# Mai-Tor Pastures Horse Trek - 5 Days

Ride from Epkin to the Kereshke pasture, on to Mai-Tor and over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass to Song-Kul, where you spend a full day with herder families. You leave over the Tuz-Ashuu pass. Three nights in yurts and one in a shepherd's house.

- Duration: 5 days
- Type: Horse riding, Off-the-beaten-path
- Best season: June to September
- Starts and ends in: Bishkek
- Pace: Moderately paced
- Activities: Horse riding - 5 days
- Accommodation: 3 nights at yurt, shepherd’s house - 1 night
- Total driving: 510 km
- Price: on request (depends on group size, season and options). Free quote, no prepayment to enquire.
- Group: small group or fully private, with a local English-speaking guide
- Page: https://azattours.com/tours/mai-tor-pastures-horse-trek-5-days/

## Highlights

- Riding from Epkin through the Kereshke and Mai-Tor pastures
- Over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass to Song-Kul
- A full day with herder families at the lake
- Out over the Tuz-Ashuu pass

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Drive to Epkin & ride to Kereshke pasture

You leave Bishkek in the morning and head for Epkin Village, where a family homestay puts out a homemade lunch and you meet the horse that will carry you the next few days. Your guide settles you in the saddle before the trail begins.

The ride opens onto wide views of the Korumdu and Baba-Ata ranges, an easy stretch of smooth ground that lets you find your rhythm. By evening you reach a herder's house on the Kereshke pasture, where dinner is shared at the family's table.

- Transfer: 230 km · 4 h
- Activity: Horse riding · 17 km · 4 h
- Meals: Lunch at guesthouse, dinner at shepherd's house
- Overnight: Guesthouse (2500 m)

### Day 2: Ride to Mai-Tor pasture

After breakfast you ride on toward Mai-Tor, crossing gentle hills and passing the yurts and winter houses where local nomads live with the seasons. Lunch is at a herder's yurt along the way.

The afternoon brings a steady climb toward the Kyzyl-Kiya Pass, with daily life unfolding around you the whole time. You spend the night with a herding family, sharing their yurt and their evening.

- Activity: Horse riding · 21 km · 5-6 h
- Meals: Breakfast at shepherd's house, lunch & dinner at yurt
- Overnight: Yurt (2800 m)

### Day 3: Ride over Jalgyz-Karagai Pass to Song-Kul

A traditional breakfast sets you up for a longer day. You follow the Chaar-Archa River down through the Kilemche pasture, then begin the climb toward the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass at 3400 m, the hardest effort of the trip so far.

From the top, Song-Kul opens out below you, vast and quiet. You ride down to a yurt camp on the shore, where the evening is yours to walk by the water and sit with the nomad families who summer here.

- Activity: Horse riding · 23 km · 5-6 h
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt
- Overnight: Yurt (3100 m)

### Day 4: A day with nomads at Song-Kul

Today you slow down and live by the rhythm of the jailoo. From the early-morning milking of the horses to gathering dried dung for the fire, you lend a hand with the tasks that fill a herder's day and watch how a family works the land.

There's an optional ride if you want more time in the saddle, but the day is really about being here, among the herds, the yurts and the people, with nowhere you need to be.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at yurt
- Overnight: Yurt (3100 m)

### Day 5: Ride over Tuz-Ashuu Pass & drive to Bishkek

Your last morning in the saddle climbs to the Tuz-Ashuu Pass at 3300 m, where Song-Kul spreads out one final time behind you. You ride down to Kyzart Village for lunch.

From there it's an afternoon on the road back to Bishkek, closing a trip built from quiet trails, mountain passes and nights at a herder's table.

- Transfer: 280 km · 4 h
- Activity: Horse riding · 20 km · 4 h
- Meals: Breakfast at yurt, lunch at guesthouse

## Common questions

**How long is this tour?** It runs 5 days, starting and ending in Bishkek.

**When is the best time to go?** The season runs June to September. June to September brings the warmest days, and the high-pasture yurt camps are open.

**How fit do I need to be?** It's moderately paced, with 5 days Horse riding. Good general fitness is enough, and there is no technical climbing.

**Do I need horse-riding experience?** No. Our guides match each horse to your level and keep the first day gentle, so complete beginners ride this route every season.

**Where will I stay?** A mix over the trip: 3 nights at yurt, shepherd’s house - 1 night.

## How to book

Send your dates and group size and we confirm availability and a tailored price within 24 hours: https://azattours.com/tours/mai-tor-pastures-horse-trek-5-days/#book

- WhatsApp and phone: +996 502 888 001 (https://wa.me/996502888001)
- Email: azatbeyshenaliev1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azattourskg/
- Enquiry form: https://azattours.com/#plan
- Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan