Expeditions / Kyrgyzstan
Valley of the HERDERS
High pastures, cold lakes, and passes you'll talk about later.
from $2,900
- Duration
- 8 days
- In the saddle
- 4-6 h/day
- Distance
- 20-30 km
- Level
- 2 / 4
- Group
- 8 riders
- From
- $2,900
Every summer the herders move up into the high valleys, and the horses go with them. This route follows the same idea.
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The riding is steady: green valleys, rocky climbs and a couple of passes that make you earn the view. Kyrgyz horses are hardy and calm on steep ground.
Camp is part of it. Some nights under a tarp by a stream, some in a yurt with felt walls and a stove that never quite goes out.
Highlights
- ▸ Summer pastures full of horses, sheep and yurts.
- ▸ A high pass with a view across the Tien Shan.
- ▸ A night by an alpine lake.
- ▸ Fresh bread, kymyz (fermented mare's milk) if you're brave, and very good tea.
- ▸ Camp-craft basics: fire, water, tarp, knots.
Adventurers.Group
The route.
01 · Days 1-2 · Up from the plains
Meet in Bishkek, drive into the hills, meet the horses. A first short ride to get the feel of the saddle, then camp by a river where the valley starts to narrow.
25 km · 5 h · river valley · wild camp
01 · Days 1-2
Up from the plains
Meet in Bishkek, drive into the hills, meet the horses. A first short ride to get the feel of the saddle, then camp by a river where the valley starts to narrow.
25 km · 5 h · river valley · wild camp
02 · Days 3-4 · Summer country
Up through the pastures. Herders wave, dogs bark, foals follow you for a while. One night in a yurt with a family. Learn to tie a proper tarp ridge line before the evening rain does it for you.
20-30 km/day · 5 h · high pasture · yurt and wild camp
02 · Days 3-4
Summer country
Up through the pastures. Herders wave, dogs bark, foals follow you for a while. One night in a yurt with a family. Learn to tie a proper tarp ridge line before the evening rain does it for you.
20-30 km/day · 5 h · high pasture · yurt and wild camp
03 · Days 5-6 · The pass
The big day. Switchbacks, thin air, a cairn at the top and a valley on the other side that nobody photographs properly. Lake camp below.
22 km · 6 h · alpine pass · lakeside camp
03 · Days 5-6
The pass
The big day. Switchbacks, thin air, a cairn at the top and a valley on the other side that nobody photographs properly. Lake camp below.
22 km · 6 h · alpine pass · lakeside camp
04 · Days 7-8 · Down and out
An easy last ride down through the valleys. One last fire, then the drive back to Bishkek.
18 km · 4 h · descent · Bishkek
04 · Days 7-8
Down and out
An easy last ride down through the valleys. One last fire, then the drive back to Bishkek.
18 km · 4 h · descent · Bishkek
Dates & prices.
June to September
Private on request
On request · $2,900 per person
RequestThings to know
A 30% deposit holds your place. The balance is due 60 days before you ride.
See the booking conditions for cancellations. Booking conditions
Where you sleep.
Under the tarp
By moving water.
Herders' yurt
Felt, a stove, the family's hospitality.
Lakeside camp
Cold nights, warm bags, a big sky.
Included
- ✓ Horses and tack
- ✓ Guides and local horsemen
- ✓ Meals on the trail
- ✓ Camps and the stays listed
- ✓ Transfers from the meeting city
Not included
- ✕ Flights
- ✕ Travel insurance
- ✕ Sleeping bag
- ✕ Tips
- ✕ Personal kit