High Mountain Trekking on Horseback

Duration: 8 Days Horse Trek
Season: June-September

Make a list of everything you expect from a great trip - beautiful landscapes, exotic culture, activity, companionship - they’ re all here in this horse trek though the hidden valleys and verdant meadows of the airy Tien-Shan mountains. The nature of our mountains is majestic: picturesque canyons, dense forests of Tien-Shan fir-trees, evergreen junipers, thickets of sea buckthorn and blackberries – untouched and pure. The tour passes through alpine meadows with a unique and untouched flora and fauna, high passes, mountain lakes and gushing mountain rivers.

Level: This trek begins with a steep climb up through the forest, where it is possible to catch sight of lake Issyk-Kul through the trees. On day 3 you climb up and over the 3900 m Tosor Pass. On most days, the riding is fairly easy but many hours are spent in the saddle. On the final day you emerge onto the Kumtor road, close to the 3794 m Barskoon Pass.

Itinerary

Day 1 After breakfast we drive a short distance up Barskoon Canyon, past the remnants of an old caravanserai. It takes some time to prepare and balance the loads for the first time and we start to pick our way up through the forest along Sasyk-Bulak Valley. Our only companions are lowing cattle, sheep and horses.

Day 2 This morning we have our outdoor breakfast - on the greensward. The climb continues as we pick our way slowly up the valley, into increasingly stony and barren surroundings. We may pass the odd lone rider.

Day 3 The valley appears to be blocked by an impenetrable wall, but the track manages to find a way up and over our first high pass - Tosor Pass (3900m). The wide Kerege-Tash Valley with a backdrop of snow-capped mountain - all around 400 metres altitude - truly magical scenery.

Day 4 Today riding is easy but long. As we make our way gently downward along the wide Uch-Emchek Valley, we will see the occasional yurt. We pass separate herds of yaks, horses, cows, sheep and goats - all the domesticated animals are here in an anything but domestic environment.

Day 5 From campsite at Julyy-Suu we make our way along the bank of the swiftly flowing river to a crossing point, then turn left into another broad valley. This takes us eastward i.e. almost back upon ourselves, as we climb gently along the Burhan Valley following the meandering river with high peaks on each side. If ever here was a place to want to gallop it’s here.

Day 6 Today we continue the along same valley. Whistling marmots pop up from the rocks on every side to watch us and send their alarm call to their fellows. Every now and then we pass a lone yurt - home to a family for the summer. This evening we camp by the Kalcha river and Egiz-Tor Valley (3500m) as the main valley swings northward.

Day 7 We head on toward the end of the valley which continues to narrow and close in around us - the snowy peaks seem to loom right overhead on both sides. Tonight - our last night in these extraordinary mountain landscape - we camp close to the lake of Jashyl-Kol (3850m).

Day 8 Short final day’s ride is largely on the flat. We are close to the road by now. Eventually we emerge on a well-graded road close to the 3,754 metre high Barskoon Pass. In the afternoon drive back to Barskoon. Soak in a hot water bath, enjoy supper and night in a 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).