Horse Trekking Shamshy Gorge to Son-Kul Lake, 12 days

by Anarbekin Adventure tours, Horse ridingon Posted on

$1 / person

12days

Meduim

Kyrgyzstan

$1 / person

12days

Meduim

Kyrgyzstan

RedMount
RedMount
KYrgyz Yurt Camp
RedMount
RedMount
Kyrgyz Yurt Camp
Burana Tower
RedMount
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Tour Route: Bishkek – Shamshy Gorge – Sarala-Saz – Sook Valley – Kum Bel – Kyzart Pass – Son-Kul lake – Issyk-Kul lake – Bishkek 


Highlights and Overview of this Trip

 

An adventure horse riding tour with a long camping trail through the hidden valley and open meadows in the foothills of Tien-Shan Mountains. For many years, horses played a great role for nomads and now you can ride them in our Tien Shan Mountains. During this tour, you will ride a horse from Shamshy Gorge to the mountain lake “Son-Kul” 3016m. You will meet shepherds and nomads on the trail and can enjoy unique, untouched nature, mountains, lake, mountain rivers, forests of fir-trees.

 

! Participants of this horse riding trip should be experienced and well-trained riders!

 

max. Elevation Min/Max: 3656m
Start Point horsetrek: Shamsy Gorge
End Point: Son-Kul Lake

Trip season: June – September
Duration: 12 days/11 nights (7 days horseback riding)

Type: Cultural, SilkRoad, Horseback Riding
Difficulty: Medium – Hard
Accommodation: Guesthouses, hotels, Yurt Camp, tents

Meals: Full board, except dinners at the hotel in Bishkek on first and last day

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Bishkek City Tour
  • Shamshy Gorge
  • Sook Valley
  • Passes and Lakes
  • experience local nomadic life incl. music, art and traditions

program:

DAY 1: Airport Manas - Bishkek (40km)

Distance: 40 km

Driving: 40 min

You will be picked up  at “Manas” airport and transferred to a 3-star hotel in Bishkek. Enjoy a sightseeing tour exploring the central square Ala-Too, State History Museum, Fine Art Museum, Oak Park, Osh Market, Philharmonia Concert Hall, and more.

Dinner at local restaurant, overnight stay  at 3* hotel

 

Meals included:

 

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Distance: 120 km

Driving: 2 hours

After breakfast we’ll start driving to Smashy Gorge. On the way we’ll explore the Burana Tower (10th-11th century) with a short guided excursion. Check-in and have lunch at the Yurt Inn. Spend the afternoon walking in the fir-tree forest, immersing yourself in nature.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Yurt Inn.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 6-7 hours
After breakfast we will continue our trip by horse. Meet with the horsemen and guides’ team, load all the stuffs and start horseback riding towards Shamshy pass (3 570 meters). Full board and overnight in tents before the pass.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 6 h
Continue the tour and cross the Shamshy pass at 3 570 meters. Discover the nice view of Kochkor-Shamshy valley and hike up to SaralaSaz Jailoo, which opens beautiful views of the Sandyk mountains. Meet local nomads and see local traditions and customs.

Full board. Set up the tents near the nomad’s yurts in Sarala-Saz.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 4 – 5h
After breakfast, riding towards the Karakol river. Descend to Iri-Suu jailoo and take an evening walk over the hill into the beautiful Karakol River valley and set up the tents.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 5-6 h
After breakfast, we’ll prepare for a day tour through a nearly empty country. We’ll pass over the Buchuk Pass at 3400 meters, enjoying the breathtaking views. After a brief lunch break on the trail, we’ll descend into the stunning Sook Valley. High cold ridges are blanketed with wild onions, and lower slopes with blooming wildflowers.

We’ll set up our tents near the peaceful Sook River and have dinner in this memorable nature experience.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 6-7 h
Setting out on horseback westward towards the Kum Bel valley to cross the formidable Kum Bel Pass (3600 m). From the pass follow a ridge to the peak (3656 m) above sea level with a fascinating 360° panorama view and steep cliffs to the north. After lunch break, descend  into the enchanting Jumgal Valley and follow it down to the Kyzart Pass at (2664 m).

Set up the tents for one more night before crossing the pass and enjoy your dinner.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 6 – 7 h
After breakfast, ride through the Kyzart Pass (2664 m) and then cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley. After lunch, cross the river and follow the trail over hills to Kilemche Jailoo. Dinner and overnight in the tent.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 6 – 7 h
Today we’ll continue riding to Jalgyz Karagai Pass (3400 m) crossing the Song-Kol Mountains and descending into the lake’s basin. The morning climb offers wonderful views of Kilemche grassland and a rocky but exciting pass. After lunch at Jaman Echki we’ll continue our trip along the lakeshore to reach the Yurt Camp at Batai Aral. Say goodbye to our horses, meet the host family of Kyrgyz shepherds in Son-Kul lake and enjoy dinner together.

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 5-6 h
After breakfast, we’ll start driving towards Cholpon-Ata via the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Lunch break in Kochkor at a family guest house which also presents handicraft and a souvenir shop. Cholpon-ata is considered as a capital of a beach resort at the north side of the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world at an altitude of 1608m.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel

 

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Trekking: 4- 5 h
Spend the morning at the beach followed by a visit of cultural complex “Ruh Ordo”, Petroglyphs Museum (ancient stone inscriptions dating back to 800 BC). On our way to Bishkek we’ll stop in Balykchy for lunch. Check-In at the hotel, rest or explore Bishkek by sourself.

Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Meals included: Breakfast 

Airport-Transfers depending on your flight schedule.

 

Meals included: Breakfast

Price

Price for this package

on request

The price is influenced by various factors such as group size or season. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a fixed price. 

Non-binding price information is approx. $1700 per person for a group of minimum 2 persons.

  • Program price includes:
  • Transportation from day 1 to day 12
    • For the group up to 3 persons by SUV, 4 WD
    • For the group up to 4 persons by Minibus, 18 seats
  • Accommodation:
    • Bishkek, hotel 3*. (Twin or double room for two persons)
    • Shamshy Gorge: Yurt Inn on sharing basis, full board is included (five persons of the same gender in a yurt)
    • Tents on double sharing basis during horse trek
    • Son-Kul Lake, Yurt Inn on sharing basis
    • Cholpon-Ata: resort (twin or double room for 2 persons)
  • Horses for horse riding (including return way)
  • Horses to load equipment (including return way)
  • 1 horsemen for a group up to 4 persons (including their meals & accomodations)
  • Guide from day 1 to day 12 including horse, salary, meals and accommodation
  • Full board during horse trek
  • Kitchen and dining utensils

Service does not include:

  • Medical/evacuation insurance
  • International flights
  • Kyrgyz visa / visa support letter
  • sleeping bag and mat
  • Meals en-routes
  • Alcoholic drinks

Notes:

  • The offered program can be conducted from early June till early September.
  • In case of early arrival in Bishkek, early check-in the hotel is charged fully – 50 USD per person in twin room / night
  • The horse riding program must be booked in advance at least 7 days before arrival dates to Shamshy Gorge. Otherwise we can’t guarantee arrangement of the horse riding tour for such long days
  • Cook is provided for a group of more than 4 persons. For smaller group up to 3 persons are prepared by horseman assistant and guide-interpreter
  • Meals in the mountainous region are included because there are no options to get some food.
  • Weather in the mountain even in August is quite cold at night and it is highly recommended to have warm clothes and raincoat.
  • Four and Five star accommodation is available on request. The price of the program will be changed accordingly.

What to Bring for a Horse Trekking Adventure in a Remote Area. Here’s a comprehensive list of essential items to ensure your comfort and safety:

Clothing

  • Layered clothing: Include base layers, mid-layers, and outer layers to adapt to varying weather conditions.
  • Riding pants: Comfortable and durable pants designed for riding.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants: To stay dry during rain or wet conditions.
  • Warm hat and gloves: To protect against the cold, especially at higher altitudes.
  • Comfortable (riding) boots: Well-fitted and sturdy, preferably waterproof.
  • Additional pair of shoes or sandals for leisure time
  • Extra socks and underwear: Moisture-wicking and quick-drying options are best.

Gear

  • Backpack: A durable and comfortable backpack with a capacity suitable for the length of your trek. Recommended weight max. 10kg
  • Mat
  • Sleeping bag: Suitable for the expected temperatures.
  • Sleeping bag liner: Adds warmth and ensures cleanliness. We cannot give you 100% guaranty that mattresses at the Yurt Camps or Homestays will be ideally clean and meet your standards. That is why better to put your own inlet to this beds.
  • Headlamp or flashlight: With extra batteries, for visibility at night.
  • Multi-tool or knife: Useful for various tasks.

Food and Water

  • Water bottle, water purification tablets or filter: For refilling from natural sources.
  • High-energy snacks: Such as nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars – if needed

Safety

  • First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
  • Personal hygiene items: Biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, wet wipes and quick-dry towel
  • Medications: Any personal medications, plus extras in case of delays. We are sometimes in very remote areas, so obtaining these items could be difficult.
  • Sun protection: Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF, hat, sunglasses.
  • Insurance: Travel insurance is not included in the tour package. It is highly recommended that clients have their own travel insurance to cover illness, injury, and loss or damage to personal belongings. In case of an emergency, the staff will do their best to assist and transport you to a hospital or another point of care. However, if you do not have insurance, you will be required to cover the charges yourself. Your insurance should also cover helicopter services and rescue/search operations in the mountains.

Miscellaneous

  • Camera or smartphone: To capture the beautiful scenery.
  • Power bank: To keep your electronic devices charged.
  • Reusable bags: For carrying trash out of remote areas.

Horse-Specific Items

  • Riding helmet: For safety while riding.
  • Riding gloves: To protect your hands and improve grip.

Remember, packing light is important, but make sure you have all the essentials to stay safe and comfortable during your horse trekking adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Physical Requirements:

Participants should be in good physical condition but do not need any special horseback riding skills.

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