Trip description
This Horse-riding adventure trip takes you from green pastures of Madyan to vast valleys of Alichur and Pshart platos by the pathways of nomad Kyrgyz tribes. Your local guide adjust the routes depending on the movements of the group, the conditions of the weather, grass and water places for horses and wishes and abilities of the riders. You will ride through the epic landscapes of High Pamirs, meet the local shepherds and have opportunity to talk to them sitting in their yurt drinking tea and taste the delicious yogurt. This adventure consider crossing the passes over 4000m and admire the views of 7000m peaks. If in daytime you can observe the proud eagles in the sky, in the nights the Milky Way is unparalleled, here the stars seems nearer... You can also see the unusual plants and flowers and observe the local wildlife: marmots, foxes, wolves, and Marco Polo sheep and if lucky, even the gracious snow leopards. During your horse adventure, you will visit the hot springs Jaylo suu, famous for their thermal benefits. In addition, you will pass by various petroglyphs and primitive solar calendars – messages left by the ancient travelers along the Silk Road.
Please note that, leading guides can change the planned itinerary due to the weather conditions, avalanches or rock-falls can block the terrain or drying the water point etc. To keep things fixed in Pamirs is sometimes impossible. The camping areas will be chosen by the guides depend on the weather; often it is close to the water and shepherds camps. Riding time is between 4 and 6 hours each day, some high passes we will cross by foot, with the horse being led by hand.
Highlights
- Drive along the enchanting Pamir Highway, one of the most beautiful highways of the world
- Horse riding adventure in elevation between 3500 and 4600m among the epic landscapes and snowcapped mountains over 7000m
- A deeper glance to the lifestyle of nomad shepherds with overnights in yurts, bath in hot springs, ancient petroglyphs and spectacular wilderness
- Unique opportunity of participating in Traditional Horse Festival of nomad Kyrgyz “At Chabish”
Itinerary
Arrive in Osh. Transfer to hotel in Osh. You have an opportunity to have shower, breakfast and have rest for a few hours. We start at 10:00 a.m, so if anyone needs to buy anything we can visit the local bazaar in earlier in the morning before setting off in the 4x4 and drive to the Kylzyl Art Pass 4336m, which marks the border with Tajikistan. Lunch in Sary Tash (170 km, 4 hours) through the Fergana Valley, passing by Taldik Pass 3554m, where the joint point of Great Pamir and Tien Shan mountain ranges is. If the sky is clear, you can see one of the giants of High Pamir - Lenin Peak 7495m. After cross border formalities we head up to Karakul. Evening walk along Karakul Lake 3923m. Overnight in homestay in Karakul.
Drive: 300km,
Time: 5 hours.
Altitude: 3900m↑
After breakfast, we continue our journey to Murghab – the administrative center of Eastern Pamirs. We drive over Akbaital Pass (4655m), the highest pass of the former Soviet Union. Lunch in a homestay.
Murghab means the "river of the birds". Meet the horse trek team and the last preparation of for horse trek. Every horse is equipped with special saddle bags, so each rider can carry own luggage - each rider will carry their luggage. Porting the camping equipment and supplies is by horse saddles. Overnight in the guesthouse.
Drive: 135km,
Time 3 hours.
Altitude: 3636m↑
In the morning we drive to Madyan valley and after 20 minute drive along the southern bank of Madyan river we meet the guide and horsemen waiting for the group. The horseback team consist of local kyrgyz shepherds from surrounded valleys. After loading the luggage, we start riding towards Chot Tuqay along Madyan river. Riding through the lunar deserts of High Pamirs with small oases of green pastures and small streams and rivers, here you can observe the real kingdom of marmots. We will meet the local shepherds, who always warmly invite you to their yurts to join them for a cup of tea; you can make a deeper glance in their way of life. Nothing changes here through centuries. Each rider can use an up to 12 kg saddlebags with his own belongings, but we can organize a Jeep supplying, which can bring your stuff left in guesthouse ONE TIME DURING the TREK to you, so you can change clothes. During the trip you will cross several passes between 3800 to 4600 meters, and have the breathtaking view to spectacular colored towering peaks of Pamirs over 7000 m. Overnight near the shepherd’s camp in Bozteri valley.
4 hours riding.
Altitude: 3700m↑
We continue our journey with horses among the mountains in Boztery valley. Today we have to climb the 4200m pass, from the top of which opens incredible view to beautiful landscapes surrounded by snowcapped peaks. We put the camp for overnight beside the small creek.
5 hours riding,
Altitude: 4200m↑
Today, we ride back towards Murghab river which flows into the Sarez lake. We have a picnic in beautiful green oases than continue our journey down along Murghab River to visit the petroglyphs. After we turn tand ride south to visit the Jayloo Su hot springs. You have an opportunity to enjoy the warm water of hotspring after long riding. Today we have traditional dinner prepared by family living nearby and stay overnight in Yurts.
5 hours riding,
Altitude 3650m↑
This is an exciting stage of the ride with diverse terrain and riding. You join the main valley Madiana on horseback to fork immediately into a narrow canyon that opens onto a small green valley dominated by glaciers. Many Kyrgyz families set up their jailoo (summer camp) in this pleasant valley. Herds of yaks graze peacefully. You will arrive on horseback via a large mineral plateau, before joining a new jailoo where you step.
Camping overnight.
5 hours riding,
Altitude: 3700m↑
Today we challenge a new pass, but this would be a beautiful stage of adventure. We ride towards, Alichur valley, which is another district. We have two options here: to hike over the 4600m pass leading to vast Alichur plateau or to complete three more passes below. When we face the steep ascent or descents, we will go by foot leading the horses in hand. For overnight, we camp in Bozteri Jayloo.
6 hours riding plus 1 hour walking on foot,
Altitude: 4600m↑
We ride north-east towards Pshart range. Pshart – one of the most green and beautiful areas in Northern Pamirs. You can see the green pastures ending to white glaciers; this is a favorite place of nomadic Kyrgyz tribes. You can see their lifestyle with yaks and sheep and of course, they are happy to share a cup of tea with you in their yurts. Overnight in tents or yurts.
6 hours riding,
Altitude: 4000m↑
After the descent on the Madyan Valley you will see a beautiful green landscape, populated by small willow forests, which contrast happily with the mineral world through the previous days. There, on the right bank of the river we will reach a small village of Madyan, inhabited by ten Kyrgyz families. Overnight in tents.
4 hours riding,
Altitude: 3700m↑
Today, we reach the lowest altitude in our trek in Eastern Pamirs the 3520m. The route will go slowly down while we ride along Madyan River towards Murghab. Here you can canter on soft ground. At the end of the horse trek, you will arrive on the Northern bank of the Madyan River, where your vehicles will pick you up. Here, we say good-bye to our guide and horse team and drive to Murghab, where we stay overnight in guesthouse. There is a possibility of going to the "banya" (Russian bath) for those who wish. Preparation of luggage for departure the following morning. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
4 hours riding,
Altitude 3520m↑
Two days participation in the traditional horse festival of nomad Kyrgyz people of Eastern Pamirs "At Chabysh”. This unique cultural and sporting event dedicated to the ancestral horse games of the Kyrgyz tribes. Traditional games with horses consist of several interesting horseback competitions linked together. "Tiiyin Enmeiy" – the equestrians try to catch as much coins from the ground as they can at full gallop. "Odarysh"- wrestling on horseback, the winner should pull his opponent from the saddle. "Qiz - kumai", - the most fun one, it is a kind of horse race between a girl and a boy who must try to catch her for a kiss. Except the horse games, there is traditional music battle of "Manashis" – a storytellers sit inside the yurts and sing a songs for the ancient hero Manas, who saved the Kyrgyz from invaders. In addition, there are craft shows and demonstration of souvenirs. At the end of 12th day, we drive to Karakul (2 hours) and stay overnight in guesthouse.
In the morning we departure from Karakul and aftyer cross-border formalities drive to Osh, southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. You can discover the town, visit local bazar and make optional climb to Suleyman Too (mountain of Sulayman) place of pilgrimage early morning. Farewell dinner in restaurant. Overnight in guesthouse.
Drive: 300 km
Time: 7 hours
Our service ends with transfer to airport by taxi.
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | Prices | Single suplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul - 12 Aug 2021 | Available | US $1,860 | upon request |
What’s included
- Horses for riding
- Accommodation
- Transfers as per the itinerary
- Cook service
- Two equestrians
- Packhorses
- Natural Park entry fees
- Ecological taxes
- Bottled water out of trek
- All meals during the trip, tea / coffee with meals
What’s not included
- International airfares
- Visas & Permits
- Travel Insurance
- Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol, etc
- Tips and gratuities
Safety
We provide a one or two Jeep for replenish of the fresh products and personal effects of the group during trek. Excellent physical condition is imperative for this trip. The altitude ranges from 3,000m to 4,800m and the terrain can be rough and the inclines steep. The body should be able to adapt quickly to changes in temperature. Experience of hiking over several days is essential.
Important notes
The detailed itinerary is given for your guidance only; it may be altered on the ground and in accordance to the prevailing conditions by our organizing team.