Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to scenic horseback journeys in Central Asia.
“I want to be somewhere truly quiet, far away from other people.” “I want to go on an adventure that’s peaceful but still exciting.”
If that sounds like you, we recommend Kol-Kogul Lake, a hidden gem tucked away in the deepest part of the Tor-Aigyr Valley, high in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
We’ve already received a booking for late June, so we’re now looking for “shared tour members” to join and travel at a lower price!
A rare luxury far from the tourist trail, where all you hear is the wind. Why not spend 8 soul-stirring days crossing mountain passes on horseback toward a lake that shines like a blue jewel?
5 Highlights of This Tour
① Kol-Kogul Lake: a quiet hidden gem known only to a few
Surrounded by steep mountains and dense conifer forest, Kol-Kogul Lake sits at an altitude of about 2,400 m.
All you’ll find there is overwhelming silence. Enjoy a special time that’s just you, your horse, and nature.
② Over 70 km in total! Serious riding on a varied mountain route
From the lush forests of the Tor-Aigyr Valley to dramatic pass crossings above 3,000 m, enjoy a long ride full of variety that’s typical of mountainous Kyrgyzstan.
If you have riding experience, you’ll fully appreciate the toughness of Kyrgyz horses and the fun of mountain trails.
③ Deep cultural experiences, from camping on the move to a World Heritage Site
Experience nomadic culture by camping and sharing your days with the horses, and dive deep into Silk Road culture with a visit to the Burana Tower, a World Heritage Site.
With a Japanese-speaking guide along for the whole trip, you’ll also have the chance to learn directly about the history and everyday wisdom of nomadic life. What could be just a journey becomes a rich time of real connection with local people.
④ Travel worry-free! A reassuring, almost all-inclusive plan
Transportation, meals, accommodation, riding, and a Japanese-speaking guide: we’ve included everything you need for the trip in a plan that’s easy on both your wallet and your mind.
Your guide will fully support you with currency exchange when shopping and with communicating with local people. Apart from alcohol and flights, you hardly need to worry about spending large amounts of cash locally.
*Alcohol and flights are not included.
⑤ Travel Kyrgyzstan smartly and affordably with our shared tour system
The biggest feature of ASHU TRAVEL is our “shared tour system,” where the price per person goes down as more people join. Two people have already booked this tour, so you start out at a lower price from the beginning.
Even if you’re traveling solo, sharing the tour with others lets you enjoy a special hidden-gem experience while keeping costs down.
Who This Tour Is For
This is one of the more serious riding courses in the ASHU TRAVEL lineup.
- Experienced riders: You’ll spend long hours in the saddle each day, riding through hilly mountain terrain. It’s ideal for those who have ridden a few times in Japan or abroad, have some canter experience, and want to do some serious riding!
- Those confident in their fitness: The tour includes crossing passes at around 3,000 m and camping outdoors in tents (3 days), so it’s designed for healthy travelers who can enjoy the inconveniences as part of the adventure.
*The riding level of the tour is set to match the person who booked first.
Itinerary
June 25 – July 2, 2026 (8 days, 7 nights)
*The content is the same as the existing tour below.
■ Day 1 | Thu, June 25 [Arrive in Almaty and rest at the hotel]
At Almaty airport, a driver holding an ASHU TRAVEL sign will meet you and take you by private vehicle to your hotel in the city. Get some good rest to prepare for crossing the border the next day.
◎ Meals: none
◎ Accommodation: hotel in Almaty (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi) (altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 2 | Fri, June 26 [Cross the border to ASHU’s base]
Travel by private vehicle from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan (approx. 300 km).
Enjoy local food at a roadside eatery on the way to the ASHU Guesthouse in the Chong-Kemin Valley.
ASHU TRAVEL perk: Free use of the pool!
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi) (altitude: approx. 1,200 m)
■ Day 3 | Sat, June 27 [Riding begins! Over the first pass]
After breakfast, meet the horses. After a briefing, we set off!
Ride about 25 km through the conifer forests of Chong-Kemin. After crossing the first pass, we set up our first camp.
◎ Riding: approx. 25 km (about 6 hours)
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: tent (altitude: approx. 2,000 m)
■ Day 4 | Sun, June 28 [To the quiet hidden gem, Kol-Kogul Lake]
Cross a pass at about 2,900 m and finally head for Kol-Kogul Lake (altitude: approx. 2,400 m).
Pitch our tents in the shade of the pines by the lake and spend a night where all you can hear is the wind.
◎ Riding: approx. 25 km (about 5 hours)
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: tent (altitude: approx. 2,400 m)
■ Day 5 | Mon, June 29 [Even higher: crossing a 3,250 m pass]
Cross the Kol-Kogul Pass and head toward Kyzyl-Tash.
Take in the overwhelming scale of mountain scenery that is Central Asia at its finest. We camp near a clear spring.
◎ Riding: approx. 20 km (about 6 hours)
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: tent (altitude: approx. 3,250 m)
■ Day 6 | Tue, June 30 [Descend, then on to the vast Issyk-Kul Lake]
In the morning, enjoy the last ride (10 km) as we head down the mountain.
Meet our pickup vehicle and in the afternoon travel to the south shore of Issyk-Kul, the “Pearl of the Tian Shan.” Refresh at a comfortable guesthouse!
◎ Riding: approx. 10 km (about 3 hours)
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: Issyk-Kul guesthouse (shower, flush toilet) (altitude: approx. 1,700 m)
■ Day 7 | Wed, July 1 [To a Silk Road World Heritage Site]
Travel along the north shore of Issyk-Kul and visit the Burana Tower and the Ak-Beshim ruins, both World Heritage Sites.
After a warm home-cooked meal at a local family’s house, we head to the capital, Bishkek.
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: hotel in Bishkek (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi) (altitude: approx. 800 m)
■ Day 8 | Thu, July 2 [Bazaar stroll and transfer to Almaty airport]
Do some last-minute shopping at a lively bazaar.
We cross the border again and take you to Almaty airport in Kazakhstan, where the tour ends.
◎ Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
◎ Accommodation: none (overnight flight) (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 | $4,140 |
| 2 people | $2,530 ← Current price! |
| 3 people | $2,230 |
| 4–5 people | $1,930 |
Included in the price
- Hotel and guesthouse accommodation throughout
- All meals throughout
- Riding and admission fees for sights
- Japanese-speaking guide throughout
- Vehicles, driver, and fuel throughout
- Trip preparation support
Not included in the price
- Round-trip flights
- Alcohol
- Travel insurance
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. 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 my very best so that you can enjoy an “out-of-the-ordinary trip” with peace of mind.
Reviews from Customers Who Joined Our Tours
We’ve received lovely feedback from people who have experienced ASHU TRAVEL tours!
“The food, the riding, the accommodation, and the guides were all great. It made me really want to come back again!”
- Riding: “The horses were very obedient and so cute! I was also taught how to tack up, and I got to trot and canter. It was so much fun.”
- Food: “There were lots of dishes at every meal, and all of them were really delicious. I looked forward to mealtimes every day.”
- Support: “Before departure, they answered even my small questions carefully, so I could start the trip without any worries. Nuriya’s hospitality was wonderful, too. She’s really dependable!”
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.
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.
- From 18:01, 20 days before the tour, until 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the tour price
- From 18:01, 10 days before the tour, until 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 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.
About Booking Flights
Please arrange your own flights.
Example flights of customers joining this tour
[Outbound] Jun 25, 2026 ASIANA Flight 577 ALA arrival 8:50 PM
[Return] Jul 02, 2026 Flight 578 ALA departure 10:10 PM
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 for experienced riders. It involves long hours in the saddle each day and many kinds of riding, including pass crossings and ups and downs. You don’t need to be an advanced rider, but we recommend it for those who have riding and canter experience in Japan or abroad and don’t mind riding for long hours every day.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: We will stay overnight at altitudes above 3,000 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.
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: Kyrgyzstan is hot in June and July, but it can get cold in the mornings and evenings at high altitude. Please bring a light down jacket and a windproof jacket.
- Recommended layers: T-shirt + light down jacket + light jacket (put on or take off as needed)
- 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: How should I handle payments and currency locally?
A: As a rule, the tour price is paid locally in US dollars. For shopping, cards are accepted at most shops, but if you want cash, note that Japanese yen cannot be exchanged. Please be sure to bring “US dollar cash.”
- Tour price: Please pay in US dollar cash at the hotel on Day 1.
- 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.
Into the Quiet of Kyrgyzstan You Won’t Want to Tell Anyone About
Far from the bustle of tourist spots, Kol-Kogul Lake lies wrapped in conifer forest.
All you’ll hear is the snorting of the horses, the wind, and the crackle of the campfire at night.
We explore beautiful Kol-Kogul on horseback, moving like nomads and enjoying the wide variety of riding that Kyrgyzstan is known for, from pass crossings to ups and downs.
This luxurious time is a side of Kyrgyzstan that only those who experience it can reach.
Once-in-a-lifetime scenery is waiting for you, the kind that will make you say, “I definitely want to come back!” The whole team is looking forward to riding with you under the blue skies of June!
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
