Horseriding holidays in Kyrgyzstan: Horseback tour along the ridge of Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains

A trip along the ridge of the Terskey-Ala-Too mountain range covering more than 100 km of horse-riding. This is a wild trip through thick coniferous forests, picturesque gorges and alpine meadows and over the steep Ortok (3780 m), Ailanysh (3560 m) and Ala-Kol (3860 m) passes. During the 12 days of the trip, you will get up close and personal with the famous peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range: Karakol (5281 m), Oguz-Bashi (5168 m), Zhigit (5170 m) and Palatka (5020 m), and visit the extraordinary glacial lake Ala-Kol (3535 m).

This tour follows the ancient nomadic routes getting you acquainted with their culture and way of life. We can examine the stone balbals, spend the night in felt yurts, and enjoy the national products of kumisayran, cottage cheese and freshly baked bread.

During the trip, you will also have a chance to rest in the healing hot springs of Altyn-Arashan, visit a wooden mosque built without any nails in the style of a Buddhist temple, and view the ancient petroglyphs of the Scythians. All of this is topped off at the end with have a chance to swim in beautiful lake Issyk-Kul, second largest alpine lake in the world.

Book now from $ 970

Tour characteristics

June - September
9 days
114 km
+4850 m  -4920 m
Complexity: 

You are going to love it

  • Enjoy a multi-day excursion on horseback.
  • Bathe in the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan.
  • Discover the beauty of Ala-Kol glacier lake.
  • Visit Karakol and savor the delights of our traditional cuisine
  • Relax on the beaches of Cholpon-Ata, a small resort town on Issyk kul Lake
  • Program
  • Sights
  • Conditions and Recommendations
  • Track map
  • Book now

1 Day. Manas Airport - Bishkek City - Ala-Archa National Park

Meet at the airport or in the city for transfer to the hotel. After stopping at our accommodation, we will take a small trip to Ala-Archa National Park, which is located 40 km from the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The base of the beautiful mountain park is located at an altitude of 2,100m, helping you to acclimatize to the altitudes of the journey. Here you can relax after your flight, explore the beauty of the Kyrgyz landscape and hike to Ak-Say waterfall. After our return to the city, we will meet with the Baibol Travel team and explain the tour program.

Locations

Bishkek
7 km
3-3,5 h
+500 m  -500 m
B L D

2 Day. Bishkek City– Karakol City

On the road from Bishkek to Karakol city, we stop at Burana tower, all that remains of the Turkic Karakhanid (10th-13th century) capital of Balasagun.  The construction of the minaret is dated to 10-11 centuries. Initially, its height was 40 meters, but following an earthquake the upper part was destroyed and now the structure is only 21.7 meters. During the tour we will also visit the 80 balbals - stone sculptures which represent portraits of Turks. Overnight in Karakol.

Accommodation

Locations

Karakol
Bishkek
Ysyk-Ata District
B L D

3 Day. Karakol City– Zhergez Gorge

In the morning, we will go to Zhergez Gorge, where we will meet the guide and horses and have a short orientation session before setting off on our journey. In the gorge we can relax in the yurts and taste our healthy and very unusual Kyrgyz national drinks. Will continue our fascinating trip on horseback to the next yurt village, where we will spend a night.

Accommodation

Sights

Jergez gorge

Locations

Karakol
Ak-Suu District
17 km
5-6 h
+1300 m  -100 m
B L D

4 Day. Ailanysh Pass - Almaluu Valley

Our route over the Aylanysh Pass (3560 m.) to the Almaluu Valley will take about 4-5 hours. The route will pass through blooming valleys and by waterfalls and the mountain lake Ailanysh. Most importantly, you can admire the magnificent view of the peak Tashtanbek-Tor-Bashi (4600 m.). We will spend the night in a tent camp not far from the pastures and shepherds yurts.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Camping

Sights

Almaluu valley
Tashtanbek-Turbasy Vertex

Locations

Ak-Suu District
25 km
4-5 h
+550 m  -950 m
B L D

5 Day. Amaluu Valley - Ortok Pass - Altyn-Arashan Gorge

One of the most difficult days. We will have a long journey conquering the Ortok pass (3,780 m.). Here you can test your physical fitness and endurance, knowing that when you overcome the pass you will descend to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan (Golden Springs). On the way, you will see Palatka peak which is (5020 m) the highest peak on your trip. The healing waters of Arashan will fill you with energy for the rest of the journey. It is possible to stay overnight in tents or in private houses located in the gorge.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Country house / Villa / Cottag

Locations

Ak-Suu District
25 km
3-4 h
+960 m  -1210 m
B L D

6 Day. Ala-Kol Lake

We begin the day on our horses; however, the last section of the path is very steep and we must cover it on foot. Our reward for the Al-Kol Pass (3860 m.) is the most beautiful lake of the Central Tien Shan - Ala-Kol (3532 m). The views from here are truly stunning and the lake is ringed by a number of high altitude peaks, including Karakol (5281 m), Oguz-Bashi (5168 m) and Zhigit (5170 m). We return the way we came, and overnight once again by the springs in Altyn Arashan.

Accommodation

Economy: Camping
Standard: Camping
VIP: Country house / Villa / Cottag

Sights

Ala-kel Northern pass

Locations

Ak-Suu District
25 km
3-4 h
+1360 m  -1360 m
B L D

7 Day. Altyn-Arashan Gorge - Ak-Suu Village - Karakol City

In the morning, we descend from the Altyn-Arashan gorge to Ak-Suu village or Zholkolot (optional) through the arboretum, where we can enjoy a great variety of flora. This scenic path will take us 3-4 hours passes through picturesque meadows, where cows and horses graze. From Ak-Suu we will drive to Karakol, where we can enjoy a small tour of local attractions. You will visit a 19th century mosque in the style of a Buddhist temple, built by the Chinese architect Zhou Xi for the local Dungans (Chinese who converted to Islam) without using any nails. The colors of the mosque embody various Dungan cultural concepts: red color protects from evil spirits, yellow promotes the accumulation of wealth and brings prosperity to the house, and green personifies happiness. Also you will visit the wooden Russian Orthodox church.

Accommodation

Locations

Karakol
Ak-Suu District
15 km
3-3,5 h
+180 m  -800 m
B L D

8 Day. Karakol City - Cholpon Ata Town

On the way from Karakol to Cholpon-Ata, we will visit the open-air museum. Here you will see and touch the fine arts of the ancient Scythians: tombstones, border stone fences, and petroglyphs dating back to 2000 BC. - 4th century AD. One drawing even shows snow leopards hunting in motion - this drawing is unique, because it is the only one of its kind in Central Asia.

We will also visit the cultural center "Rukh- Ordo" named after the famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov. On the territory of the complex there are 5 chapels built in honor of the four major religions of the world: Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. At the end of the day, you can enjoy swim in Issyk-Kul lake.

9 Day. Transfer: Cholpon-Ata – Bishkek City

We will transfer to Bishkek in the morning (a drive of 3-4 hours). Upon arrival at our accommodation in the hotel, we will take a short rest before a small city tour around the Bishkek. The cultural program includes, a walk along the central square of the capital with its monument to the national hero "Manas the Magnanimous". Here we can also watch the changing of honor guard at the flagpole, and visit the historical museum, the monument to the leader of the Alai Kyrgyz people Kurmanjan Datka, the old square and the government house. At the end of the tour you can buy souvenirs from the craft stalls at the central department store (TSUM). Transfer to the airport for departure home (can be the following morning).

Create your own group and travel profitably!

If you have been waiting for the right time to go on a journey in the footsteps of the ancient nomads of Central Asia, it has come! For the first time in Kyrgyzstan, "Baibol Travel" gives you a unique opportunity to travel at affordable prices, collecting a group of travelers from your relatives, friends, colleagues, as you are hungry for new experiences and incredible discoveries! We are happy to adapt our services to your requests and requirements, so we suggest you choose the conditions of travel with the comfort and conditions that suit you. The more people in your group, the greater the benefits will be received by all its participants!

Tour cost

The prices are indicated according to the classification of the tour and the number of people.

Number of persons / Class Economy Standard VIP
1-2 $ 1995 $ 2370 $ 2720
3-4 $ 1350 $ 1620 $ 2140
5-6 $ 1165 $ 1460 $ 2030
7-8 $ 1070 $ 1350 $ 1830
9-10 $ 970 $ 1300 $ 1700

Conditions      

Suite of service

VIP

Standard

Econom

Transport (all transfers according to the program)

       SUV premium class

Внедорожник высокого класса

Класс 4х4 минивен

Accommodation (in hotels, guest houses and yurts according to the program

Guide – translator 

Guide assistant (for groups over 6 people)

-

Cook

Cook's assistant (for groups over 6 people)

Horse guide

The grooms

Horses

Equestrian backing during the tour

Three meals a day (+ snack for trekking trips)

4-х разовое

3-х разовое

3-х разовое

Tents for accommodation

Kitchen and dining room tent (for groups over than 6 people)

-

-

Portable restrooms

-

-

Sleeping bags

-

Camping mattress

-

Kitchen things

Satellite communication

-

-

National games

Master classes

Excursions

-

Folklore concert

-

 

Horse tour recommendations

On our horse tours, the horse will carry the bulk of your luggage, but that does not mean you can take anything you want. Overloading can lead to delays, and instead of enjoying a leisurely trip to natural attractions, your journey will turn into a quick race. Our universal list for horse tours is made taking into account everything you need from clothes to accessories (the list will change only in the case of a specialized tour).

Please use the following as a guide:

  • tent, sleeping bag and mat (if not included in the list of things provided by the company);
  • backpack or travel bag + lightweight backpack of not more than 30 liters (optional, for tours with auto-support);
  • riding shoes (without a heel or platform, secure and closed), sneakers are preferred;
  • a spare pair of shoes (if the first is wet or broken);
  • thick pants (for riding);
  • windproof and waterproof jacket (windbreaker);
  • a couple of t-shirts, a long-sleeved t-shirt (for sun protection);
  • a set of warm clothes in case of cool weather;
  • a pair of t-shirts;
  • a head covering (for sun protection);
  • no less than 2 pairs of woolen and 2 pairs of normal socks;
  • gloves;
  • gaiters;
  • sunscreen;
  • personal hygiene items and personal first-aid kit;
  • watch, altimeter (optional), power bank (optional);
  • sunglasses;
  • camera and batteries;
  • headlamp and batteries;
  • handbag for documents.