What it’s like to go horse riding in Kyrgyzstan
Do you love to ride horses when you travel? Are you heading to Kyrgyzstan? Why not combine the two! Discover what it’s like to go horse riding in Kyrgyzstan, specifically to the very beautiful Son Kol Lake.
Horse riding is something I love, but it makes me nervous. When your childhood horse throws you from its back so violently that you break your arm as you hit a nearby gumtree, you’re going to have leftover emotional scarring. Every time I get on a horse now, I feel a pang of anxiety. Throw in a terrifying fear of heights (we were riding across mountainous terrain) and you’re going to have more than a case of bad nerves.
I eyed the buckskin gelding I’d chosen. He gazed back at me, a look of indifference in his face. He was to spend two days carrying me up and down mountains, along tiny paths for hours at a time. I couldn’t help but feel that I had the better end of the deal.
Once I swung up onto the back of my buckskin friend, all my anxiety disappeared. I could do this. I’d been doing it since I was 11. But I would keep my helmet on the entire time. You know. Just in case.
The first was because I was far too out of shape to do a hike. Walking up the escalators of London Underground stations was enough to wear me out, these days.
A horse trek seemed like a nice way to enjoy Kyrgyzstan’s scenery, without taxing physical effort on my part.
The second was because I do really genuinely love horses, even though riding scares the bejeebers out of me. We should push ourselves to do the things that scare us, correct? Or is that an insane notion? I’m never quite sure.
We were in for some heavy duty horse-related action, that was certain. We’d be riding for at least five hours a day, stopping for breaks every now and then. Our first night would be spent at a remote yurt camp, tucked in between the mountains.
I’d wanted to name my beautiful buckskin horse and soon christened him Tortoise. He was slow (or just possibly lazy, he had a bit of an attitude to him, which I rather liked) but surefooted, picking his way carefully around the mountains.
We’d ride up incredible heights and as the rules of physics go, would then have to make our way down again. I spent half the trip gazing around, marvelling at the sights and the other trying desperately to look straight ahead – not down, off the side of a very steep mountain.
After several hours, we stopped at our first camp of the night. A secluded trio of yurts, sitting in the middle of nowhere. The Kyrgyz are still largely nomadic and spend the summer months camping in remote areas, fattening their animals up for the winter season. And it would seem, opening up their homes to whichever foreigners happened to pass by.
After the horses were tended to, we gathered in the “ladies’ yurt” (women and men sleep separately) for dinner. A full spread awaited us – stacks of bread and other pastried treats, heaps of cream, lollies and mug after mug of warm, comforting tea. Equally enjoyable were the cups of kymyz we were served. This fermented mare’s milk is, let’s say, an acquired taste. And acquire it I did, finding it to be particularly refreshing after a long day’s riding.
I grit my teeth and pushed on, willing myself to look down every so often to take in the views. What a sight they were.
While it’s possible to travel to other regions of Kyrgyzstan at anytime even in the colder months of the year, September was perfect for riding to Son Kol. The days weren’t too hot, the nights not too cold. There’s a reason this month is my favourite to travel, a fact I was reminded of constantly during the two day trip.
We went exploring for awhile – checking out the lake, taking photos and befriending the local animals. There were dogs everywhere here (including the cutest little puppy, that I really wanted to take home with me), as well as chickens, cows, horses, turkeys and even a trio of donkeys. They were fearless creatures, coming right up to us to say hello and hoping to receive a head scratch in return. We obliged, happily.
Our trip was organised in cooperation with Discover Kyrgyzstan and made possible by USAID. All opinions are my own.
Pin for future reference!
This sounds (and looks) like an amazing adventure! The views are gorgeous and the yurts look cozy. I’ve always wanted to spend the night in a yurt.
They were super cosy! It’s an experience worth having for sure.
Reminds me of my two day horse trek in Mongolia! Such beautiful landscapes and to hike it would have been an insane experience
I feel the same way about Mongolia!
Wow~ What an adventure! Who knew that a 2 day ride on a horse could bring so many new experiences, such as the unique toilet. A great view of the universe awaited you, and I’m sure you won’t forget the experience. This looks like an amazing experience.
It really was, thanks for your comment Sara. 🙂
This is just the perfect way to see that countryside. Stunning photos from an adventure I would love to experience
I hope you get to as well, Kevin!
I’ve never been to Kyrgyzstan, but this sounds like quite the adventure but definitely quite serene and cozy at the same time! 🙂
It’s a country worth visiting!
What lovely and breathtaking landscapes. It looks like an epic trip indeed. The photos are stunning and capture the magic of the place in vivid colour.
Thanks Vyjay, it was a great trip for sure. 🙂
Amazing scenery and incredible experience. Those yurts look fab and I think even I could be persuaded to use that dunny if the views are that good…
I would love to do this but would have to hike instead of ride as my husband is horribly allergic to horses!
Ha, the dunny wasn’t too bad, tbh! Sad about your husband’s allergies, poor thing. I couldn’t imagine being allergic to horses, I think I would have been a very upset 11 year old if that were the case. I’m sure a hike would be just as good.
My heart just melted reading that the dog had followed you for last 2 hours of your ride!!!
And what an amazing journey! I think you bond with animals well, and it is such a good thing.
They were so cute, dogs are the best. Thanks Indrani, I hope so because I really, truly love them.
This is such an awesome post! Fully want to do this now!
You’re only going to hear encouragement from me!
Wow! Wow ! Wow! Your photo gallery ‘s incredible. The landscape ‘s amazing, I am very like “Some of the snacks that awaited us, inside the yurt”. It’s attracted.
Haha cheers!