Nomadic Landscapes

After an early breakfast, we’ll hop into our minibus and leave Bishkek behind. We’re heading to the Chong-Kemin Valley, the drive will take around 2.5 hours. Once we arrive, we’ll have a bit of time to get changed — and then it’s time for our first warm-up ride. We’ll set off from the village and head into the mountain forest surrounding Kok-Archa. The area is wonderfully quiet and scenic, so our first “wow” moments are definitely there to find. In the late afternoon we’ll return to the village, check into our guesthouse, and sit down for dinner.

We’ll take the morning at an easy pace, with time for a relaxed breakfast and to pack up for the next leg of the journey. In the early afternoon, we’ll meet the rangers from Chong-Kemin National Park, saddle our horses and ride out. The park is quite vast and is one of the prettiest areas in Kyrgyzstan. We’ll start by riding along the river, before soon disappearing into the forested backcountry. The area is rich in wildlife, so there’s a good chance we’ll spot animals both hiding between the trees and soaring above our heads. In the late afternoon, we’ll cross a mountain range and reach the Boo Jetpes guesthouse. Our hosts will welcome us there, we’ll settle into our rooms, and in the evening have dinner together.

This morning will be fairly relaxed as well. Around midday, mount our horses and set off. We’ll follow the trail through the scenic Boom Gorge, whose name in Kyrgyz can be translated as “Shoelace Gorge” — a nod to its distinctive shape. Surrounded by rugged mountains and sparse vegetation, we’ll ride on through the landscape, and later in the afternoon we’ll reach a camp near the road. There, we’ll say goodbye to our horses, switch to cars, and drive to the village of Kochkor. Once we arrive, we’ll settle into our guesthouse and sit down for dinner.

After the morning bustle, we’ll hop into the car and drive to the Kyzart Pass, where we’ll meet our new guides and horses. We’ll saddle up and set off towards the northern shore of Song-Kul. After a few hours of riding through absolutely beautiful mountains, we’ll reach a yurt camp by the lake, where a demonstration of the traditional nomadic game kok-boru will be waiting for us. At sunset, we’ll sit down for dinner in a yurt, and spend the evening admiring the starry sky reflected in the lake’s surface. Overnight in yurts.

Today we’ll ride back to Kyzart on horseback via the beautiful, spectacular Tuz-Ashuu Pass. Once we’re over it, Song-Kul will slip out of view and we’ll start descending into the lower parts of the mountains, with a gorgeous panorama of the whole region opening up ahead of us. The ride will take around 4–5 hours. After reaching the village, we’ll say goodbye to our guides and horses. After lunch we’ll travel by car to Lake Issyk-Kul. Once there, we’ll settle into a comfy yurt camp right by the shore of this vast lake, with time for a swim and a proper rest. In the evening, we’ll sit down for dinner, and spend the night in yurts.

We’ve got a fairly laid-back morning ahead. We’ll have some time to soak up the atmosphere on the shores of Issyk-Kul before we drive to the Tong Mountains. That’s where an unforgettable adventure awaits: we’ll head out on horseback with eagle hunters and their birds of prey. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about this traditional way of hunting, as well as about the hunters themselves and their eagles. Later in the afternoon, we’ll go for a walk in the extraordinary Skazka Canyon, with a lovely view out over Issyk-Kul. From there, we’ll head to a swimming pool located on hot springs. By early evening we’ll return to the yurt camp, where a fantastic dinner will be waiting for us, along with a campfire show featuring local folk traditions.

Today there’s no rush — we can take the morning at a relaxed pace. In the early afternoon, though, we’ll set off for Bishkek, where we’ll check into our hotel. There will be time to get ready for the journey home and pack up properly. In the evening, we’ll head out for our last, farewell dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

It’s time to go home. All riders will be transferred to the airport and start their return journeys.