Chaar Horse Trail Expedition: In the Nomads’ Footsteps.
Join us for the first official 10 day adventure through the stunning mountains of Kyrgyzstan partnered with the legendary native spotted Chaar Appaloosa horses.
Join us for 10 days: July 14 - 24th 2025
from €2,300 pp
Visit the summer pastures of the Chaar Appaloosa horses, sleep under the stars in the mountains and learn about the Kyrgz nomadic lifestyle. A once-in-a-lifetime adventure with all proceeds directly supporting the project to revive this special heritage breed.
Meet the Chaar Appaloosa
We invite you to join us for an inspirational trip that we hope will bring new connections, friendships and understanding to our mission of restoring a beloved breed central to the history of Kyrgyzstan. Every participant will be welcomed into our family of both horses and passionate people from around the world who have helped us throughout this entire project. We look forward to meeting you all and showing you this wonderful part of the world with the help of our horses.
If you aren’t already familiar with the Chaar Association and how we got started, make sure to read our blog and watch our documentary ‘True Appaloosa’.
Follow the footsteps of the Kyrgz nomads
Join our highly anticipated inaugural 10 day expedition to explore untouched regions of this beautiful country. Immerse yourself in the authentic nomadic way of life as you ride, camp, and deeply connect with the majestic Chaar Appaloosa horses.
Discover the awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan while forging unforgettable memories with fellow horse enthusiasts.
Visit the next generation of Chaar foals
July is mid-summer in the mountains where the herds are able to graze at the highest points of up to 3400m in altitude. We’ll ride past waterfalls, glacial lakes, and over high mountain passes to reach the lush fields where the new babies are discovering their home for the first time.
The horses run free, so it’s often a mini adventure in itself to find them all, scattered throughout the peaks and valleys. As we explore, you’ll get the chance to witness all stages of development, from adorable newborn foals to our magnificent and renowned stallion named ‘Chaar Suluu’.
FAQs: Important Info
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This trip is best suited for those with a passion for horses and outdoor adventures. Previous outdoor riding, trekking and camping experience is important as this is a truly remote experience. 7 days will be spent camping in the mountains with tents or yurts, no bathrooms, no electricity and often no cell phone signal. We hope you are the kind of person who will see this as a positive, a real chance to disconnect with your day-to-day life and find new perspectives in the mountains.
There will be an experienced guide and horseman but you should be happy to take care of yourself in a remote outdoor environment.
Even though it is summer, many parts of the trip are at high altitude (over 3000m) so you will need to prepare for both high and low temperatures, wind, and rain. Much of the riding is at a walk because we will be climbing and descending steep mountain passes, so there is a lot of opportunity to enjoy the scenery. If you are looking for a fast paced ride, it may not be the right fit for you. Kyrgyzstan is a generally safe country and the horses are well trained.
We will do our absolute best to put together a group of horse-loving people and hope we will all leave with some great new friends. Those with a curious, friendly attitude are the most welcome to join!
To ensure your expectations match up with the reality of what this trip will be like, we'll schedule a call before confirming all participants. This is to ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment on the trip. :)
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Day 1.
Arrival to Bishkek, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After resting, visit to the city and preparation of personal stuff for riding.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2.
Transfer to Suusamyr valley. This will take 3 hours from Bishkek. In Suusamyr valley, we will stop at the yurt camp and will meet our horsemen and horses.
1 hour of riding to familiarize yourself with the horses.
Overnight stay in yurt.
Riding: 1 hour
Day 3.
5 hours of riding across the Suusamyr valley.
Overnight stay in yurt.
Riding: 5 hours
Day 4.
Riding toward Jaisan pass (3800m). We will set up our tent camp under the foot of the pass, at 3000m
Overnight stay in the tents
Riding: 5 hours
Day 5.
Passing over the Jaisan pass and riding towards the yurt camp in Ters pasture
Overnight stay in yurt
Riding: 4 hours
Day 6.
Riding toward Borukorboz lake to observe chaar horses herds
Overnight in yourte
Riding: 5 hours
Day 7.
Riding to the Japyrtmakty pasture by passing the Sharkyratma pass (3400m)
Overnight stay in the tents
Riding: 5 hours
Day 8.
Riding to the Jylaan bazaar pasture by passing the kyz tuudu pass (3000m)
Overnight stay in the tents
Riding: 5 hours
Day 9.
Final day of trail riding, arrival to Toktogul town.
Overnight stay in the guest house
Riding: 4 hours.
Day 10.
Visiting town, local market and lake on your own.
Overnight stay in the guest house
Day 11.
Transfer to Bishkek (5 hours)
Hotel accommodation
Farewell dinner
Transfer to airport (1 hour).
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Price includes:
Organization and coordination of stay
All accommodation and food during the stay (except drink alcohol)
English speaking guide, horse guide(s)
Horses for baggage
Transport for transfers and assistant transport
Fees for sightseeing and museums
It does not include:
International air ticket
Insurance and repatriation.
Soft and alcohol drinks
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1 small backpack for personal belongings for a day
1 bag with your luggage (only one per person) which will be transported when we travel by minibus
1 sleeping bag (0 C degree comfort) and inflatable mattress.
Warm clothes, shorts and pants, cloak for the rain
Mountain footwear, tennis shoes and summer open shoes
Water bottle (1 litre)
Protection against sun, bob hat, glasses, cream…
Battery lamp
Waist bag for papers, documents, and other personal items
Personal pharmacy: blister prevention products, gastrointestinal medications, disinfectant, analgesic.
Essential: personal water purifiers for travelling. (The guide has a collective pharmacy for emergency care)
Note on the problems of health and pharmacy: It is the responsibility of each of you to warn the Chaar Appaloosa association before the start of the tour about any medical problems (allergies, medical history, drug reactions, etc…). And to take, if necessary, drugs that are specific to you.
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Early Bird Pricing - €2,300 (approx $2500 USD)
Pay in Full Before Aug. 31st 2024The price per person is €2,300 (approx $2500 USD) if you book & pay in full before the early bird deadline of August 31st 2024.
All proceeds from the trip go directly to support the horses, and winter is the most difficult time for us. We need to purchase food, veterinary care, and horsemen to look after the herd during the long, cold winter months. For this reason we offer a €300 discount if you pay in full by August 31st. 2024.
If you wish to pay in installments, get in touch and we may be able to offer this depending on demand.
Regular Price - €2,600 pp
Your chance to support a Heritage Breed
We are the only breeders of the Chaar Appaloosa horses, growing their numbers to 80 horses in 2024. All proceeds from the trip go directly to the horses, for purchasing food, veterinary care, staff and other essentials. By participating in the tour, you’ll be directly impacting the future of the project and can follow along as the horses grow. (Learn more about the project and how the funds are used here)
Federica N. - Visited in 2023 (read full article here)
“I had the opportunity to travel to Kyrgyzstan and visit Munarbek and his horses. Not only that – I got the chance to ride them, too! Between September 1-4, I took a horse trail camping trip on the Suusamyr mountains and valley around Toktogul. It was an unforgettable experience. We climbed up to 3400 metres on the back of unbelievably strong horses. For about 6 hours every day, we travelled across this stunning mountain range, trusting the horses with our lives.
What was obvious to me was Munarbek and his team of collaborator’s great care for, and devotion to, the Chaar, the herd’s well-being and happiness. I was miles and miles away from home, without network coverage, camping at 3200 metres, and yet I felt connected to everything around me in a very deep way. Most importantly, I felt the connection to the Chaar, who had been able to take me so far, and so high.”
Meet the Team
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Munarbek
Founder of the Chaar Horse Association
Munarbek is the director of the Chaar breeding project, managing the herds, organizing events, conducting research, and tirelessly advocating for the preservation of Kyrgyzstan's indigenous horses.
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Talant
Horseman & Expert Guide
Born and raised in the mountains, Talant is an expert horseman and guide. He plays a key role in protecting the Chaar herds year round and knows the terrain better than anyone!
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Kayla
Point of Contact
Here to help with any questions and coordinate the group before and during the trip.
Want to join? Get in touch to secure your spot.
Fill out the form below with your details and we’ll get in touch with further info. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and we’ll get to know you better before we confirm your place.