Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL.
“I want to gallop freely through scenery I’ve never seen before.”
The place to make that wish come true is Song-Kul, the jewel of Kyrgyzstan.
Our recently relaunched “Obon Special Song-Kul Tour” sold out on the very first day, and the extra spots we added filled up as well. We received a huge number of inquiries.
This time, we’re opening a special shared tour in mid-July, when Song-Kul is also at its most beautiful!
It takes a slightly different approach from the Obon tour: the schedule is more compact, and the time at Song-Kul is more intense. It’s a focused plan for horse lovers.
[Update] 5 people have already signed up and the tour is full!▶ We’ve decided to expand to 9 riders (+4)! Additional riders can join for an extra fee.
5 highlights of this tour
①Enjoy Song-Kul’s spectacular scenery intensively in a short time
Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s lake in the sky, lies at an altitude of about 3,000 m. On sunny days, the surface reflects the sky and shines like a mirror.
By keeping this shared tour to 6 days, we’ve packed in more time at Song-Kul. It’s a Song-Kul-focused long ride, perfect for anyone who says, “I can’t take a long vacation, but I absolutely can’t miss Song-Kul.”
② Start and end in Almaty, and cross the border on foot
This tour starts at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan. A private vehicle takes you to the Kyrgyz border, and you begin with the thrill of an overland journey: stepping across the border line on your own two feet.
Once across the border, the exhilaration of cantering along an open lakeshore with nothing in the way is sure to make you forget everyday life.
③Yurt stays, felt culture, a World Heritage Site… Touch the heart of the nomads
Traveling while staying in yurts (portable dwellings) and guesthouses dotted along the lakeshore is the true nomadic way.
You’ll watch traditional felt-making up close and visit the Burana Tower, a World Heritage Site and symbol of the Silk Road, experiencing Kyrgyz history and daily life from many angles.
A deep cultural experience awaits, one that goes far beyond simple sightseeing.
④ Peace of mind: meals, accommodation, transfers, a Japanese-speaking guide and activities all included
Transportation, meals, accommodation, horse riding and cultural experiences: the tour is designed to be close to all-inclusive, covering everything you need for the trip.
A Japanese-speaking guide accompanies you, so any questions about local culture and customs can be answered on the spot.
We’ve set things up so you don’t have to worry about language barriers or arrangements, and can focus entirely on the stunning scenery in front of you.
*Alcohol and airfare are not included
⑤ Shared tour system: the best adventure at a good price, even when traveling solo
A “shared tour” is a system where you can join tour dates that are already confirmed.
We use a sliding scale in which the price drops as more people join, so you can keep down the cost of a private vehicle and guide, which is usually expensive for solo travelers.
Meeting fellow horse lovers who share the same goal of “riding through spectacular scenery” is another big part of the appeal.
Who this tour is for
This plan is for riders who have some experience with a light canter. You don’t need to be an advanced, highly skilled rider. If you have a bit of riding experience and have cantered before, you can enjoy it with confidence.
Song-Kul, the setting for this tour, is a long-ride route across vast, open highlands. When everyone in the group can canter, you can experience that overwhelming sense of freedom even more deeply and dynamically.
At ASHU TRAVEL, we match participants’ riding levels so that no one feels held back, and everyone can share the best views at the same rhythm.
Since you’ll be in the saddle for long hours, basic fitness is needed. But don’t worry if you get tired along the way: a backup support car travels alongside, and anyone who is tired can rest in a yurt.
Even if you’re unsure whether you can ride all the way to the end, we’ve set things up so you can take on the challenge at your own pace.
Itinerary
Dates: July 17 to July 22, 2026.
This tour is a special arrangement with extra time at Song-Kul.
7/17 Day 1 | Arrive in Almaty → rest at ASHU Guesthouse
Please arrive at Almaty airport by 20:40. A driver will pick you up.
*We originally said 20:30, but this has changed to 20:40 due to the airline’s schedule. Since this is not the customers’ doing, we’ve changed the deadline to 20:40.
The exciting experience of crossing the border on foot. After that, you’ll arrive at ASHU Guesthouse in Kyrgyzstan around 1:30 a.m.
*If your flights mean you arrive the day before, we can help with an extra night beforehand as an option. If you book your own hotel in central Almaty for the night before, we can also pick you up at the hotel.
*We travel late at night so you can spend as much time as possible at Song-Kul. Don’t worry, you can take it easy the next morning.
Accommodation: ASHU Guesthouse (shower, flush toilet, Wi-Fi)
Meals: none
7/18 Day 2 | A relaxing morning & cultural experience, then on to Song-Kul
Since you arrive late at night, the morning is relaxed.
We leave the guesthouse at noon and first watch a “felt show” of traditional Kyrgyz culture. Let yourself be delighted as you watch colorful, warm patterns take shape.
Then, at last, we head up to Song-Kul at 3,000 m! In the evening we arrive at a yurt on the lakeshore. A nomadic night begins, surrounded by highlands that stretch on forever and a sky that feels close enough to touch.
Accommodation: yurt (basic shower, toilet)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
7/19 Day 3 | Long ride at Song-Kul
After breakfast, set out with your horse on a long ride along the lakeshore.
With nothing to block the view, the mirror-like lake and green carpet of grass stretch on forever.
Lunch is a picnic in the refreshing highlands.
Once you’ve recharged, it’s back in the saddle. Feel the thrill of galloping through the wind with only the sound of hooves around you.
Become the wind of Song-Kul to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: yurt (basic shower, toilet)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
*Riding is about 4 hours or more, including canters (adjusted for weather and guests’ condition)
7/20 Day 4 | Rock art on the hilltop & nomad time by the lake
After breakfast, ride with your horse up to a hilltop with a panoramic view of Song-Kul.
On the hill you’ll find petroglyphs (rock art), traces of the people who have lived on these highlands since ancient times.
After coming down, it’s canter time again along the wide-open lakeshore!
If you’re lucky, you may come across a thrilling “nomad game” (horseback contest) played by local people who gather there.
Accommodation: yurt (basic shower, toilet)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
*Riding is about 4 hours or more, including canters (adjusted for weather and guests’ condition)
7/21 Day 5 | World Heritage “Burana Tower” & lunch at a local home → Bishkek
Reluctantly leaving Song-Kul, we descend the mountains to the Silk Road ruins of the “Burana Tower.”
Lunch is a treat at a local home that is hugely popular with our repeat guests. Traditional dishes full of homey warmth will gently ease the fatigue of the trip.
After lunch, we head to a hot spring. In Kyrgyzstan you wear a swimsuit, like at a pool. A hot spring after riding is something special!
In the evening we arrive in Bishkek. Take a breather and enjoy a little bit of city air.
Accommodation: hotel in Bishkek
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
7/22 Day 6 | Shopping at the bazaar → back to the airport
On the last day, we visit a lively bazaar! Look for souvenirs surrounded by the aromas of piles of dried fruit, spices and honey.
In the afternoon, a private vehicle takes you back to Almaty. After a farewell dinner savoring the memories of the trip, we’ll take you to the airport at night.
Accommodation: none
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll support your Central Asia trip all the way!
At ASHU TRAVEL, we prepare wholeheartedly both on the ground and behind the scenes to give you the best possible experience.
ASHU TRAVEL Director: Nuriya (Dushalieva Nuriya)
A Kyrgyz tourism specialist who has guided more than 3,000 people. Fluent in Japanese, she knows both the attentive care of Japan and the deep warmth of Kyrgyzstan inside out. There’s truly no one else like her.
During the busy summer season she oversees safety management and direction for multiple tours, so this tour will be supervised by Nuriya and led by one of the top guides she trusts.
Sugi
Customer service & PR. I share information to bring people in Japan experiences that go beyond sightseeing.
My role is to turn small worries before departure, like “Should I bring this?” or “How’s the phone signal there?”, into excited peace of mind.
I’ll do everything I can to help you set off on your trip 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 you enjoy Song-Kul in a short time. 5 people have already signed up!
| Number of participants | Price per person (USD) |
| 1 person | 3,345 USD |
| 2 people | 2,205 USD |
| 3 people | 1,825 USD |
| 4~5 people | 1,535 USD |
*ASHU TRAVEL tours are shared tours, where the tour price goes down depending on the final number of participants.
🥳 After discussing it with our guides, we’ve decided to add 4 more spots, for a total of up to 9 riders!
Several guests passionately asked whether we could add more spots, and after discussing it with our local guides, we can now take up to 9 people!
However, with more participants we’ll switch to a mid-size bus, and for safety we must add extra staff such as instructors. Because of the added safety management costs for a group, bookings from the 6th person onward will be priced at 1,785 USD, which is the 5-person price (1,535 USD) plus 250 USD.
| Additional spotsNumber of participants | Price per person (USD) |
| 6 people | 1,785 USD |
| 7 people | 1,785 USD |
| 8 people | 1,785 USD |
| 9 people | 1,785 USD |
We negotiated with our local instructors and drivers to keep the price as low as possible, but with prices currently rising due to things like soaring fuel costs, we really can’t go any lower. This is the minimum price.
We truly appreciate your understanding.
What’s included
• Hotel, guesthouse and nomad yurt accommodation throughout
• All meals throughout
• Horse riding
• Japanese-speaking guide throughout
• Vehicles, driver and fuel throughout
• Support in Japanese with trip preparation (Japanese staff answer your questions about what to bring and more)
What’s not included
• Round-trip airfare
• Alcohol
• Travel insurance
What makes ASHU unique: 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.
- Final price: The final price is confirmed 3 weeks before departure. This means that if other guests sign up 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 details on the system, please also see this article.
From booking to the day of the tour
① Consultation & booking request: contact us via the form or LINE
First, please send us the name of the tour you’d like via our inquiry form or official LINE account.
② Get your flights
Please book your own flights.
③ Confirmed booking: fill in the booking 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, as it checks your blood type, allergies, health condition and so on.
④ Cancellation policy applies Once your booking is confirmed, the following cancellation policy applies.
-
From 18:01, 21 days before the tour, until 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the price
-
From 18:01, 10 days before the tour, until 18:00, 3 days before: 30% of the price
-
From 18:01, 3 days before the tour, until the start time on the day: 50% of the price
-
After the start time on the day of the tour: 100% of the 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: Your final payment amount is confirmed 3 weeks before departure. After that, the confirmed price won’t change even if the number of participants does.
We confirm it 3 weeks ahead so you can book with peace of mind. Even if someone cancels within 3 weeks of departure, the price won’t change.
⑥ Join the tour & pay in US dollars locally
As a rule, we ask for payment in US dollars cash. This cuts costs such as card processing fees, and we put those savings back into improving tour quality for you.
Please hand it to your guide at breakfast at ASHU Guesthouse on day 2 of the tour.
About booking flights
Please book your own flights.
Sample flight combination (July 2026)
Here is a sample itinerary via Guangzhou or Beijing on China Southern Airlines that connects most smoothly with this plan.
■ Using China Southern Airlines (CZ)
A plan that’s easy to access from many parts of Japan and connects well to Almaty.
- [Outbound: 7/17 (Fri)]
- Kansai (KIX) 09:05 → Beijing (PEK) 11:25 (CA162)
- Beijing (PEK) 17:50 → Almaty (ALA) 20:40 (CA799)
*Departing from Haneda or Narita, you can also reach Almaty the same day via Beijing or Guangzhou. - *We originally said 20:30, but this has changed to 20:40 due to the airline’s schedule. Since this is not the customers’ doing, we’ve changed the deadline to 20:40.
- [Return: 7/22 (Wed) to 23 (Thu)]
- Almaty (ALA) 21:30 → Beijing (PEK) 05:20 next day (CA800)
- Beijing (PEK) 08:40 → Kansai (KIX) 12:40 (CA927)
*You leave Almaty on the night of the 22nd and are back in Japan by early afternoon on the 23rd, a schedule that keeps the impact on your work to a minimum.
Notes on booking flights for this tour
You don’t need to be on exactly the same flights as other guests. However, since we travel to Kyrgyzstan on the day of arrival, we ask that you arrive by 20:30.
This tour is designed to let you spend as much time as possible at Song-Kul in a short trip. Normally you would stay in Almaty on the night of arrival and travel the next day, but we’ve rearranged that pattern.
It takes about 5 hours from Almaty airport to Chong-Kemin in Kyrgyzstan, so even if everything goes smoothly, we arrive late at night. To reduce the burden on guests, we’ve set 20:40 as the arrival cut-off this time.
We appreciate your understanding.
If your flight gets in earlier, here are some ways to spend the time.
◎ Arrange an Almaty city tour
If you wish, we can arrange a guided sightseeing tour of Almaty for the 2–3 hours before meeting up, for an additional fee.
◎ Relax at the airport
Almaty airport is relatively small, but it has a few places to eat. On past tours, some guests have deliberately arrived early and taken it easy at the airport.
Feel free to ask us.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
We’ve gathered common concerns and questions about the tour. For anything not covered here, feel free to contact us via LINE or other channels!
[Riding & health]
Q: Is it OK if I don’t have much riding experience?
A: If you’ve done a light canter before, you’ll be fine. If you have concerns about your fitness, athletic ability, age or anything else, feel free to ask us in advance.
Q: I’m worried about altitude sickness.
A: You’ll be staying at altitudes of 3,000 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 and rescue coverage is required. We also recommend bringing preventive medicine.
Q: Which insurance should I get?
A: We don’t currently partner with any specific insurance company, so we can’t name one, but we recommend (and require) a plan that meets the following 3 conditions.
- Medical and rescue coverage of ¥30 million or more ASHU TRAVEL requires this level of coverage. Advanced medical care in places like Kyrgyzstan and emergency transport back to Japan are very expensive, so ¥30 million or more is the safe line.
- Covers the countries you visit Check beforehand that it will properly apply if something happens in your destination country. “Worldwide” or “Asia” settings are usually fine, but it’s important to confirm just in case.
- Includes chat support in Japanese Even if you panic in an emergency, it’s reassuring to have a contact point where you can get help in Japanese via LINE or a dedicated app. Even in places 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.
▶︎ Choosing insurance for a Central Asia horse riding trip without regrets
[Accommodation & cancellation]
Q: What are the sleeping arrangements in the yurts?
A: At yurt camps, rooms are generally shared and separated by gender. If you’d like to share with family or friends, let us know in advance and we’ll prioritize that.
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 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 anything extra even if the number of people 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 layering: Warm shirt + light down jacket + outer jacket (put on and take off as needed)
- When riding: A neck warmer is handy. You can also leave bulky outerwear in the car.
Q: Is there anything I absolutely must bring?
A: Please refer to the checklist below.
- Essential: Warm clothes, rain gear (such as a poncho), sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves (for riding), a power bank, and any regular medication.
- Nice to have: Insect repellent (July–August), motion sickness medicine, pain-relief patches (for muscle aches and bruises).
- For fun: Swimsuit (for the sauna and pool at ASHU Guesthouse).
[Money]
Q: How should I handle payments and currency locally?
A: Most shops accept cards, but if you want cash, Japanese yen can’t 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: About 50 dollars for food, drinks and souvenirs should be plenty. You can exchange US dollars into Kyrgyz som locally.
- Card use: Cards work in Bishkek and Almaty, but in rural areas and bazaars it’s cash only.
Why not gallop across Song-Kul in this special season?
Song-Kul shines at its most beautiful for only a very short period in summer. The lake mirrors the sky exactly, creating a mirror world where it feels like you’re riding above the clouds.
If you missed the Obon tour, or you’ve always thought “I’d like to go someday,” why not make it happen 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 soon as possible.
We look forward to the day we can become the wind of Song-Kul together with you!
Contact
Even if you’re just “a little curious,” feel free to reach out.
▶︎ Inquiry form
https://ashu-travel.com/contact/
▶︎ Instagram (DMs welcome)
@ashutravel_jp
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