4-Day Horseback Riding in Kyrgyzstan: Issyk Kul & Chon Kemin

Ride mountain trails, then wake to the lake from a traditional yurt.

A 4-day horseback riding tour from Bishkek through Kyrgyzstan's mountain valleys and lakeside, with trails in Chon Kemin National Park suited to all skill levels. The itinerary includes a yurt stay on Issyk Kul Lake, an eagle hunting show, hikes through Fairy Tale Canyons and Jeti Oguz Gorge, visits to Karakol's Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Church, a boat ride on the lake, and a soak in natural hot springs. A professional English-speaking guide leads the group through Burana Tower, Boom Gorge, Barskoon Gorge, and Cholpon Ata petroglyphs, with all entry fees and transport included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek to Chon Kemin National Park

• Pickup from hotel in Bishkek
• Drive to Burana Tower
• Explore Burana Tower and balbals
• Drive through Boom Gorge
• Tea break with traditional samovar and kattama
• Hike Konorchek Canyons for 2-3 hours
• Arrive at Chon Kemin National Park
• Dinner at local guesthouse
• Settle into private rooms

Day 2: Horse Riding and Issyk Kul Lake

• Breakfast at Chon Kemin
• Horse riding for 2-3 hours in Chon Kemin
• Travel to Bokonbaevo village
• Watch eagle hunting show
• Visit yurt camp by Issyk Kul Lake
• Dinner at yurt camp

Day 3: Canyons, Waterfalls, and Karakol

• Breakfast at yurt camp
• Visit Fairy Tale Canyons (Skazka Canyons)
• Hike in Barskoon Gorge and waterfalls
• Explore Jeti Oguz Gorge
• Relax in natural hot springs
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Overnight in Karakol

Day 4: Karakol to Bishkek via Scenic Gorges

• Breakfast at hotel in Karakol
• Tour Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Church
• Visit Karakol market
• Drive through Grigoriev and Semenov Gorges
• Lunch near river in gorges
• Boat tour on Issyk Kul Lake
• Visit Ruh Ordo Cultural Center
• Explore Cholpon Ata petroglyphs
• Drive back to Bishkek
• Drop off at hotel or airport

The experience

Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret from the Silk Road era, opens the first day: your guide shares the history of the ancient city of Balasagun while you climb for panoramic views and explore the stone markers scattered around the site. From there, the route follows Boom Gorge, where you stop for tea brewed in a traditional samovar and fresh kattama flatbread, then pushes into Konorchek Canyons for a 2–3 hour hike through red rock formations and winding trails before you settle into a guesthouse in Chon Kemin National Park with a hot shower and private rooms.

Day two is the horseback riding: after breakfast you mount up for a 2–3 hour ride through Chon Kemin's mountain landscapes, with your guide matching the trail to your skill level and offering instruction for beginners. The ride ends at Bokonbaevo village on Issyk Kul's southern shore, where you watch an eagle hunting show, an ancient Kyrgyz tradition, and hold and photograph the bird. That evening you move into a yurt camp on the lake's edge, surrounded by mountains, and eat a traditional dinner as the light fades.

Days three and four layer in the canyons and cultural sites. Fairy Tale Canyons (Skazka) offer red rock formations shaped like castles and animals, with trails for all fitness levels. An hour away, Barskoon Gorge's lush valley holds three waterfalls and wildlife. Jeti Oguz Gorge's red formations, known as the Seven Bulls, sit ringed by green meadows. In Karakol, the Dungan Mosque (built in 1910 without nails, using Chinese architecture) and the Russian Orthodox Church (1895) show the city's layered heritage. A boat ride on Issyk Kul's crystal-clear water precedes the Ruh Ordo Cultural Center and Cholpon Ata petroglyphs, an open-air gallery of ancient rock carvings. You soak in natural hot springs before the final drive back to Bishkek.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide throughout.
• pickup from your Bishkek hotel.
• comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• horseback riding in Chon Kemin National Park tailored to your skill level.
• yurt accommodation on Issyk Kul Lake's shore.
• eagle hunting show with the chance to hold and photograph the bird.
• entry to Burana Tower, Konorchek Canyons, Fairy Tale Canyons, Barskoon Gorge, Jeti Oguz Gorge, Karakol's Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Church, Ruh Ordo Cultural Center, and Cholpon Ata petroglyphs.
• a boat ride on Issyk Kul Lake.
• a soak in natural hot springs.
• meals at guesthouses and the yurt camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Datka Travel

Is this one for you?Small groups work well here because the guide can match the horseback trails to mixed skill levels and keep the pace relaxed enough for first-time riders to enjoy the mountains without strain. If you want to ride but have never done it before, this tour builds in instruction and beginner-friendly terrain. If you're experienced, the guide adjusts the route to challenge you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the horseback riding like if I've never ridden before?

Chon Kemin National Park trails are suited to both beginners and experienced riders. Your guide provides riding instruction for beginners and selects the trail that matches your skill level. The ride lasts 2–3 hours through mountain landscapes.

Where do I sleep on this trip?

You spend one night in a guesthouse in Chon Kemin National Park with a private room, hot shower and attached toilet; one night in a traditional yurt on the shore of Issyk Kul Lake; and one night at a hotel in Karakol. The final night's accommodation is not included.

What is the eagle hunting show?

In Bokonbaevo village, you watch hunters demonstrate this ancient Kyrgyz tradition with their majestic eagles, then hold the bird, pet it, and take photos. It happens on day two after your horseback ride.

How much hiking is involved?

Konorchek Canyons includes a 2–3 hour guided hike; Fairy Tale Canyons offers trails for all levels, from a leisurely walk to a more challenging 1-hour hike; Barskoon Gorge has hikes to its waterfalls; and Jeti Oguz Gorge includes a leisurely walk or short hike. Your guide helps you choose the right trail for your comfort.

What's included in the price?

Entry fees and admissions to all attractions, a professional English-speaking guide, horseback riding in Chon Kemin, the eagle hunting show, a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, bathing in natural hot springs, and meals at guesthouses and the yurt camp are included. Accommodation on the final night and alcohol drinks are not.

Does the itinerary include time to swim in Issyk Kul Lake?

Yes. On day four in Cholpon Ata, a boat tour on the lake is followed by an opportunity to swim in its waters, so bring swimming clothes if you want to take a dip.