Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to scenic horseback journeys in Central Asia.
This is a special tour of Jeti-Oguz in Kyrgyzstan, a destination that was featured on a TV program in Japan and drew a huge response.
Two people have already booked for September, so we are now inviting others to join as a shared tour!
The highlights this time are, above all, “views you can only reach on horseback” and “hot springs.”
Feel the pleasant autumn breeze of early September as you ride through a maze of red rock formations and across spectacular landscapes at around 3,000 m, with a hidden hot spring waiting at the end. Riding plus hot springs makes for the ultimate retreat that restores you body and mind!
[Update] The tour is now full with 9 participants, so bookings are closed for now. Thank you so much!
If you’d like to join an Oguz tour, there are still spots on the exact same plan during Japan’s Silver Week holidays. Please take a look below ↓
5 Highlights of This Tour
① As seen on TV! A spectacular route through legendary red rock formations
We ride past Jeti-Oguz’s iconic red rock mountains, the “Seven Bulls” and the “Broken Heart,” and on through Kok-Jaiyk, carpeted with alpine flowers. Experience these breathtaking formations, which also caught attention on TV, up close from the saddle.
② Four full days of riding on a varied route
We pass through the classic spots and head into an area with close-up views of Oguz-Bashi peak, at around 3,000 m. From mountain routes up steep slopes to wide-open highlands that make you want to break into a gallop.
With the scenery changing every day, enjoy ups and downs and some easy cantering: four of the six days are dedicated to savoring the very best of riding in Kyrgyzstan.
③ Immerse yourself in the daily life of nomads — a hands-on experience
We visit nomads who live in the area. Have tea with them, or help look after the livestock. Your Japanese-speaking guide will interpret, so you can connect across the language barrier.
*Kyrgyz nomads move with the seasons and change their way of life accordingly, so how much interaction is possible and whether an overnight stay is possible varies depending on the time of year and group size.
The activities you can join also change from visit to visit. Sometimes you can help care for the livestock, sometimes you bake bread together.
They respect their way of life and welcome you as family, so we hope you will enjoy each encounter as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
④ A remote hot spring to soothe your riding-weary body
After plenty of time in the saddle, we drive to a natural hot spring in the mountains.
Hot springs are actually popular in Kyrgyzstan. Unlike in Japan, everyone bathes together wearing swimsuits at every hot spring.
It’s the perfect way to refresh, easing tired legs and back in the warm water.
*The hot spring is planned for Day 4, but the day of the visit may change if the riding route is altered due to weather.
⑤ Meals, accommodation, riding and a Japanese-speaking guide all included
A worry-free, nearly all-inclusive plan covering transport, meals, accommodation, riding and cultural experiences.
With a Japanese-speaking guide accompanying you, you can dive deep into the history and culture. It’s a richer journey where you don’t just see things, but understand what they mean.
Shopping and currency exchange are easy, too.
*Alcohol and flights are not included.
Who This Tour Is For
Among ASHU TRAVEL’s lineup, this tour is classified as a serious riding experience.
✓Those confident in their fitness: The tour crosses mountains at around 3,000 m and includes nights outdoors, so it is designed for healthy travelers who enjoy being active.
✓Experienced riders: You’ll spend long hours in the saddle each day on trails with ups and downs, so it’s ideal for experienced riders who can control a horse to some extent and want to “ride a lot!”
Itinerary
September 3–8, 2026 (6 days / 5 nights)
■ Day 1 | Wed, Sep 3[Arrive in Bishkek and rest at a hotel in the city]
At Manas airport, a driver holding an ASHU TRAVEL sign will meet you and take you to your hotel by private vehicle. Before heading to higher altitudes, you’ll first rest up properly in Bishkek.
◎Meals: None
◎Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi) (Altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 2 | Thu, Sep 4[A World Heritage site and riding at ASHU’s base]
Drive by private vehicle to the Chong-Kemin valley.
On the way, we visit the World Heritage-listed Burana Tower and other sites to trace the region’s history.
Lunch is a home-cooked meal at a local family’s house.
In the afternoon, enjoy riding around ASHU Guest House.
ASHU TRAVEL perk: free use of the ASHU Guest House pool!
*As of March 2026, the sauna is being worked on. We will let you know once it’s ready.
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: ASHU Guest House (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
(Altitude: approx. 1,800 m)
■ Day 3 | Fri, Sep 5 [Through the Jeti-Oguz rock formations to Kok-Jaiyk]
After breakfast, transfer to Jeti-Oguz.
After lunch on the way, we meet our instructors and horses on arrival. Time to start riding!
Passing the legendary red rock formations and the Broken Heart, we ride into the vast Kok-Jaiyk valley.
In the evening, have dinner by the campfire and spend a quiet night in the mountains.
◎Riding time: About 4 hours or more (approx. 12–18 km) *Approximate; adjusted for your condition and the weather
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: Yurt in Kok-Jaiyk (with wood stove)
(Altitude: approx. 2,200 m)
*The route varies depending on the season, weather and number of participants.
*Toilets are basically outdoors in nature.
■ Day 4 | Sat, Sep 6[Deep into the Tian Shan: nomad life and spectacular scenery]
After breakfast, we set off even deeper into the mountains.
We climb onto vast highlands overlooking the white peaks of the Teskey Ala-Too range.
After enjoying the rolling, spectacular terrain, we take you to a natural hot spring.
Arrive at a nomad family’s home and experience their traditional way of life.
In the evening, a special time chatting around the campfire.
◎Riding time: About 5–7 hours (approx. 15–22 km) *Approximate; adjusted for your condition and the weather
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: Guest house with a hot spring
*The route varies depending on the season, weather and number of participants.
*The hot spring is planned for Day 4, but the time or day may change depending on the route.
(Altitude: approx. 2,800 m)
■ Day 5 | Sun, Sep 7[Descend from Oguz-Bashi and return to Bishkek]
After breakfast, we set off. On the way back we take a different route, enjoying new scenery as we return to Jeti-Oguz.
After lunch at the base camp, we drive straight back to Bishkek by private vehicle.
After several days of adventure, rest in Bishkek.
◎Riding time: About 3+ hours (approx. 10–15 km)
◎Breakfast, lunch | Hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
(Altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 6 | Mon, Sep 8 [Bishkek city tour & farewell at the airport]
The last day is for sightseeing in the city. As time allows, we visit your guide’s favorite spots, such as souvenir hunting at the bazaar and a honey specialty shop.
After dinner, we take you to Manas airport, and the tour ends.
◎Breakfast, lunch, dinner | No accommodation
(Altitude: approx. 800 m)
Price
The price per person varies depending on the number of participants.
| Number of participants | Price per person (USD) |
| 1 person | $3,210 |
| 2 people | $2,090 |
| 3 people | $1,690 |
| 4 people | $1,490 |
| 5 people | $1,390 |
| 6 people | $1,290 |
| 7 people | $1,090 |
| 8–9 people | $990 ← current price |
What’s included
• Hotel, guest house and yurt accommodation throughout
• All meals throughout
• Horse riding
• Hot spring
• Japanese-speaking guide throughout
• Vehicle, driver and fuel throughout
• Trip preparation support in Japanese (our Japanese staff will answer your questions and advise on what to bring)
What’s not included
• Round-trip flights
• Alcohol
We’ll Support You on This Tour
Nuriya (Dushalieva Nuriya), Founder of ASHU TRAVEL
A professional guide who has led more than 3,000 travelers, and the head of ASHU TRAVEL. She supervised the planning of this tour and directs things behind the scenes so that everyone can safely enjoy the heart of Kyrgyzstan.
*Nuriya will not necessarily be your guide on the day. An experienced Japanese-speaking guide who shares her spirit of hospitality will accompany you.
Sugi
Customer support. As the point of contact for our customers in Japan, I’m with you from trip preparation to easing any worries on the ground. I’ll do everything I can so you can relax and enjoy a journey that’s anything but ordinary.
What Makes ASHU Different: Our Shared Tour System
To help as many people as possible discover the charms of Central Asia, we use a system where the price goes down as more people join.
- Price confirmation: The final price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure. In other words, if other travelers book before then, the price goes down; conversely, if someone cancels, it may go up.
- Peace of mind: Even if someone cancels after the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure, the amount you pay will not increase. You can book with confidence.
For more details about the system, please also see this article.
From Booking to Tour Day
① Inquiry & booking request: contact us via the form or LINE
First, contact us via the Contact Form or our official LINE account with the name of the tour you’re interested in.
② Book your flights
Please book your flights yourself.
③ Confirmed booking: fill in the dedicated form
Once we hear from you, our staff will send you the “confirmed booking form.” This is an important step for safety management in case of emergency, where we check details such as your blood type, allergies and health condition.
④ Cancellation policy applies Once your booking is complete, the following cancellation policy applies.
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From 18:01, 21 days before the tour, until 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the tour price
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From 18:01, 10 days before the tour, until 18:00, 3 days before: 30% of the tour price
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From 18:01, 3 days before the tour, until the start time on the day: 50% of the tour price
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After the start time on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price
⑤ Final price confirmed 3 weeks before departure
At ASHU TRAVEL, the price varies according to the number of participants.
- If more people join: The price goes down.
- If someone cancels: The price may go up.
- When it’s confirmed: The final amount you pay is confirmed 3 weeks before departure. After that, the confirmed price will not change even if the number of participants changes.
We fix the price 3 weeks before so that you can book with peace of mind. Even if there are cancellations within 3 weeks of departure, your price won’t change.
⑥ Join the tour & pay in US dollars on site
As a rule, we ask for payment in US dollars cash. This cuts costs such as card processing fees, and we put the savings back into the quality of the tour for you.
Please hand the payment to your guide at breakfast at ASHU Guest House on Day 2 of the tour.
About Booking Flights
Please arrange your own flights.
Example flights of travelers joining this tour
[Outbound] Sep 3 TW437 Seoul (Incheon) 18:50 / Bishkek 23:15
[Return] Sep 9 TW438 Bishkek 00:30 / Seoul (Incheon) 09:35
FAQ (Q&A)
We’ve gathered common worries and questions about the tour. If your question isn’t here, feel free to contact us via LINE or another channel!
[Riding & Health]
Q: How much riding experience do I need?
A: You’ll be fine if you have ridden a few times in Japan or abroad and have some experience with an easy canter. However, riding hours are long on this tour, so stamina is also needed. If you have any concerns, feel free to talk to us beforehand.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: You’ll be staying overnight at altitudes of 2,800 m or higher, so your physical condition may be affected. If you have any health concerns, be sure to consult a doctor before the trip.
Also, in case of a fall from a horse or illness, travel insurance with unlimited medical treatment and rescue coverage is mandatory. We also recommend bringing preventive medication.
Q: Which insurance should I get?
A: We currently have no partnership with a specific insurance company, so we can’t name one, but we recommend plans that meet the following three conditions.
- Required: Medical treatment and rescue coverage of ¥30 million or more ASHU TRAVEL requires this level of coverage. Advanced medical care in Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries, or emergency transport back to Japan, can be very expensive, so ¥30 million or more is the safe line.
- Required: Coverage for the countries you visit Check in advance that the policy will properly apply if something happens in your destination country. “Worldwide” or “Asia” settings are usually fine, but it’s important to double-check.
- Recommended: Chat support in Japanese Even if you panic in an emergency, it’s reassuring to have a help desk you can consult in Japanese via LINE or a dedicated app. Even where phone calls are hard to get through, you may be able to call for help by message if you have Wi-Fi.
For more details on choosing insurance, please also see this article.
▶︎ How to Choose Insurance for a Central Asia Horse Riding Trip
[Accommodation & Cancellations]
Q: What are the sleeping arrangements?
A: At guest houses, yurts and tents, rooms are generally shared and separated by gender. If you’d like to share a room with family or friends, let us know in advance and we will give it priority.
Q: What happens to the price if someone cancels on a shared tour?
A: Until 3 weeks before departure, the price changes depending on cancellations or additional participants. If someone cancels and the group gets smaller, the price may go up; in that case, we will let you know by email 3 weeks before departure.
Once the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure, we will not charge any extra even if the number of participants changes after that.
[Clothing & What to Bring]
Q: What should I wear?
A: September is when it starts getting cold. A down jacket and a windproof jacket are essential.
- Recommended layers: Warm shirt + down jacket + outer jacket (put on and take off as needed)
- When riding: A neck warmer is handy. Bulky outerwear that restricts movement can be left in the car.
Q: Is there anything I must bring?
A: Please refer to the checklist below.
- Essential: Warm clothing, rain gear (poncho, etc.), sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves (for riding), power bank, your regular medication.
- Handy to have: Motion sickness medicine, pain-relief patches (for sore muscles and bruises).
- Just for fun: Swimsuit (for the sauna and pool at ASHU Guest House).
Q: Do you lend riding gear?
A: We lend half chaps and helmets. You’re also welcome to bring your own.
[Money]
Q: How should I handle payments and currency on site?
A: The tour price is generally paid on site in US dollars. For shopping, cards are accepted at most shops, but if you want cash, Japanese yen cannot be exchanged. Be sure to bring US dollars in cash.
- Tour price: Please pay in US dollars cash at the hotel on Day 1.
- Pocket money: About $50 for food, drinks and souvenirs should be enough. You can exchange US dollars into Kyrgyz som locally.
- Using cards: Cards can be used in Bishkek and Almaty, but in rural areas and at bazaars it’s cash only.
Ride Through Kyrgyzstan as It Begins to Turn Gold in Autumn
The mountains of Kyrgyzstan show a different face every time you visit. Jeti-Oguz in September, when this tour takes place, is a season when the bustle of summer settles down and the crisp air feels wonderful.
Time spent swaying on horseback amid spectacular scenery and silence is something special. And after a tough long ride, soaking in a hot spring as the autumn wind turns cool is pure bliss.
“Will my stamina hold up?” “It’s been a while since I last went trail riding, will I be OK?” If you’re an experienced rider feeling a little nervous, don’t worry. We at ASHU TRAVEL will support your adventure all the way.
We’ll be waiting for you in Kyrgyzstan, under the wide September skies of the Tian Shan!
Contact Us
Even if you’re just a little curious, feel free to get in touch.
▶︎ Contact Form
https://ashu-travel.com/contact/
▶︎ Instagram (DMs welcome)
@ashutravel_jp
