Horseriding holidays in Kyrgyzstan: Horseback tour along the ridge of Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains

Meet at the airport or in the city for transfer to the hotel. After stopping at our accommodation, we will take a small trip to Ala-Archa National Park, which is located 40 km from the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The base of the beautiful mountain park is located at an altitude of 2,100m, helping you to acclimatize to the altitudes of the journey. Here you can relax after your flight, explore the beauty of the Kyrgyz landscape and hike to Ak-Say waterfall. After our return to the city, we will meet with the Baibol Travel team and explain the tour program.

On the road from Bishkek to Karakol city, we stop at Burana tower, all that remains of the Turkic Karakhanid (10th-13th century) capital of Balasagun.  The construction of the minaret is dated to 10-11 centuries. Initially, its height was 40 meters, but following an earthquake the upper part was destroyed and now the structure is only 21.7 meters. During the tour we will also visit the 80 balbals - stone sculptures which represent portraits of Turks. Overnight in Karakol.

In the morning, we will go to Zhergez Gorge, where we will meet the guide and horses and have a short orientation session before setting off on our journey. In the gorge we can relax in the yurts and taste our healthy and very unusual Kyrgyz national drinks. Will continue our fascinating trip on horseback to the next yurt village, where we will spend a night.

Our route over the Aylanysh Pass (3560 m.) to the Almaluu Valley will take about 4-5 hours. The route will pass through blooming valleys and by waterfalls and the mountain lake Ailanysh. Most importantly, you can admire the magnificent view of the peak Tashtanbek-Tor-Bashi (4600 m.). We will spend the night in a tent camp not far from the pastures and shepherds yurts.

One of the most difficult days. We will have a long journey conquering the Ortok pass (3,780 m.). Here you can test your physical fitness and endurance, knowing that when you overcome the pass you will descend to the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan (Golden Springs). On the way, you will see Palatka peak which is (5020 m) the highest peak on your trip. The healing waters of Arashan will fill you with energy for the rest of the journey. It is possible to stay overnight in tents or in private houses located in the gorge.

We begin the day on our horses; however, the last section of the path is very steep and we must cover it on foot. Our reward for the Al-Kol Pass (3860 m.) is the most beautiful lake of the Central Tien Shan - Ala-Kol (3532 m). The views from here are truly stunning and the lake is ringed by a number of high altitude peaks, including Karakol (5281 m), Oguz-Bashi (5168 m) and Zhigit (5170 m). We return the way we came, and overnight once again by the springs in Altyn Arashan.

In the morning, we descend from the Altyn-Arashan gorge to Ak-Suu village or Zholkolot (optional) through the arboretum, where we can enjoy a great variety of flora. This scenic path will take us 3-4 hours passes through picturesque meadows, where cows and horses graze. From Ak-Suu we will drive to Karakol, where we can enjoy a small tour of local attractions. You will visit a 19^th century mosque in the style of a Buddhist temple, built by the Chinese architect Zhou Xi for the local Dungans (Chinese who converted to Islam) without using any nails. The colors of the mosque embody various Dungan cultural concepts: red color protects from evil spirits, yellow promotes the accumulation of wealth and brings prosperity to the house, and green personifies happiness. Also you will visit the wooden Russian Orthodox church.

On the way from Karakol to Cholpon-Ata, we will visit the open-air museum. Here you will see and touch the fine arts of the ancient Scythians: tombstones, border stone fences, and petroglyphs dating back to 2000 BC. - 4th century AD. One drawing even shows snow leopards hunting in motion - this drawing is unique, because it is the only one of its kind in Central Asia.

We will also visit the cultural center "Rukh- Ordo" named after the famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov. On the territory of the complex there are 5 chapels built in honor of the four major religions of the world: Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. At the end of the day, you can enjoy swim in Issyk-Kul lake.

We will transfer to Bishkek in the morning (a drive of 3-4 hours). Upon arrival at our accommodation in the hotel, we will take a short rest before a small city tour around the Bishkek. The cultural program includes, a walk along the central square of the capital with its monument to the national hero "Manas the Magnanimous". Here we can also watch the changing of honor guard at the flagpole, and visit the historical museum, the monument to the leader of the Alai Kyrgyz people Kurmanjan Datka, the old square and the government house. At the end of the tour you can buy souvenirs from the craft stalls at the central department store (TSUM). Transfer to the airport for departure home (can be the following morning).