Seventy-one kilometres through the Kichi-Alay from Kara-Bulak to Uch-Chat, every night in a shepherd's yurt and no permit needed.
Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek
Five days, four yurts, and a guaranteed departure from two riders
Kichi-Alay, Alay mountains, Osh region · from Kara-Bulak, by road from Osh
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Distance
- ~71 km
- Max altitude
- 3,557 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Best months
- May to October, best July to mid-September
- Riding experience
- none
- Group size
- 2–?
- Price
- US$750 pp (~65,600 som) for the group departure, with a US$250 deposit. Private departures are priced separately on request. Departure guaranteed from two travellers.
- Permit
- No
Chat with a real person — free
Seif and the team reply on WhatsApp 24/7 — trip questions, custom plans and booking help.
Ask Seif on WhatsAppAbout the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek
If the Lenin Peak routes sound like too much altitude, this is the Alay without the thin air. Five days and seventy-one kilometres through the Kichi-Alay from Kara-Bulak to Uch-Chat, topping out at the Ak Tor pass at 3,500 m with a route maximum of 3,557 m — high enough to warrant acclimatising, low enough not to dominate the trip. Every night is in a shared yurt rather than a tent, which at these altitudes is the difference between a good night and an endured one. Riders ride; pack horses carry the luggage. It's graded light to moderate, and no prior experience is necessary. Day one is the shock: twelve kilometres but 1,218 m of climbing straight out of the trailhead. After that the profile settles into a rhythm of one pass a day. Practical points that matter. Helmets are not supplied, so bring your own or accept riding without one. Sleeping bags are not included either, though they rent at US$6 a day. The yurts have no wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower and outdoor toilets — normal for the Alay. Departures are guaranteed from two travellers, which is unusual and useful if you are a couple rather than a group. No border permit is needed.
Day by day
| Day | Route | Hours | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osh, then Kara-Bulak → Tepshi+1,218 m / -154 m — a hard first day for the legs, straight uphill. | 4 in the saddle, 12 km | yurt at 2,710 m |
| 2 | Tepshi → Sary-OiOver the Airy Bell pass, +613 m / -1,087 m. | 5 in the saddle, 14 km | yurt at 2,270 m |
| 3 | Sary-Oi → The foot of Ak Tor+1,020 m / -223 m. | 5 in the saddle, 13 km | yurt at 3,040 m |
| 4 | Foot of Ak Tor → Uch-Chat via MurdashOver the Ak Tor pass at 3,500 m, +757 m / -1,283 m. | 5-6 in the saddle, 14 km | yurt |
| 5 | Uch-Chat → Osh+846 m / -1,515 m. | 18 km riding, then 2.5 hours driving | hotel in Osh |
Included
- shared yurt accommodation
- all meals per the itinerary
- transport to and from Osh
- horses and horseman
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- hotel and meals in Osh
- helmet
- tips
- bottled water
- travel and health insurance
- flights
- sleeping bag (rental US$6/day)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek?
The best time is May to October, best July to mid-September. Outside the season the high passes are snowbound and the summer yurt camps are packed down, so most operators only run it then.
How long is the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek?
It runs 5 days / 4 nights and roughly 71 km, reaching about 3557 m. Difficulty is moderate.
How much does the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek cost?
US$750 pp (~65,600 som) for the group departure, with a US$250 deposit. Private departures are priced separately on request. Departure guaranteed from two travellers. Prices vary by group size, season and operator, so confirm current rates when you enquire.
Do you need riding experience?
No prior riding experience is needed — the Kyrgyz horses are calm and sure-footed and guides keep the pace gentle. You should be reasonably fit and comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.
How do you book the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek?
Enquire on WhatsApp with your dates and group size, and we arrange the guide, horses, yurt nights and transfers. In July and August it's worth booking a day or two ahead.
Book the Truly Nomadic Land Horse Trek trek
Tell us your dates and group, and we’ll arrange the guide, horses and yurt nights, plus the yurt stay at the end.
Chat with a real person — free
Seif and the team reply on WhatsApp 24/7 — trip questions, custom plans and booking help.
Ask Seif on WhatsApp