Top 10 Riding Spots in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is the great horse country of Central Asia. The Kyrgyz remain a riding people, and the vast alpine pastures (jailoos) at 3,000 metres and above are still grazed by horse-herding families living in yurts from June to September. Visiting riders — even those whose only benchmark is a British Horse Society riding school at home — find perhaps the world's most accessible authentic nomadic horse culture, combined with mountain landscapes of extraordinary beauty. All centres below appear on the map.
1. Song-Kul Lake
The high alpine lake of Song-Kul at 3,016 m is the most-visited horseback destination in the country. Yurt camps line the shore in summer and multi-day rides cross passes between 3,000 and 3,500 m. Best July to early September.
2. Tash Rabat and At-Bashy
The fifteenth-century Silk Road caravanserai of Tash Rabat lies in the At-Bashy valley near the Chinese border. Multi-day rides connect Tash Rabat to Chatyr-Kul lake. July-August. Experienced riders.
3. Issyk-Kul South Shore
The southern shore of Issyk-Kul, especially around Jeti-Ögüz and the Karakol valleys, has the densest concentration of CBT (community-based tourism) horse-trek operators in the country. Day and multi-day programmes. June-September.
4. Suusamyr Valley
The high Suusamyr valley between Bishkek and Toktogul is a vast summer pasture. Multi-day rides cross the valley and ascend surrounding ridges. Less visited than Song-Kul. July-August.
5. Kel-Suu and Sary-Jaz
The Kel-Suu lake region near the Chinese border is one of the most remote landscapes — vertical canyon walls, turquoise lake at 3,500 m. Multi-day pack rides only. July-August. Experienced.
6. Arslanbob Walnut Forests
The walnut forests of Arslanbob in the south-west are the world's largest natural walnut grove. Horse trails from the village ascend into the forest and to high meadows. May-October.
7. Alay Valley
The Alay valley in the deep south, between Pamirs and Tian Shan, is a high steppe at 3,000 m. Multi-day rides from Sary-Mogol head into the Pamir foothills. July-August.
8. Eagle Hunters of Bokonbayevo
Bokonbayevo on the south shore is a centre of the surviving Kyrgyz eagle-hunting tradition. Horse rides combined with eagle-hunting demonstrations and homestays. June-October.
9. Jyrgalan Valley
The Jyrgalan valley in the north-east is being developed for community-based tourism with growing horse-trek operations. Less crowded than Issyk-Kul south shore. June-September.
10. Kel-Tor and Kegety Passes
The high passes north of Bishkek offer multi-day pack rides from accessible roadheads. A good first-time-in-Kyrgyzstan option. July-August.
The Kyrgyz horse
The Kyrgyz horse is small (13-14 hands), shaggy in winter, sure-footed, and bred for altitude — a world away from the polished warmbloods of FEI arena sport. Saddles are traditional Kyrgyz wooden frames with felt padding; some camps offer Russian or English-style alternatives.
Yurts, food, altitude
Yurts are standard on multi-day rides; expect shared platforms, mutton stew, fermented mare's milk (kymyz), bread. Altitude affects most riders; plan an acclimatisation day at Karakol or Naryn before high rides.
Booking via CBT
Community-based tourism offices in Kochkor, Naryn, Karakol and other towns book treks with local guides paying families directly. Walk-in bookings are easy in season.
Where will you go first?
Pull up the map, find the places from this guide and see which one fits your next free weekend.