30th March 2026
what makes a riding holiday Kyrgyzstan so special?
Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan has boomed in popularity over recent years which has left many wondering what makes Kyrgyzstan so special and why does everyone want to ride there?
off grid / nomadic lifestyle
One of the key reasons that makes riding in Kyrgyzstan so special, and one of the main reasons for its rise in popularity, is the opposite lifestyle it offers many of us. We’re all so ‘plugged in’ at the moment, spending hours on social media and working with screens. An escape to Kyrgyzstan to experience a nomadic lifestyle is a breath of fresh air. A large part of riding holidays in Kyrgyzstan is getting to know the local Nomads, learning about their culture and horses, and how they’ve learnt to live off the land. Many of them live a very simple life which is inherently attractive as we move further and further away from that in the Western world.
landscapes
An irresistible feature that makes Kyrgyzstan so special to many is its vast, mountainous landscape. Much of the country is made up of high mountain ranges, with snow and ice covering many of the peaks year round. Kyrgyzstan is also home to beautiful lakes, valleys and canyons, all of which add to the sense of variety and scale as you travel through it. Places like Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s largest high-mountain lakes, show just how extraordinary Kyrgyzstan’s landscapes are. Many of these more remote areas can only be reached on horseback, which makes them feel even more special and untouched.
horses
Another part of what makes riding in Kyrgyzstan so special is the horses and the way of riding itself, both of which feel so different from what most of us are used to in the Western world. The horses are hardy and incredibly sure-footed, perfectly suited to the mountains and the nomadic way of life. In some areas, you may also come across the beautiful native spotted horses Kyrgyzstan is known for. The saddles are often much more stripped back and practical than the ones many will be familiar with at home and it all feels far less polished and far more natural.
yurts
Staying in traditional yurts is one of the most memorable parts of a riding holiday in Kyrgyzstan for many riders. Inside, they are simple but cosy, with everyone sleeping on bed rolls laid out in a shared space. Meals are cooked and served communally, with everyone sitting together to eat as a group, and that sense of sharing the experience is a big part of what makes it so special. It’s a different experience for many of us to travel, live and eat in such close quarters to other people but it allows a bond to form within the group and offers yet another way to experience a life so different to our own.
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