Tash-Rabat & Chatyr-Kol Horse Trek — 5 Days
About this tour
A short but spectacular trip to the south of Kyrgyzstan. You stay in yurts in the Tash-Rabat gorge, next to the stone caravanserai that sheltered Silk Road merchants for centuries.
From there a horse trek crosses the Tash-Rabat pass (3,882 m) — with a picnic and a panorama of Chatyr-Kol lake from the top — before descending to the lake for a night in yurts. On the way there you see the Burana Tower and the ancient Koshoy-Korgon fortress; on the way back, a swim in Issyk-Kul.
Highlights
- Tash-Rabat caravanserai on the Great Silk Road
- Horse trek over the Tash-Rabat pass (3,882 m) to Chatyr-Kol lake
- Nights in yurts and a banya
- Burana Tower and Koshoy-Korgon fortress
- About 1,000 km by car and 60 km on horseback
Group departures
Join a group on one of these dates, or propose your own. A departure is guaranteed once 2 travellers have joined, and the price per person drops as the group grows.
Join a group: choose your date
Publish your dates and other travellers can join you. They go live as soon as you confirm your email.
- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Arrival in Bishkek
Arrival, check-in at a hotel or guesthouse, lunch, city tour and dinner.
02
Day
Bishkek – Tash-Rabat
Drive south to the Tash-Rabat gorge, visiting the Burana Tower, lunch in Kochkor and the ancient Koshoy-Korgon fortress beyond At-Bashy. Night in a yurt.
03
Day
Tash-Rabat – Chatyr-Kol
Horse trek over the Tash-Rabat pass (3,882 m) with a picnic and a panorama of the lake, then descent to Chatyr-Kol. Night in a yurt.
04
Day
Chatyr-Kol – Tash-Rabat
Ride back to the Tash-Rabat gorge with a picnic on the way and visit the caravanserai. Night in a yurt, with a banya.
05
Day
Tash-Rabat – Bishkek
Drive back over the Dolon pass, lunch in Kochkor and a swim in Issyk-Kul. Night in Bishkek.
06
Day
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
What's included
Included
Private transport for the whole route (car for up to 3 travellers, minibus for larger groups)
English-speaking guide
5 nights in hotels, guesthouses or yurt camps (shared twin rooms)
Breakfast and dinner every day
Picnic lunches on trekking, riding and walking days
A horse for each traveller and your guide, with local horsemen
Entrance tickets and park fees
Not included
International flights
Visa fees (if you need a visa)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement: $150 (5 nights × $30), if you prefer a room of your own
Lunch on travel days
Drinks and snacks
Tips for your guide, driver and horsemen
Personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
- Riders with average fitness and some riding experience — expect 5–6 hours in the saddle on riding days
- Travellers who want to sleep in yurts and live a few days like nomads
- Travellers interested in Silk Road history
Difficulty & safety
The highest point of the route is about 3,882 m. Drink plenty of water, go slowly on the first days and tell your guide about any headache or dizziness. Riding days are 5–6 hours at a walking pace with an experienced horseman; mountain weather changes fast, so keep a warm layer and rain jacket at hand.
What to bring
Warm clothes — nights in the mountains are cold
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
Rain jacket
Sunscreen and sun hat
Sleeping bag
Pricing by group size
FAQ
What is Tash-Rabat?
A stone caravanserai in a remote gorge on a branch of the Great Silk Road — one of the best-preserved Silk Road buildings in Central Asia.
