Chon Kemin Valley: Horseback ride & Burana Tower day tour

Summary

Horseback riding, ancient towers, and Kyrgyz flavors in one day

You’ll meet locals in Bishkek before exploring Burana Tower’s ancient stones and stories. After a traditional Kyrgyz lunch overlooking Chon Kemin valley, saddle up for a gentle horseback ride through forests and mountain passes with your guide. Expect quiet moments and new flavors you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

It started with our driver, Azamat, grinning as he handed me a piece of dried apricot at the hotel entrance in Bishkek — “for energy,” he said. I’d barely finished chewing before we were winding out of the city and into open country, the air getting sharper as we drove. At Burana Tower, our guide Aida told us about Silk Road traders who’d once watched for dust clouds on the horizon. Climbing those narrow steps was harder than I thought (my legs still remember), but the view from up top — just fields and distant mountains under a pale sky — made me pause longer than I meant to.

The road to Chon Kemin valley felt endless in that good way, where you lose track of time watching sheep scatter or kids waving from roadside bikes. Lunch came at this glass-walled restaurant surrounded by nothing but green and blue; I tried beshbarmak for the first time (Aida laughed when I asked how to pronounce it — I definitely got it wrong). The tea was hot enough to fog my glasses, which somehow made everything outside look softer.

I’d never ridden a horse before, so when they brought out this calm brown mare for me, I half-joked about falling off. Our stableman just smiled and adjusted my stirrups without a word. The ride up through the valley was quieter than I expected — just hooves on earth, wind in the grass, someone’s distant laughter echoing off the hills. At the top, we stopped for a while; nobody really spoke. There was this hush over everything except for birds somewhere below us. Even now, sometimes when things get noisy back home, that silence comes back to me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Burana Tower and Horse Riding

• Visit Burana Tower and archaeology museum
• Lunch with panoramic view and horseback ride

Top questions

How long is the drive from Bishkek to Burana Tower?

It’s about 80 kilometers from Bishkek to Burana Tower.

Is lunch included on this Chon Kemin Valley horseback tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour.

Do I need horse riding experience?

No previous experience is needed; guides will help you with everything.

Are admissions to Burana Tower included?

Yes, all entry fees are covered in your tour price.

Is hotel pickup provided from Bishkek?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Bishkek is included.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Bishkek, all admission fees (including Burana Tower), an English-speaking local guide throughout, a traditional Kyrgyz lunch with tea overlooking Chon Kemin valley, horseback riding with stableman support, and comfortable transport back to your hotel at sunset.