What is the highest elevation reached on the Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan horseback trek?

The highest point on this trek is the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676 meters, which is the highest elevation of any EcoVoyager Kyrgyzstan tour. You'll also traverse five passes above 3,300 meters and sleep at the Boz-Uchuk Plateau Lakes at 3,400 meters.

When is the best time to do the Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan horseback trek?

The best time for this horseback trek is from June to August. These months provide the most favorable weather conditions for riding across the high mountain passes and camping at elevation above 3,000 meters.

How many days of horseback riding are included in this tour?

The tour includes 3 days of horseback riding across the mountains of eastern Kyrgyzstan. The riding days take you from Jyrgalan Valley through the Boz-Uchuk and Ailanysh plateau lakes to Altyn Arashan's geothermal springs.

What are the hot springs like at Altyn Arashan?

The natural geothermal pools at Altyn Arashan are heated to 35-43 degrees Celsius and are open to the sky. They provide a well-earned reward after three days of riding above 3,000 meters, and you can enjoy an early morning soak before the valley fills with day visitors.

What is the difficulty level of the Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan horseback trek?

This trek is rated as moderate difficulty. The most demanding day involves crossing the Ailanysh Pass at 3,676 meters with sweeping views of the Terskey Alatoo mountains, followed by a long descent into the Arashan Valley.

Where do you stay during the horseback riding portion of the tour?

During the 3-day horseback trek, you'll stay at remote mountain camps including a CBT Karakol yurt camp at Boz-Uchuk plateau lakes at 3,400 meters and basic tent or yurt camps at Ailanysh Lakes. The final night of riding ends at Eco Yurt Camp Arashan with hot spring access.

Does the tour include both shores of Issyk-Kul lake?

Yes, this tour completes a full circuit of Issyk-Kul lake. You'll arrive via the northern shore past Burana Tower and Grigoriev Gorge, then return via the southern shore past Jeti-Oguz and Skazka Canyon before finishing at Supara Chunkurchak ethno-resort.

What cultural sites are visited on the Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan tour?

The tour includes visits to the 11th-century Burana Tower, a Karakhanid minaret surrounded by ancient Turkic grave markers, and the Dungan Mosque in Karakol built in 1910 using traditional Chinese joinery without nails. You'll also have dinner with a Dungan family descended from Chinese Muslims who crossed the Tien Shan in the 1870s.

What type of accommodation is provided in Karakol?

In Karakol, you'll stay at Matsunoki Guesthouse, which is the #1-rated guesthouse in the city. It's a Japanese-Kyrgyz family-run property offering mountain views and homemade breakfast, within walking distance of the Dungan Mosque and Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

What makes Jyrgalan Valley special as a starting point for this trek?

Jyrgalan Valley is considered one of the most respected adventure bases in Central Asia and serves as eastern Kyrgyzstan's premier adventure starting point. The valley operates on a community tourism model that channels revenue directly to local families, making it both an authentic and responsible choice for travelers.

Kyrgyzstan

Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek

Duration

8 Days

From

$2,100

Group Size

Max 8 Guests

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

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View Itinerary See Pricing

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

Kyrgyzstan Tour Overview

Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek

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.

Horseback rider on mountain trail through golden grasslands with snow-capped peaks in background

Turquoise mountain lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows in Kyrgyzstan

Two horseback riders on mountain trail in Jyrgalan valley with snow-capped peaks in background

Horse guides with pack animals on mountain plateau overlooking snow-capped peaks in Kyrgyzstan

Woman on horseback overlooking snow-capped mountains in Kyrgyzstan high country grasslands

Horseback riders in mountain valley with golden grassland and snow-capped peaks in background

Woman on horseback in green mountain meadow with snow-capped peaks in Kyrgyzstan

Horseback rider in red jacket with pack horses beside turquoise mountain lake in misty alpine valley

Turquoise alpine lake surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and rocky mountains in Kyrgyzstan

Three horseback riders in mountain valley with snow-capped peaks and green meadows in Kyrgyzstan

Two horses grazing in green valley with snow-capped Tian Shan mountains and evergreen forest backdrop

Two horseback riders with dogs on mountain trail with snow-capped peaks and forest valleys

Group of horseback riders on green mountain valley with river and snow-capped peaks in Kyrgyzstan

Horse rider on dirt trail through green valley with snow-capped mountains in Kyrgyzstan

Horseback riders traversing green mountain meadow with snow-capped peaks and forest in Kyrgyzstan

Crystal clear alpine lake reflecting jagged mountain peaks and dramatic clouds in Kyrgyzstan wilderness

Colorful camping tents scattered across green valley with snow-capped mountains and grazing horses at dusk

Mountain lake reflecting dramatic peaks and cloudy sky with scattered rocks in foreground

Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek

Your Kyrgyzstan Tour Itinerary

Route Overview 8 Days · Kyrgyzstan

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

Ala-Too Square in Bishkek with red Kyrgyzstan flag, white government building, monument and fountains

Local merchant selling organic grains and spices at traditional Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan market

Modern memorial monument with white statue under curved archway in landscaped park setting in Bishkek

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

Historic brick Burana Tower with snow-capped mountains and ancient gravestones in foreground

Pristine mountain valley with turquoise river winding through green meadows and spruce forests in Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan range, perfect for sustainable horseback trekking adventures

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

Horseback riders trekking through green alpine meadows with snow-capped mountains in Kyrgyzstan's Jyrgalan valley

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

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

Pristine Altyn Arashan valley with snow-capped Tien Shan peaks, traditional yurts and evergreen forests in Kyrgyzstan

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

Person relaxing in Altyn Arashan hot springs surrounded by sandstone cave formations and lush forest

Soviet-era off-road vehicles traverse mountain wilderness trail in Kyrgyzstan alpine landscape during eco-adventure tour

Traditional wooden mosque with green tiled roof and ornate columns in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

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

Red sandstone rock formations with evergreen trees in Jeti-Oguz, Kyrgyzstan

Red sandstone rock formations and desert landscape in Skazka Canyon, Kyrgyzstan at golden hour

Traditional white yurts nestled in green valley with snow-capped mountains in Kyrgyzstan

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

What's Included

Everything included in the tour, and what to budget separately.

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

Kyrgyzstan Tour Details

Tour Pricing & Departures

Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.

July 10 – July 17, 2026

8 days

Available

From $2,200 per person

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August 7 – August 14, 2026

8 days

Available

From $2,200 per person

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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

CurrencyUSD

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

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.

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Duration

11 Days

From

From $2,600

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Destination

Explore the Places You'll Visit

Each stop on this journey through Kyrgyzstan, and the country that ties them together.

Kyrgyzstan

Where the Tien Shan meets living nomadic tradition. Trek to alpine lakes, sleep in yurts on high summer pastures, and witness eagle hunters practicing an art unchanged for centuries.

Explore Kyrgyzstan

Jyrgalan to Altyn Arashan Horseback Trek

Tour Highlights

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

Request More Information

Bishkek Arrival & Welcome Briefing

Orion Hotel Bishkek

North Shore Drive: Burana Tower, Grigoriev Gorge, Karakol

Matsunoki Guesthouse

Karakol to Jyrgalan - Riding Day 1 - Boz-Uchuk Lakes

Boz-Uchuk Lakes Yurt Camp

Riding Day 2 - Boz-Uchuk to Ailanysh Lakes

Ailanysh Lakes Camp

Riding Day 3 - Ailanysh Pass to Altyn Arashan

Eco Yurt Camp Arashan

Altyn Arashan - Hot Springs - Return to Karakol

Matsunoki Guesthouse

South Shore Return: Jeti-Oguz, Skazka Canyon, Supara Chunkurchak

Supara Chunkurchak

Departure - Manas Airport Transfer

What's Included

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Pricing & Departures

Private Group Rates

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What Our Adventurers Say

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Explore the Places You'll Visit

Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek

Burana Tower

Karakol

Jyrgalan Valley

Jeti-Oguz

Skazka Canyon