Horse Trek Adventure from Arslanbob to Toktogul

Take in all the diverse landscapes of this region on horseback by riding along a winding mountainous trail through inspiring red rocks, green valleys, canyons and jailoos (high pastures) filled with grazing animals. This easy-moderate 4-day horse trek takes you from Arslanbob to Kara-Suu Lake where you’ll have many opportunities to learn about local nomadic culture and meet local shepherds and their families along the way.

Destination: Arslanbob village, Toktogul village, Jalal – Abad Region, southern Kyrgyzstan

Season: June – to mid-September

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Trekking Distance: 83 km

Maximum/Minimum Elevation: 3,185 meters / 1,129 meters

Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 3937 m+ / 3840 m-

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Starting/Ending Point: Arslanbob village / Toktogul village

Horse Trek Map

Day 1. Kyzyl-Unkur and Otuz Art Gorge

After a brief horseback orientation in Arslanbob, enjoy a relaxing ride through the village filled with traditional clay houses, blossoming gardens, and fruit orchards. The trail continues through the walnut forest towards Kyzyl-Unkur village. Then the landscape changes to dramatic red rock formations as we enter Kyzyl-Unkur Canyon and Otuz Art Gorge. Quite an impressive site and unique to this area.

Day 2. Juniper Forest and Otuz Art Jailoo

Begin the day by following the Otuz Art river through the gorge until reaching a steep trail through a juniper and apple tree forest. We return again to the valley where we will meet local shepherds on horseback looking after their sheep, cows and other animals. This ride continues through more unique red rock formations and wild landscapes.

Day 3. Belmonchok Pass to Kapka Tash Lake

Take a steep trail toward Belmonchok Pass (3,185 meters), used often by local shepherds to move their livestock to the jailoo (high pasture) in the summer months. Some parts of the trail are be a bit tricky and steep, so we’ll walk the horses for part of the way up to Belmonchok Pass. There, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges and lush valleys below. Descend through a mountain stream to the vibrantly colored Kapka Tash Lake where we’ll set up the campsite for the night.

Day 4. Kara-Suu Lake

This last day is the day of alpine lakes. We leave Kapka Tash Lake behind and continue through Alatai National Park until reaching Kara-Suu Lake (6.5 km long). We ride from one end of the lake to the other, taking in the beauty of the juniper and spruce trees and meeting local shepherds along the way. After lunch on the shore the transport will meet you to take you to Toktogul village.

Price in USD