Intensive Horse Riding in Kyrgyzstan | From Bishkek, Day Trip with 4 to 6 Hours in the Saddle [No Experience Needed]

• People who love magnificent nature and animals
• People looking for real connections with local people and deep cultural experiences, not just sightseeing
• People who want to see Kyrgyzstan's spectacular scenery with their own eyes
• People who want to get away from everyday life and have an adventure
• People who want to leave the detailed arrangements to a guide and travel smoothly and worry-free

Yes. Solo travelers are very welcome. There is a single-traveler price, but if you'd like to travel for less, after you apply we will also look for other guests who want the same tour to join you on a shared tour.

https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

Cancellation is free for a certain period after you apply, but cancellation fees apply as the departure date approaches.

From 18:01, 21 days before the tour start, to 18:00, 10 days before: 20% of the tour price

From 18:01, 10 days before the tour start, to 18:00, 3 days before: 30% of the tour price

From 18:01, 3 days before the tour start, 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

ASHU TRAVEL basically has no fixed tour dates; we run tours on the dates you choose. However, we also have a “shared tour” system where you join a tour another guest has already booked, and in that case we recruit participants for set dates.

Learn more here:
https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

Yes. With support in Japanese and a guide who speaks Japanese or English accompanying you, many female guests travel with us. Lots of our guests are women, and some join on their own and find fellow riders through our shared tour matching.

What is a shared tour?
https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

It's a way to travel at a better price: by sharing the vehicle and guide with other guests, the tour price per person goes down.

For more details, see here:

https://ashu-travel.com/en/news/travel-mate/

It varies from person to person and with your physical condition, but some people feel unwell at high altitudes. When our Japanese staff first visited Kaindy and Kolsai, combined with the fatigue of the hilly roads, they felt dizzy even on a light hike.

If you're prone to motion sickness or are traveling with young children, it's a good idea to consult your doctor beforehand and get motion sickness or altitude sickness medication prescribed. On the tour we'll go at a comfortable pace, so don't worry.

As a rule, we provide about one bottle of water per person per day (this may vary depending on the tour).

If you'd like to drink more, you can buy extra at the guesthouse or a nearby supermarket. ASHU Guesthouse accepts cards, but rural supermarkets are often cash only, so we recommend carrying a small amount of cash (a bottle of water generally costs $1 or less).

On shared tours, sharing meals and travel time together often leads naturally to getting to know each other.

Yes. If you let us know in advance, we will adjust as much as possible.

Here are the operational rules we ask you to follow during the tour.

No exchanging contact details with guides or drivers

To prevent problems during and after the tour, exchanging personal contact details with guides or drivers is not allowed. For any inquiries, please contact our director Nuriya or our Japanese staff member Sugi, whose details are in your email.

Drinking with staff: one beer at most

You're welcome to drink during the tour, but for your own health, please limit drinking with local staff to about one beer.

Return transfers

For early-morning transfers to Bishkek or the airport, there may be only a driver and no guide. Please confirm your drop-off location and time with your guide or staff by the day before.

Yes. The basic plan includes accommodation, all meals, transportation and guide fees during the tour (except for meals marked as “on your own”).

It is generally safe, but watch out for pickpockets in bazaars and other crowded places. Please avoid going out alone at night.

From Japan you can fly direct or with a connection, and the route depends on your destination.
Here are the typical options:
• Uzbekistan: direct flights between Narita and Tashkent (the easiest to reach)
• Kazakhstan: usually via Korea, China or Uzbekistan *Direct flights are planned on some routes
• Kyrgyzstan: no direct flights; most travelers connect via Korea, China, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan
See our blog post for more details.

Some bazaars and rural supermarkets accept cash only, so we recommend bringing about $50 to exchange. You can exchange it yourself, or your guide can help you exchange what you need at the airport or in town.

Credit cards can't be used to pay the tour price, but you can use them for shopping locally. However, many bazaars and rural supermarkets accept cash only. We recommend bringing about $50 in cash for souvenirs and water (we'll help you exchange it into local currency).

Tipping isn't mandatory in Central Asia, but there is a culture of tipping as a token of appreciation.

Restaurants & cafes : More and more places now include a service charge, and prices are rising. If you receive excellent service, about 5–10% of the total is a good guideline. Some cafes have a jar for leaving coins. Even just leaving some coins on the table is appreciated.

In Uzbekistan, service charges are often not included at lunch but may already be included at dinner. We recommend checking the receipt when you pay. A translation app comes in handy.

Meals are generally included on ASHU TRAVEL tours, so you don't need to worry about this individually.

Hotels : For a porter carrying your luggage or for room service, about $1–2 is a good guideline.

Guides & drivers : Many guests give a tip at the end of the tour as thanks. About $10 per day is a guideline, but the thought counts more than the amount.

Taxis : With Yandex Go, you can choose a tip in the app right before getting out (10 som, 20 som, etc.). Tipping isn't customary in shared taxis.

At the airport or in Bishkek, you can generally buy a SIM card with a credit card.

If you arrive at night and no SIM shops are open in Bishkek, you'll need to buy one somewhere else, and in rural areas you'll need cash. In that case, don't worry—we'll take you to a currency exchange office in Bishkek beforehand.

[Where you can buy a SIM]

Depending on your tour itinerary, the only place to buy a Kyrgyz SIM may be one spot near the border (for example, Song-Kul Lake tours starting and ending in Almaty).

In this case, you'll buy it at an outdoor booth rather than at a store counter. This is a common way of selling SIMs in Kyrgyzstan, and it's handled by vendors authorized by the mobile carrier. Several sellers may gather when foreign customers arrive, but this is also perfectly normal.

[What you need to buy a SIM]

A law that took effect in Kyrgyzstan in April 2024 requires SIM cards to be registered in the buyer's own name. Wherever you buy one, the following steps are required:

• A photo of the front and back of your (physical) passport
• A photo of your face while holding your passport
• An on-the-spot registration application to the mobile carrier

The procedure is carried out by authorized vendors using designated devices and a dedicated app. This is the method set by the government.

[What we do and don't handle]

We will take you to a place where you can buy a SIM. Whether or not to buy one is entirely up to you. If you feel uneasy about having your passport or face photographed, you're welcome not to buy one.

⚠️Because the procedure is done outdoors, occasionally the photos can't be taken properly and the SIM can't be issued. This is especially likely after dark, when the app has a harder time reading your passport and face. Please keep this in mind if your itinerary crosses the border at night.

If you have concerns about the photo data, please ask the vendor on the spot. If you'd rather not ask yourself, just tell your guide and we'll ask for you.

If you'd prefer not to have your passport photographed, another option is to arrange a rental pocket Wi-Fi before you leave home (eSIMs sold online do connect in Kyrgyzstan, but they're far too slow to be practical).

As a guide, about $50 is enough if you plan to buy a few souvenirs and snacks, and about $100 if you enjoy shopping (for food and drinks, tips, and souvenirs). Cards are accepted in the city and at hotels, but bazaars, small shops in rural areas, and supermarkets are cash only, so please bring US dollars in cash.

Yes, we lend half chaps free of charge.

We don't rent out protectors.

We once considered offering them, but we heard of cases with other companies in other countries where the sound of a protector inflating panicked the surrounding horses and actually created a dangerous situation, so we decided against it for safety reasons.

You're welcome to bring your own if you're used to one. However, please be careful, as it may startle nearby horses if it goes off.

In addition to a Japanese-speaking or English-speaking guide, a local riding instructor (a horse handler or horse owner) always accompanies you to ensure your safety.

Yes, some of our tours are open to beginners and people with no riding experience.

If you're not confident, our staff will lead your horse by the reins or ride alongside to support you, so even first-timers can relax and enjoy the ride.

Experienced riders are also welcome on tours for beginners and above.

Every tour starts with a riding lesson. Riding in Kyrgyzstan differs in some ways from the Japanese style, so we especially recommend that experienced riders not get complacent and pay close attention to this first lesson.

Yes. We can change the itinerary to focus on riding. Feel free to ask us.

It depends on the tour. Some tours are open to beginners and people with no experience, while others are for experienced riders. Please check the required level on each tour page.

Shared tours are also advertised with the required level clearly stated.

Every tour starts with a riding lesson for all participants. Riding in Kyrgyzstan differs in some ways from the Japanese style, so experienced riders are required to take it too.

If you're a beginner and not confident, our staff will lead your horse by the reins or ride alongside to support you, so you can join with peace of mind.

Because horse riding involves working with living animals, we can't say that no one ever falls.

Fortunately, however, no guest on our tours has ever been seriously injured.

Even after a fall, guests have continued riding once the guide confirmed they were safe, and returned home in good spirits.

All guests are required to have travel insurance when booking a tour.

It depends on the tour and the location. Cantering is possible in open areas.

On beginner tours, you'll first get used to riding slowly, and once you're comfortable, you can choose to try a canter while we keep an eye on everyone. The speed is roughly 20–30 km/h.

However, even on tours where cantering is allowed, we may skip it or stop partway depending on the horses' condition, the weather, or how well you and your horse get along. We always put safety first, so thank you for your understanding.

Please bring comfortable long pants and shoes that won't easily catch in the stirrups. Sneakers are fine. In winter, snow boots with smooth soles are recommended. Please avoid shoes with high heels or hiking boots, as they can catch in the stirrups and are dangerous.

Please also bring gloves. Work gloves are fine.

Half chaps (leg covers for riding) and helmets are available to rent. You're also welcome to bring your own.

Basic packing checklist

• Warm clothes: Mornings and evenings get cold in the highlands
• Rain gear: A poncho, a folding umbrella, etc.
• Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
• Riding gear: Long pants, sneakers, gloves
• Personal medications: Altitude sickness medication, motion sickness medication, pain-relief patches, etc.
• Power bank (carry-on recommended)
• Insect repellent (July–August)
• Body wipes: Handy because the shower water may be lukewarm or unavailable at busy times or on days when you arrive late
• Swimsuit: You can use the pool at ASHU Guesthouse for free. You'll also need one if your stay includes hot springs.

*The sauna equipment is currently being repaired, so it may not be available during your stay. Thank you for your understanding

What to wear

It depends on when and where you go, but layering is the key. Temperatures differ greatly between the highlands and lowlands, so be ready to adjust by adding or removing layers.

Spring T-shirt + an outer layer such as a hoodie; in the highlands, add a light down jacket or fleece

Summer T-shirt + an outer layer such as a hoodie; in the highlands, add a light down jacket or fleece

Fall Long-sleeve shirt + an outer layer such as a hoodie; in the highlands, add a down jacket or fleece

Winter Long-sleeve shirt + thermal underwear + a sweater or jacket + a down jacket or equivalent outerwear

Bottoms Long pants for riding or hiking; in winter, thick hiking pants with thermal underwear underneath

Footwear Sneakers are generally fine. In winter, snow boots with smooth soles are recommended. Please avoid shoes with high heels or hiking boots, as they can catch in the stirrups and are dangerous

*A thick down jacket can make it hard to move while riding. If so, we can keep it in the car for you

The air is very dry and the sun is strong, so we recommend bringing moisturizer, lip balm, sunglasses and a hat.

It's also a good idea to prepare the following:

• Altitude sickness / motion sickness medication: The tour passes through high-altitude areas, so if you have any health concerns, please consult your doctor in advance
• Power bank: There are few places to charge in highland areas such as Song-Kul Lake. Please bring one that can be taken in carry-on luggage
• Translation app: In shared taxis or when exploring on your own, sometimes only the local language is spoken
• Personal medications: Pain-relief patches and painkillers also help with sore muscles after riding
• Insect repellent: July and August are the buggiest months
• Cash (US dollars): Tour prices are generally paid in US dollars cash locally. You can exchange money at the airports and in town in Almaty and Bishkek
• Check your passport's remaining validity: At least 6 months of validity is required for entry

It depends on the tour.

On tours to remote areas (such as Kol-Ukok Lake), there is often no signal in the mountains even with a local SIM, and once you come down you can use the Wi-Fi at guesthouses and hotels, so many guests don't buy one.

On tours to Song-Kul Lake, a local Kyrgyz SIM usually gets a signal even around the lake, so more guests tend to buy one.

You can buy a local SIM at the airports or shops in Bishkek and Almaty. You'll need your passport, and setup takes about 15 minutes.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Below is what our staff have researched and actually tested.

Mega👉 Well-balanced. Good coverage in both cities and rural areas. There are spots with signal even at Song-Kul. ⚠️ It is officially said to have coverage in Kel-Suu in Naryn Region, but some Instagram comments say they couldn't get a signal there.

Beeline👉 Best for cities. Coverage is weak in rural areas.

O!👉 Good coverage in rural areas. It also works fine in the city, but with more users recently, the connection can sometimes be poor (similar to docomo in Tokyo).

All of them can be bought at the airport.

Not much, except at hotels in the cities. During the tour, your guide will interpret for you.

Kyrgyz and Russian.

It works in some countries, but if you want a reliable connection, we recommend buying a local SIM.

Here's what we've found based on our staff's actual experience (updated May 2026).

[Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan]

In cities such as Almaty and Tashkent, major eSIMs bought online in Japan worked.

In rural mountain areas and on some stretches between Almaty and the border, there is simply no signal in places.

[Kyrgyzstan]

We've tried eSIMs bought in Japan (such as povo and Holafly) in many places, and many times, even when the phone showed a connection, the speed was so slow that pages wouldn't load.

A local SIM connects without problems, although there are places in rural mountain areas with no signal at all.

Song-Kul has had mobile coverage since 2025, and you can now connect there with a local SIM.

[Things to note when buying a SIM]

• eSIMs differ by country, so if you're touring several countries over a long period, you'll need to buy one in each country. Alternatively, you can buy a global eSIM for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and buy a local SIM in Kyrgyzstan.

• Yandex Go requires a SIM with a phone number; you can't register with a data-only SIM.

Yes. There's no need to force yourself to finish. Simply saying “I'm full” is not considered rude.

In many places you can't flush toilet paper (please put it in the bin provided), so please be careful.