4. Ak-Shyirak Canyon

Horseback Riding along the Great Silk Road

Duration: 8 Days Horse Trek
Season: July-September

Kyrgyzstan was always a major way station on the Great Silk Road, the sole transport link between East and West. Kyrgyzstan lies in northeast Central Asia. The republic extends 900 km east-west and 410 km north-south. Mountains cover more than three-fourths of its territory. There are two mountain systems: the Tien-Shan in the northeast and the Pamir-Alai in the southwest. You will ride on the trail of Marco Polo, the first European to travel the Silk Road's caravan routes through Kyrgyzstan to China, India and Pakistan. For eight days you will ride along the interesting and diverse length of the Silk Road through the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan to the Chinese border.

Level: This trek starts from the 3800 m high Arabel Pass. During this trek you cross 2 steep passes and many fast flowing rivers.

Itinerary

Day 1 By car from Barskoon Village to Arabel Pass (3800m) travelling along the Silk-Road.
Distance: 55 km. Time: 2-3 hours. Get acquainted with the horses. On horseback for 2-3 hours to Suyek Pass (4028 m). Overnight in tents.

Day 2 From Suyek Pass along Taragai River to Cholok-Tor Valley. Distance: 25-30km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 3 Cholok-Tor Valley Kara-Sai River – Yshtyk Canyion. Distance: 25-30km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight near the river in the tents.

Day 4 Yshtyk Canyon down to the beginning of the Ak-Shyyrak Canyon. Distance: 40 km.
Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.

Day 5 Riding on horse down along the Baralbas River through beautiful canyon. After lunch travel back to the same camp site.

Day 6 Riding through Ak-Shyyrak Canyon crossing the river many times. Lunch with shepherd’s family. Riding up to Kyrtash and Kara-Sai Valley.
Day 7 Kara-Sai Bridge – Ak-Bel Pass (3833 m) – Kumtor Valley. Overnight near Taragai River. Distance: 40 km. Time: 6-7 hours.

Day 8 Taragai River – Maitor Valley – Kumtor Road. Distance: 15-20 km. Time: 2-3 hours. Drive by car down to Barskoon Village.Soak in a hot water bath, enjoy supper and night in private home.

During your horse riding trek we provide:
English speaking tour guide, cook, horseman, 3 meals a day, tents, cooking equipment, horses with all equipment, first aid.

Need to bring
Down jacket and warm sweater, warm sleeping bag, rain gears, silk blanked inside sleeping bag, 2-3 pairs of warm socks, trekking waterproof boots, gloves, sunglasses, suncream, flashlight, personal medicine, metal water bottle (0,75 litters),Term-A-Rest mats, riding chaps, micro pure (or any other water disinfections).