Kyrgyzstan
Alexandra Tolstoy's Sary Chelek Adventure, a 10 night camp to camp ride, using simple lightweight camps and a hotel in Bishkek. Suitable for any adventurous rider, of an intermediate standard and above.
Where In the Sary Chelek area of the Tien Shan mountains, about 10-12 hours drive south west of Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishek.
What is it like Still with limited Western influence, Kyrgyzstan is one of our wilder destinations. A beautiful mountainous country where the horse is still an integral part of life and local culture. It is a land of mountains, walnut forests and alpine meadows dotted with yurts - the round felt tents still lived in by the semi-nomadic shepherds of the area. The Sary Chelek area is a remote "Garden of Eden" with seven lakes, gorgeous wild flowers - everything from hollyhocks to orchids - and fruit orchards. Bears and wolves inhabit the mountains (although are rarely seen) and eagles and griffon vultures soar over the high passes.
Who does it suit The adventurous, who love the outdoors and want to experience unspoit wilderness and learn about a culture so different to the west. You need to be fit and happy to 'rough it', riding long hours in all weather and coping without luxuries in a simple camp at the end of a long day. You also need to be able to deal with the unexpected with good humour - the quid pro quo of travelling in a country with a relatively unsophistocated tourist infrastructure.
Why we love it Riding through stunning mountain scenery in one of the world's last wildernesses; crossing a high pass in the "celestial mountains", tasting 'koumiss' - the local hooch made from fermented mares’ milk - visiting local semi-nomadic shepherds in their colourful yurts, watching a game of ‘ulak’ - goat polo - and experiencing a completely different lifestyle and culture. To escape the everyday, be part of and enjoy a real adventure!
SUMMARY
Riding: 5-7 hours a day.
Horses: Kyrgyz ponies
Pace: slow to moderate, riding in the mountains
Riding ability: intermediate to experienced riders.
Weight limit: 85kg (13st 5lbs).
Accommodation: comfortable hotel and simple mobile camps
Group size: max 12
Season: May to September
Price: 10 nights from £5415 per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses used are local mountain ponies, owned by the nomadic shepherds who inhabit this region. They are strong and fit, perfect for the demands of the ride, and well cared for by the back up team. Tack is Kyrgyz style (simple tree covered with a felt pad or sheepskin, English style stirrups and simple bridles). Rides are normally for a maximum of 12 guests.
Hours: Between 5 and 7 hours on each riding day, with breaks for rests and lunch.
Pace and experience required: Rides are for intermediate riders and above. You should be riding fit, used to long hours in the saddle, and happy to ride across steep and varied terrain with a group of horses. The pace of the rides is slow overall, but there are usually chances for canters along the valley floors depending on the conditions.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation The first and last two nights will be at a comfortable hotel in Bishkek with 7 nights in between in a private mobile tented camp that is moved ahead by the back up team. The mobile camp uses simple 'igloo' tents (4 man size for 2 people) and you need to take your own sleeping bag and therm-a-rest mattress. A shower and loo tents are set up for the group and water is heated on the fire. There is also a kitchen tent and central mess tent for meals.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2025 |
Alexandra Tolstoy's Sary Chelek Adventure (10 nights) |
|
Dates 2025 |
7th to 18th May |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
Itinerary in brief - Sary Chelek Adventure
| Day 1 | Met at Bishkek airport and driven to a hotel in Bishkek. Depending on arrival time there will be a chance to visit the city. Dinner & night in Bishkek. |
| Day 2 |
Breakfast and a drive of about 10 to 12 hours southwards in the direction of Osh, arriving late afternoon in the Sar Chelek reserve. Here you will meet the horsemen and their horses. Dinner & night in camp. |
| Day 3 |
Breakfast in camp and the first ride to try the horses. Ride to the picturesque Kisel Kel and onto camp set up by a crystal-clear mountain river. |
| Days 4-8 |
Over the next 5 days, ride a progressive route through the mountains. This is beautiful alpine scenery, forest, open grassy valleys, blue lakes and remote passes. You will meet many nomadic families who graze their sheep in the mountains during the summer months, living in yurts with horses as their only form of transport. Nights in a private mobile camp moved ahead of you by the back up team. |
| Day 9 |
Breakfast in camp then goodbye to the horses and drive back to Bishkek, stopping on the way for lunch. The evening to explore the city. Dinner & night Bishkek. |
| Day 10 |
A full day in Bishkek with a chance to visit the buzzing market. Dinner might be at a Georgian restaurant, a favourite amongst Bishkek locals. Night in Bishkek. |
| Day 11 | Breakfast and transfer to the airport for flights home |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for these rides is Bishkek airport. Turkish Airways have daily flights from London via Istanbul. Fares are around £700 to £900 per person economy return, depending on the time of year. There are also flights via the Arabian Gulf.
