Summer Tour C: 9 Day Borderlands of Kyrgyzstan (6 Riding Days)

Day 2- Ala-Archa and Galloping 

We start the day by driving from the villa to Ala-Archa National Park. Once we arrive, we meet our horses and spend 2–3 hours riding. More experienced riders can spend this time galloping, while beginners will be introduced to the basics of riding in a safe environment.

Afterwards, we hike further into the reserve to the Broken Heart Rock and a nearby waterfall. We finish the day at a private spa, where a chef’s dinner is prepared for us. The spa has a sauna, swimming pool, hammam and a billiards table.

Accommodation: Villa in Bishkek

Day 3 - Horse Riding in Chon-Kemin and Kok-Boru Game

We set off early (around 8:00) and drive to the Chon-Kemin Valley. There we leave our belongings at a guesthouse and meet our horses and guides.

We take a gentle ride on horseback into the mountains and nature reserve, enjoying wide views over the valley. Back in the village, local horsemen give a demonstration of Kok-Boru – a traditional Kyrgyz horseback game where two teams compete to carry a goat carcass into the opposing team’s goal. It is fast, intense and very impressive to watch.

The game is unique to Central Asian nomads. You will see what both horses and riders are truly capable of in such hectic conditions, and the great conquests of the nomadic empires become easier to imagine after watching it.

Accommodation: Chon-Kemin Guesthouse

Day 4 - Drive to Kyzart Village and Ride to Kilemche Valley

We set off early and drive to Kyzart village. After lunch at a local family home, we meet our horses and start riding towards Kilemche Valley.

It is a beautiful 4-hour journey, with a break halfway by the Bazar-Turuk River. We arrive at our first overnight stop, a yurt camp in the valley at around 2,500 m altitude. This route is remote and there is no mobile phone or internet connection. Parts of the trail can be covered in snow depending on the weather. At this altitude in spring you can easily experience all four seasons in one day.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp Kilemche Valley

Day 5 - Horse Ride from Kilemche Valley to Son-Kul Lake

After breakfast in the yurt we continue our journey to Son-Kul Lake via the Tuz-Ashuu Pass (3,500 m), with a break at the top for photos and tea.

Along the shoreline of Son-Kul, more experienced riders have the option to gallop on flatter sections. We arrive at a family yurt by the lake and have lunch together. After the long ride you will have free time to explore the lake, walk along the shore and enjoy the peace and silence of the high plateau.

This is our second day in the high mountains. In the evening we sit around a campfire and look up at the night sky with no light pollution. If the skies are clear you can see the Milky Way in incredible detail. My undergraduate degree was in Astrophysics and Cosmology, so I am happy to tell you more about our galaxy and our place in the universe. Once again, there is no mobile or internet connection on this route.

Accommodation: Yurts near Son-Kul Lake

Day 6 - Son-Kul to Naryn City

After breakfast we will start making our way back to Kyzart village. It is a 4-hour ride back. We will end the Son-Kul trip with lunch and say our goodbyes to our hosts. The journey then continues further south to the city of Naryn. Here we will check into a hotel and rest before making our journey towards Kel-Suu Lake at the border with China

Accommodation: Naryn Hotel

Day 7 - Drive into Kel-Suu Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our off-road journey into the mountains, crossing gravel passes and open plateaus where marmots are often seen. The drive into the Kok-Kiya Valley takes approximately 4-5 hours. Upon arrival, we check into the yurt camp and have lunch. If we arrive early, we continue on horseback for 2–3 hours to reach the stunning Kel-Suu Lake. Otherwise we set off the following morning. There, you’ll have free time to explore and take a boat ride across the turquoise water to the Bear Cave — a natural cavern that extends deep into the mountains. We then return to the yurt camp on horseback to rest. In the evening, coal-heated saunas are available for bathing and relaxation. 

Accommodation: Yurt Camp at Kok-Kiya Valley

Day 8 - Drive back to Naryn

After breakfast and some free time in the Kok-Kiya Valley we will start making our way back to Naryn. We will take our time and after checking into the guesthouse we will have one last big dinner together as a group before we set off to Bishkek the following day. 

Accommodation: Naryn Guesthouse

Day 9 Eagle Show and Back to Bishkek

We begin the morning in Naryn with breakfast at the hotel before checking out and enjoying a short eagle-hunting demonstration with a local berkutchi. From there, we make our way west, crossing the high Dolon Pass with its wide alpine views, and continue through quiet rural valleys toward Kochkor for a traditional Kyrgyz lunch. In the afternoon, we pause at the red-sandstone canyons of Boom Gorge for a short walk and photos. By evening, we arrive in Bishkek, where the day ends with a hotel drop-off or transfer to your next destination. 

Price list

Tour price
£1,230 / €1,400 / $1,640 per person for an all-inclusive round trip (transport, accommodation, food, horses, guides, entrance fees, etc.).

Group discounts available – please contact us.

Riding days – 6 in total
– Riding/Galloping in Ala-Archa
– 3-day horse trek to Son-Kul Lake
– Riding in Chon-Kemin                          – Short Horse Ride to Kel-Suu Lake      

Payment terms

• Deposit: £350 (or equivalent in € / $) to reserve a spot on the tour.

• Balance: £440(or equivalent in € / $) due two months before the trip; the remaining balance should be paid before arrival.

Photography and Drone Footage Included

We also use professional filming equipment, drones and cameras during the tour. With your permission, we are happy to share photos and video footage of your trip, and we appreciate it if you tag us when you post on social media. 

Border Passes

To drive into Kel-Suu we will need to go through an official military checkpoint, due to the proximity with the Chinese border. Copies of your passports should be sent in advance (at least 3 weeks) so we can make border permits for you.

Not included

Flights to and from Kyrgyzstan are not included.

If you have specific requests about places you would like to visit or activities you would like to try, please let us know and we will do our best to fit them into the itinerary.