Horseriding in Kyrgyzstan 2022

This tour requires a minimum number of participants – 4 people. Please check with our manager how many people have already booked the tour.

Cost per person on single base only in hotels – 1045 USD. The single supplement does not include individual accommodation in yurts and in local family houses!

Level of difficulty: There are some difficulties on the route, tourists should have an average level of fitness for hiking and horse riding, and take into account that sometimes they have long transfers up to 4 hours by mountain roads.

Equipment (OBLIGATORY TO HAVE DURING THE TREK):

• LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORTABLE RIDING PANTS
• HORSE RIDING WATERPROOF BOOTS WITH HEEL. HEELS ARE MANDATORY
• WATERPROOF JACKET OR RAIN CAPE
• SUNHAT OR CAP WITH EAR AND NECK FLAP COVER
• WARM HAT
• FLEECE JACKET OR WARM JUMPER
• THERMAL UNDERWEAR
• GLOVES – YOUR HANDS ARE PARTICULARLY EXPOSED TO THE SUN, COLD OR RAIN WHILST RIDING.
• WATERPROOF GLOVES CAN BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL
• SOCKS (1 PAIR FOR 1 -2 DAYS OF TREKKING)
• LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM THE SUN AND ARE AN EXTRA LAYER
• HELMETS ARE MANDATORY ON THE RIDE. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE YOUR OWN TO ENSURE A
• CORRECT FIT. THERE ARE MANY LIGHTWEIGHT OPTIONS AVAILABLE NOWADAYS.
• SLEEPING BAG (COMFORT RATED -5°C, PLEASE ASK BEFORE ABOUT TEMPERATURE)
• SUN PROTECTION (INCLUDING TOTAL BLOC FOR EARS, NOSE ETC.) SPF 50 OR ABOVE RECOMMENDED
• GOOD QUALITY SUNGLASSES
• LIP BALM
• DAYPACK 30 TO 40 LITRES WITH RAIN COVER
• HEADTORCH AND SPARE BATTERIES
• WATER BOTTLES 1 LITRE (X2) (WE ENCOURAGE RE-FILLING WATER BOTTLES RATHER THAN SINGLE USE
  PLASTIC)
• WASHBAG AND TOILETRIES + ANTIBACTERIAL HANDWASH
• BASIC FIRST AID KIT INCLUDING: ANTISEPTIC AND ANTIHISTAMINE CREAM, THROAT LOZENGES, DIARRHOEA
  TREATMENT (IMODIUM), PAINKILLERS, PLASTERS AND BLISTER TREATMENT, INSECT REPELLENT, AND RE-
  HYDRATION SALTS
• SELECTION OF DRY BAGS (TO KEEP TREK BAG CONTENTS, LAPTOPS, PHONES DRY DURING TREK
• WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS

Equipment (optionally):

• TRAINERS OR EQUIVALENT LIGHT SHOES FOR MOVING AROUND THE CAMP IN THE EVENINGS OR FOR CITY WALKING
• WATERPROOF OVERTROUSERS
• 1 SCARF TO COVER YOUR HAIR (DURING THE VISITS OF MOSQUES AND CHURCHES)
• THERMAL BASELAYER SHIRTS (2 SHORT SLEEVE, 2 LONG SLEEVE)
• SHORTS AND/OR SWIMWEAR (CAMPS NEAR LAKES, HOT SPRINGS OR RIVERS)
• BUFF/SCARF (TO PROTECT AGAINST DUST AND COLD)
• 1 PAIR OF СHAPS (OPTIONAL, PLEASE ASK YOUR TOUR OPERATOR BEFORE TREKKING)
• GOOD QUALITY INSECT REPELLENT OR LOTION (ASK BEFORE TREK ABOUT MOSQUITOS)
• PEN-KNIFE (REMEMBER TO PACK SHARP OBJECTS IN HOLD BAGGAGE)
• REPAIR KIT – (EG. NEEDLE, THREAD, DUCT TAPE)
• REUSABLE CLOTH BAG FOR SHOPPING (TO AVOID PLASTIC BAGS)
• EAR PLUGS AGAINST RIVER NOISES, NEIGHBOR SNORING (OPTIONAL)
• TOILET PAPER + LIGHTER TO POSSIBLY BURN IT
• SMALL TOWEL (FAST DRY MATERIAL)
• THERMAREST OR SIMILAR SLEEPING MAT (PLEASE ASK BEFORE)
• SLEEPING BAG LINER (OPTIONAL)

GENERAL TRİP INFORMATION, CONDİTİONS AND REQUESTED EXPERİENCE:

• You need to be a capable rider who is used to riding outdoors and fit enough for some long hours in the saddle. You are riding in a very remote location across rugged terrain and there is no option to miss a day if you get tired.
• There are some difficulties on the route, tourists should have an average level of fitness for horse riding, and take into account that sometimes they have long transfers up to 4 hours by mountain roads and more than 4 hours of horse riding (1 day only).
• You will be asked to groom, tack and untack your own horse although help is on hand. You may also assist with feeding and watering the horses if you wish.
• The ride is not fast because of the altitude and steep terrain, but the flat plateaus and valley bottoms are conducive to some long canters – although some sections which look inviting may have too many marmot burrows and your guide will assess the conditions on the day.
• You need to be fit and in good physical condition. You will be riding at altitude – between 2,200 and 3,200m. There are some sections where you will need to dismount and lead your horse downhill. Please check with us if you have any medical conditions as you will be a long way from medical help.
• Previous experience of riding a trail of several days is a definite advantage but is not required. Riders who do not ride regularly are requested to get riding fit prior to the start of their holiday.
• Your luggage will be transported by horses during the trip.
• Be ready that yurt camps at Song Kul Lake (Tulpar Tash and Tuz Ashuu) have basic facilities with no shower at all. Accommodation in Kyzart village home stay – shared shower and toilets.
• Some horseback riding days can be modified for security and / or weather reasons.
• During trekking part lunches are at yurt camps of local semi-nomads. It may be that you will have to wait for the preparation of dinner, since there is no connection there.
• Transfer times are given approximately by average speed. They depend on climate and road conditions.
• Horseback time is given approximately by average speed. Depending on the level of the physical conditions of all participants, the weather and / or the state of the terrain, horseback trekking time can vary.
• The hotels may change depending on availability. İn case of providing another hotel, the category will be similar.
• Please take your flasks for the trip. During the trekking part we provide boiled water for all participants.We wish to limit the use of plastic bottles. Also we recommend you to take a 1,5 liter water flask.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENTS:

• You will spend the nights at the yurt camps of local semi – nomads. Visiting a new country offers the opportunity to meet other cultures with different mentalities, therefore it is important to accept these differences and respect the local way of life.
• Clients should recognize and accept the risk that circumstances may arise which would cause some activities to be shortened or eliminated altogether without reimbursement or refund. Such circumstance includes weather conditions, earthquakes and other acts of nature, injuries or other medical problems, which they may experience. Each tourist should have medical insurance that should be organized him/herself in home country.
• Please take your rubbish home with you. There are no recycling facilities in Kyrgyzstan, so take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling.

MONEY EXCHANGE:

If you plan to exchange dollars /euros/ to KG Soms, we recommend to take the notes of 50, 100 USD/EUROS without stamps, inscriptions and other any damage, because damaged and small banknotes are not accepted by banks and some exchange offices. ATMs are available in Bishkek. Visa card is preferable than Master card or Maestro.

TIPS AND GRATITUDE:

In Kyrgyzstan tips are not obligatory, however, are welcomed by the serving staff. Tips are usually not included into the prices in Kyrgyzstan. In the cafes/restaurants on the bills you can see Service 10% or 15%, but this is not tipping. This is their salary, what they will get paid. It is not bad to tip guides and drivers as well. Tipping is an excellent way to show your appreciation of their services. To give you an idea average tip is about 7-10 USD per day per person for all staff (drivers, guides, porters). Anyway, it is up to you, your level of satisfaction of their work and your possibilities.

CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT:

The weather is likely to be changeable. Please note that in summer the temperature in Bishkek can reach 40°C, while in the mountains the temperature can be as low as 10°C. You should be prepared for extremely changeable weather and the mountains could show you rain, hail, snow, wind and sun all within 24 hours.The lowest temeperature during the trek is on the lakeshore of Song Kul lake , in the night temepature cango down till -2-4. Saddles are local and consist of a basic frame over which is thrown sheep or goat skins for comfort.
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit. Helmets and boots with heel are mandatory.