Riding
Grand Trek

The Trip

In the footsteps of the Silk Road caravans

From lush high-altitude pastures through canyons with vertiginous red walls, across a salty yellow clay desert to magnificent mountain lakes. A true 18-day expedition into the heart of Kyrgyzstan, crossing the Ala Too massif from North to South.

In the tranquillity of the high lakeside pastures, you discover the true soul of the eternal nomads. Each day you will discover a different type of dwelling, nomadic or settled, and encounter the fantastic way of life of your hosts.

The inexhaustible variety of landscapes and the generosity of local hospitality will transport you to another world.

Trip highlights

• The traditional Central Asian game, Oulak Tartish (also known as Buzkashi).
• The diversity of encounters (nomads, settled people, herders, various ethnicities...).
• The unforgettable hospitality of the Kyrgyz people.
• Immersion in the spirit of the great caravans.
• The variety of landscapes, a hallmark of Kyrgyzstan.
• Infinite riding space — hundreds of kilometres without a fence.
• An unforgettable bond with your horse.

Organisation

Practical details

The trip

Throughout the route you will be able to observe local wildlife (birds of prey, deer, mountain sheep, marmots, yaks) and herbs used in traditional local medicine.

This trek has a somewhat adventurous character; a good ability to integrate within a team is necessary, and a respect and understanding of your horse are also important assets for a successful journey.

Our Kyrgyz friends will welcome you in their family yurt as we cross their pastures. You will watch the milking of mares and taste their milk (koumiss).

The traditional warm hospitality of the nomads will leave you with the lasting memory of a people who have preserved their way of life across the centuries despite political upheavals.

Horses, logistics and comfort

We own all our horses; they are local breeds of medium height (1.35–1.55m), mountain-hardy and enduring. They are well-balanced, robust and particularly docile, living in a herd the rest of the year in the mountains around our base.

Riding equipment is provided on site, meeting European comfort standards. You may bring and use your own saddle as long as it fits the horse without issue.

Your personal items needed for the day (max. 8 kg) go in your horse's saddlebags (provided). We provide comfortable mattresses for all nights, as well as waterproof ponchos adapted to local saddlery.

To guarantee the quality of our service, a 4x4 logistics vehicle accompanies the rides. You meet it every evening at camp, and it allows you to leave behind items not needed during the day.

Accommodation is either in a tent (provided), in a yurt when in the pastures (the traditional tent of the Kyrgyz nomads), or in a guesthouse (with locals). All our accommodation is authentic — we avoid tourist sites wherever possible. Whatever the accommodation type, you are always free to prefer the privacy of your own tent.

Each trek is accompanied by a French/English/Russian-speaking guide-interpreter, as well as one or more local mountain guides and grooms.

Fitness and riding level required

Good general physical fitness is recommended. Note for altitude-sensitive riders: we cross passes of around 3,600 metres but do not linger at altitude. This equestrian trek is intended for people with existing riding experience.

Prices

What's included