A day of horseback riding, Silk Road stories, and real local experiences.
Start your day with your guide at the historic Burana Tower, where Silk Road history comes to life through stories and panoramic views. Then continue to Chon Kemin National Park for a scenic 3–4 hour horseback ride through forests, rivers, and open mountain landscapes of the Tien Shan.
Along the way, you’ll pass local villages and make a stop at a hidden local spot for snacks, popular among locals but rarely visited by tourists — a small but authentic experience.
After the ride, you will be welcomed into a Kyrgyz family home, where you will enjoy a traditional homemade meal and experience real local hospitality in a warm and relaxed setting.
This tour is perfect for those looking for a balanced day of nature, culture, and real local experience, all in one journey.
Highlights
Experience three sides of Kyrgyzstan: history, nature, and local life
Enjoy a private guided experience, fully adapted to your pace and comfort
Visit Burana Tower with your guide bringing Silk Road history to life
Feel welcomed in a real Kyrgyz home with traditional homemade food
Enjoy a 3–4 hour horseback ride through forests, rivers, and alpine landscapes
Itinerary
3-4 people
50 USD
2 people
80 USD
1 person
150 USD
Tour Booking
Price per person
Book now
Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Bishkek
Bottled water during the tour
Photo stops at scenic viewpoints
Entry fee to Sky Bridge
Horse, saddle, and local horseman (2-hour ride)
Comfortable vehicle with air conditioning
Professional English-speaking guide
Inclusions
Lunch
Personal expenses and health insurance
Not Included
Customise your tour
Flexible departures / customisable itineraries
Book a private tour
Bishkek
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Bishkek and welcome you for the day. From the beginning, your guide will share stories, answer your questions, and adapt the experience to your interests.
01
Burana Tower & Silk Road History
We begin with a drive to the Burana Tower, where your guide will introduce you to the history of the ancient city of Balasagun, once an important center along the Silk Road.
You will explore the site and see ancient petroglyphs and balbals (stone carvings), while your guide explains how people lived, traded, and traveled here centuries ago. You will also visit a small museum displaying artefacts such as old coins, ceramics, and jewelry, helping you better understand the culture of that time.
You can climb to the top of the tower, where beautiful views of the Tien Shan mountains open up. From here, your guide will help you imagine how this place looked during the 9th–11th centuries, bringing history to life in a simple and engaging way.
02
Boom Gorge
On the way, we stop at a hidden local spot, well-known among locals but rarely visited by tourists. Here, you will try traditional snacks such as kattama, served with tea prepared in a samovar, giving it a rich and distinctive flavor.
03
Chon Kemin National Park
We continue to Chon Kemin National Park, where you will meet your local horseman and your horse for the day.
Before starting, you will receive a short introduction and guidance on how to ride, including how to sit on the horse, control your movement, stop, and basic safety instructions. Even if it’s your first time, your guide and horseman will make sure you feel confident and comfortable.
Based on your experience level, your guide will select the most suitable trail — whether you prefer a relaxed ride or a slightly more active route. You will then enjoy a 3–4 hour horseback ride through forests, rivers, and open mountain landscapes, fully immersed in the nature of Chon Kemin. After the ride, you will be warmly welcomed into a Kyrgyz family home, where you will enjoy a traditional homemade meal. This is a special moment to relax, refresh, and connect with local people in a natural and authentic setting.
04
Return to Bishkek
After your time in the mountains, we return to Bishkek. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel, completing a relaxed and authentic half-day experience.
The national currency is the Kyrgyz Som (KGS). In Bishkek and major towns, ATMs are widely available in shopping centers and on main streets, and you can pay by card in most restaurants and shops. Visa is the most widely accepted card, while MasterCard is less common and accepted only by specific banks. However, when traveling to the mountains or small villages, you must carry enough cash as ATMs are non-existent. We strongly recommend bringing new USD banknotes, as old or marked bills are often refused by exchange offices.
SAFETY
Kyrgyzstan is widely considered the safest and most open country in Central Asia, known for its stable political situation and hospitable locals. While the country is very safe, we recommend taking standard travel precautions just like anywhere else in the world: keep an eye on your belongings, avoid unlit streets at night, and always use official taxi services. Your safety is our top priority, and we work closely with trusted local partners to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey.
ENTRY&EXIT
Citizens of many developed countries can enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days. If you are unsure about your specific visa requirements, simply contact us for assistance. We also arrange all special border permits required for your specific itinerary free of charge.
BEST TIME TO GO
Kyrgyzstan features a dry continental climate with a striking contrast between the valleys and the mountains. In major cities like Bishkek and the Ferghana Valley, summers can be intense, with daytime temperatures soaring between 30°C and 40°C (86°–104°F). However, since most of the country sits above 1,500 meters, the mountain air is much fresher and more comfortable, typically hovering around a pleasant 20°C–25°C (68°–77°F) during the day. For outdoor enthusiasts, summer is the ideal season for trekking and jeep tours, granting full access to high-altitude pastures and breathtaking passes. Winter, on the other hand, transforms the landscape into a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding. Regardless of the season, mountain weather is unpredictable—at elevations over 3,000 meters, temperatures can drop below freezing even in July, so packing warm layers is essential for a comfortable journey.
HEALTH
To ensure a healthy trip, avoid drinking tap water or using it for brushing teeth; rely on bottled or filtered water instead. When it comes to food, it is safer to stick to freshly cooked, hot meals and fruits that you can peel yourself. These simple habits are your best defense against common stomach issues and will help you stay energized. Before you travel, we recommend checking that your routine vaccinations—specifically Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus—are up to date. Since medical infrastructure in remote mountain areas can be limited, having comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation is essential for your safety and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour starts at 7:40 AM from the meeting place and lasts around 9-11 hours.
The best way to pay is cash (USD or local currency) directly to the guide on the day of the tour. We also accept card payments and can provide a payment link if needed.
The tour operates in all weather conditions. If it rains, we recommend bringing an umbrella or raincoat. If the weather is extreme, the boat ride may not be possible, but the rest of the activities will continue as planned.
Yes! You’ll have time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the scenery at Issyk Kul Lake, Burana Tower, and cultural sites.
Professional English-speaking guide
Comfortable sedan/minibus during the day
Small-group tour (min 3 and max 15 passengers)
Admission tickets to Burana Tower, Boat Tour, and Petroglyphs
Small bottled water
Comfortable shoes for walking and exploring
Weather-appropriate clothing (hat/sunscreen in summer, warm layers in winter)
Packed lunch (optional) if you’d like to have a meal during the boat ride
Towel and swimsuit for the hot springs
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