Konorchek Canyons Horseback Riding Tour with Yurt Stay

You sleep in a yurt after riding through canyons that most visitors only photograph.

A 2-day horseback riding adventure from Bishkek that combines guided hikes, horse trails tailored to your level, and an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp. Day one takes you to the 11th-century Burana Tower and Chon Kemin National Park for 1–3 hours of riding. Day two includes a 2–3 hour guided hike through the red rock formations of Konorchek Canyons before returning to Bishkek. The route includes entry to both canyons and tower, a professional English or Russian-speaking guide, all meals, and hotel pickup.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek to Chon Kemin National Park

• Depart early from Bishkek
• Visit Burana Tower and archaeological site
• Climb Burana Tower for valley views
• Enjoy tea and kattama at local spot
• Horseback riding in Chon Kemin National Park
• Dinner at guesthouse
• Overnight stay in traditional yurt camp

Day 2: Chon Kemin to Bishkek via Konorchek Canyons

• Breakfast and free time in Chon Kemin Park
• Guided hike through Konorchek Canyons
• Lunch stop on return journey
• Return to Bishkek. Drop-off at hotel or airport

The experience

Your first morning starts with pickup from your Bishkek hotel and a drive to Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret standing on the Silk Road. Your guide walks you through the archaeological site, explains the balbals (stone markers) scattered around it, and you can climb the tower itself for views across the valley. From there the route continues to a local tea stop where you'll drink samovar-boiled tea and eat kattama, a Kyrgyz flatbread, in the way locals do: a break that frames the cultural side of the journey before you reach the horses.

Chon Kemin National Park is where the riding begins. The horses and a stableman are part of the package, and the trails are split by level: beginners get guidance to build confidence on gentler routes, while experienced riders can tackle more demanding terrain. You choose how long to ride, anywhere from one to three hours, and the landscape shifts from grassland to mountain views as you move through the park. After the ride, dinner happens at a guesthouse, then you sleep in a traditional yurt camp, the kind of overnight that makes the trip feel like something other than a tour.

Day two starts with breakfast and free time to walk around Chon Kemin at your own pace. Then comes the Konorchek Canyons hike: a 2–3 hour guided walk through red rock formations and winding trails, with your guide pointing out the geology and history as you move through towering structures and open views. Lunch happens on the drive back to Bishkek, where your driver can drop you at your hotel or take you directly to the airport if you have a flight.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Russian.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup.
• entry to Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyons.
• horses and stableman for the ride in Chon Kemin National Park.
• breakfast and dinner.
• overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

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 effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Datka Travel

Is this one for you?You ride the horses yourself on trails matched to your level, so beginners and experienced riders both get a day that fits them. The overnight yurt stay is what separates this from day trips to the same sites. It gives you time in the park beyond the ride and the hike, and it's the part that stays with 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.

Can I ride horses if I've never done it before?

Yes. The trails in Chon Kemin are tailored to your level, and beginners receive guidance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. You choose your ride length, one to three hours, so you can start with what feels right.

What's included in the 2-day trip?

Entry to Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyons, the horse ride with a stableman, breakfast and dinner, an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, a professional guide in English or Russian, and an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your Bishkek hotel.

What is Konorchek Canyons like?

Konorchek Canyons are known for striking red rock formations and unique geological features. The guided hike takes 2–3 hours and winds through the canyons' trails, with towering rock structures and panoramic views that make it a strong spot for photography.

How much time do I spend riding horses?

You choose your ride length in Chon Kemin National Park, ranging from one to three hours based on your preference and fitness level.

Where do I sleep, and what's a yurt like?

You stay overnight in a traditional yurt camp in Chon Kemin National Park. A yurt is a circular tent-like dwelling used by Kyrgyz herders. It offers an authentic experience of local life and culture under the stars.