Be A Nomad Horse Trek
Spend three days on horseback like a Kyrgyz nomad, exploring the heart of the rugged Alay Mountains in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Spend two nights in yurts with Kyrgyz host families who spend their summers tending and protecting their herds of sheep, cattle, and horses. On the third day, summit Kum Bell Pass and enjoy the sweeping expanse of the Alay Mountains unfolded on all sides.
Destination: Alay Mountains, Osh region, Southern Kyrgyzstan
Itinerary: Osh city – Alay Mountains – Osh city
Title: Be A Nomad
Type: Horse Trek
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Distance: 32 km
Max elevation: 3150 m
Min elevation: 1686 m
Total Gain/Loss: 2111m + / 2834m –
Season: May – October
Starting Point: N40° 14.702′ E73° 19.154′
Horse Trek Map
DAY 1: OSH CITY – KARA BULAK VILLAGE – TEPSHI YURT CAMP
Riding distance/time: 12 km / 4 hours, Max Elevation: 2854 m, Min Elevation: 1654 m,
Total Gain/Loss: 1218 m+ / 154 m-
Start your ride up a dirt road after driving to Gulcha from Osh along the Pamir Highway. The road follows the Kara Bulak stream towards the Tepshi camp, passing shepherds’ yurts set up among junipers. Near the top of the climb, you will leave the road for a trail ascending the ridge on the left. Here, you will eat lunch and enjoy the rugged mountains of the Alay across the gorge formed by the Gulcha river. At the end of the ridge, you will descend into the Tepshi camp to meet with your host for the night. Dinner. Overnight in a yurt camp at 2710m.
DAY 2: TO SARY OI CAMP OVER AIRY BELL PASS
Riding distance/time: 14 km / 4 hours, Max Elevation: 2956 m, Min Elevation: 1903 m,
Total Gain/Loss: 613 m + / 1087 m-
Breakfast. Start the day heading up to Airy Bell Pass on a small trail starting from your yurt. A steep, hour-long ride will bring you to the summit and an impressive panorama of the Kum Bell Mountains to the west. Descend to the Cholo Kaiyng Gorge and stop for lunch. In the gorge, a dirt road follows a small river to the Sary Oi camp. Arrive at your yurts and join your hosts in the daily activities of nomads. Dinner. Overnight in a yurt camp at 2270m.
DAY 3: TO CHYYIRCHYK PASS – OSH CITY
Riding distance/time: 15 km / 5 hours, Max Elevation: 3130 m, Min Elevation: 1000 m,
Total Gain/Loss: 996 m + / 795 m-,
Breakfast. Ride 2hr to get to the Kum Bell pass at 3150 m. See shepherds busy with making bread and milking mares. Have lunch at the top of the pass. Enjoy the stunning beauty of great Alay Valley. Ride down to Chyyirchyk pass, 2 hr. Meet your driver and drive to Osh city, 1 hr. Stay in a hotel
Price of the Be A Nomad Horse Trek
| Number of people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Price per person in USD | 550 | 425 | 360 | 320 |
Included:
– Shared accommodation in a yurt camp 2 nights
– All meals as indicated in itinerary*
– Private transport from/to Osh
– Horses + horseman (horseman is for more than 2 people)
– English-speaking guide
Not included:
– Helmet
– Tips
– Bottled water
– Travel and Health Insurance
*Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian/vegan or if you have food allergies.
Join the following groups for summer 2025
If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us by email or WhatsApp. We will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you to share the coasts. Or you can check out our other Kyrgyzstan group tours.
