“Ride through lakes, glaciers, and great rocks”
5 Day Fantastic Ara Bel Valley Horse Riding Tour in Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
Horse Trekking Camp in Kyrgyzstan
Guljan Guesthouse is happy to welcome you to their homeland and take you around to the most visited region in Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul region. The Arabel Plateau is a highland valley, located at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. This is an amazing place in the southern part of the Issyk-Kul region. Everything is so special about this tour that you will constantly get awestruck by the beautiful views. Find yourself crossing two beautiful valleys which are full of small lakes, glaciers and great rock formations. On your way, there will be stunning ancient Petroglyphs - ancient rock carvings. On one of the days, you will spend one night close to Jyluu Suu hot springs, where you can swim and take a peaceful rest.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: Not more than 100 kilograms / 220 pounds
- Tack type: Local Kyrgyz saddle
- Horse Breed: Kyrgyz short heightened horses
Highlights
- 4 to 7 hours of horse riding each day
- Swim and relax at Jyluu Suu hot springs
- Ride through Ara Bel Valley, Burkan Valley to Kok Bulak Jailoo
- Panoramic view of Issyk-Kul and Tien-Shan mountains from Tong Ashuu pass
- Hiking option is available if you wish (around 5-8 hours per day)
- Service of English speaking guides and cook
- 4 nights camping accommodation
- 3 daily meals
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
5 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 10 participants
Accommodation
During this horse trekking holiday, you will be accommodated in tents. Guljan Guesthouse will provide the tent equipment and mats.
Program
Please note that this tour is available either on horseback or on foot (hiking). Kindly confirm to the organizer your preference so that they can prepare their logistic accordingly.
Itinerary
Day 1
Guljan guesthouse' drivers will pick you up and bring you to Ara Bel Valley in the morning, which is located three hours from Bokonbaevo by car. Ara Bel is a flat and broad valley with high mountain peaks on each side. On this first day, you will pass many lakes and glaciers. You will slowly descend on serpentines and enter the Burkan valley. There, you will spend the first night after a long but pleasant hike in this valley.
- Distance: 30 kilometers
- Elevation gain/loss: 258 meters / -920 meters
- 6 hours by horse OR 7 hours hiking
Day 2
On this second day, you will completely spend hiking through the Burkan Valley. This will be a very pleasant hike and you will slowly descend. Burkan Valley is completely flat and surrounded by high mountain peaks, small streams, and glaciers. You will spend the night in this huge valley as well.
- Distance: 25 kilometers
- Elevation gain/loss: 260 meters / -380 meters
- 5 hours by horse OR 6 hours hiking
Day 3
After breakfast, you will continue your hike and pass beautiful rock formations. You will spend your lunchtime close to old petroglyphs - ancient rock carvings. In the afternoon, you will follow the Jyluu Suu River and reach its origin at the end of this day: The Jyluu Suu hot springs. There, you can swim and rest for the next exhausting day.
- Distance: 20 kilometers
- Elevation gain/loss: 250 meters / -200 meters
- 5 hours by horse OR 6 hours hiking
Day 4
Today will be a tougher day for you. You are going to cross the Tong Ashuu pass which is located on 4,000 meters. From this pass, you will have a beautiful panoramic view of both Issyk-Kul and Tien-Shan mountains. On this day, you will descend and pass many small lakes on the way. You will reach Kok Bulak Jailoo (summer pasture) where many shepherds live and spend the night there.
- Distance: 20 kilometers
- Elevation gain/loss: 1,200 meters / -1435 meters
- 7 hours by horse OR 8 hours hiking
Day 5
Today is the last day of your tour. After a long sleep and a good breakfast, you will slowly descend and follow rivers on your way back home to Bokonbaevo.
- Distance: 11 kilometers
- Elevation gain/loss: 0 m / -800 meters
- 4 hours by horse OR 5 hours hiking
Location
This tour will take you to explore the beautiful nature of Kyrgyzstan from Ara Bel Valley - Burkan Valley - Jyluu Suu hot springs - Tong Ashuu pass (4,000 meters) - Kok Bulak Jailoo - Bokonbaevo.
Food
All meals will be either provided by the guides or cook. Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be catered on request.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 4 nights accommodation
- 4 dinners
- 4 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 4 to 7 hours of riding OR 5 to 8 hours of hiking daily (depending on your chosen program)
- 4 horses (for the 1-person package)
- 5 horses (for the 2-person package)
- 6 horses (for the 3-person package)
- 7 horses (for the 4-person package)
- Cook service
- English speaking guide service
- Guide meals
- Mat
- Transport
- Tent equipment
How to get there
Recommended Airports
FRU
Manas International Airport
231 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek. From there, you can take a taxi or marshrutka from the west bus station (Zapad Avto Vogzal) to Bokonbayevo, where you will be picked up and taken to Ara Bel Valley. Guljan guesthouse also offers airport transfer service to Bokonbayevo at 5000 SOM.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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