Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, specialists in scenic horseback riding trips across Central Asia.
This is a special tour of Jeti-Oguz in Kyrgyzstan, which was featured on TV and drew a huge response.
We’ve received a booking from one traveler for Silver Week, so we’re now looking for more people to join this shared tour!
The highlights this time are scenery and hot springs you can only reach on horseback. In late September, when the autumn breeze turns pleasant, you’ll ride through a labyrinth of red rock formations and across breathtaking landscapes at around 3,000 m, to a hidden hot spring waiting at the end. This combination of horseback riding and hot springs makes for the ultimate retreat, restoring you body and soul.
[6/26] Thanks to new bookings, the tour now has 9
participants and is sold out!5 Highlights of This Tour
① Featured on TV! A Scenic Route Through Legendary Red Rock Formations
You’ll ride past Jeti-Oguz’s iconic red rock mountains, such as the “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart,” and on through Kok-Jaiyk, where alpine plants carpet the land. Experience these breathtakingly beautiful formations, which have also drawn attention on TV, up close from horseback.
② Four Full Days of Riding on Varied Routes
Ride past the classic spots and into an area with close-up views of Oguz-Bashi Peak, around 3,000 m high. From mountain routes climbing steep slopes to wide-open plateaus that make you want to break into a gallop.
With the scenery changing every day, you’ll spend 4 of the 6 days fully enjoying the best of riding in Kyrgyzstan, with ups and downs and some light cantering.
③ Blending into Nomadic Life: A Hands-On Experience
We’ll visit nomads living in the area. Enjoy tea with them and help care for their livestock. Your Japanese-speaking guide will interpret, so you can connect with the nomads beyond 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 can be arranged depends on the time of year and group size.
The activities you can join also vary each time. Sometimes you can help with the livestock, and sometimes you may bake bread together.
They welcome you as family while you respect their way of life, so we hope you’ll enjoy each encounter as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
④ A Remote Hot Spring to Soothe Your Riding Fatigue
After plenty of riding, we’ll head by private vehicle to a natural hot spring in the mountains.
Hot springs are actually popular in Kyrgyzstan too. Unlike in Japan, at every hot spring everyone bathes together wearing swimsuits.
It’s the perfect way to refresh, soothing tired legs and back in warm water.
*The hot spring visit is planned for Day 4, but if the riding route changes due to the weather, the day of the visit may change.
⑤ Meals, Accommodation, Riding, and a Japanese-Speaking Guide All Included
An almost all-inclusive plan for peace of mind, covering transportation, meals, accommodation, riding, and cultural experiences.
With a Japanese-speaking guide accompanying you, you can learn deeply about the history and culture. It’s a rich journey you’ll enjoy by understanding the meaning behind what you see, not just looking.
Of course, shopping and currency exchange are easy too.
*Alcohol and airfare are not included.
Who This Tour Is For
Among ASHU TRAVEL’s lineup, this tour is classified as a serious horseback riding experience.
✓Travelers confident in their stamina: The tour crosses mountains around 3,000 m high and includes nights outdoors, so it’s designed for healthy people who enjoy being active.
✓Travelers with riding experience: With long hours in the saddle each day on routes with ups and downs, it’s ideal for anyone who has ridden at least once before and wants to “really ride!”
*You don’t need to be an advanced rider
✓Travelers seeking real adventure: Ideal for those who want to experience the life of nomads who live alongside horses in Kyrgyzstan’s vast wilderness.
Itinerary
September 17–22, 2026 (5 nights, 6 days)
■ Day 1 | Thu, Sep 17[Arrive in Bishkek and rest at a city hotel]
At Manas airport, a driver holding an ASHU TRAVEL sign will meet you and take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Before heading to higher altitudes, you’ll take time to rest and get in shape in Bishkek.
◎ Meals: none
◎ Accommodation: hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi) (altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 2 | Fri, Sep 18[A World Heritage site and riding at ASHU’s base]
Travel by private vehicle to the Chong-Kemin Valley.
On the way, visit the World Heritage site Burana Tower and more to trace the region’s history.
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch at a local family’s house.
In the afternoon, enjoy riding around ASHU Guesthouse.
ASHU TRAVEL perk: free use of the pool at ASHU Guesthouse!
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
(altitude: approx. 1,800 m)
■ Day 3 | Sat, Sep 19 [Through the Jeti-Oguz rock formations to Kok-Jaiyk]
After breakfast, travel to Jeti-Oguz.
After lunch on the way and arriving, meet up with the instructors and horses. Time to start riding!
Ride past the legendary red rock formations and Broken Heart into the vast Kok-Jaiyk Valley.
In the evening, have dinner by the campfire and spend a quiet night in the mountains.
◎ Riding time: approx. 4+ hours (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 | Sun, Sep 20[Deep into the Tian Shan: immerse yourself in nomadic life and stunning scenery]
After breakfast, set off deeper into the mountains.
Climb across vast plateaus overlooking the white peaks of the Teskey Ala-Too range.
After enjoying spectacular scenery with plenty of ups and downs, we’ll take you to a natural hot spring.
Arrive at a nomad family’s home and experience their traditional way of life.
In the evening, enjoy a special time chatting around the campfire.
◎ Riding time: approx. 5–7 hours (approx. 15–22 km) *Approximate; adjusted for your condition and the weather
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: guesthouse with 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 | Mon, Sep 21[Descend from Oguz-Bashi and return to Bishkek]
After breakfast, set off. On the way back you’ll take a different route, enjoying new scenery as you return to Jeti-Oguz.
After lunch at the base camp, drive straight to Bishkek in a private vehicle.
After several days of adventure, rest in Bishkek.
◎ Riding time: approx. 3+ hours (approx. 10–15 km)
◎ Breakfast, lunch | Hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
(altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 6 | Tue, Sep 22 [Bishkek city sightseeing & airport send-off]
On the last day, enjoy sightseeing in the city. As time allows, visit your guide’s recommended spots, such as the bazaar for souvenir shopping and a honey specialty shop.
After dinner, we’ll take you to Manas airport, where 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 |
What’s included
– Hotel, guesthouse, and yurt accommodation throughout
– All meals throughout
– Horseback riding
– Hot spring
– Burana Tower admission
– Japanese-speaking guide throughout
– Vehicle, driver, and fuel throughout
– Trip preparation support in Japanese (our Japanese staff will answer your questions about what to bring and more)
Not included
– Round-trip airfare
– Alcoholic drinks
Our Team Will Support Your Tour
Nuriya (Dushalieva Nuriya), Director of ASHU TRAVEL
A professional guide who has led more than 3,000 travelers and is the director 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.
*Your guide on the tour may not be Nuriya. An experienced 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 everything I can so you can enjoy an “out-of-the-ordinary trip” with peace of mind.
About ASHU’s Shared Tour System
To help as many people as possible discover the appeal of Central Asia, we use a system where the price gets lower as more people join.
- Price confirmation: The final price is confirmed “3 weeks before” departure. This means that if other travelers book before then, the price may go 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 go up. You can book with confidence.
For more details about the system, please also see this article.
From Booking to the Day of Your Tour
① Inquiry and booking request: contact us via the form or LINE
First, send us the name of the tour you’re interested in via our contact form or our official LINE.
② Book your flights
Please book your own flights.
③ Confirmed booking: fill out the dedicated form
After you contact us, 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 your blood type, allergies, health condition, and so on.
④ Cancellation policy applies Once your booking is confirmed, the following cancellation policy applies.
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From 18:01, 21 days before the tour start, until 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the tour price
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From 18:01, 10 days before the tour start, until 18:00, 3 days before: 30% of the tour price
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From 18:01, 3 days before the tour start, 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: Your final payment amount 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 in US dollars on site
As a rule, we ask for payment in “US dollars in cash.” This lets us cut costs such as card processing fees and give that back to you by improving 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.
Example flights of travelers joining this tour
[Outbound] 9/17 TW244 dep. Narita 14:20 → arr. Incheon 17:10; 9/17 TW437 dep. Incheon 18:50 → arr. Bishkek 23:15
[Return] 9/23 TW438 dep. Bishkek 00:30 → arr. Incheon 09:35; 9/23 TW245 dep. Incheon 15:00 → arr. Narita 17:40
⚠️ You don’t need to book exactly the same tickets as the first traveler who signed up. However, since we’ll travel together, please arrange flights within the following times.
[Outbound] A flight arriving in Bishkek by 23:15 on Thursday, September 17
[Return] A flight departing Bishkek around 00:30 on Tuesday, September 23
*Flights from Bishkek to Almaty or Uzbekistan on the night of 9/22 are also fine
*If you’d like to stay extra nights before or after the tour, you can arrange them yourself, or we can arrange them for an additional fee
FAQ (Q&A)
We’ve put together answers to common concerns and questions about the tour. If your question isn’t covered here, feel free to contact us via LINE or another channel!
[Riding and Health]
Q: How much riding experience do I need?
A: You’ll be fine if you’ve ridden a few times in Japan or abroad and have some experience with a light canter. However, this tour involves long hours in the saddle, so stamina is also needed. If you have any concerns, feel free to ask us in advance.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: You’ll be staying at high altitudes of 2,800 m or more, so your physical condition may change. If you have any health concerns, be sure to consult a doctor beforehand.
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: 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 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 elsewhere, or emergency transport back to Japan, can be extremely 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” coverage is 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 don’t get through, 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 are the accommodations like?
A: At guesthouses, yurts, and tents, rooms are basically shared and separated by gender. If you’d like to share a room with family or friends, let us know in advance and we’ll give it priority.
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 group gets smaller, the price may go up; in that case, we’ll let you know by email 3 weeks before departure.
Once the price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure, we won’t charge you anything extra even if the number of participants changes after that.
[Clothing and What to Bring]
Q: What should I wear?
A: September is when it starts to get cold.A down jacket and a windproof jacket are essential.
- Recommended layering: Warm shirt + down jacket + outer jacket (put on or take off as needed)
- While riding: A neck warmer will keep you comfortable. You can leave any outerwear that restricts your movement in the car.
Q: Is there anything I absolutely must bring?
A: Please refer to the checklist below.
- Essentials: Warm clothing, rain gear (poncho, etc.), sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves (for riding), portable battery, regular medications.
- Handy to have: Motion sickness medicine, pain-relief patches (for sore muscles and bruises).
- For fun: Swimsuit (for the sauna and pool at 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: How should I handle payments and currency on site?
A: As a rule, the tour price is paid on site in US dollars. For shopping, most shops accept cards, 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 in cash at the hotel on Day 1.
- Spending money: About $50 should be enough 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 bazaars it’s cash only.
Ride Through Kyrgyzstan in Autumn as It Begins to Glow Gold
Kyrgyzstan’s mountains 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 has settled and the crisp air feels wonderful.
Time spent swaying on horseback amid stunning scenery and silence is a special experience. And after completing a tough long ride, soaking in a hot spring in the cooling autumn breeze is pure bliss.
“Will I have enough stamina?” “It’s been a while since my last trail ride. Will I be okay?” Experienced riders 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
Click here for the tour page
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
