Wild Trek in the Tien-Shan

Duration:12 Days Horse Trek
Season: July-September

After years of experience in horseback adventures we have developed a new trek for experienced riders. This horse trek will take you through meadows and high passes, by mountain lakes and rivers. You will enjoy open riding in beautiful mountain pastures and marvel at the views from high places overlooking Lake Issyk-Kul. Each day you will spend 5-6 hours on horse. You will experience the nomadic life of the Kyrgyz people and share your meals with the shepherds in their high pastures.

Level: This demanding but rewarding trek has some steep ascents and descents interspersed with some easier, flatter tracks. Many rivers are crossed, some of which are fast flowing. Some of the mountain passes appear impossible, but amazingly your horse will find a way to climb the pass.

Itinerary

Day 1 After breakfast we’ll get an early start, enjoying the fresh morning air as we ride from Barskoon to Ak Dobo valley. You will cross the Tarylga River and ride through fir-tree forests below beautiful snow-covered mountains. You will enjoy the views of wide open pastures where shepherds pasture their flocks. Overnight in tents in the Kok-Bulak Valley.

Day 2 Riding from Kok-Bulak you will cross the river Kichi-Jargylchak and pass through the Kindik jailoo (meadow). On the way down you will pass through an amazingly rich tapestry of flowers and experience the breathtaking views of mountain scenery and Issyk-Kul Lake. Overnight in Kok-Bel Valley.

Day 3 From Kok-Bel Pass your trek takes you to the Juuku Valley where the vehicle will meet you with fresh supplies. After lunch you will begin free riding up to the Kashka-Suu River. From this day onward the support vehicle will carry all food and gear. Overnight in tents.

Day 4 Riding your horse on a loop through the Kashka-Suu Valley, you will see and experience the real nomadic life of the Kyrgyz people. You will cross the Kashka-Suu river several times before returning to the base of the valley. Overnight in tents.

Day 5 Today you will ride to Juuku Valley. Because your not carrying your gear, you can gallop through the flat parts. You will meet more Kyrgyz shepherds and be invited to lunch and “Kymyz” (the national drink made from mare’s milk). The impressive It-Tish Mountain looms above at 4808m. Overnight in tents in the Chong-Tash valley.

Day 6 Journey through the Juuku Valley to the Juuku Pass as 3633m. Along the way you will see a double lake called Jashyl Kol “The Green Lake” which is appropriately named. The trek will continue through the Arabel Valley to Jetim-Bel Pass (3993m). Overnight in tents.

Day 7 Ride from Taragai river through Ak-Bel Pass (3833m) to the Kara-Sai River. Here you may get to see some wild mountain goats and Marco Polo Sheep. Then ride up to Kyrtash Lake and overnight in tents.

Day 8 Riding from Kyrtash Lake, you will travel up the south side of Ak-Shyirak Canyon, along Baralbas river, around 25 kilometers from the border of China. Overnight in tents.

Day 9 Today you will have an amazing ride through the Ak-Shyirak Canyon, crossing the river many times. You will stop in to visit some shepherds and have lunch with them. In the afternoon you will ride to the Kara-Sai Valley and overnight in tents.

Day 10 Trek through the Kyzyl-Eshme Valley. In the afternoon you will cross Taragai River. You will enjoy open riding through beautiful high mountain valleys and pastures. Set up camp by the Suek-Suu river.

Day 11 From Suek-Suu you will cross the rivers and pastures to the Sary-Tor Valley. From here you can see great views of the mountain range on the Chinese border in the distance. Overnight in tents.

Day 12 Today is the last day of the trek. In the morning you ride from Sary-Tor Valley along the alpine lake of Okurgon-Kol to Suek Pass (4028m). After lunch in the mountains you will journey back to Barskoon in the support vehicle. Hammam at your disposal, you will have dinner and spend the night in a yurta.

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, 4x4 vehicle accompanying the trek

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).