Horse riding tour and colours of the Fergana Valley

FAQ

1. Do I need any horseback riding experience? Can I submit for this tour if I have never ridden a horse and do not know how to handle them?
2. How does a horse riding part of the tour go? Are we going to ride horses all the time?
3. What breeds of horses travellers ride during the tour? How much weight can these horses carry?
4. When and how can I feed horses with treats?
5. How will my personal belongings be transported during horse riding tour? Can I ride with a backpack on my back?
6. What horse ammunition will be used?
7. Who will take care of the horses, saddle and unsaddle them?
8. What about those who have health problems? Can they participate in the program?
9. Do I need insurance?
10. What is the weather, day and night, in the mountains at this time?
11. Is it possible to swim in the lakes?
12. Is it possible to meet more dangerous creatures during this trip such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, ticks and etc., in addition to relatively harmless mosquitoes?
13. Can I pick up herbs in the mountains? What plants should be avoided?
14. What about meals?
15. How do communications work during the horse riding tour?
16. What about the Internet?
17. Visas, Permits.

1. Do I need any horseback riding experience? Can I submit for this tour if I have never ridden a horse and do not know how to handle them?
   Horse riding experience is not required but it is welcome. In any case, before starting our horse riding tour, a brief introductory program will be held, where our guides will give you all the necessary instructions in details and teach you how to sit properly in a saddle, how to manage  horses, etc.
2. How does a horse riding part of the tour go? Are we going to ride horses all the time?
   From Osh to the village of Kara-suu we get by car. From the village of Kara-Suu and further to Lake Sary-Chelek (3 days), we ride on horseback
   On the way, we will have to overcome the Kuturma pass, the ascent and descent from which in some places can be quite steep, but at the same time safe. However, if you have a fear of heights, then you can climb the pass on foot.
3. What breeds of horses travellers ride during the tour? How much weight can these horses carry?
   You will ride the Kyrgyz horses during the trip. They are not large, but very strong, hardy and able to make long transition along mountain trails. The Kyrgyz horses are able to carry up to 110 kg for 8 km without resting. However, it should be taken into account that they are living creatures, and after overcoming the passes they need to rest for at least 10-20 minutes.
4. When and how can I feed horses with treats?
   Feeding treats to a horse on the way is strictly prohibited. This can be done only during the rest, having previously obtained permission from a horse handler. It is not recommended to feed horses with treats secretly.
   Like all horses, they will not refuse delicious food, especially as a reward after a long work. You can give your horse its favourite treats: carrots, apples, dried bread, suschki (Russian small ring-shaped bread) and sugar.
5. How will my personal belongings be transported during horse riding tour? Can I ride with a backpack on my back?
   All personal belongings, personal and shared camping equipment that you will need during a horse riding tour are carried by separate horses in bags for transporting cargo - khurjuns (oriental saddle bags).
   Our guests and their horses ride light. You can put on a small backpack (15-25 l) with basic necessities: water, a rain jacket, a personal first-aid kit, a camera, etc.
6. What horse ammunition will be used?
   Kyrgyz people are historically nomadic people, that means they are born riders. Since ancient times, boys have been taught horseback riding from early childhood.
   Horse ammunition in Kyrgyzstan has its own names and some national features that have been formed over many centuries in accordance with living conditions, traditions and climate.
   Horse riding equipment in our equestrian tour will be as follows:
   •Ееr” is a saddle made of wood and covered on top with a thick camel or ox leather. A special fabric or felt is laid under the saddle. On the top of the saddle, the Kyrgyz put a kurpacha (quilt) so that the rider can travel softly and comfortably over long distances in the highlands. The saddle is fastened with leather straps.
   •“Jougon” is a bridle with reins from leather straps and metal bits.
   •“Uzongu” is metal stirrups and leather straps that allow you to adjust the distance between the saddle and the stirrups.
7. Who will take care of the horses, saddle and unsaddle them?
   Throughout the route you will be accompanied by experienced riders from the local residents, Kyrgyz. They will saddle and unsaddle the horses, look after them, feed them and prepare for the daily route.
8. What about those who have health problems? Can they participate in the program?
   Please note, that the route of the tour runs through mountains with considerable altitude differences (the maximum altitude is 2654 m above sea level). The participants can experience some symptoms of altitude sickness which disappear when the descent from the mountains starts. Therefore the tour may not be suitable for persons suffering from heart or respiratory problems (hypertension, asthma). We recommend you to consult your doctor before planning this tour.
9. Do I need insurance?
   Yes, it is. The medical insurance of up to $ 10,000- 15,000 should be obtained before leaving your homeland.
10. What is the weather, day and night, in the mountains at this time?
    In the summer the weather is fair and sunny with daytime temperature reaching +28°С. At night, however, and on rainy days the temperature drops to +8 or + 10ºС which makes the availability of warm jacket rather useful.
11. Is it possible to swim in the lakes?
    Most definitely it is. In summertime the temperature in the lakes is about 17-19°С. No wonder many travelers like to experience some bracing bathing. So don’t forget your swimsuit.
12. Is it possible to meet more dangerous creatures during this trip such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, ticks and etc., in addition to relatively harmless mosquitoes??
    Though such a probability exists, it is too small as proved by our long experience of organizing trekking tours.
13. Can I pick up herbs in the mountains? What plants should be avoided?
    It is advisable not to touch the plants you are not familiar with as some of them can be rather toxic (for example giant fennel can sting you when you touch its leaves). It is forbidden to pick up Red Book plants. The mountain slopes are home to many medicinal herbs including mint, origan, thyme, which you can pick up and brew a delicious ‘mountain tea’. The banks of the rivers are covered with bushes of dog rose and sea-buckthorn.
14. What about meals?
    Throughout the trek programme you will be served hot meals three times a day.
    Below you can find the menu of one of the trekking days:
    Breakfast
    First dish: cereal porridge (semolina, oats, rice).
    Second dish: cooked eggs with sausages, omelette, pancakes, thick pancakes, toasted bread, cottage cheese pancake, etc.
    Buffet table: cheese, sausage, assorted bread, butter, ketchup, marmalade, chocolate paste, sweets, cookies, wafers, dried cream, honey, sugar, halavah.
    Drinks: selection of hot drinks, such as tea (black and green), coffee, cocoa.
    Lunch:
    Buffet lunch: assorted bread, fresh salads, canned fish, cheese, sheep cheese, assorted meat appetizers, tea (black and green) sweets, cookies, wafers, fruits (apples, pears), dried fruits (apricot, raisin, figs, etc.), assorted nuts.
    * In case of camp lunch first course is added.
    Dinner:
    First course - soup (European or local cuisine).
    Second course - various dishes of European cuisine with assorted garnish, as well as a choice of local dishes.
    Buffet table: assorted bread, cheese, sausage, ketchup, spices (mustard, various dressings), sweets, cookies, wafers, sugar.
    Drinks: selection of hot drinks, such as tea (black and green), coffee, cocoa, thin jelly.
    Dessert: watermelon, melon, fruits.
    We take drinking water in the mountains from crystal clear springs. It is recommended to drink only boiled water. In cities and during trips, it is recommended to drink only bottled water.
15. How do communications work during the horse riding tour?
    Cellular telecommunication is available in Osh and on the way to Aflatun settlement. In the mountainous areas, especially in mountain valleys, there are difficulties with signal receipt. Tour manager is equipped with portable satellite terminal to provide uninterrupted external link. Moreover, the group is provided with walkie-talkie to ensure trouble-free connection between trekkers.
16. What about the Internet?
    Internet access is available only in Osh. There are many internet-cafes there.
17. Visas, Permits.
    Kyrgyzstan has considerably simplified its visa policy and today citizens of 70 countries of the world enjoy visa-free access to this Central Asian state.
    Visa-free entry to the territory of Kyrgyzstan is granted for the nationals of the Russia, the CIS countries and a number of citizens of European and other foreign countries.
    The details on Kyrgyz visa, rules of entry and stay on the territory of Kyrgyzstan you can find here.
    To enter the territory of Kyrgyzstan the foreign national must have a foreign passport valid for not less than 6 months following the termination date of the tour.
    It is also important that before their trip to Kyrgyzstan foreign nationals arrange travel medical insurance with coverage of up to $10,000-15,000.

In case you can’t find the answer to your question on our site, please call our tour operators team for assistance.

Service staff

Throughout the trekking travel you will be escorted by high altitude guide, who is the tour manager and our authorized representative. He is responsible for the safety and security of the group as well as decision making, including any changes in the route due to unforeseen circumstances that could threaten the health and well-being of the participants.

The tour is serviced by a team whose responsibility is to pitch and take down tents, lay the table for meals, wash up, pack the loads on horses, make fire and the like.

The team also includes a dedicated professional cook and a horse handler who is responsible for proper packing of the loads on horses and porterage.

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Equipment on route

- Tents are used for accommodation of two persons. The tents are wind-resisting and water-proof and are suitable for any weather conditions. For your comfort the tents are equipped with firm air-beds as well as comfortable sleeping bags with individual lining.
- Tent camp also has a big hangar-like mess tent with tables and camp chairs.
- Throughout the trek we provide quality tableware.
- To cook dishes during the trek we provide gas burner with gas cylinders or a supply of firewood.
- The tent camp is equipped with portable WC.

Any trekking group is provided with portable radio transmitters and GPS navigator.

We also offer the travelers small a flashlight for forehead with extra batteries.

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Meals

Throughout the trek programme you will be served hot meals three times a day. (Please note that in cities we provide only breakfast, whereas lunch and dinner, or any additional food extravagance and alcoholic beverages can be arranged extra.) Below you can find the menu of one of the trekking days:

Breakfast:
First dish: cereal porridge (semolina, oats, rice).
Second dish: cooked eggs with sausages, omelette, pancakes, thick pancakes, toasted bread, cottage cheese pancake, etc.
Buffet table: cheese, sausage, assorted bread, butter, ketchup, marmalade, chocolate paste, sweets, cookies, wafers, dried cream, honey, sugar, halavah.
Drinks: selection of hot drinks, such as tea (black and green), coffee, cocoa.

Lunch:
Buffet lunch: assorted bread, fresh salads, canned fish, cheese, sheep cheese, assorted meat appetizers, tea (black and green) sweets, cookies, wafers, fruits (apples, pears), dried fruits (apricot, raisin, figs, etc.), assorted nuts.
*In case of camp lunch first course is added.

Dinner:
First course - soup (European or local cuisine).
Second course - various dishes of European cuisine with assorted garnish, as well as a choice of local dishes.
Buffet table: assorted bread, cheese, sausage, ketchup, spices (mustard, various dressings), sweets, cookies, wafers, sugar.
Drinks: selection of hot drinks, such as tea (black and green), coffee, cocoa, thin jelly.
Dessert: watermelon, melon, fruits.

Starting point

Tourists should arrive to Osh - the starting point of the tour on the date the tour begins. All expenses connected with early arrival or late departure on completion of the tour should be covered by tourists themselves. In this case our company can arrange transfers to and from the airport as well as book the hotel.

Route Map

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