Kyrgyzstan
Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek
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Kyrgyzstan Tour Overview
Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek
A 3-day horseback circuit of eastern Kyrgyzstan: ride from Jyrgalan Valley over five passes above 3,300 meters to Altyn Arashan’s geothermal springs, traversing the Boz-Uchuk and Ailanysh plateau lakes, with the northern and southern shores of Issyk-Kul completing the circuit
Duration
8 Days
Price
$2,100
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Time
June – August
This 8-day point-to-point journey connects Jyrgalan Valley to Altyn Arashan’s geothermal springs via three riding days across five passes above 3,300 meters, traversing the Boz-Uchuk and Ailanysh plateau lake systems before crossing the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676 meters, the highest point of any EcoVoyager Kyrgyzstan tour. The route completes a full circuit of Issyk-Kul: arriving via the northern shore past the Karakhanid ruins of Burana Tower and Grigoriev Gorge, returning via the southern shore past Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon, and closing with a final night at Supara Chunkurchak ethno-resort before departure.
Ecovoyager Experiences
Tour Highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable.
Sleep at the Boz-Uchuk Plateau Lakes at 3,400 Meters
Cross the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676m - the Highest Point in the EcoVoyager Portfolio
Recover in Altyn Arashan's Geothermal Hot Springs After the Riding
Both Shores of Issyk-Kul - Arriving North, Returning South
Jyrgalan Valley - Eastern Kyrgyzstan's Premier Adventure Starting Point
Close the Journey at Supara Chunkurchak Before Departure
Private 4x4 Throughout - No Shared Shuttles
Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek
Your Kyrgyzstan Tour Itinerary
Route Overview
8 Days · Kyrgyzstan
1
Day 1
Bishkek Arrival & Welcome Briefing
Your expedition begins with a transfer to the Orion Hotel on Erkindik Boulevard, the best hotel in the capital, with an indoor pool, spa, and Symphony restaurant. The afternoon is free to explore the city: Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, and the Osh Bazaar, where stalls overflow with dried fruit, spices, and traditional Kyrgyz felt crafts. In the evening, your guide walks you through the full route over a welcome dinner, covering what to expect from each stage of the journey ahead.
Meals: D
Your Accommodation
Orion Hotel Bishkek
Boutique hotel on Erkindik Boulevard, Bishkek - the finest accommodation in the city.
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2
Day 2
North Shore Drive: Burana Tower, Grigoriev Gorge, Karakol
After breakfast, drive east along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, stopping first at Burana Tower, the 11th-century minaret of the ancient Karakhanid city of Balasagun. Once a major Silk Road capital, the site is now surrounded by a field of stone balbals, ancient Turkic grave markers carved to stand watch over the steppe. Continue into Grigoriev Gorge for your first ride of the trip through spruce forest and open alpine meadows, with lunch at a yurt camp in the valley. Arrive in Karakol in the evening.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Matsunoki Guesthouse
#1-rated guesthouse in Karakol - Japanese-Kyrgyz family-run, mountain views, homemade breakfast.
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3
Day 3
Karakol to Jyrgalan - Riding Day 1 - Boz-Uchuk Lakes
Transfer from Karakol into Jyrgalan Valley, one of the most respected adventure bases in Central Asia, where a community tourism model channels revenue directly to local families. Meet your horses and guide at the valley camp, then start riding. The route climbs steadily through the Terskey Alatoo, crossing two passes above 3,300m before dropping into the Boz-Uchuk basin, a glacially carved lake cluster above the treeline with no roads and no settlements within reach. Tonight is the most remote overnight of the trip.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Boz-Uchuk Lakes Yurt Camp
CBT Karakol yurt camp at the Boz-Uchuk plateau lakes, ~3,400 meters.
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4
Day 4
Riding Day 2 - Boz-Uchuk to Ailanysh Lakes
A full day crossing open plateau above the treeline, from Boz-Uchuk southwest toward the Ailanysh lake system. The route climbs over the Jergez saddle at around 3,500m with sweeping views of the Terskey Alatoo in every direction and nothing man-made in sight. The descent leads to the Ailanysh basin, a high-altitude lake system with no permanent infrastructure, where accommodation is a supported camp coordinated through the Jyrgalan partner.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Ailanysh Lakes Camp
Basic tent or yurt camp at Ailanysh Lakes, ~3,000 meters. Confirmed with Jyrgalan partner pre-departure.
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5
Day 5
Riding Day 3 - Ailanysh Pass to Altyn Arashan
The most demanding day of the trek. The route climbs to the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676m, the highest point of any EcoVoyager Kyrgyzstan itinerary, where on a clear morning the full eastern Tien Shan stretches to every horizon. Cross a second pass before a long descent into the Arashan Valley, where exposed rocky plateau gives way to dense pine forest. Arrive at camp by early afternoon and spend the rest of the day soaking in the natural geothermal pools heated to 35 to 43 degrees Celsius, open to the sky and a well-earned reward after three days above 3,000m.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Eco Yurt Camp Arashan
Highly-rated yurt camp with hot spring access in Altyn Arashan valley, 2,500 meters.
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6
Day 6
Altyn Arashan - Hot Springs - Return to Karakol
An early soak in the hot springs before the valley fills with day visitors, then a 4x4 transfer back down the rough Arashan Valley road to Karakol. The afternoon is free in town. The Dungan Mosque, built in 1910 by craftsmen from Gansu Province using traditional Chinese joinery without a single nail, and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral are both a short walk from the guesthouse. That evening, dinner in Yrdyk village with a Dungan family: eight home-cooked dishes prepared by a community descended from Chinese Muslims who crossed the Tien Shan in the 1870s and never left.
Meals: B / D
Your Accommodation
Matsunoki Guesthouse
#1-rated guesthouse in Karakol - Japanese-Kyrgyz family-run, mountain views, homemade breakfast.
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7
Day 7
South Shore Return: Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon, Supara Chunkurchak
Drive west along Issyk-Kul's southern shore with two stops: Jeti-Oguz Gorge, where seven massive red sandstone pillars known as the Seven Bulls of Kyrgyz legend rise above a pine-forested canyon; and Skazka Canyon near Tosor, where centuries of erosion have sculpted the sandstone into ridges and towers in shades of ochre, rust, and terracotta above the lake's southern edge. Continue south into Chunkurchak Gorge to Supara Chunkurchak, a mountain ethno-resort at 2,500m with traditional yurts, Kyrgyz cuisine cooked over wood fire, and panoramic views down the valley.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Supara Chunkurchak
Premium mountain ethno-resort in Chunkurchak Gorge, 40 km above Bishkek at 2,500 meters.
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8
Day 8
Departure - Manas Airport Transfer
Breakfast at the resort, then a private transfer to Manas International Airport, approximately one hour away. Please provide your flight details at booking so the transfer can be timed to your departure. Early departures can be accommodated with a packed or early breakfast on request.
Meals: B
Kyrgyzstan Tour Details
Pricing & Departures
Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.
Prefer your own dates and itinerary? Our private expeditions offer full flexibility with the same expert guides, exclusive access, and conservation partnerships - tailored entirely around your group.
Starting From
$2,100
Based on group of 4
Single Supplement
$300
Deposit
$650
Currency
USD
Private Group Rates
| Group Size | Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveler | $4,800 | Contact us for pricingSingle occupancy |
| 2 travelers | $2,800 | Per personDouble occupancy |
| 3 travelers | $2,400 | Per personGroup rate |
| 4 travelers | $2,100 | Per personGroup rate |
| 5 travelers | $2,300 | Per person2nd Vehicle Needed |
| 6 travelers | $2,150 | Per personGroup rate |
| 7–8 travelers | $2,100 | Per personGroup rate |
What's Included
- All accommodation: 7 nights based on double occupancy (1x Orion Hotel Bishkek, 2x Matsunoki Guesthouse Karakol, 1x Boz-Uchuk Lakes yurt camp, 1x Ailanysh Lakes camp, 1x Eco Yurt Camp Arashan, 1x Supara Chunkurchak)
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary (full board on riding days; B/D at hotels; B/L/D on transfer days)
- Private 4x4 vehicle transport throughout: Bishkek – Karakol – Jyrgalan – Altyn Arashan – Karakol – Supara Chunkurchak – Manas Airport
- English-speaking guide for the full 8-day tour
- Local horseman (horse guide) on all three riding days
- Horses, Kyrgyz saddles, and basic riding equipment for all riding days
- Riding safety briefing and helmet availability
- All local yurt camp and community fees
- Guided cultural stops: Burana Tower entrance and Grigoriev Gorge horseback ride (Day 2)
- Welcome dinner in Bishkek (Day 1)
- Mineral water (1 liter per person per day on riding days)
- Airport arrival transfer (Day 1) and departure transfer to Manas Airport (Day 8)
Not Included
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (required - must cover horseback riding and altitudes to 3,700m)
- Kyrgyzstan e-visa (if applicable - most nationalities are visa-free)
- Personal expenses and personal laundry
- Gratuities for guide and horseman (suggested: $15–20 per person per day total)
- Single supplement ($300)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities (Karakol Dungan Mosque guided tour, eagle hunter demonstration, Jyrgalan village cultural program)
- Medical evacuation costs
*
Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior — ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.
†
Cancellation: 90+ days — full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60–89 days — 50% refund. Under 60 days — no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.
Ready to secure your place on this trek? Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate experience.
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Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book my adventure?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for remote destinations like Greenland or Madagascar. This allows time for permit processing, securing the best local guides, and ensuring accommodation availability in these pristine, limited-access locations.
What's included in an Ecovoyager adventure?
Each adventure includes expert local guides, unique accommodations, all transportation within the destination, most meals featuring local cuisine, and exclusive access to experiences unavailable to mass tourism. International flights and personal travel insurance are typically separate.
Are your adventures suitable for all fitness levels?
We design adventures for various fitness levels and always discuss physical requirements during planning. Many of our destinations offer different activity intensities, and we can customize experiences to match your capabilities while still providing authentic wilderness encounters.
How do you ensure travel is sustainable and ethical?
We partner exclusively with local operators who share our conservation values, ensure tourism revenue supports local communities, limit group sizes to minimize environmental impact, and contribute directly to conservation projects in each destination we visit.
What if I need to cancel or change my trip?
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation policy varies by destination and timing, but we always work to minimize fees and maximize flexibility. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and will provide guidance on the best policies for adventure travel.
Can you arrange custom adventures to other destinations?
Absolutely! While we specialize in our core destinations, we can create custom adventures to other remote, wild places that align with our mission of authentic, sustainable travel. Contact us to discuss your dream destination and we'll explore possibilities.
What sets Ecovoyager apart from other tour operators?
We focus exclusively on authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations that most travelers never reach. Our deep partnerships with local communities, commitment to conservation, and rejection of mass tourism create truly transformative experiences that benefit both travelers and destinations.
How do you handle safety and emergency situations?
Safety is our top priority. Our local partners are extensively vetted and trained in wilderness safety and emergency protocols. We provide comprehensive safety briefings, maintain communication equipment, and have established emergency evacuation procedures for all our remote destinations.