Our Destinations
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
KIRGHIZSTAN : GREAT TREK ON HORSEBACK ON THE SILK ROAD...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
During centuries, caravans coming and going through the Great Silk Road
have crossed Kirgizstan. The Kirgiz people is mainly a nation of nomads
and shepherds, living in the yurta and moving their herds on horseback
for hundreds of kilometers through steppes and mountains.
We also suggest for people who don't have the time to leave for a 18 days adventure, to reach our Secret Kirgizstan ride (12 days).
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ITINERARY
This beautiful trail ride gives you the opportunity to admire the different types of landscapes that Kyrgyzstan offers and to cross the magnificent and unrecognized Suzamir valley, a unique ecosystem in Central Asia and a land of tradition and authentic culture. Its inhabitants invite you to share their daily life, with rites remained unchanged for centuries
Throughout this trip, at each new meeting, you are invited to taste the "koumiss", fermented mare's milk that makes Kyrgyz children's cheeks red. Snow capped high plateaus, grandiose expanses of high steppe (called jaïloo) with many nomads' camps watching their herds (mainly horses), steep passes, deep valleys, arid canyons, age-old forests.
Wandering through Silk Road archeological remains suggests what was the ambiance at this amazing time.
Daily stages last 5-6 hours in order to give you time to appreciate your stay.
Day 1 : From Manas Airport to base camp (night in base camp)
Transfer by mini-bus from Bishkek airport to the starting point of the
trail ride, our base of Rot-Front-1100m high-(1h45 on road). Rest there
for the day and meet your horses.
Day 2 : Rot-Front - Djar Kok (night in tents)
Riding through rounded hills and alpine meadows, we arrive to the nice
valley of Djar Kok, inhabited by farmers and cattle breeders. With its
forest of Archa (indigenous conifer), the place looks like an alpine valley.
Day 3 : Djar Kok - Kizil Suu (night in tents)
Down to Shamshi Valley, we cross a ford, then we ride up to the
Bel Boulak pass (2000 m). Camp in Kizil Suu.
Day 4 : Kizil Suu - Talbi Boulak (night in tents)
En route to the extraordinary canyon of Kejar Suu, carved out in
red and crumbly rock by erosion. There is a microclimate that makes
the weather a little snowy only every 10 years... Black storks have
their headquarters in the place. Out of the canyon, we head for
the Talbi Boulak valley through a 2500m pass.
Day 5 : Talbi Boulak - Itchke Suu (night in tents)
Riding toward South, on the mountain side, look to Issik-Kul lake 100
Km away from there, then we go through the Kerkebess pass (3600 m) and
its tiny lakes. At the end of the day, we camp out near Urmat's yurta.
Day 6 : Itchke Suu - Tcholpone ( night in guesthouse)
We head for the Kochkor valley up to Tcholpone village, across the
fields. Flat ground enables galloping.
Day 7 : Tcholpone - Kiz Art (night in tents)
We ride across the fields, then in high steppe ("jailoo"
in Kyrgyz) we ride near the Kiz Art pass and set the camp in the
middle of sheep flocks.
Day 8 : Kiz Art - Sari Boulak/Son Kul lake ( night in yurta)
During this long stage, we go through the Kiz Art pass, two green
valleys with lovely rivers, then the Tiuz Ashoo pass (3200 m) from
where you can see Son Kul lake. Going along the northern side of
the lake, we reach the warm hospitality of Abdel Khaders'yurta.
Day 9 : Rest in Abdel Khader's yurta (night in yurta)
Son Kul lake stretches in a plateau-3000 m high-, surrounded by snow-capped
mountains-28 Km long/16 Km wide-, its fishes are welcome in all the neighboring
towns. At night, billions of stars shine in the sky. Share the daily life
in the yurta: everyone and everything have its own place. Milking mares,
making "koumiss" (fermented mare's milk), gathering sheep, goats,
horses, cows and sometimes yaks, cooking ' traditional Kirghiz meals out
of meat and milk products...
Day 10 : Abdel Khader'yurta - Tchon Debe (night in guesthouse)
We cross the Sari Bulak pass and ride down the Djumgal river up to Tchon
Debe village, where we stay in a private guesthouse with a nice Russian
sauna.
Day 11 : Tchon Debe - Oktorkoi valley (night in tents)
During this short stage we cross a "low" pass (2700 m).
We set up the camp near a small river.
Day 12 : - Oktorkoi valley - East Ceok valley ( night in tents)
We cross Sandik marshy mounts, we visit Sari Kul lake (yellow lake)
3300m high. Then we go down the beautiful Ceok valley, dotted with
yurtas and herds of horses.
Day 13 : East Ceok valley - Jaïloo Kashka Suu (night in
tents)
We cross the Butchuk pass (3400 m), grandiose panorama on Ala too
mounts, which highest peaks measure more than 4500 m. We cross Kara
Kol river and reach Kachka Suu jaïloo.
Day 14 : Jaïloo Kashka Suu - Shamshi pass (night in tents)
We cross high steppe where there are many pastures. We stop in a yurta
for a nice cup of koumiss before lunch. We set up the camp just before
entering in the Shamshi valley.
Day 15 : Shamshi pass - Djar Kok ( night in tents)
We go up in the wonderful Shamshi valley, then we cross the pass (3600
m). The camp is set up near Urmat's farm.
Day 16 : Djar Kok - Rot Front (the base) (night at the base
camp)
All our horses know that home is near... they want to gallop and
gallop again, toward their stable in Rot Front.
Day 17 : Bishkek (night in guesthouse)
Town trip, museums, open air markets, souvenirs…
Day 18 : Manas airport
Transfer to the airport on time for your return flight (very often
early in the morning or during the night).
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
To gone into the depth of your trip, you suggest to you differents extensions
in Kirgizstan or at Moscow (Russia), in the way that your flight will
transit by this town.
EXTENSION ON THE SON KOUL LAKE SHORES
To complete this approache of the Traditions of Kirgizstan trail,
we propose to you the discovery of Asia high plateaux with an additional
stay.
After this trail, stay in Kirgizstan, to discover the mode of life
of Son Koul Lake nomad's !
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Extension in guest hourse yurta (4 days / 3 nights, in full board
with horse at your disposal and assistance of a interpreter guid). You will share the familly's life, stroll by foot or horse riding, about the lac and the height, where we could admire the mountains stretche as far as the eye can see. |
DISCOVERY OF SON KOUL LAC AND TASH RABAT
This additional excursion 5 days / 5 nights is in all ground vehicle.
In the depth Kirgizstan, all a day is organize above the Son Koul Lac
shores. By the night, we find all the poetry of the Kirgizstan's soul
at a 3000m height !
The, we will visit the Tash-Rabat fortress that was Nestorien monastery
during the Xe century, and a caravanserai (where merchants stopped on
the Silk's Road.)
We go horse riding above the Chatyr-Koul Lake, near the china's border,
where we admire breathtaking landscapes !
Day 17 – Rot Front – Lac Son Koul (to replace day 17 on the program)
We take the road to the lake for a 6 hours transfer. We stop in
the small town of Kochkor, famous for her craft. We will visit a
workshop craft of traditional making carpet in coloured felt.
At the evenning, we arrive on the lake shores, where we will be
in yurt.
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Day 18 – Day above the lac Today, we going on the Kirgizstan's paths for meet fishermen and nomads... Day 19 – Son-Koul – Naryn – Tash-Rabat This morning, we will go down near the provincial capital of Naryn, above the Naryn river shores (Syr Daria). Then, we claimed near the Tash Rabat, and her famous caravanserai on the Silk Road. In a wonderful area, it is one of the rare Central Asia stone monument. Dinner and night in yurt. |
Day 20 – Tash-Rabat – Lac Chatyr-Koul
This day trip drive us to the Chatyr Koul Lake, at the border of
China. We will admire breathtaking landscapes of high plateaux and
jagged peak.
Dinner and night under tent or yurta (according the nomad's presence)
Day 21 – Lac Chatyr-Koul – Tash- Rabat
Today, we go down near Tash-Rabat, where we will dinner and have
a night under the yurta.
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Day 22 – Tash-Rabat – Bishkek Transfer to Bishkek, the capital, to discover the town, these museums, markets, souvenirs, local craft... This will be unforgettable ! Day 23 - Return flight to Europe Very early transfer to the airport and take-off on regular flight for your return town, where you will arrive at the end of the day. |
STOPOVER IN MOSCOW
If your flying with Aeroflot, enjoy your transit in Russia to spend
some days in Moscow. We suggest you a two or three days stop, in
two kinds of accommadation possible (additional night possible according
the availabilities) :
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* Package 2 nights in 3* hotel at Moscow, with breakfast,
airport-hotel transfer, visa expenses and necessary documents for
his getting included. * Package 3 night in guest house at Moscow, in half-board, airport-hotel transfer, visa expenses and necessary documents for his getting included. |
Attention : The getting russian visa time is long enough. In this case, predict this trip minimum 45 days before.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
You will ride local horses (Novo-Kyrgyz breed and Don and Orlov trotters
crosses), born in mountains, trained for endurance (low rate of heartbeat
and breathing). They are very well balanced (physically and mentally speaking),
sturdy and particularly obedient. They live in herds the rest of the year.
The tack is provided on the spot, following the European standards, with
crupper and breast collar, as the main part of the ride takes place in
the mountains.
5 to 6h-stages on horseback a day.
What you should take :
Your personal riding equipment (waterproof cape, boots, safety helmet
or riding cap), your sleeping bag and sleeping bag sheet. Your personal
effects will be storaged in the saddle bags, so accordingly allow your luggage.
Required riding level
It is recommended to be fit (stay at high altitude). It is essential to
be an accomplished rider at the 3 paces, with a basic knowledge of the
cares to give to the horses. In order to appreciate these itineraries
at the best, a first experience of trail ride in mountains is required.
This trail ride has a little adventurous character: it is necessary to
have a good ability for integration into a team, a respect and a good
understanding of your mount, already very docile, are also good assets
for succeeding in this trip.
YOUR GUIDES
Our trail rides are accompanied by a guide-interpreter,
and two professional local mountain guides-ostlers who perfectly know
the wildlife.
On the Big Trek, an all-terrain vehicle and a cooker join the team each
time the ground allows them (going through steep passes sometimes implies
more than a 300 km detour for this vehicle).
On the Traditions of Kyrgysztan, pack horses ensure the logistics.
For safety reasons or depending on the ground (mainly of the passes),
the itinerary might be modified but for all that its quality won't be
altered.
Insurance
As the Kyrgyz insurance doesn't cover this kind of risks, a personal repatriation
aid insurance is mandatory. The other risks are covered by the RCP "travel
agency" of Randocheval-Absolu Voyages (Generali).
ACCOMMODATION
You will be accommodated as often as possible in yurtas when we will be
in the pastures (great traditional felt tents of the Kyrgyz nomads).
Accommodation is whether in guesthouses, tents, or in yurtas when passing
through summer pastures.
As hospitality is a rule for Kyrgyz people we have an agreement with a
local organization that tells us which family can accommodate us. This
extra income allows them facing the constant increase in cost of living
and affording school expanses for their children.
During the other nights, you will be accommodated either in a tent (modern
equipment, 2-3 people) or in our partners' guesthouse during the transfers.
At every campsite you'll have water thanks to a river nearby and can take a shower thanks to a mobile shower carried in the van.
Every night, you'll also have a matress !
A local cooker prepares the food.
DATES AND RATES
| Grand Trek 2012 (19 days) | ||
| June 17 to July 5 | 1595 € |
available |
| June 29 to July 17 | 1595 € |
available |
| July 11 to 29 | 1595 € |
available |
| July 29 to August 16 | 1595 € |
available |
| August 10 to 28 | 1595 € |
available |
| August 20 to September 7 | 1595 € |
available |
- Small group supplement (for 2 to 4 riders) : +150 € / rider.
This supplement is refund when for the 5th rider book the trail.
Options (per person)
| Extension on the Son Koul Lac shores | |
| 4 days additional stay, in double room |
contact us for price |
| Day / additional night |
contact us for price |
| 4 days additional stay, in single room |
contact us for price |
| Day / additional night |
contact us for price |
| Discovery of Son-Koul Lac and Tash-Rabat | |
| 5 days additional stay, in double room |
contact us for price |
| Stopover in Moscou | |
| 2 nights in 3* hotel, in doubler room including breakfast, airport-hotel-airport transfers. |
contact us for price |
| 3 nights in guest house, in double room including half-board, airport-hotel-airport transfers included |
contact us for price |
Flights to Bishkek
- Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.
RATE INCLUDING
- transfers from and to the airport
- the vehicle for luggage for all rides
- the in the botanical and zoological reserves
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flight to Bishkek,
- the sleeping bag and the personal riding equipment
- the drinks
- visa expenses and the tax for leaving the country (to date, 10USD).
- the organisation of a possible tour through the region before or after
the trail ride (Issyk Koul lake, stay with the nomads…),
- the tips (from 30 to 100 € per person),
- insurrance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage,
repatriation) . You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are
an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check
with your local insurrance company. More information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Claire for any enquiry !
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Kirgizstan
LENGTH
18 days / 17 nights / 14 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
English, French, Russian.
GROUP SIZE
ACCESS
Bishkek airport.
CLIMATE
The temperatures can vary a lot in the same day and even be cold at night (0°C), 95% of the tour is situated between 2800 ant 4000m (on average at latitude 41° North) .
Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
REFERENCE :
CH84-Kyrgyzstan
