Kyrgyzstan

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1 — At-Bashi
  Meet in Bishkek and drive toward At-Bashi, a wild and livestock-rich region close to the Chinese border. Along the way, stop for chai with a local saddle maker and begin your introduction to Kyrgyz horse culture, traditions, and riding customs.

• Day 2 — Learning the Rhythm
  Meet the horses and learn the basics of Kyrgyz riding style, with practical preparation for the transhumance ahead. In the afternoon, discover the foundations of horseback archery with a national team rider.

• Day 3 — The Transhumance Begins
  Start moving the herd at dawn, riding alongside around 150–200 horses as you cross remote mountain terrain and a high pass at 3,500m. A long, demanding day in the saddle, with the option to join the support truck if needed.

• Day 4 — Jailoodo
  Assist the shepherds in settling the horses into their summer grazing grounds, with time to take in the stark beauty of the Kyrgyz highlands. Later, ride toward Kel Suu Lake, near the Chinese border, through a landscape of yaks, open valleys, and complete isolation.

• Day 5 — Kel Suu
  Reach the remote alpine lake of Kel Suu, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and high-altitude wilderness. Meet a local yak breeder and spend the night in a yurt camp deep in this extraordinary region.

• Day 6 — To the Chinese Border
  Ride out with a local herder to check on his yaks and continue toward the frontier with China. Visit the site of a long-abandoned Soviet helicopter crash and camp close to the border in one of the most remote parts of the journey.

• Day 7 — Ak-Sai Ruh
  Reach the border in the morning before returning to the yurt camp for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer back toward Naryn for the night.

• Day 8 — Eagles & Bishkek
  Meet one of the region’s remaining eagle hunters and learn about a tradition balancing between heritage and modern life. Return to Bishkek, where the journey closes with local design, pottery, and Central Asian flavours.

Sample Itinerary

Naryn
We begin in Bishkek with a morning wander through one of the city’s colourful bazaars. From here, we drive to Elzat’s family home for lunch. Elzat and her family are horse breeders, specializing in powerful, big horses used for Kok-boru. These horses are different from those found elsewhere in the country, and people travel from across all Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to get them.

We then head toward Naryn, where we will meet Eshenbek, a master saddle-maker, for lunch and tea. Here we begin our introduction to Kyrgyz horse culture: traditional saddles, riding customs, and a few useful Kyrgyz words for speaking with shepherds. We will spend the night in Naryn.
Driving time: 8 hours
Accommodation: Local guest house

Ak Tala
Today in the early morning we reach the remote region of Ak Tala, where the transhumance starts. We will meet with the shepherds and go for an introductory ride to get used to horses and tack.

We will spend the afternoon helping gather animals and preparing for the transhumance. Overnight with Zhanibek and his family (yurt or shepherd’s house depending on conditions).
Driving time: 5 hours
Riding time: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Shepherd’s house / Yurt

The Transhumance
We start moving the herd at dawn, usually around 150–200 horses. We will move toward the village of Kazan Kuigan, where we will spend the night. If anyone gets tired, there is a truck at the back, and you can join it at any time.
Riding time: 10 to 15 hours
Accommodation: Tents or Yurts (depending on conditions)

The Transhumance
We finish pushing the herd toward Solton Sary. Today we arrive at the Jailoo — where shepherds and horses will stay until the end of summer. We assist the shepherds in settling the horses into their grazing grounds and setting up yurts.
Riding time: 6 to 8 hours
Accommodation: Tents or Yurts (depending on conditions)

Tura Suu
We head to Tura Suu, a small village near Bokonbaeva on Lake Issyk-Kul. Today we stay at Aitbek’s home. Aitbek comes from a family of eagle hunters and lives away from the touristic areas.

We join him for an eagle training session, offering a rare insight into a tradition now fighting against time.
Driving time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Local guest house (hot showers available)

Ak-Tash
We travel from Tura Suu to Ak-Tash, a summer yurt camp run by Mirlan, who produces kymyz (fermented horse’s milk) and manages his herd. We’ll help with milking and learn about kymyz production.

In the afternoon, with Sezim, we will learn the basics of archery — first on the ground, then on horseback.
Driving time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Yurt camp

Fages Glacier
We ride into a remote valley toward the old Soviet Meteo Station of Fages, near a glacier. We ride with Jergal, a former military man now working as a ranger, up to a lake at 3000m altitude at the foot of the glacier.

We stay at the Meteo Station, along the old Silk Road route toward China.
Riding time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Soviet Meteo Station (no hot water)

Kyzyl Suu Hot Springs
We leave in the morning on horseback toward Kyzyl Suu, finishing the ride with a stop at the hot springs — a historic site once frequented during Soviet times for its mineral waters.

From there, we drive to Svetlana Poliana for the night.
Riding time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Local guest house

Bishkek
We drive back to Bishkek, where we meet Albina, a young designer blending traditional wool-making with modern art.

We’ll try pottery and enjoy Central Asian cuisine at Dari Kuduk, a Tajik restaurant in the city.
Driving time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Bishkek