Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek

Spend five days on horseback like a Kyrgyz nomad, exploring the heart of the rugged Alay Mountains in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Spend four nights in yurts with Kyrgyz host families spending their summers tending and protecting their herds of sheep, cattle, and horses. Immerse yourself in the shepherd’s culture for the ultimate local experience. On the fourth day, summit Ak Tor Pass and enjoy the sweeping expanse of the Alay Valley unfolded on all sides.

• Scenic mountain views at Airy Bell (2956 m) and Ak Tor (3,500 m) mountain passes where you’ll feel as though you’ve landed on another planet

• Sleeping in a traditional yurt where you’ll have an opportunity to meet Kyrgyz shepherds, learn about traditional nomadic culture, and enjoy home-cooked meals

• Community-Based Tourism. Your use of us will contribute to local communities

Riding time: 4 hours;  Riding distance: 12 km;  Meals: L,D;  Ascent: 1218 m; Descent: 154 m;  Accommodation: yurt

Start your ride up a dirt road after driving to Gulcha from Osh along the Pamir Highway. The road follows the Kara Bulak stream towards the Tepshi camp, passing shepherds’ yurts set up among junipers. Near the top of the climb, you will leave the road for a trail ascending the ridge on the left. Here, you will eat lunch and enjoy the rugged mountains of the Alay across the gorge formed by the Gulcha river. At the end of the ridge, you will descend into the Tepshi camp at 2710m to meet with your host for the night. Dinner.

Riding time: 5 hours; Riding distance: 14 km;  Meals: B,L,D;  Ascent: 613 m;  Descent: 1087 m;  Accommodation: yurt

Breakfast. Start the day heading up to Airy Bell Pass 2950m on a small trail starting from your yurt. A steep, hour-long ride will bring you to the summit and an impressive panorama of the Kum Bell Mountains to the west. Descend to the Cholo Kaiyng Gorge and stop for lunch. In the gorge, a dirt road follows a small river to the Sary Oi camp at 2270m. Arrive at your yurts and join your hosts in the daily activities of nomads. Dinner.

Riding time: 5 hours;  Riding distance: 13 km;  Meals: B,L,D;  Ascent: 1020 m; Descent: 223 m;  Accommodation: yurt

Breakfast. The third day starts with a demonstration of milking and making dairy products from horse and cow milk. After an easy morning, descend from Sary Oi summer camp to the river and turn upstream, skirting a precipitous gorge. Eat lunch near a shepherd’s tent with a new view of the craggy mountain ridge you descended the previous day. Continue along meandering trails through a pine forest towards the foot of Ak Tor Pass at 3040m. Arrive at a private yurt. Dinner.

Riding time: 5-6 hours; Riding distance: 14 km;  Meals: B, L,D;  Ascent: 757 m;  Descent: 1283 m;  Accommodation: yurt

Breakfast. Cross the headwaters of the river and ride south towards the entrance of the pass. A short, but steep 500 meters ride up brings you to the summit of Ak Tor Pass at 3500 meters. On the way up, admire the sharp rock walls of the Asan Korgon Range. At the highest point of your horseback ride, rest for lunch with a side of the majestic Alay Mountain Ranges. Descend from the pass along a new stream to a final dirt road. Near the end of the day, ride on to Uch Chat summer camp and your host’s yurt. After welcome teas and before your dinner, take a walk around this scenic valley with scattered yurts of shepherds to experience local life. 

Driving time/: 2,5 hours ; Riding distance: 18 km;  Meals: B,L;  Ascent: 846 m; Descent: 1515 m;

Breakfast. We say goodbye to our crew and host family before we leave for Osh city. Our 20 km drive goes along a picturesque gorge with gushing rivers until the main road, then road continues on a nice road all the way to Osh city. Arrival at your hotel around lunch time. End of the tour.