Duration: 10 day
Winter Expedition: Snow Riders of Kyrgyzstan
Location:Issyk-kol
Activity Level: Middle level
Group size: 6-12 pax
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TRAVEL DATES
16 - 26 January 2026
It is a 10-day winter journey through the most remote valleys and mountain ranges of the country. The route includes a multi-day horseback expedition over snowy mountain passes, crossing a 3,822 m high pass, riding through hidden winter valleys, visiting a wild hot spring, and exploring an abandoned Soviet town in Enilchek.
You will stay with shepherd families in the last inhabited valley, experience real nomadic winter life, meet an eagle hunter, and travel along both shores of Issyk-Kul Lake.
The tour finishes with a full ski day in Jyrgalan, the snowiest valley in Kyrgyzstan — a perfect ending after days in the mountains.
This expedition is created for travelers seeking a true winter adventure with horseback riding, deep cultural immersion, wild landscapes, and a mix of mountain travel and winter sports.
You will stay with shepherd families in the last inhabited valley, experience real nomadic winter life, meet an eagle hunter, and travel along both shores of Issyk-Kul Lake.
The tour finishes with a full ski day in Jyrgalan, the snowiest valley in Kyrgyzstan — a perfect ending after days in the mountains.
This expedition is created for travelers seeking a true winter adventure with horseback riding, deep cultural immersion, wild landscapes, and a mix of mountain travel and winter sports.
Tour Highlights
- Horseback expedition through winter mountainsMulti-day ride across remote valleys
- Stay with shepherd familiesExperience authentic nomadic life in mountain valleys.
- Cross 4,000 m Mountain PassExperience the challenge and beauty of the Tien Shan.
- Wild hot spring in Enilcheknatural warm pool
- Ski day in Jyrgalanthe snowiest valley in Kyrgyzstan.
- Meet a traditional eagle hunterLearn about the ancient Kyrgyz tradition of hunting with golden eagles.
- Local saunaAfter riding we will prepare sauna
- Taste local cuisineLocal family will prepare local dishes
PROGRAM
Arrival in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Transfer to the hotel and time to rest after the flight.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your guide and group.
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your guide and group.
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
Drive toward the south shore of Issyk-Kul.
Stop at the frozen Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, a wide winter landscape perfect for photos.
Continue to Ak-Say Canyon, known for its red formations and quiet winter atmosphere.
Overnight: Guest house on the south shore
Stop at the frozen Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, a wide winter landscape perfect for photos.
Continue to Ak-Say Canyon, known for its red formations and quiet winter atmosphere.
Overnight: Guest house on the south shore
Meet a traditional eagle hunter and learn about this ancient nomadic practice.
Visit the Shatyly Panorama, a viewpoint with sweeping views of snowy mountains and open valleys.
Arrive in Karakol in the evening.
Overnight: Guest house in Karakol
Visit the Shatyly Panorama, a viewpoint with sweeping views of snowy mountains and open valleys.
Arrive in Karakol in the evening.
Overnight: Guest house in Karakol
Travel into a remote mountain region by crossing a 3,822 m winter pass.
Start a 3-hour horseback ride deep into the Karagaity Valley, surrounded by untouched snow and silence.
Stay with a shepherd family and experience real winter life in the mountains.
Overnight: Shepherd house
Start a 3-hour horseback ride deep into the Karagaity Valley, surrounded by untouched snow and silence.
Stay with a shepherd family and experience real winter life in the mountains.
Overnight: Shepherd house
Ride back by horse to the road.
Continue to Enilchek, where you will visit a wild natural hot spring hidden in the snow.
Explore the abandoned Soviet town, frozen in time since the mining era.
Overnight: Homestay in Enilchek
Continue to Enilchek, where you will visit a wild natural hot spring hidden in the snow.
Explore the abandoned Soviet town, frozen in time since the mining era.
Overnight: Homestay in Enilchek
Horseback ride for 4-5h across winter mountains to reach the last valley where people still stay year-round.
Meet the local family and enjoy the peaceful isolation of this remote place.
Overnight: Shepherd house
Meet the local family and enjoy the peaceful isolation of this remote place.
Overnight: Shepherd house
Ride to a frozen river surrounded by untouched winter landscapes and return to the shepherd house.
In the evening, enjoy a warm mountain sauna, a perfect way to relax after a cold day outside.
Overnight: Shepherd house
In the evening, enjoy a warm mountain sauna, a perfect way to relax after a cold day outside.
Overnight: Shepherd house
Drive back to Karakol through winter mountain roads.
Free evening in town.
Overnight: Guest house in Karakol
Free evening in town.
Overnight: Guest house in Karakol
Full ski day in Jyrgalan, the snowiest valley in Kyrgyzstan and a favorite location for winter sports.
Return to Karakol in the evening.
Overnight: Guest house
Return to Karakol in the evening.
Overnight: Guest house
Transfer back to Bishkek (approximately 6 hours) along the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake with beautiful winter views.
Check into the hotel and prepare for departure.
Final dinner at restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
Check into the hotel and prepare for departure.
Final dinner at restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
Airport transfer and international flights home.
End of the expedition.
End of the expedition.
TOUR PRICE
1850 Euro per person
What included
- Transfers
- Guide
- Meal 3 times in a day
- Accommodation/camping (twin) for single room + 250€
- All camping equipments for ski
- Horses with horse guide
- Border permits
- Fee for national park
- Eagle hunting demonstration
- Local Sauna
- Starlink connection
Not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- First night in Bishkek and airport transfer
Recomendation
-
Passport and necessary travel documents (visa, if required) - Travel insurance
- Warm winter jacket (down or synthetic) Fleece or insulated mid-layer
- Waterproof winter boots with good grip
- Hat, gloves, and neck gaiter/buff
- Ski clothes (jacket, pants) (possible to rent)
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat)
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Reusable water bottle
- Swimming clothes
- Camera or smartphone for capturing the stunning landscapes + powerbank
- First aid kit
- Backpack around 50-60L
FAQ
The tour includes a mix of hotels in the cities, cozy guest houses in Karakol, and authentic shepherd houses and homestays in the remote valleys.
It’s recommended to have previous horse-riding experience, but the conditions here are different from regular riding — mountain terrain requires better balance and endurance.
The most important thing is to be physically prepared and comfortable with long days outdoors. Experience in hiking or trekking will be a great advantage.
The most important thing is to be physically prepared and comfortable with long days outdoors. Experience in hiking or trekking will be a great advantage.
In cities, we’ll eat in local cafés and you can choose what you want.
In remote mountain areas, local families will prepare traditional Kyrgyz dishes
During camping days, we’ll have local freeze-dried meals with a variety of simple and tasty options suitable for expeditions.
In remote mountain areas, local families will prepare traditional Kyrgyz dishes
During camping days, we’ll have local freeze-dried meals with a variety of simple and tasty options suitable for expeditions.
Most travelers arrive at Manas International Airport in Bishkek city. Most of the flight from Turkey (Turkish airlines) or Dubai (Fly Dubai) also possible to fly directly to Karakol from Bishkek (domestic flight) but schedule change time to time and usually two times in a week.
For the main part of the tour, we will use a comfortable minibus for group travel between cities For remote off-road areas we switch to 4x4 vehicles like Toyota 4Runner to ensure safe and smooth travel through rugged mountain terrain.
Expect cold winter conditions with temperatures ranging from –5°C to –20°C depending on altitude. In the high mountain passes it can be colder and windy, while valleys and towns are usually milder. Snow is guaranteed, and weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Cell phone coverage is limited or unavailable in most remote areas of the tour. You will be off the grid for most of the journey, allowing you to fully disconnect and enjoy nature. However, in some locations, there might be weak signals depending on your mobile provider.
But we will have Starlink
But we will have Starlink
To book the tour, you need to make a deposit, provide a copy of your passport, and book your flight ticket. Once we receive the deposit and your details, we will confirm your spot in the group.
Rest of the payment you need to do with cash on arrival
Rest of the payment you need to do with cash on arrival
If you need to cancel your booking, the following refund rules apply:
- More than 30 days before the tour: Full refund (minus transaction fees).
- 15–29 days before the tour: 50% refund.
- 7–14 days before the tour: 30% refund.
- Less than 7 days before the tour: No refund.
We keep the group size small and personal, typically between 6 to 12 people, to ensure a friendly and authentic experience.
Reviews
- Just wanted to thank you again for putting together such an amazing trip. You showed me an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. You’re an amazing person and a wonderful guide. I genuinely look forward to seeing you again in the future.
- We thank you what you did. It was really amazing for us. Not only Kyrgyzstan itself but also your works and meeting other people we don’t know. All these trips give some emotional feeling after it ended:(
- I'm just arriving at the airport, about to board a flight. I'm so nostalgic about leaving this wonderful place. I hope to see you soon. Once again, thank you for the wonderful experience. You are an extraordinary human being. Thank you for your patience and for welcoming me with my 100 kilos in suitcases, haha.
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