Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to scenic horseback journeys in Central Asia.
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure? How about horse riding at Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan?
A 5-day, 4-night tour that even beginner riders can join. It’s packed with highlights: riding in the beautiful Chong-Kemin Valley National Park, an eagle hunter experience, stunning views of Issyk-Kul Lake, a World Heritage Site visit, and even crossing a border.
July is a beautiful time of year, when Issyk-Kul Lake sparkles.
Three people are already confirmed, so if you join now, a lower shared tour price applies right away!
[May 28] One more person has booked, bringing the group to 4! We’re looking for one more person! For groups of 6 or more, we handle it as a group tour, so please contact us to discuss.
5 Highlights of This Tour
This tour is 5 days and 4 nights packed with Kyrgyzstan’s nature, culture, and adventure!
① Eagle hunter experience and scenic riding at Issyk-Kul Lake
On the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, see a demonstration of eagle hunting, a traditional part of Kyrgyz culture. Watching a trained eagle soar through the sky is breathtaking! You can take commemorative photos, too.
After that, enjoy riding amid spectacular lake views. On clear days, you’ll ride through scenery found nowhere else, with the snowcapped Tian Shan mountains and the blue of Issyk-Kul spread out before you.
*The timing of the eagle hunter experience may need to be adjusted depending on the weather and the condition of the animals.
*In the eagle hunting demonstration, a toy rabbit covered with fox fur is used as the prey instead of a real animal. Afterwards, the eagle is rewarded with chicken.
② Two full days of riding in the Chong-Kemin Valley
You can enjoy riding over two days in the Chong-Kemin Valley.
On the first day, you ride through the beautiful valley, moving at a relaxed pace through villages and over hills with the support of your guide. On the second day, it’s a proper ride with ups and downs to a hill with panoramic views. In open areas, you can even try a canter.
Of course, your guide will teach you how to ride Kyrgyz-style beforehand, so beginners can feel at ease.
*Whether you can canter is decided by the instructor based on the horse’s condition and how well you and your horse get along. We never push it.
③ Experience Kyrgyz traditions at the ASHU Guesthouse
Stay 2 nights at the ASHU Guesthouse in the Chong-Kemin Valley. Its homemade food based on traditional Kyrgyz cuisine is popular, and many guests come back again.
Before riding, try making boorsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread. The village cook will show you how. It’s amazing fresh out of the oil!
In your free time, take a stroll around the village and get a feel for life in Kyrgyzstan outside the cities.
④ Cross the border from Almaty into Kyrgyzstan
This time we meet at Almaty airport. We leave Almaty in Kazakhstan and enter Kyrgyzstan on foot and by car.
Crossing a border on your own two feet is something special you can’t do in Japan. Your guide will be with you, so just relax and enjoy it!
⑤ Almost all-inclusive: meals, accommodation, riding, and guide
Transportation, meals, accommodation, riding, and a Japanese-speaking guide are all included. Your guide will fully support you with local communication and currency exchange, so even those not used to traveling abroad can enjoy the trip with peace of mind.
Stay at the ASHU Guesthouse, rated ★4.5 from 412 Google reviews, and a guesthouse on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. With good facilities, you can properly recover from the fatigue of travel.
At the ASHU Guesthouse, ASHU TRAVEL guests can use the pool for free!
*Alcohol and flights are not included.
*Depending on your flights, you may need an extra night before or after the tour. We can arrange this separately, so feel free to ask.
*As of April, the sauna is currently being worked on. The pool has been fixed!
Who This Tour Is For
This tour is one of the beginner-friendly courses in the ASHU TRAVEL lineup, letting you enjoy nature and culture at a relaxed pace.
- Beginner riders: For those who want to fulfill the dream of “someday traveling on horseback.” Rather than long hours in the saddle, it’s relaxed riding for unwinding.
- Reassuring even if you’re not confident in your fitness: All accommodation has toilets, showers, and Wi-Fi. There’s no camping outdoors.
- Those who want to enjoy cultural experiences: Ideal for those interested not only in stunning scenery but also in local life and history.
*The riding level of the tour is set to match the person who booked first.
Itinerary
July 24 – July 28, 2026 (5 days, 4 nights)
■ Day 1 | Fri, July 24: Arrive in Almaty, reach Chong-Kemin late at night
Please arrive on a flight landing by 14:05. A driver holding an ASHU TRAVEL sign will meet you at the arrivals gate at Almaty airport.
Travel by private vehicle to the Chong-Kemin Valley in Kyrgyzstan (don’t worry, we’ll stop for dinner on the way).
We set off for Kyrgyzstan by private vehicle the same day.
Cross the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and arrive at the ASHU Guesthouse in the Chong-Kemin Valley.
Have dinner and get a good rest.
⚠️ Please be sure to book a flight that arrives in Almaty by around 15:00. This is so you can spend as much time as possible in Chong-Kemin.
◎ Meals: dinner
◎ Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi, pool / altitude: approx. 1,200 m)
■ Day 2 | Sat, July 25 [To the Chong-Kemin Valley: making boorsok and riding]
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast of freshly baked bread, honey, and other tasty things!
After breakfast, try making boorsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread. The village cook will show you how. It’s amazing fresh out of the oil.
Then go riding in the Chong-Kemin Valley National Park.
Ride at a relaxed pace through the green valley surrounded by majestic mountains, with the support of your guide.
Outside of activities, relax with a stroll or by the pool.
★ASHU TRAVEL guests can use the pool for free (please bring a swimsuit).
◎ Riding: approx. 5 km and up
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (altitude: approx. 1,200 m)
*The riding route may change depending on the season and weather. Thank you for your understanding, as this is for your safety.
■ Day 3 | Sun, July 26: Full day of riding in the Chong-Kemin Valley
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast of freshly baked bread, honey, and other tasty things.
Ride all day, morning and afternoon.
Ride with your horse on a route with ups and downs to a hill with panoramic views.
In open areas, you can even try a canter.
*Subject to change depending on the weather. *Whether you can canter is decided by the instructor based on the horse’s condition and how well you and your horse get along. We never push it.
◎ Riding: full day
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (altitude: approx. 1,200 m)
■ Day 4 | Mon, July 27 [Eagle hunter and scenic riding at South Issyk-Kul]
Travel by private vehicle to the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
On arrival, see a demonstration of eagle hunting, a traditional part of Kyrgyz culture!
Watching a trained eagle soar through the sky is breathtaking! You can take commemorative photos, too.
After lunch, go riding at whichever spot is in the best condition that day.
A special time with your horse amid spectacular views of Issyk-Kul Lake.
In the evening, stay at a guesthouse on Issyk-Kul Lake.
◎ Riding: 5 km and up
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: Issyk-Kul lakeside guesthouse (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi / altitude: approx. 1,700 m)
(altitude: approx. 1,700 m)
*If the weather changes and it’s too hot or raining, the eagles can’t fly. In that case, we’ll adjust the timing (they are animals, so thank you for understanding).
*The eagle hunt is done with a fake: a stuffed toy rabbit dressed in fox fur. Afterwards, the eagle is rewarded with chicken.
*The riding route may change depending on the season and weather. Thank you for your understanding, as this is for your safety.
■ Day 4 | Tue, July 28: Bishkek sightseeing, transfer to Manas airport
After breakfast, set off for Bishkek by private vehicle.
Visit the bazaar to look for souvenirs. Taking flight times and traffic into account, we’ll do a city tour as time allows.
We take you to Manas airport in time for your 18:50 flight, and the tour ends there.
*If you’d like to stay an extra night, we can also drop you off at your hotel. For an additional fee, we can also arrange a transfer toward Almaty, up to just before the border. Feel free to ask.
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch
◎ Accommodation: none (tour ends at Manas airport)
3 people already booked! Shared tour price for this trip
The price per person varies depending on the number of participants. This time 4 people are already confirmed, so if you join now, the 5-person shared tour price applies right away!
| Number of participants | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 4 people | $1,230 ← Current price |
| 5 people | $1,070 |
*The price will be finalized 3 weeks before departure based on the final number of participants.
*For 6 or more people, please contact us.
Included in the price
- Hotel and guesthouse accommodation throughout
- All meals throughout
- Riding
- Eagle hunter experience
- Japanese-speaking guide throughout
- Vehicles, driver, and fuel throughout
- Trip preparation support
Not included in the price
- Round-trip flights
- Alcohol
- Travel insurance
What Makes ASHU Unique: Our Shared Tour System
So that as many people as possible can discover the charm 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. This means that if other customers book before then, the price goes down; on the other hand, if someone cancels, it may go up.
- Peace of mind: Once the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure, the amount you pay will not increase even if someone cancels. You can book with confidence.
For more details on the system, please also see this article.
We’ll Support You on This Tour
ASHU TRAVEL CEO Nuriya (Dushalieva Nuriya)
A professional guide who has guided more than 3,000 people and the CEO of ASHU TRAVEL. She oversaw the planning of this tour and directs things behind the scenes so that everyone can safely enjoy the remote heart of Kyrgyzstan.
*Nuriya will not necessarily be your guide on the day. A Japanese-speaking guide who shares her spirit of hospitality will accompany you.
Sugi
Customer support. As your point of contact in Japan, I’ll be with you every step of the way, from preparing for your trip to easing any worries on the ground. I’ll do my very best so that you can enjoy an “out-of-the-ordinary trip” with peace of mind.
From Booking to Tour Day
① Inquiry and booking request: contact us via the form or LINE
First, please send us the name of the tour you’d like via our contact form or our official LINE account.
② Book your flights
Please book your own flights.
③ Confirmed booking: fill in the dedicated form
After we hear from you, our staff will send you the “confirmed booking form.” This is an important step where we check your blood type, allergies, health condition and so on, for safety management in case of an emergency.
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 changes depending on 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. Even if the number of participants changes after that, the confirmed price will not change.
We confirm the price 3 weeks ahead so that you can book with peace of mind. Even if someone cancels within 3 weeks of departure, your price won’t change.
⑥ Join the tour and pay in US dollars locally
As a rule, we ask you to pay in “US dollar cash.” This cuts costs such as card processing fees, and we put the savings back into improving the quality of our tours for you.
Please hand the payment to your guide at breakfast at the ASHU Guesthouse on Day 2 of the tour.
Reviews from ASHU TRAVEL Customers
Guest M. | Joined the Issyk-Kul Lake tour
Why they chose ASHU TRAVEL: there’s a Japanese-speaking guide; with accommodation, meals, and transfers included, it felt like great value; and they had the tour I wanted
☆☆☆☆☆ Issyk-Kul Lake was moving!
☆☆☆☆☆ All the meat was delicious!
☆☆☆☆☆ I was a beginner, but I got to try cantering, and it was fun!
About Booking Flights
Please arrange your own flights.
Example flights of customers joining this tour
Example ①
[Outbound] 7/24 KC910 Seoul (Incheon) dep. 11:10 → Almaty arr. 14:05 (Almaty Airport T2)
[Return] 7/28 HY778 Bishkek dep. 18:50 → Tashkent arr. 19:10
Example ②
[Outbound] 7/24 (Fri) Air Astana, Incheon dep. 11:10 ⇒ Almaty arr. 14:05
[Return] 7/28 (Tue) Air Astana, Bishkek Manas dep. 18:55 ⇒ Almaty arr. 18:45
⚠️ You don’t need to book exactly the same tickets as the customer who booked first. However, since we travel together, please book flights within the following time windows.
[Outbound] A flight arriving in Almaty by 15:00 on Fri, July 24
[Return] A flight departing Manas airport at 18:50 or later on Tue, July 28
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
We’ve gathered common worries and questions about the tour. If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to contact us via LINE or another channel!
[Riding and Health]
Q: How much riding experience do I need?
A: This tour is open to beginner riders. The riding is relaxed, so experienced riders may find it a little tame. Your guide will give you a lesson on the first day, so don’t worry.
Q. Can I canter?
A: There are open areas at Issyk-Kul and Chong-Kemin, so if you’d like, you can give it a try as far as conditions allow.
However, if the instructor judges it difficult based on how well you get along with the horse or the horse’s condition, we may call it off. Safety comes first.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: We will stay overnight at altitudes above 1,600 m, so you may feel some changes in your physical condition. If you have any health concerns, please be sure to consult a doctor beforehand and, if needed, get a prescription for altitude sickness medication.
Also, in case of a fall from a horse or illness, travel insurance with “unlimited medical treatment and rescue costs” is required. We also recommend bringing preventive medication.
Q: What insurance should I get?
A: We currently don’t have a partnership with a specific insurance company, so we can’t name one, but we recommend a plan that meets 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 countries like Kyrgyzstan and emergency evacuation to Japan can be very expensive, so ¥30 million or more is the safe line.
- Required: covers the countries you visit Check beforehand that the policy will properly apply if something happens in your destination country. Settings such as “worldwide” or “Asia” are usually fine, but it’s important to double-check.
- Recommended: comes with Japanese-language chat support Even if you panic in an emergency, it’s reassuring to have a help desk you can contact in Japanese via LINE or a dedicated app. Even in places where phone calls don’t connect well, you may be able to call for help by message if you have Wi-Fi.
For more on choosing insurance, please also see this article.
▶︎ How to Choose the Right Insurance for a Central Asia Riding Trip
[Accommodation and Cancellations]
Q: What is the accommodation like?
A: At guesthouses and hotels, rooms are generally shared and separated by gender. If you’d like to share a room with family or friends, please let us know in advance and we’ll give it priority.
Q: What happens to the price on a shared tour if someone cancels?
A: Until 3 weeks before departure, the price changes depending on cancellations and 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 won’t charge you any extra even if the number of participants changes after that.
[Clothing and What to Bring]
Q: What should I wear?
A: July is summer in Kyrgyzstan, but it can get cold in the mornings and evenings at high altitude. Please bring a light down jacket, a windproof jacket, and base layers.
- Recommended layers: T-shirt + light down jacket + light jacket + spare base layer (put on or take off as needed)
- Shoes: sneakers (ones that can get wet, preferably with fairly smooth soles)
- While riding: You can leave bulky outerwear in the vehicle or at your accommodation.
Q: Is there anything I absolutely must bring?
A: Please use the checklist below as a reference.
- Essential: Warm clothing, rain gear (a poncho, etc.), sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves (riding gloves or work gloves are fine), a power bank, and any regular medication.
- Handy to have: Motion sickness medicine, and pain-relief patches (for sore muscles and bruises).
- For fun: A swimsuit (for the sauna and pool at the ASHU Guesthouse).
Q: Do you rent out riding gear?
A: We lend half chaps and helmets. You’re also welcome to bring your own.
[Money]
Q. When and how do I pay for the tour?
A: As a rule, you pay locally in US dollar cash. Please hand the payment to your guide at the start of the tour.
If you prefer an international bank transfer, please send it within a few days after the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure. Please note that withdrawing the money in Kyrgyzstan incurs a separate $26 fee, and if the transfer doesn’t arrive in time for the tour, you will need to pay in cash.
Card payment is not currently accepted, because we would have to add the processing fees, which would raise the tour price for our customers.
Q: How should I handle payments and currency when buying souvenirs locally?
A: Most shops accept cards, but some are cash only. If you want cash, note that Japanese yen cannot be exchanged. Please be sure to bring “US dollar cash.”
- Pocket money: About $50 should be plenty for food, drinks, and souvenirs. You can exchange US dollars into Kyrgyz som locally.
- Card use: Cards are accepted in Bishkek and Almaty, but in rural areas and at bazaars it’s cash only.
A Special Early-Summer Adventure in Kyrgyzstan
Enjoy two full days of riding in the Chong-Kemin Valley with views of the Tian Shan, plus an eagle hunter experience at Issyk-Kul Lake in summer. A 5-day, 4-night trip where even getting from place to place is a special experience.
Whether you’re riding for the first time or just want a slightly different kind of summer trip, you’re very welcome. Three people are already confirmed, and the more people join, the lower the price. If you’re interested, please contact us soon!
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
