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Kyrgyzstan

Kirgizië is echt zo’n plek waar je mond van openvalt. Je hebt er enorme vlaktes, hoge bergen en overal zie je traditionele yurts. Het is ook een echt paardenland: wegen zijn vaak niet geweldig, dus veel nomaden gebruiken nog gewoon hun paard om hun kuddes te verplaatsen. Het voelt allemaal nog heel puur en ongerept. Toerisme begint wel een beetje te komen, maar je hebt er (nog) geen massa’s mensen. Ga je nu, dan zie je Kirgizië eigenlijk op z’n mooist. De mensen zijn super vriendelijk en gastvrij, en omdat er zo weinig mensen wonen, heb je de natuur vaak helemaal voor jezelf. Het is ook echt een plek om even offline te gaan en op te laden. In de bergen heb je meestal weinig tot geen bereik. Hier draait het vooral om rust, ruimte en het simpele leven in de bergen.

Kyrgyzstan 6-day trek

This trip lasts 6 days, during which we spend an average of 4-5 hours a day on the horse, moving from yurt to yurt. This is a true nomadic experience, where you learn to travel like the locals have been doing for centuries. Practically, this means no big rolling suitcases, but packing as lightly as possible. You have a saddlebag on your own horse for the most important things, while your larger backpack is taken by the guide on his horse. Leave your make-up, fancy outfits and unnecessary stuff at home - here it's all about the experience, nature and the rhythm of the horse. Every day brings new views, encounters and adventures. It is an experience you will remember for a long time!

DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6

Arrival at Bishkek Airport

On 22 September, we will be picked up from the airport in Bishkek by a minibus around 08:00. Therefore, make sure you book a flight that arrives at the airport around this time. You book the flight yourself; it is not included in the trip price. By minibus, we will drive to the village of Kyzart. Here we have lunch and then get on the horse immediately. We ride to the Kilemche pasture, with stunning views. This evening we sleep in the yurt camp of our own guides' family. They talk a lot about Kyrgyz culture and we end the day with a cosy campfire.

On the way to Song-Kul lake! (23 September)

On the second day, after breakfast, we leave for Song-Kul Lake via the Jalgyz Karagay pass (3400 m). On one side you have a beautiful view of the lake and on the other a panoramic view of the Kilemche mountains. We have lunch at Song-Kul Lake in a yurt camp. Afterwards, there is free time to enjoy the impressive scenery and explore the surrounding area.
In the evening, a national dinner is served, followed by a starry evening.

A whole day of horseback riding! (24 September)

From day 3 to day 6 we ride a total of about 120 km on horseback through the nature around Song Kul. We move from yurt to yurt and make a lap around the lake, so to speak. Each night we sleep in a different yurt and really experience the nomadic life of the people of Kyrgyzstan. Besides horse riding, this period is also all about culture. We will see various traditional activities and shows. What exactly we will see when, we will only know when we are there, but think for example of locals making a carpet (shyrdak show), traditional games like Kok Boru, a boorsok show (traditional bread making) and making horse riding equipment.

A whole day of horseback riding! (25 September)

Today we continue driving from yurt to yurt around Song Kul Lake. On the way, we enjoy vast plains and mountains. We take our time to ride leisurely, take photos and really enjoy the scenery. At the end of the day, we arrive at a new yurt camp where we dine and spend the night.

A whole day of horseback riding! (26 September)

Today we continue our horseback ride through the beautiful countryside around Song Kul. We live more and more in the rhythm of nomadic life: riding, eating, drinking tea, enjoying nature and the simple life in the yurts. Along the way, we may encounter shepherds and other nomadic families living in this area.

Last day of horseback riding... (27 September)

This is our last day of the trip. We drive back to the village of Kyzart, where we have one last lunch together. After lunch, we are taken back to Bishkek by minibus and our special trip comes to an end. From then on, you can book your own return flight or choose to stay even longer in Kyrgyzstan and extend the trip. Any additional overnight stays, and other costs from then on, are at your own expense.

Accommodation

Sleeping in traditional yurts

During the trip, we stay in yurts, the traditional nomadic tents from Central Asia. These round houses are made of a wooden frame and covered with felt, providing excellent protection against wind and weather.

– Variety: Some yurts are very basic, others a little more luxurious, but all are warm and cosy.
– Sanitary facilities: Each yurt camp has a toilet. Not every camp has a shower, so keep that in mind.
– Practical: Power supply is limited. Bring a powerbank to keep your devices charged.

Sleeping in a yurt is a unique experience that lets you feel the charm and nomadic life of Kyrgyzstan up close, in the middle of breathtaking nature.

Available dates

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Turkey, Cappadocia

The old horsemen of Cappadocia say that the famous "fairy chimneys"-the strange, towering rock formations-aren't just stone. They claim that at dawn, as the first hot air balloons rise with a gentle "whoosh," the chimneys whisper the dreams of the people sleeping in the cave homes below.

One morning, as Susja rode her Anatolian gelding, Pasha, through a quiet valley, the air filled with the sound of burners firing up the balloons above. Pasha suddenly stopped, his ears swivelling not towards the balloons, but towards a tall, slender fairy chimney nearby. As the shadow of a massive balloon passed over the rock, a soft, melodic hum seemed to emanate from it.

Susja listened intently. It wasn't a sound she heard with her ears, but one she felt in her chest-a wave of pure, unadulterated joy. It was the dream of a child seeing the balloons for the first time. A moment later, as another shadow passed, she felt a wave of peaceful contentment-the dream of an old woman, warm in her bed. The rock was sharing the collective happiness of the valley.

Pasha nudged her hand, as if to say, "See? The stones here are alive." They continued their ride, leaving the whispering chimney behind, both sharing a secret that the morning tourists in the baskets above would never know.

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Overview

5 nights / 6 riding days
Max 15
90kg
Riding level:
Intermediate
6 riding days on horseback around Song Kul, 5 nights in yurt camps, transfers to and from Bishkek, all meals and drinks during the trek, English speaking guide.
Flight, tips for guides and drivers, personal expenses, All costs outside the travel programme, such as extra nights, meals, transfers and activities when extending the trip.
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From €480
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