestors.
Driving distance: 30 km (45 min)
Note: Yurt camps at Song Kul Lake – shared shower (Tulpar Tash and Tuulga Tash only) and toilet
Kyzart homestay – shared showers and toilets
Level of difficulty: Participants require an average level of physical fitness for the horse riding and walking. There are some long transfers (up to 4 hours) along mountain roads.
Responsibilities of clients:
Clients should recognise and accept the risk that circumstances may arise that may cause some activities to be shortened, or eliminated altogether, without reimbursement or refund. Such circumstances include weather, earthquakes and other natural events, and injuries or other medical problems. Each tourist should organise his or her own medical insurance in his/her home country.
We recommend you bring:
- Raincoat;
- Sweater/fleece;
- Wind-breaker jacket;
- Enough t-shirts, underwear, and other clothes (consider bringing tops with long sleeves to avoid sunburn);
- Sun hat (the sun can be strong in this region, even in the mountains);
- Sun cream (SPF30 or higher);
- Sunglasses;
- Wool/winter hat;
- Small towel;
- Good hiking boots suitable for easy walks in the mountains;
- Hiking sticks (if needed);
- Suitable shoes for the city walks;
- Personal first aid kit (the problems you are most likely to encounter are blisters, sunburn, allergies, diarrhoea, and sore muscles after hikes – we suggest bringing painkillers, anti-histamines, general antibiotics, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions);
- Insect repellent (for skin and clothes);
- Personal hygiene kit (hand-sanitiser is highly recommended) and toilet paper;
- Camera;
- Notepad and pen to make notes as you travel;
- Small backpack (day pack);
- Torch (flashlight);
- Bank cards and foreign currency - ATMs accepting international cards are available in Bishkek, but Visa is preferable to Mastercard or Maestro. If you plan to exchange US$ to KGS we recommend bringing US$50 or US$100 notes without marks or other any damage (banks and foreign exchange offices do not accept damaged notes).
Weather:
Please note that in summer the temperature in Bishkek can reach 40°C, while in the mountains the daytime temperature may be as low as 10°C. Be prepared for unexpected changes in weather (rain, snow ,wind, or hail). The lowest temperature during the tour will be at Song Kul lake, where nighttime temperatures may be as low as -2 to -4°C.
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing in hotels and homestays, and 4-6 people sharing in yurts (except at Tuulga Tash, where 2 people share one yurt);
- Local, English-speaking guide;
- Meals as per itinerary (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners);
- Entrance and ecological fees per the itinerary;
- Transport (type of vehicle depends on the group size);
- Bottled drinking water (1 litre per person per day);
- Horses, horseman, and assistants on days 3, 4, and 5;
- Horses for carrying luggage on days 3, 4, and 5.
- Single accommodation (unless you pay the single supplement to have your own hotel room);
- Tips for driver, guides, and horse assistants (although they would be appreciated);
- Personal expenses;
- Alcohol and soft drinks;
- International or domestic flight tickets before or after the tour;
- Visa support or visa consular fees (if required);
- Camera and video fees (if required);
- Personal travel insurance;
- Any deviation from the itinerary;
- Optional activities like the folklore show on Day 6.
Dates & Prices
Group size: 4-16 persons
We strongly recommend NOT to purchase airline tickets for 2024 tours without discussing it with your travel consultant.