15 Day A Taste of Wilderness and Freedom: Kyrgyz Nomad Horse Riding Adventure from Osh to Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan, a magical place with shades of Shangri-la or The Lost World. Maybe those masters of prose who wrote such masterpieces had visited or heard of this legendary mountain kingdom. Unlike its Himalayan or South American counterparts of literary fame, Kyrgyzstan, or The Kyrgyz Republic to give it its official title, is real but its beauty and untamed wildness are the stuff of oral legends.

It is said that everything in life can be found in Kyrgyzstan, both physically and geographically. There are flat steppes, arid deserts, green, rolling foothills, plunging ravines with turbulent, frothing rivers, waterfalls cascading from the sides of sheer mountain faces, wondrous nut, and fir forests full of some of the most beautiful - and endangered - species in the world, endless grass-covered high mountain pastures, alpine meadows that make Switzerland's meadows look like small well-tended parks, and staggeringly beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks sitting atop some of the most difficult - and rewarding - climbs in the mountaineering world.

This is a land where vultures and eagles soar. Seeing is believing and the only way you can ever experience the true delights of this small, secluded mountainous country - by Asian standards - is to visit it. Words alone cannot do justice to the variety of sights and sounds - and truly awesome silences - that await you.

Kyrgyzstan lies at the very heart of Central Asia, surrounded by the mighty expanses of China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It covers an area of 198,500 square kilometers and its longest borders run 925 kilometers from west to east and 454 kilometers from north to south. The topography and geography of the country lend itself to a North-South divide, with the main concentrations of population/business in the north and south with an almost uninhabited interior.

Time

• GMT +6: It does not operate Daylight Saving Time
• Almaty Kazakhstan Kyrgyz time: Same time
• Tashkent Uzbekistan Kyrgyz time: -1 hour
• Beijing China Kyrgyz time: +2 hours
• Moscow Russia Kyrgyz time: +3 hours

Climate

The mountainous terrain and distance from the sea and desert outskirts give Kyrgyzstan what can only be described as a harsh continental climate, with big changes in temperature occurring over short periods of time. The wettest place is the west slope of the Ferghana Range with 1,000 millimeters, whilst the driest is Balykchy on the western tip of Issyk-Kul Lake with 100 millimeters of precipitation.

The average temperature throughout the country in January varies between -4 degrees Celsius to -14 degrees Celsius and in July between 12 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius and there is an average of 247 days of sunshine a year.

Landscapes

The fact that 94% of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains produces great variations in the geographical and topographical appearance of the country. The lowest valley floor is itself 500 meters above sea level and the highest peaks soar to more than 7,000 meters above sea level in the mighty Tien Shan Range.

These mighty peaks are world-renowned and are part of the exclusive list of 7,000-meter plus peaks of the world; Pobeda Peak (Victory Peak) - 7,439 meters, Lenin Peak - 7,134 meters, and the legendary Khan-Tengry - 7010 meters, the white/pink marble pyramid held sacred by Kyrgyz through the ages.

Mountain lakes abound and arguably one of the most beautiful series of lakes anywhere in the world can be found at Sary Chelek in a national park, to see this is to behold the true beauty of nature. The "Pearl of the Heavenly Mountains" - or Issyk-Kul Lake - is the second-largest high mountain lake in the world, second only to Lake Titicaca in size and is so big it has its own unique biosphere. Although forests cover only a small area of Kyrgyzstan, the truly unique indigenous walnut tree forests of Arslan-bob are warranted for a visit on their own.

Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna here are both unique and plentiful, ranging from exquisite semi-tropical tulips to stunningly beautiful alpine edelweiss - yes, Kyrgyzstan isn't known as the "Switzerland of Asia" for nothing, and the vitamin content of herbs here isn't bettered by a single country in the world, not even Georgia, whose herbs are much loved by Western medical and perfume companies. There is even a uniquely fir tree - the Tien Shan Spruce.

The number and range of birds of prey have to be seen to be believed and travelers to the more remote parts of the country will be amazed at how close they can get to these animals if they are careful. Although they should probably be counted as domestic animals, it should be noted that camels and yaks are also to be found in the higher areas and plans are afoot to dramatically increase the breeding of yaks.

To do full justice to the wonderful range of flora and fauna would take far more space than is available here - so, again, please come and see for yourself - you will not be disappointed!

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Three daily meals are included in the package.

Shopping

The retail market, especially in Bishkek, continues to develop apace and there are now several modern shopping complexes and supermarkets and lots of individual specialist boutiques selling mainly imported food, clothes, footwear, electronic goods, etc. For lovers of the exotic, the bazaars are open seven days a week.

There are also several bazaars selling literally everything and the Dordoi Bazaar on the northern outskirts of the city is in fact the largest market in Central Asia. Buyers come from all over, including Russia, arrive here to purchase goods for wholesale in their own countries. If you have money, it is possible to buy virtually anything you could wish for here.

Aside from ordinary shops, there are a host of specialist stores in Bishkek where you can buy anything you may need, including specialized trekking equipment and clothes.

There are lots of pharmacies in the towns and western drugs and medicines are quite freely available but if you need special prescriptions you would be well advised to bring an adequate supply with you. Opticians are everywhere and offer very good services at very good prices compared to Europe/USA.

In specialized food shops in large cities, you can buy virtually all your favorite food and drinks. The majority of shops are open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. and some are open 24 hours a day. Supermarkets work from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. You are advised to go shopping and to the markets with Kyrgyz som (KGS) only and no other currencies.

• 14 nights accommodation
• Transport for transfers and excursions
• Double room accommodation in hotels and guesthouses
• Family-run accommodation in rural areas
• Three meals per day during the tour
• English-speaking tour guide
• Double tents, mats, and kitchen equipment
• Trek staff including local guide, stableman, and cook
• Horses for riding
• Horses for luggage
• Border zone permits
• Museum entry fees

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• International airfare
• Tipping for the porter service at the airport and hotels

Recommended Airports

• 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.