Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to scenic horseback journeys in Central Asia.
Want to go to Kyrgyzstan over the Obon holidays (Japan’s mid-August break) but have never ridden a horse? Good news for you!
Our Song-Kul Obon Special Tour, which sold out in a single day after its relaunch, is designed for experienced riders, so we received many requests from beginners who also wanted to join. So this time, we’ve opened a shared tour over Obon that riding beginners can join too!
Rather than a packed schedule, this plan lets you take your time and truly enjoy Song-Kul.
It’s beginner-oriented with little cantering, but there’s still plenty of riding, so intermediate riders who want to enjoy a relaxed pace are welcome too.
1 person is currently confirmed. If you join now, the shared-tour price applies right away!
[Update] As of June 27, the tour is full with 5 people, and we are now accepting just 3 more for the extra spots!
5 Highlights of This Tour
6 days and 5 nights packed with Kyrgyzstan’s nature, culture and adventure.
①Fully savor the spectacular scenery of Song-Kul in a short time
Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s lake in the sky, lies at an altitude of about 3,000 m. On clear days, the surface reflects the sky and shines like a mirror.
Unlike the Obon Special Tour, this is a relaxed plan that riding beginners can join. Rather than a packed schedule, it lets you take your time and truly enjoy Song-Kul. Your guide will support you closely, so don’t worry if you’ve never been on a horse before.
② Start and end in Almaty, crossing a border on foot
This tour starts at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan. We drive by private vehicle to the Kyrgyz border, and the trip begins with a thrilling experience unique to overland travel: stepping across the border on your own feet.
Once across the border, the exhilaration of cantering along a wide-open lakeshore is sure to make you forget everyday life.
③Yurt stays, felt culture, a World Heritage site… touching the heart of the nomads
Moving from place to place while staying in yurts (traditional mobile dwellings) and guest houses dotted along the lakeshore is truly the nomadic way.
Watch traditional felt-making up close and visit the World Heritage-listed Burana Tower, a symbol of the Silk Road. This itinerary lets you experience Kyrgyz history and daily life from many angles.
A deep cultural experience awaits that goes far beyond ordinary sightseeing.
④ The peace of mind of having meals, accommodation, transfers, a Japanese-speaking guide and activities all included
Transport, meals, accommodation, riding and cultural experiences. It’s a nearly all-inclusive plan that includes everything you need for the trip.
With a Japanese-speaking guide accompanying you, any questions about local culture and customs can be answered on the spot.
We’ve set things up so you can focus on the spectacular views in front of you, without worrying about language barriers or the hassle of arrangements.
*Alcohol and flights are not included
*Depending on your flights, you may need an extra night before the tour. We can arrange this separately, so feel free to ask
⑤ A great adventure at a great price, even traveling solo, with our shared tour system
A “shared tour” is a system that lets you join a tour date that has already been confirmed.
We use a sliding scale where the price goes down as more people join, which keeps down the cost of a private vehicle and guide that would normally be expensive for a solo traveler.
Another big attraction is meeting fellow riders who share the same goal: to ride through spectacular scenery.
Who This Tour Is For
Among ASHU TRAVEL’s lineup, this tour is a relaxed, beginner-friendly riding course for enjoying nature and culture at a gentle pace.
- Riding beginners: For those who want to make their dream of “someday traveling on horseback” come true. Not long hours in the saddle, but relaxed, soothing riding. You can try cantering if you wish, but not for long.
- No outdoor experience needed: The yurt stay has toilets and showers. It’s not hardcore outdoor camping, so it’s fine even if you’ve never camped before.
- Those who enjoy cultural experiences: It’s ideal for those interested not only in the scenery but also in local life and history.
*The tour’s riding level is set to match the first person who booked.
*Intermediate and more experienced riders are also welcome to book if they’d like a relaxed ride with less cantering.
*This is a different tour from the Obon Special Tour (for experienced riders, already sold out).
Itinerary
August 8–13, 2026 (6 days / 5 nights)
*If you arrive in Almaty on Fri, Aug 7, you will need an extra night before the tour. See the flight booking section for details.
*If you arrive on Aug 8, no extra night is needed.
Day 1 | Sat, Aug 8 – Depart Almaty, cross the border and head to Chong-Kemin
In the afternoon, your driver will pick you up at Almaty airport or your hotel in the city
Depart for Kyrgyzstan by private vehicle the same day
Cross the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and arrive late at night at ASHU Guest House in the Chong-Kemin valley
⚠️ On Aug 8, please book a flight that arrives in Almaty by 16:30
*If your flight schedule means you arrive the day before, we can optionally help with an extra night. If you book your own hotel in Almaty for the night before, we can also pick you up there.
*We travel late at night so you can spend as much time as possible at ASHU Guest House. You can take it easy the next morning, so don’t worry.
Accommodation: ASHU Guest House (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
Meals: None
Day 2 | Sun, Aug 9 – Village walk and scenic riding in the Chong-Kemin valley
After the late-night arrival, take it easy this morning.
Recharge with a breakfast full of delicious food, such as freshly baked bread and honey
After breakfast, try making boorsok, traditional Kyrgyz fried bread. A cook from the village will show you how. They’re amazing fresh out of the oil!
Then go riding in Chong-Kemin National Park
Enjoy scenic riding through villages and hills with views of the Tian Shan
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: About 5 km or more (around 2 hours)
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: ASHU Guest House (Altitude: approx. 1,200 m)
Day 3 | Mon, Aug 10 – Felt-making experience, then on to Song-Kul for lakeside riding
In the morning, your last meal at ASHU Guest House
In the morning, depart for Song-Kul. On the way, enjoy a felt-making experience in Kochkor
Shyrdak, traditional Kyrgyz felt rugs, feature colorful and charming patterns
Watch the villagers happily making them, and try it yourself
*It’s a long way from ASHU Guest House to Song-Kul, so the felt-making experience also serves as a break
Around noon, arrive at Song-Kul and enjoy lunch
In the afternoon, after a lesson on how to ride Kyrgyz-style, ride along the lakeshore
On clear days the sky is reflected in the lake like a mirror. Enjoy the scenery as it changes with the time of day and the weather
In the evening, stay at a yurt camp. Enjoy feeling like a nomad
◎Riding: 5 km or more (1–2 hours)
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: Song-Kul yurt camp (Altitude: approx. 3,000 m)
Day 4 | Tue, Aug 11 – About 5 hours of riding at Song-Kul
After breakfast, ride along the edge of Song-Kul. Depending on conditions, you can also enjoy some cantering where possible
Ride up a hill with a beautiful view of the lake. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see edelweiss and other flowers
At noon, a picnic lunch at a spot with a great view
In the afternoon, ride along the lakeshore again. Enjoy the changing scenery of Song-Kul from midday to evening
In the evening, arrive at the yurt camp. Have dinner and get a good rest
◎Riding: About 5 hours ◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ◎Accommodation: Song-Kul yurt camp (Altitude: approx. 3,000 m)
Day 5 | Wed, Aug 12 – Transfer to Bishkek, visit a World Heritage site
After breakfast, come down from the mountains and head to Bishkek
Visit the ruins of Balasagun, capital of the Karakhanid dynasty, where the Silk Road World Heritage site Burana Tower stands
At noon, lunch of traditional Kyrgyz home cooking at a local family’s house
Enjoy the warm, homemade flavors that our guests praise every time
In the evening, after dinner, check in to a hotel in Bishkek. Get a good rest
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: Hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi / Altitude: approx. 800 m)
Day 6 | Thu, Aug 13 – Bishkek city sightseeing, transfer to Almaty airport
After breakfast, shop for souvenirs at a Bishkek bazaar, a honey specialty shop and more
We’ll do as much of a city tour as possible, keeping your flight time and traffic in mind
After lunch, depart for Almaty by private vehicle (approx. 250 km)
Cross the border again and we’ll take you to the airport at night, where the tour ends (suitable for flights departing at 22:10)
◎Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎Accommodation: None (tour ends at Almaty airport)
We’ll Fully Support Your Central Asia Journey!
At ASHU TRAVEL, we prepare wholeheartedly both on the ground and behind the scenes to give you the best possible experience.
Nuriya (Dushalieva Nuriya), Founder of ASHU TRAVEL
A specialist in Kyrgyz tourism who has guided more than 3,000 travelers. Fluent in Japanese, she is truly one of a kind, knowing inside out both the thoughtful attention to detail of Japan and the deep warmth of Kyrgyzstan.
During the busy summer season she oversees safety management and coordination for multiple tours, so this tour will be supervised by Nuriya and led by one of the top guides she trusts.
Sugi
Customer support & PR. I share information to bring our customers in Japan experiences that go beyond ordinary sightseeing.
My job is to turn small pre-departure worries like “Should I bring this?” or “How’s the phone signal there?” into excitement and peace of mind.
I’ll do everything I can to help you set off feeling comfortable!
Price
This is peak season, when Song-Kul is at its most beautiful. This is the price for a special package that lets even beginners fully enjoy Song-Kul in a short time.
The price per person varies depending on the number of participants.
| Number of participants | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,020 |
| 2 people | $1,990 |
| 3 people | $1,580 |
| 4–5 people | $1,350 |
After consulting with our guides, we’ve decided to add 4 more spots, for a total of up to 9 people!
Several travelers enthusiastically asked whether we could take more people, and after discussing it with our local guides, we can now accept up to 9 participants!
However, with more participants, we need to switch to a mid-size bus and add extra staff such as instructors for safety. Because of the additional safety management costs for a larger group, bookings from the 6th person onward are priced at 1,600 USD, which is the 5-person price (1,350 USD) plus 250 USD.
Currently 1 person has booked an extra spot, for a total of 6 participants
| Extra spots: Number of participants | Price per person (USD) |
| 6 people | 1,600 USD ← current price |
| 7 people | 1,600USD |
| 8 people | 1,600USD |
| 9 people | 1,600USD |
We negotiated with our local instructors and drivers to keep the price as low as possible, but prices are currently rising due to soaring fuel costs and other factors, so it’s really difficult to go any lower; this price is the minimum.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
What’s included
Trip preparation support
Hotel, guest house and yurt accommodation throughout
All meals throughout
Horse riding experience
Felt-making experience
Burana Tower admission
Japanese-speaking guide throughout
Vehicle, driver and fuel throughout
What’s not included
Round-trip flights
Alcohol
Travel insurance
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
Example ①: Travelers staying an extra night before the tour
[Outbound] Aug 7 OZ577 Incheon → Almaty arr. 20:50
[Return] Aug 13 OZ578 Almaty dep. 22:10 → Incheon
Example ②: Travelers not staying an extra night before the tour
[Outbound] Aug 8 11:10 dep. Incheon International Airport (ICN) → 14:05 arr. Almaty International Airport (ALA)
[Return] Aug 14 00:05 dep. Almaty International Airport (ALA) → 09:40 arr. Incheon International Airport (ICN)
⚠️ You don’t need to book exactly the same ticket as the first traveler who booked. However, since we travel together, please arrange flights within the following times.
[Outbound] A flight arriving in Almaty by 16:30 on Sat, Aug 8 (arriving the day before, Fri, Aug 7, is also possible)
[Return] A flight departing Almaty at 21:00 or later on Thu, Aug 13
*If you arrive on Aug 7, you will need an extra night before the tour. If you can’t find a suitable flight, we can also help with the extra night.
*If you arrive early in the morning on Aug 7, we can also arrange a city tour of Almaty. Feel free to ask
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. Is it OK if I’ve never ridden a horse?
A. Yes, absolutely. Before riding, your guide will carefully teach you how to ride Kyrgyz-style. If you’re not confident, our staff will lead your horse by the reins or ride beside you, so you can relax and enjoy it.
Q. Can I canter?
A. You can give it a try where possible, depending on conditions. However, if the instructor decides it’s not suitable based on your match with the horse or the horse’s condition, it may be called off. Safety comes first.
Q. I’ve ridden in Mongolia, so I’m not a complete beginner. Can I still book?
A. Of course! The pace is slower than on our tours for experienced riders, so we recommend it for anyone who wants a relaxed ride at Song-Kul.
Intermediate riders who want a relaxed ride are welcome to book, but please note there is less cantering and shorter riding distances than on our tours for experienced riders (we go at the beginners’ pace).
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: You’ll be staying overnight at altitudes of 3,000 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 (require) plans that meet the following three conditions.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 is it like staying in a yurt?
A. There are toilets and hot showers. However, during the busy summer season there are many guests, so the shower may become lukewarm or turn cold partway through. We recommend thinking of it as slightly glamorous camping. There’s basically no Wi-Fi or charging, but you’ll get signal with a Kyrgyz SIM card (some camps have Wi-Fi in the restaurant only).
Q: How are yurt rooms shared?
A: At yurt camps, 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: At 3,000 m, Song-Kul gets as cold as winter in the mornings and evenings, even in summer. A light down jacket and a windproof jacket are essential.
- Recommended layers: Warm shirt + light 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: Insect repellent (July–August), 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. When and how do I pay the tour price?
A. As a rule, payment is made on site in US dollars cash. Please hand it to your guide at breakfast at ASHU Guest House on Day 2 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. Note that withdrawing the funds in Kyrgyzstan incurs an additional fee of $26.
Q. How should I handle payments and currency when buying souvenirs locally?
A. Cards are accepted at most shops, but many places at bazaars and in rural areas are cash only. Japanese yen cannot be exchanged, so be sure to bring US dollars in cash. About $50 of pocket money should be plenty.
Song-Kul, only at this time of year — why not try scenic horse riding?
Song-Kul shines at its most beautiful for just a short period in summer. The lake mirrors the sky perfectly, creating a mirror world where you feel as if you’re riding above the clouds.
If you missed the Obon tour, if you’re a beginner who wants to try riding, or if you’ve always thought “I’d love to visit Kyrgyzstan someday,” why not make your dream come true this summer?
It’s a popular season and guides and horses are limited, so if you’re even a little interested, please get in touch as early as possible.
We look forward to the day we can feel the Song-Kul wind together with you!
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
