Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL.
“Skip the sightseeing, I just want to ride a lot.” “I want to keep my costs down on the ground.”
For experienced “horse lovers” who prefer to travel smart, we’ve prepared a riding-focused plan at ASHU TRAVEL’s base in the Chong-Kemin Valley, where you meet and part ways on site.
By making Bishkek sightseeing and private vehicle transfers optional (at extra cost), we’ve created a reasonably priced, riding-focused package with the tour price kept as low as possible.
In late March, while a crisp chill still lingers, fresh grass begins sprouting vigorously underfoot. Why not spend three intense days galloping across the awakening land with your equine partner?
5 Highlights of This Tour
① Focused Riding in a National Park in Spring
The setting is Chong-Kemin National Park. It’s a season unique to March, when the contrast between the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan and the highland plateaus just beginning to turn green is at its most beautiful.
This tour cuts out unnecessary sightseeing and devotes all three days to time with horses. Because experienced riders come together, you can enjoy dynamic mountain riding that would otherwise not be possible.
② Outstanding Value Thanks to Meeting On Site
For this tour, everyone meets on site at Ashu Guesthouse. Please make your own way from Bishkek by minibus (marshrutka).
We’ve cut fixed costs such as airport transfers and city guides that are included in our regular tours, and focused purely on riding, accommodation and meals.
We’ve achieved a no-frills value price for independent travelers who enjoy getting around and making their own arrangements. You can also add it onto another tour or combine it with a trip around Uzbekistan.
*Transfers from Bishkek can also be arranged separately as an option.
③ Fully Recharge at Our Base, Ashu Guesthouse
You’ll stay at the long-established Ashu Guesthouse, with private rooms and heating. After a day of activity outdoors, relax and recharge in the free sauna and pool.
*The pool and sauna are currently out of order and under repair. They’re expected to be fixed by March, but please understand if they’re not available.
The guesthouse is also known for its delicious home cooking. It’s so good that repeat guests come back just for the food; traditional dishes are adapted to be easy to enjoy. With plenty of vegetables and meat, it’s just what your body needs after riding.
④ The Peace of Mind of Meals, Accommodation and a Guide All Included
Transport, meals, accommodation, riding and local experiences: the trip is designed to be close to all-inclusive, covering everything you need.
A Japanese-speaking guide accompanies you, so questions about culture and customs can be answered on the spot. We’ve set things up so you can focus solely on the stunning scenery in front of you, without worrying about language barriers or the hassle of arrangements.
*Alcohol, airfare and transport to Chong-Kemin are not included.
⑤ Shared Tours Make a Great Adventure Affordable, Even for Solo Travelers
“Shared tour openings” is ASHU TRAVEL’s own system that lets you join an already-scheduled tour date later on.
We use a sliding scale where the price gets cheaper as more people join. Not only does it reduce costs like guide fees that tend to be expensive for solo travelers, but it’s also a great chance to meet fellow riders who share the same goal of riding through spectacular scenery.
Who This Tour Is For
This plan is a riding-focused tour for those with experience of at least a light canter. You don’t need to be an advanced rider; anyone who has cantered in Japan or abroad is very welcome.
By bringing together experienced riders of a similar level, you can enjoy fast-paced mountain riding that makes the most of Chong-Kemin’s dynamic terrain, without having to hold back for anyone.
Itinerary
March 26–28, 2026 (3 days, 2 nights)
*If you wish, airport transfers and extra nights before or after the tour can be added as “options.”
3/26 Day 1 | Meet in Chong-Kemin & Warm-Up Ride
Make your own way to ASHU TRAVEL’s base in Chong-Kemin by the evening.
After check-in, get straight in the saddle for a warm-up ride. Your guide will lead you along a recommended route as you feel the soft ground of March, just beginning to sprout.
- Accommodation: Ashu Guesthouse (heating, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
- Meals: Dinner
3/27 Day 2 | Up-and-Down Riding and Cantering
After breakfast, head deep into the valley.
Ride in the spring sunshine against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks. Enjoy riding over rolling terrain and cantering in wide open spaces. Back at the guesthouse, refresh in the pool or sauna!
- Accommodation: Ashu Guesthouse
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
*The order and location of rides will be adjusted depending on the weather and the condition of the horses.
3/28 Day 3 | Morning Ride & Tour Ends On Site
A final ride in the fresh air as the morning mist rises.
The tour ends on site around noon. You can head straight on to your next destination, or extend your stay at Ashu to enjoy some quiet time.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Price (Meet and End On Site)
Two guests have already signed up, and we’re looking for more people to join this shared tour!
| Number of participants | Price per person (USD) |
| If the tour runs with 2 people | 480 USD |
| If it increases to 3–4 people | 430 USD |
- Included in the price: Accommodation throughout (private room), all meals, riding (including guide and instructor fees), use of the sauna and pool, and Japanese-language support.
*Women or men may share a room with others of the same gender. - Not included in the price: Round-trip airfare, transport to the site, alcoholic drinks, travel insurance.
[Option] Transfers Can Be Flexibly Arranged
If you feel “a little uneasy about meeting on site,” you can add the following support individually. Feel free to ask us.
- Private vehicle transfers between the airport/Bishkek and Ashu
- Cross-border transfers between Kyrgyzstan and Almaty (e.g., we can make a complete arrangement to fit a schedule such as T’way Air from Narita arriving 3/25 and departing 3/30)
- Sightseeing in Bishkek the day before or after
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 gets cheaper as more people join.
- Price confirmation: The final price is confirmed “3 weeks before” departure. This means that if other guests sign up before then, the price may go down, and conversely, if there are cancellations, it may go up.
- Peace of mind: Even if there are cancellations after the price is confirmed 3 weeks before, 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, please let us know the name of the tour you’re interested in via our contact form or 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 form 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.
- From 18:01 20 days before the tour to 18:00 10 days before: 20% of the tour price
- From 18:01 10 days before the tour to 18:00 3 days before: 30% of the tour price
- From 18:01 3 days before the tour until the start time on the day: 50% of the tour price
- 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 there are cancellations: The price may go up.
- Confirmation timing: The final amount to 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 in advance so 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 & pay locally in US dollars
As a rule, we ask for payment in “US dollars cash.” This lets us cut costs such as card processing fees and give that back to you by raising the quality of our tours.
Please hand the payment to your guide at breakfast at Ashu Guesthouse on day 2 of the tour.
About Booking Flights
Please arrange your own flights.
FAQ (Q&A)
We’ve put together answers to common worries and questions about the tour. If your question isn’t here, feel free to contact us via LINE or another channel!
[About Riding and Health]
Q: Is it okay if I don’t have much riding experience?
A: It’s fine as long as you have experience of a light canter. If you have any concerns about your fitness, coordination or age, feel free to talk to us in advance.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: Because you’ll stay at elevations of 1,200 m or more, you may notice changes in how you feel. If you have any health concerns, be sure to consult a doctor beforehand.
In addition, in case of a fall from a horse or illness, travel insurance with “unlimited medical treatment and rescue coverage” is required. We also recommend bringing preventive medication.
Q: Which insurance should I get?
A: We currently have no partnership with any particular 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 ¥30,000,000 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 ¥30,000,000 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. A “worldwide” or “Asia” setting is usually fine, but it’s important to double-check.
- Japanese-language chat support 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 in places where phone calls are difficult, 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 the Right Insurance for a Central Asia Riding Trip
[About Accommodation and Cancellations]
Q: What is the accommodation at the guesthouse like?
A: Rooms are generally shared and separated by gender. If you would like to share a room with family or friends, please let us know in advance and we’ll prioritize arranging it.
Q: What happens to the price if someone cancels on a shared tour?
A: Until 3 weeks before departure, the price varies with cancellations and additional participants. If someone cancels and the number of participants drops, the price may go up, in which case we’ll let you know by email 3 weeks before.
Once the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure, we will not charge any additional fees even if the number of participants changes afterward.
[About Clothing and What to Bring]
Q: What should I wear?
A: March is still a cold time of year. A down jacket and a windproof jacket are essential.
- Recommended layers: Warm shirt + down jacket + jacket (put on and take off as needed)
- While riding: A neck warmer will keep you comfortable. You can leave bulky outerwear in the vehicle.
Q: Is there anything I absolutely must bring?
A: Please refer to the checklist below.
- Essentials: Warm clothing, rain gear (a poncho, etc.), sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves (for riding), a power bank, and any regular medication.
- Handy to have: Motion sickness medicine, pain-relief patches (for sore muscles and bruises).
- For fun: A swimsuit (for the sauna and pool at Ashu Guesthouse).
Q: Do you lend riding equipment?
A: We lend half chaps and helmets. You’re also welcome to bring your own.
[About Money]
Q: How should I handle payments and currency locally?
A: Cards are accepted at most shops, but if you want cash, note that 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: Around $50 for food, drinks and souvenirs should be plenty. You can exchange US dollars for Kyrgyz som locally.
- Using cards: Cards can be used in Bishkek and Almaty, but in rural areas and at bazaars it’s cash only.
Guide to Taking a Marshrutka (Shared Minibus)
Here’s a quick guide to getting from Bishkek to our base, Ashu Guesthouse.
Where to Catch It in Bishkek and How to Find It
Marshrutkas bound for Chong-Kemin leave from Bishkek’s East Bus Station (Vostochnyi Avtovokzal). The station is about a 10-minute taxi ride from around the TSUM department store.
There are lots of buses parked at the station, so ask the drivers or staff for “Chong-Kemin” to find yours.
Approximate Fare, Departure and Travel Time
- Fare: About 300 som. Collected inside the vehicle before departure.
- Departure:Leaves once all seats are filled
- Travel time: About 2.5 hours. Check where to get off by following your location on Google Maps or a similar app.
Things to Note About Marshrutkas
They’re cheap, but not a comfortable ride. Keep the following in mind.
- Timing is down to luck: Sometimes it leaves right away, sometimes you wait over an hour.
- Tough conditions inside: They sometimes take passengers beyond full capacity, and you may have to stand for 2 hours.
- Tiring:You may be on board for over 2 hours while holding onto your luggage.
For Comfort, We Recommend Arranging a Private Vehicle Transfer
If you “don’t want to waste time” or “want to save your energy for riding,” we recommend the private vehicle transfer option between Bishkek and Ashu.
Feel free to ask us.
Ride Through Kyrgyzstan as It Awakens, Only at This Time of Year
Late March in Chong-Kemin is a special season, when the land breaks the silence of winter and begins to breathe powerfully again. Galloping with your horse across highlands that have only just begun to turn green, in the crisp, clear air with the snow-capped Tian Shan behind you, is an exceptional experience!
For those who “want to spend real time with horses before the main season” or “want to feel the arrival of spring with every part of your body”: why not make these three special days a reality in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan?
Horses and guides are limited, so if you’re even a little tempted, please get in touch as early as possible. We look forward to the day we can ride with you like the spring wind in Chong-Kemin!
Contact Us
Even if you’re just “a little curious,” feel free to reach out.
▶︎ Contact form
https://ashu-travel.com/en/contact/
▶︎ Instagram (DMs welcome)
@ashutravel_jp
