Ride Through the Granite Steppe of Central Kazakhstan
OVERVIEW
Kazakhstan's steppe is vast, wild, and still overlooked by most riders — and nowhere shows it off better than the granite hills of Buiratau National Park.
You'll ride out to a revered mountain spring, visit the memorial of the eighteenth-century Kazakh warrior Olzhabay Batyr, summit the highest point in the park at 902 metres, and watch for wild maral deer and steppe bison from the saddle. Evenings are spent around a traditional dastarkhan feast, dressed in national costume for photos to remember it by.
Ride through a landscape most travellers never even know exists.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Ride deep into Buiratau National Park's granite steppe, barely touched by tourism
Summit the highest point in the park at 902 metres
Watch for wild maral deer and steppe bison from horseback
Visit the memorial of 18th-century Kazakh warrior Olzhabay Batyr
Ride past the ancient Saksiy burial mound, traces of steppe civilisations millennia old
Dress in national costume for a traditional dastarkhan feast
Full support vehicle along the entire route for comfort and safety
Stay in a mix of hotel, guest house and remote overnight stops
OVERVIEW
RIDE GUIDE
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights / 7 Days Riding
Cost: US$2,400 sharing
Max Riders: 8
Arrival: Astana, Kazakhstan, pick up from airport is included at a set time.
Riding Level: Our rides are for experienced riders who are balanced on their horses and in control galloping in open spaces. Ideally you are a life-long rider that has owned your own horse. We look for a minimum of 10+ years riding experience.
Weight Limit: Maximum of 85kg/187lbs. As horses in Central Asia are typically smaller please contact us directly if you are over this weight limit. There are a small number of larger horses for larger riders.
Time in the saddle: 2 to 8 hours a day
HORSES
Horses in Central Asia are typically smaller and perfectly adapted for the high altitude. The horses are forward, safe, with an active walk and well adapted to trail riding.
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
Accommodation is in a mix of hotels and guest houses.
Three nights are spent at the at the Algabas Hotel, in the village of Algabas.
You’ll then stay at guest house within the Buiratau National Park area itself.
Your final night is spent in Karaagash
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All meals, accommodation, horses, guides, transfers, support vehicle, bottled water.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international or domestic flights, alcohol, mandatory travel insurance, or tips for guides and support team.
RIDING
We specialise in riders for advanced riders. 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.
The horses work hard at high altitude and so we only accept well balanced, experienced riders that will not push them unnecessarily and ride in a long loose rein on the mountain.
TRAVEL & VISAS
Since 2012 British, USA and most European nationals don’t need a visa to enter and stay for up to 30 days.
TRANSFERS
Transfers from Manas Airport in Bishkek are included if arriving and departing on arrival and departure dates.
If arriving a day early as recommended you can catch a taxi into town. Manas Airport is a 30-40 minute drive from the city. A reasonable price for a taxi from the airport is 1500 som (€15), your hotel will charge around 5000 som (€50). There is an atm at airport.
Important: When selecting flights to Bishkek ensure you have at least two hours to transfer in Istanbul. Flights can be delayed and it takes some time to get to your next gate. You will need to pass through security again. Bags are checked all the way through.
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 enjoy a mixture of porridge (rice and oat), yogurt, crepes, small pancakes, eggs and fresh bread.
Lunches are picnic style with cold cuts, bread, cheese, and canned fish while on trail.
Dinners are enjoyed warm with a fresh cucumber and tomato salad. In the mountains you are often served hot soups with pasta, dumplings, or meat on potatoes.
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).
We always recommend you wear hiking boots and half chaps when on a riding holiday. Always wear boots you are happy to walk in. When crossing mountain passes you may be required to walk over icey or snowy grond.
The weather can range from 40 degrees in Bishkek to zero at night on the mountain. The mountains are usually 15 degrees cooler than Bishkek during the day. It is imperative that you bring high quality wet weather gear.
As temperatures drop to single digits at night high quality sleeping gear is vital.
INTERNET
You will be out of cell range for portions of the ride. We recommend purchasing a O! sim card on arrival at the airport. The store is located to the left after customs. Unlimited internet for two weeks will cost around €6.
If your phone doesn’t take sims, or if you would prefer to organise a sim ahead of time, download an e-sim from Airalo and install before you arrive to be connected at all times.
Use our code BLACKS3976 to receive $3 off your e-sim credit.
Your guest houses will have wifi.
DATES + RATES
2026
The ride costs £1,950 per person sharing. As the balance is less than €2,000 the full amount if due to reserve your saddle.
07 - 15 August 2026 - 8 Guests
2027
Prices and dates are expected in November. We will run four departures from late June to August.
To make an enquiry you can fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile and we will get back to you when dates are released.
GET IN TOUCH
Fill in an obligation-free rider form and we will share information on the ride
KYRGYZSTAN
Travelling to Kyrgyzstan is like jumping in a time machine. You land in soviet Bishkek with street signs all in Cyrillic. Russian is widely spoken in the capital city. Though the republic gained independence from the ex-USSR in 1991, Lenin still stands at the back of the National Museum.
The main street is a wide soviet boulevard that once had military parades down it but is now filled with families enjoying cool evenings watching concerts, playing fair games and buying helium balloons for the kids.
Outside of Bishkek Kyrgyz speak their own language. It’s Turkic and partially intelligible with people from Turkey. A lingual link as both peoples originated from Siberia where petroglyphs and the names of the lakes and mountains there are recognisably similar.
Malls look like ours did in the 80s and 90s with cigarettes displayed over the checkout counters. Weed is illegal but it grows wild here. Alcohol isn’t sold in most local restaurants as Kyrgyz have been Muslim since the Arabs beat the Chinese in the Battle of Talas in the 8th century. You can still easily pick up litres of beer from the store though and small bottles of apricot cognac for a mere £3.50. It’s so delicious you don’t need any mixer.
Kyrgyz are very friendly and the country is generally very safe. You can walk around the capital Bishkek with your phone out with no issues which is more than what you can say for London!
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.
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As 90% of flights arrive around between 2am and 5am we recommend arriving a day early to rest from the flight and enjoy exploring Bishkek.
We will share details on how to catch a taxi to your hotel (it’s veyry easy) and recommend hotels at different price points.
We will organise an optional dinner the night before where you can try local cuisine, visit a supermarket and meet other guests.
We recommend staying at Navat or Orion Hotels.
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Collection from Bishkek Airport at 8:45am or from your central Bishkek hotel from 8am.
The group will travel through the Too-Ashuu Pass, zig-zagging up to 3,180m at the summit before shooting through a tunnel and emerging from the other side to witness the great plains and mountain peaks of Suusamyr Valley.
After a traditional Kyrgyz lunch at a restaurant en routr or in the newly built yurt with glorious views over the the Ala Too range, you’ll enjoy a short introduction ride to try out the horses.
Overnight at your hosts yurt camp split between two newly furnished yurts in real beds.
2 Hours Riding
Driving distance/time: 196km, 3 hours.
Overnight and dinner in Kalyinur’s yurt .
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You begin your ride by climbing the mountain behind yurt camp towards the quieter valley behind the peaks that only a few shepherds ever reach with their flocks each year.
You’ll enjoy lunch on the pass with incredible views across the valleys.
After lunch you’ll begin your descent into the lush valley before finding an ideal place near a stream to camp.5-6 Hours Riding. 28 kilometres.
Overnight in tents
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After breakfast you will follow the Madylbek River as it winds through a secret valley surrounded by high mountain peaks.
After passing through a gorge the the country opens up to great plains with hundreds of free-roaming horses grazing.
You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch near the Suusamyr River then ride up the Suusamyr Valley, where the ground is excellent for some fast gallops, ultimately reaching the Chymyndy summer pasture.
Here you’ll stay with a local shepherd family in an authentic summer jailoo (alpine meadow). You’ll overnight in traditional yurts sleeping on your mats in your sleeping bags but cosy in the yurt.
6 - 8 Hours Riding
Overnight in a yurt.
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Today you will summit the 3600 m Muztor Pass. This pass is rarely used, even by shepherds, so guides will pick the path through the rocky mountain side.
You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch near a glacial lake where you can spot ibex climbing on the rocky mountain face in front of you. This pass is the most technical and you may need to walk your horse over permafrost or on the steepest parts of the trail.
At the top the saddle flattens out and you’ll have the most incredible view of mountains on all sides.
After taking it all in you’ll ride a steep descent into the the Jaisan Valley. The shepherds in this valley take care of sheeps, cows, and a special herd of horses that have been crossed with english thoroughbreds. This is rare in Kyrgyzstan and a beautiful sight to see hundreds of free roaming mares and foals with their stallion.
Your campsite is nearby the Jaisan River, at the junction of two valleys.
5-6 Hours Riding
Overnight in Tents
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Today we head towards the summer grazing for the appaloosa herd and you may get sight of the famous breeding stallion Chaar Sulu and his mares and foals. The pass is easier today as it’s a well trodden path for high altitude shepherds.
After your cross the pass you enter an ancient art gallery with hundreds of petroglyphs carved into flat faced rocks. Between 8000- 3000 years old the rocks let visitors know this is the place to hunt ibex, and in those time snow leopards that follow the ibex herds would have been more plentiful. When asked, local shepherds may now say they have seen but one in their lifetime.Upon arrival at the yurt camp you will have the chance to see a game of Kok Boru where riders play with the body of a goat.
That evening you will enjoy a traditional meal of kurdak made with the goat from the game.
5-6 Hours Riding
Overnight in a yurt.
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This is the longest riding day on your trip and the most beautiful. After an early breakfast, you will weave up the mountain valley, past a cave where ibex live, to your first rocky mountain summit. This is a first great photo spot of the day.
You’ll tehn begin a magical descent into an untouched valley, where wildflowers grow the same height as our horse. The vegetation is lush and with few animals to eat it down it feels like you are in the Garden of Eden. High mountains surround you, it feels a bit like Switzerland but one from many years ago before people arrived.
You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on a high saddle with incredible views before riding on towards your second high pass of the day. You’ll by now have glimpsed Toktogal Reservouir which is your final destination.Both passes are above 3,400 meters.
The afternoon is spent descending into the honey-makers valley. You’ll start to see yurt camps again and then small farms with huts and dozens of honey hives.
Arrive to the honey farm of Chingiz (like Ghengiz Khan) where you will pitch your tents for one last night camping.Up to nine hours riding - possibly longer depending on weather conditions. Approx 30 kilometers.
Overnight in Tents
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Now that you are much lower in altitude the days can get hot so an early departure is organised.
You’ll ride out of the mountain through lush valleys covered in wildflowers and wild hemp plants that grow on the roadside.
The foothillls turn a incredible golden colour. As you get closer to the lake you’ll pass Chaar Suluu’s winter ranch where he and his herd wait out the tough winters.
You’ll meet your transport at the lakeside, enjoy lunch, then take the saddles off the horses for a swim before saying goodbye to them.The afternoon is spent at the family home of your hosts. You’ll have time for a long shower before your final dinner. You’ll be able to charge all of your devices and rest well in a comfortable bed in a shared bedroom.
3 - 4 Hours Riding.
Overnight at the family home / guesthouse. -
After breakfast you’ll make the drive back to Bishkek crossing the Ala Too mountain range.
After lunch in the city you’ll visit Osh Bazar, or the Tsum Cente, where you can find all sorts or souvenirs and horse riding equipment to take home.
You’ll enjoy your final dinner in town.
Overnight at Navat Hotel (or similar)
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Your final day is just a departure day and you are welcome to take a flight from Manas Airport at any time. Most flights depart between 2am and 10:30am.
You will depart your hotel 2h 40m before your flight time so you will likely have an early wake up call.
The adventure is over!
PRICES & AVAILABILITY
2026
The ride costs £1,950 per person sharing. As the balance is less than €2,000 the full amount if due to reserve your saddle.
07 - 15 August 2026 - 8 Guests
2027
Prices and dates are expected in November. We will run four departures from late June to August.
To make an enquiry you can fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile and we will get back to you when dates are released.
HOW TO BOOK
As the balance is less than £2,000 the full amount if due to reserve your saddle.
Cancellation Terms
More than 90 days in advance 30% of the full deposit is forfeited.
90 - 0 days in advance 100% of the full amount is forfeited.
WEATHER + CLIMATE
Kyrgyzstan is 85% mountainous and for more than half of the year the alpine meadows and mountain passes we ride through are covered in snow. We time our rides 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 800 meters above sea level and can reach temperatures of 40 degree celcius in summer. It’s much cooler in the mountains, usually not exceeding 25 degrees.
June: 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 animals have been moved up to the mountains for summer grazing and you will see herds of horses where stallions run with their mares and foals. 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.
This is a mountainous ride and good wet weather gear is essential. You will need an excellent gore-tex or PVC coat and trousers. Waxed cotton will not be enough here.
We recommend a sleeping bag comfortable to 0 degree celcius to stay warm at all times. A good sleeping mat is essential. You should buy a light weight inflatable mat with a R rating of 4 minumum.
ACCOMMODATION
SIMPLE DOME TENTS
Nights 2, 4, 6
On the mountain you will sleep in simple dome tents.
Camp is close to a steam for water for a face wash. You guides will boil water for drinking though we recommend you also bring micropur tablets or a filter water bottle for drinking water.
Biodegradable wipes can be used for washing and disposed of in the campfire.
Yurts
Nights 1, 3, 5
Yurts are traditional yurts owned by the family or their partners, rather than tourists yurts.
Your first yurt camp is moden with two guest yurts with real beds. The other two yurt camps are more traditional and you will sleep on your sleeping mat and in your sleeping bag on the ground.
All the yurts are completely off-grid.
Guest House
Night 7
One night is spent in a small guest house owned by your own family in shared rooms.
This is the family home of your guests.
NAVAT HOTEL
Night 8
This boutique guesthouse is right in town with a small number of traditionally decorated rooms.
They have an excellent breakfast with a large range of Kyrgyx and Russian options.
MEALS
Meal times in Kyrgyzstan start with decadent table-scapes of sweets, dried fruit, nuts, bread, fruit, jams and cream. In nomad times everything available was put onto the table and offered to guests.
Main meals usually consist of meat and onions over potatoes, buckwheat or rice with carrot, tomato, cucumber, peppers or cabbage. Often you are served meat and vegetable soup as a starter.
Plov is a very popular buttered rice served with vegetables and meat dish. Also popular is pasta with cabbage and steamed or fried dumplings stuffed with meat or stir-fry noodles with meat. Watermelon is often served as dessert.
They are not that familiar with making vegetarian dishes though are learning to adapt. Vegetarians be aware that sometimes they think that picking meat out of the group dish will be acceptable to you!
The meals are typically carb-heavy. Gluten-free diets might want to bring their own bread to supplement meals as yurt camps will typically only make one dish for all guests.
Hot chai (black tea) is served at every meal. Bottled water is provided every day.
TRUE APPALOOSA - DOCUMENTARY
Filmmaker Connor Woodman and horse breeder Scott Engstrom travel to Kyrgyzstan to search for the rare appaloosa horse in what they suspect is their native country - the steppes of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan. They meet with the family of our guide, Kylyinur, and genetically test the horses with the goal of determining once and for all where the leopard-print complex truly comes from.
READ THE BROCHURE
LOCATION
