RIDE THE ANCIENT SILK ROAD
OVERVIEW
Follow in the hoofprints of the most adventurous of our ancestors on this ride through the Tien Shan ‘Celestial’ Mountains.
Kyrgyzstan is known as ‘Switzerland of the East’. Blue alpine lakes, snowy mountain peaks and not a fence in sight. This beautiful country might be a mirror reflection of Switzerland - but one from hundreds of years ago.
We ride our horses over mountain passes and refuge in the welcoming embrace of local nomads. We witness the noble skill of eagle hunting, where these great and regal birds are respected hunting partners. We follow the ancient silk road to the famous Song Kol Lake where we cool our horses off with a refreshing swim on horseback.
Escape back in time to this heavenly paradise.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Ride in two mountainous locations - Chong Kemin National Park and Song Kol Lake
Visit the Eagle Hunters
Stay mostly in comfortable yurt camps or guesthouses - rare for a Kyrgyz riding holiday which are mostly in tents
Visit Burana Tower - one of the oldest relics of the Great Silk Road
Swim with your horses in Song Kol Lake
Witness the traditional game of Kok-Boru
See the Milky Way with your own eyes at night
Stay at a premium hotel in Bishkek
Benefit from an air-conditioned transfer and support vehicle for all but 2 days
The Great Trek
Discover another Kyrgyzstan itinerary - our 18 Day Expedition to Song Kol Lake
OVERVIEW
RIDE GUIDE
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights / 7 Days Riding
Operator: Daniyar
Guide languages: English, Russian, Kyrgyz
Max Riders: 8 + Black Saddle Host
Departing: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pick up from airport included if arriving on suggested flight.
Riding Level: Intermediate to advanced. Expect long canters over open countryside. Please do not apply if you cannot canter.
Weight Limit: Maximum of 85kg/187lbs
Time in the saddle: 3 to 7 hours a day
HORSES
Kyrgyz ponies are smaller and hardy. They have adapted perfectly for the mountains and their size allows them to pump blood around their body at high altitude. It’s becoming for fashionable to have larger horses and some will be available on both sections of our ride.
You will ride stallions (who don’t realise they’re still intact). You’ll have one horse in Chong Kemin National Park and another in Song Kol.
Tack is a lower quality that what we are used to in the west but very comfortable. A metal or wooden saddle tree is balanced on layers of thick felt saddle pads and covered with a cushion for comfort. Bridles are simple canvas or leather and bits sit loose in the horses mouth.
ACCOMMODATION
One night in a premium hotel in Bishkek.
Two nights are spent in simple dome tents with sleeping bags sharing two to a tent. This year we have upgraded the camping and mattress protectors and sleeping bags will be provided as well as a mess tent and hand washing station. There are not showers or loos in the mountains.
Two nights are spent in guest houses where you can charge your gadgets. You will share a room with the same gender.You will have access to a shower and flushing loos.
Five nights are spent in traditional yurts. These are round felt lined tents. You will sleep in layers of bedding on the ground in sleeping bags or on single beds all in one tent by gender with up to three to a yurt. Yurts have fire stoves to keep you toasty at night.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All meals, accommodation, horses, guides, support vehicle around Song Kol Lake, entry for landmark sights, banya, non-alcoholic drinks and the eagle hunting demonstration.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international or domestic flights, alcohol, mandatory travel insurance, or staff tips (which are optional but appreciated).
We suggest a tip of between 75-100 euro / Usd. You can pay in theses currencies but make sure you use new, large denomination notes or they cannot be exchanged locally. An elegant way to give your tips is in an envelope at the end of your final dinner.
It may be possible to pay a single supplement for the hotel in Bishkek for an additional charge.
RIDING
You must be an experienced, confident rider to join this ride. Because of the mountainous terrain most of the ride is at walk with some opportunities to gallop at Song Kol Lake.
The horses work hard at high altitude and so we only accept well balanced, experienced riders that will not push them unnecessarily and allow them to do their job.
TRAVEL & VISAS
Since 2012 British, USA and most European nationals don’t need a visa to enter and stay for up to 60 days.
TRANSFERS
Transfers from Manas Airport in Bishkek are included if arriving and departing on dates matching the itinerary. Manas Airport is a 30-40 minute drive from the city.
A reasonable price for a taxi from the airport is 700 som ($6), your hotel will charge around 2000 som ($25). There is an atm at airport but there’s no guarantee it will work.
MEALS
Kyrgyz food includes a lot of bread, soups, meat dumplings served with buckwheat and vegetables.
Breakfast on trail always includes hot green tea that the locals drink instead of water. You will eat porridge (rice and oat), yogurt, crepes, small pancakes, eggs and fresh bread.
Lunches and dinners are picnic style with cold cuts, breads, and canned fish while on trail and fresh cucumber and tomato salads, hot soups, pasta, dumplings, and meat on potatoes while at Song Kol.
You will have an opportunity to drink kumis - fermented mares milk. It’s an acquired taste for foreigners but a daily drink for locals. You might have the opportunity to drink fresh mares milk too. It’s surprisingly sweet!
Kyrgyzstan is a muslim country though alcohol is readily available to purchase at supermarkets. This is a dry trip though you are welcome to bring your own alcohol.
WHAT TO PACK
Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.
The key to packing well for riding in the mountains, even in summer, is layers. We recommend you pack:
A down jacket, a warm jumper, a very warm sleeping bag effective to 0 degrees, silk sleeping bag liner, rain gear (waterproof trousers should have an opening on the outside at the bottom of the leg in order to put on and take off without removing your trekking boots), 2-3 pairs of warm socks, waterproof trekking boots, underwear, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream with high UV-protection, lip balm with UV-protection, torch, personal medicine, metal water bottle (0.75 L), riding chaps, Micropure (or any other water purification).
Trekking books are more effective and waterproof than tight fitting riding boots in the mountains.
The weather can range from 40 degrees in Bishkek to almost zero at night on the mountain in Chong Kemin.
INTERNET
Consider yourself ‘unplugged’ while on trail. Cell-phone reception is minimal at best and internet not at all except in cities and larger towns. The yurts are not connected to electricity but we suggest one of the group bring a solar panel charger. Black Saddle recommends this model.
We recommend purchasing a MegaFon sim card on arrival at the airport. Unlimited internet for two weeks will cost around €10.
DEPARTURE DATES
All departures will be hosted by someone from Black Saddle.
All departures are €1,899 per person sharing. As the ride is less than €2000 the full balance is due at the time of booking.
26 June to 06 July 2024 (1 saddle)
08-18 July 2024 (1 saddle)
08-18 August 2024 (fully booked)
We also have a mega expedition - The Great Silk Road Trek from 07 - 24 July and 07 - 24 August that is open for booking.
Alternatively you can join the 2025 waitlist by filling in an obligation free Rider Form.
KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the former USSR in 1991. The country is still greatly influenced by its soviet past with many brutalist communist blocks and a great boulevard through town that once showed off the countries military might. Now, the boulevard is used for concerts and markets. Russian is the most commonly spoken language followed my Kyrgyz, a turkic language that’s sadly in decline in it’s own country.
Currency + cash: is Kyrgyz Som. There are ATMs all over Bishkek though some only process VISA. Both Visa and Master Card can be used in most places in cities and larger towns. There is little opportunity for you to spend cash while on the ride but in Bishkek make sure you bring large new notes to tip your guides with or to exchange for local currency. Old and damages notes are not exchangeable and so are worthless.
Time Zone: Kyrgyzstan Time / GMT +6
Attire: Kyrgyzstan is a muslim country, so care should be taken to dress respectfully in large cities and towns, for example, when at markets and in public places. Ladies should avoid wearing ‘clingy, tight or suggestive’ attire, and stick to cool, flowing, cottons in the villages. Do not wear singlet tops and very short shorts.
ITINERARY
Rides are intended to be run as shared but Kyrgyzstan is mountainous and weather can be unpredictable. Your guide may need to adapt your itinerary according to weather conditions.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
Arriving into Bishkek your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and welcome you to Kyrgyzstan. As 90% of all the flights arrive around 4am you may want to book a hotel to rest in once you arrive. We have a tested shortlist of hotels we can recommend to you.
The tour starts at 9am from a central hotel. We start the day with a City Tour. We have lunch in premium local Arzu Restaurant (or similar).
After lunch we drive out of Bishkek to Tar-Suu village in Chong Kemin valley (160 km by mini-bus).
We arrive in Kok-Archa mountain cottages as the sun begins to set.
No Riding Today
Overnight and dinner in Kok-Archa with wifi and minimal cell reception.
DAY 2 - MOUNTAIN PASTURE CAMP
After breakfast we meet our guides and horses. We will start with a briefing and some riding instruction and then begin the trek along the Chong Kemin River to the Kol-Almaty Jailoo summer pasture.
Lunch will be served in the shepherd’s yurt or if the sun is shining we will enjoy a picnic outside.
After lunch we head into the mountains, climbing through a forest before the grassy pastures open up in front of us. You may see herds of horses roaming free to fatten up on summer grass.
We relax with some chai while the horses are untacked and hobbled so that they can enjoy the mountain grass without straying too far from camp. Tonight we sleep under the stars in simple dome tents with the stars shining brightly overhead. In clear skies you will see the milky way overhead.
4-5 Hour Riding
Overnight in tents. Cell reception lost after lunch.
DAY 3 - KOL KOGUR LAKE
Today we cross the beautiful alpine ridgelines and climb up to 2600-2700m to find Kol Kogur Lake. It becomes clear why Kyrgyzstan is called the Switzerland of the East. Snow capped peaks flank either side of us and we ride through kilometres of alpine meadows filled with wildflowers.
Just after midday we arrive at the lake.
A picnic lunch is prepared next to the beach. The afternoon is yours to relax as you want to. You can swim in the lake, read a book on the stony beach, or take a long nap under the summer sun. Tonight is the second and final night in our tents for the trip.
3-4 Hours Riding
Overnight in tents with no cell reception.
DAY 4 - TRAVERSE THE MOUNTAIN PASS
We wake for an early breakfast at 8am. Today is a long riding day as we head in the direction of the mountain pass (3400m). We climb steeply, passing a shepherds summer house, and eventually reaching the snow line. The descent on the other side of the mountain takes us past many marmots, alpine cattle yards and a canyon before the path suddenly turns a corner and brilliant blue Lake Issyk Kul appears dazzling on the horizon before us.
Waiting for us at an old soviet farmhouse are soviet-era military vehicles that take us down the mountain towards the hot lake - Issyk Kul -which literally means hot lake because it’s slightly salty and so doesnt freeze.
We are headed to Bokonbaevo village on the south shore of Issyk Kul lake. Overnight and dinner with folklore show in Bel Tam yurt camp.
2-4 Hours Riding
Overnight at Bel Tam Yurt Camp with electricity and cell reception
DAY 5 - THE EAGLE HUNTERS
After breakfast we set off to see the mighty eagle hunters. This ancient sport was a staple of nomadic culture but was stamped out when the soviets forced the Kyrgyz to become stationery farmers. There are just sixty licensed eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan. You will hear about how they find their eagles in the wild and train them with a live demonstration and the chance to hold and get a photo with one. You may have the opportunity to try archery and other nomad hunting skills too.
At lunch we will visit yurt makers to discover just how much work it takes to create a nomad’s home. We’ll enjoy lunch with the yurt maker family.
After this fascinating visit we drive to the lake side to see Ak-Say canyons and you have the opportunity to take a swim in the hot waters.
Lastly we inch closer to Song Kol, where we start the next ride tomorrow. Tonight we relax in this Silk Road city enjoying the modern facilities of our lovely guesthouse before heading back into the wild.
No Riding Today
Overnight and dinner in guest house Mira. Cell reception and wifi available
DAY 6 - KLIEMCHE YURT CAMP
After breakfast we drive an hour to meet the horses in Kyzart. Our equestrian guide and horses will be waiting to meet us. Most riding horses in Kyrgyzstan are left in tact but very rarely do any act coltish. They work hard at high altitude and know they need to conserve their energy.
Today we tackle the Chaar-Archa pass, which has an altitude of 3060m. The ride generally takes about 3-4 hours. We will spend the night at the Kilemche Jailoo (pasture) where the local herding families rent out yurts to tourists. The camp is at an altitude of 2650m.
3 Hours Riding
Overnight in yurts with cell reception lost as we depart with the horses
DAY 7 - SONG KOL LAKE
After breakfast we head for the jewel of Kyrgyzstan - alpine Song Kol Lake. Every year the government requires local villages to push their herds up to this pasture for summer grazing to rest the fields closer to the villages and preserve grass for winter.
After a short traverse, we go up to the Dzhalgiz Karagay pass at an altitude of 3325m. From the pass a dazzling panoramic view opens up and Song-Kol Lake appears like a mirage. You may be able to see the snow capped mountains on the other side of the lake.
After a short descent, we arrive to our home for the night - Azamat Yurt Camp. We enjoy lunch with the family and relax a for a while.
After lunch we head west to a stone memorial - one of the only permanant structures at the lake. This is our chance for a good gallop. Let’s see who has the fastest horse!
After arriving back to the yurt camp your time is yours to rest or explore. You will be offered a chance to experience a banya - a stove heated bath and sauna experience. You’ll feel amazing, clean and revitalised after a visit here. Such an indulgence in the middle of nowhere!
4-5 hours of riding.
Dinner and overnight in yurts with no cell reception.
DAY 8 - HUNDREDS OF FREE HORSES
After a little sleep in and a hot breakfast we continue around Song Kol Lake. We’ll weave around the coastline, marvelling at the colour of the water. Our horses will stop to drink from the lake, as will herds of cows, goats, sheep and yaks. We’ll see yurt camps in some of the bays. Those with just one or two yurts set back from the path are private family accommodation. The larger yurts camps of three to seven yurts are Silk Road hotels and act as restaurants too.
We’ll enjoy lunch at a lakeside yurt camp. Each has heaps of sweets in trays on the table and at each new camp it’s fun to try out new chocolates on offer.
After lunch we’ll find a private spot to swim with out horses. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers in your saddle bag! The water is cold at first but you quickly get used to it!
Just as we arrive to camp we’ll let the horses loose for another gallop! Careful to stop clear of stone ring around the yurt camps to avoid committing a cultural faux pas. We’ve made it to glorious Tulpar Tash, a busy corner of the lake where locals meet up to play Kok Boru - a very popular game in central asia similar to polo where the ball is the body of the goat. The winning team eats the goat for dinner. Nothing is wasted in Kyrgyzstan.
We overnight in a simple yurt camp with the chance to try fresh mares milk and fermeted mares milk called Kumis. It’s a delicacy and slightly alcoholic. The muslim Kyrgyz hope Allah won’t notice as they drink it by the litre!
4-5 Hours Riding
Accommodation is in yurts with no cell reception.
DAY 9 - THE FINAL TREK
Today is our last day of riding! Soak up the fresh mountain air as we set off on our final trek over Uzbek pass back to the horse’s home in Kyzart.
We’ll enjoy incredible views over the Ala Too mountains as we complete our Song Kol loop.
We arrive to our new and very comfortable guesthouse in time for lunch.
The afternoon is free to recharge - yourself and your gadgets.
4-5 Hours Riding
Overnight at Guesthouse in Kyzart
DAY 10 - RETURN TO BISHKEK
After breakfast we start our journey to Bishkek. We visit ancient capital of the Karakhanid Empire with just the ancient Burana Tower still standing, an architectural complex from the 10th to 11th century and an important point on the Great Silk Road.
After the lunch we arrive to our hotel in Bishkek and to Osh market to buy souvenirs. On our last evening we enjoy dinner in Navat restaurant (or similar).
Our hotel tonight is spectacular Hotel Orion. A big, soviet style hotel where the who’s who stay when visiting Kyrgyzstan. Each room has a bathtub and there is a spa onsite to remedy any saddle soreness from your holiday.
No Riding Today
Overnight at premium Hotel Orion or similar. Cell reception and wifi available.
DAY 11 - DEPARTURE
After breakfast it's time to return home and start planning the next adventure!
Flights often leave in the early hours of the morning so don’t forget to set your alarm if heading out to Bishkek’s jazz and dance clubs!
No Riding Today
PRICES & AVAILABILITY
All departures will be hosted by someone from Black Saddle.
All departures are €1,899 per person sharing.
26 June to 06 July 2024 (1 saddle)
08-18 July 2024 (1 saddle)
08-18 August 2024 (fully booked)
We also have a mega expedition - The Great Silk Road Trek from 07 - 24 July and 07 - 24 August that is open for booking.
Alternatively you can join the 2025 waitlist by filling in an obligation free Rider Form.
Weather and Climate
Kyrgyzstan is 85% mountainous and for most of the year alpine meadows and mountain passes we ride through are covered in snow. We time our ride to make the most of the good weather. Riding in the mountains can bring any weather at any time of year and you should bring many layers to make sure you stay warm and dry on your holiday.
Bishkek lies at 1800 meters above sea level and can reach temperatures of 40 degree Celcius in summer. It’s much cooler in the mountains, usually not exceeding 30 degrees.
June: June sees the peak of the spring grass. Animals are well fed and gorging on the new grass and having their young. We love this time of year as it’s when fields of wildflowers pop up all over the mountains. Yurts are surrounded by fields of forget-me-nots, perfect for lying in for sunny afternoon naps.
July: By July most of the animlas have been moved up to Song Kol and you will see thousands of horses living by the lake. There are less rainy days in July and the warmest temperatures for the year.
August: August has the lowest rainfall. There may be the odd storm but it never lasts long. The animals have grazed the grass down and shepherds are preparing to take their animals back down to the villages for the start of winter.
We recommend a sleeping bag effective to 0 degree celcious to stay warm at all times, esepcially for the two nights you will spend on the mountain in Chong Kemin National Park.
