ABOUT THE TOUR
TOUR LEADER
Alexandra Tolstoy
Explorer, author and television presenter Alexandra Tolstoy has been travelling through Central Asia for more than three decades. A graduate in Russian language and literature, and a relative of Leo Tolstoy, her enduring connection with the region began in the 1990s when she and three friends became the first people since Marco Polo to ride the Silk Road on horseback and camel – a remarkable nine-month, 5,000-mile journey from Turkmenistan to China.
Since then, Alexandra has explored Mongolia, Siberia, Russia and Central Asia on horseback, presented a BBC documentary series focused on horse-centred cultures, and written extensively about her travels. Kyrgyzstan, however, remains closest to her heart. She has been leading riding journeys there for more than twenty-five years and has forged deep, trusted relationships with local horsemen, nomadic families and mountain communities.
On this journey, Alexandra travels with you throughout, sharing her intimate knowledge of the landscape, culture and people of the Tien Shan – offering rare access, authenticity and a true spirit of adventure.
TOUR DATE: 24 SEPTEMBER – 5 OCTOBER 2026
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £800
Price Includes
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Soft drinks, water, beer
- Riding guides and equipment
- Backup team including a large truck and comfortable camping
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Wine, spirits
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 17/08/23
Excellent service throughout, with helpful and kind staff at every stage. When our return flight from Australia via the Middle East was cancelled, the team stepped in quickly to resolve everything, making what could have been a stressful situation feel straightforward and well handled.
DISCOVER MORE INDEPENDENT REVIEWS FROM FEEFO
London / Istanbul
Suggested flights (not included in the cost of the tour) Turkish Airlines TK 1986 departing London Heathrow at 16.40 hrs arriving Istanbul at 22.30 hrs.
Istanbul / Bishkek
Connect to TK 344 departing Istanbul at 00.45 hrs arriving Bishkek at 08.45 hrs. You are met from your flight and transferred by private vehicle to a hotel in Bishkek.
After resting in the hotel, enjoy lunch in the ‘Bukhara’ restaurant, followed by time to explore the city with an English-speaking guide. Founded by the Russians in the 19th century and dominated by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan mountains, Bishkek is a quirky Soviet city today, but with wide leafy boulevards, parks and large squares. Its famous sights include the enormous Alatau Square and the dramatic statue of Manas, the Kyrgyz epic hero.
Bishkek / Suusamyr Valley
After an early breakfast, you are driven south-west from the city in a private vehicle to start your horse riding adventure (the drive is approximately ten hours). The route is beautiful and crosses over dramatic mountain passes and the expansive Suusamyr Valley, full of nomads with their yurts and herds of animals.
Lunch is at a charming local restaurant en-route. In the evening, arrive at camp set beneath a dramatic rock formation in time for dinner. Night in camp.
Kara Suu
After breakfast, meet the horses and their owners, the local horsemen/ guides, who allocate their mounts carefully to suit each rider. Once mounted, set off from the poplar lined adobe village, and head for the extraordinary panoramic views of the mountains. Tonight’s camp is beside a river, under the shade of walnut trees, with the opportunity to swim and watch passing shepherds with their sheep, goats, mares and donkeys.
Kara Suu / Sary Chelek
Today’s ride passes charming vernacular houses and gardens full of flowers and animals, and then through magnificent wooded mountains and wildflower meadows.
Enjoy a picnic lunch on a high meadow before continuing through woodland back to the picturesque Kara Suu village. Tonight’s camp is on the bank of a crystal-clear mountain river where you can have a swim before dinner.
Sary Chelek / Lake Iri-Kel
This morning’s ride is over mountains covered in wildflowers in spring and offering magnificent views of the valleys below. Lunch is a picnic en-route. After passing over Tas-Bel Pass, descend into the national park of Sary Chelek. Leaving the track, ride through orchards of wild apple and plum trees before skirting one of the park’s seven beautiful lakes and, after crossing at a ford, stop for a picnic lunch next to the park ranger’s little house.
After lunch, more riding through meadows and orchards with chances to canter before reaching the beautiful campsite on the shore of the turquoise waters of Lake Iri[1]Kel. Surrounded by mountains and meadows of wildflowers, you can swim in the pristine lake. Two nights spent here.
Sary Chelek / Lake Kara-Kamish
Ride around five of the lakes of Sary Chelek Reserve, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery. Lunch on the shores of the main lake, at a local chai khana (tea house). In the afternoon, ride back to camp with the opportunity to canter through an expansive valley.
Sary Chelek / Lake Kara-Kamish
Today takes us over the imposing Kotorma Pass (altitude 2,446 m) to Lake Kara-Kamish. The route up is steep and narrow, but ably negotiated by the local Kyrgyz horses. Part of the path is taken on foot to avoid any stones dislodged by the horses’ hooves. On reaching the top, take in the magnificent view – often with griffon eagles circling above – before beginning to pick your way downhill, passing between tall boulders and waist-high eremurus.
After lunch and tea in a local yurt, ride over a lunar landscape of rocks to the banks of Lake Kara[1]Kamish, set on a high plateau. Here you can watch a game of ulak (a variation on polo but using the body of a headless dead goat) and in the evening enjoy a campfire and delicious goat kebabs whilst being sung to by a local singer accompanied by a komuz (stringed instrument) player.
Lake Kara-Kamish / Kara Suu
Breakfast in camp and set off riding again, descending from Lake Kara-Kamish past a dramatic waterfall back to the village of Kara Suu. This will be the last evening in camp together.
Kara Suu / Bishkek
Final breakfast immersed in nature. Say goodbye to the horses and local team and make your way back to Bishkek by road transfer.
Relax in the minibus and watch as the country whizzes by, stopping for lunch in a local dumpling restaurant en route. After arriving back at the hotel in Bishkek, dinner is in an atmospheric local restaurant within walking distance.
Bishkek
Breakfast in the hotel and a full day in Bishkek. Visit the vibrant Osh Bazaar and shop for colourful shyrdak felt rugs, spices and handmade leather goods, followed by a tour of the Historical Museum with its wonderful collection of Kyrgyz artefacts and textiles.
Lunch is in a local restaurant whilst the final dinner is in a delicious Georgian restaurant.
Bishkek / London
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Suggested flights (not included) Turkish Airlines TK 345 departing Bishkek at 10.10 hrs arriving Istanbul at 13.05 hrs, connecting to TK 1971 departing Istanbul at 14.50 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 16.45 hrs.
