A horseback ride journey crossing the challenging Ak-Suu Traverse, designed for travellers who want more than a roadtrip.
Dates
24-08-2026 / 06-09-2026
Duration
14 days
Group Size
Max 10 people
Max Altitude
3920 M
Difficulty
Hard
Impact Partner
Documentary
Payment Schedule
Deposit of €450,- to secure your spot
The Tien Shan is one of the last mountain ranges on earth where nomadic life still survives. But the world around it is changing fast: tourism, modernization, shifting seasons. We go to understand what this land means to the people who live here: the herders, the families, the guides who still move with the rhythm of the mountains. Through this expedition, we aim to capture their stories with care, and to make sure that the journeys we create respect the culture, the land and the people who shape it.
This expedition wouldn’t exist without Braze — a small team doing quiet, essential work in the Himalaya.
They bridge climbers, guides, and local projects, proving that meaningful impact starts long before the first step on the trail.
of technical gear donated to climbers in Nepal
raised to support and train local guides
receiving new mountain equipment and education support
unused gear re-circulated through local partners
published after each expedition
Arrival in Bishkek
We arrive at the airport and have a rest day in the capital. We will go to the biggest bazar of the country, have a drink and prepare for the next day.
Transfer to Karakol
Full drive across the Issyk-Kul region. Meet your local guides. Final gear check. If time, we visit some stunning places like the quite unknown Ak Say canyon.
Jyrgalan → Terim-Tor Valley
Distance: ~14 km | Time on trail: ~5–6 hours | Terrain & feel: Gradual ascent out of Jyrgalan into open alpine valley. A good “entry day” to settle into rhythm. Camp near Terim-Tor (often around 3,200 m).
Terim-Tor → Boz-Uchuk area
Distance: ~12–16 km (route dependent) | Time on trail: ~5–7 hours | Terrain & feel: Higher alpine terrain, more uneven footing. This is where the route starts to feel remote and wild. Technically not difficult, but requires attention to foot placement.
Boz-Uchuk → Jergez Valley
Distance: ~14–18 km I Time on trail: ~6–8 hours I Terrain & feel: One of the more demanding days. A pass crossing followed by a longer descent. This is typically where ankles and knees start to notice the cumulative load.
Jergez Gorge → Ak Suu valley
Distance: approx. 14 km | Time on trail: 5–7 hours | Character: A relatively steadier day in rhythm, but still crossing Ortok Pass (3,650 m). Long descent along the river into Altyn Arashan, finishing with hot springs and a night in a guesthouse.
Ak Suu valley - Altyn Arashan
Distance: approx. 14 km | Time on trail: 5–7 hours | Character: A relatively steadier day in rhythm, but still crossing Ortok Pass (3,650 m). Long descent along the river into Altyn Arashan, finishing with hot springs and a night in a guesthouse.
Altyn Arashan → Ala-Kul Pass → Ala-Kul Lake (camp)
Distance: approx. 15 km | Time on trail: 7–10 hours (the most demanding day) | Character: The challenging day of the traverse. Long ascent toward Ala-Kul Pass (3,960 m), with the final 200 m steep and rocky. Descend to camp near Ala-Kul Lake at around 3,550 m.
Ala-Kul area → Karakol Gorge → transfer to Karakol
Distance: approx. 12 km | Time on trail: 3–5 hours | Character: Cross a second Ala-Kul pass, with views of several 5,000 m+ peaks, followed by a long descent to the pick-up point at the bridge in Karakol Gorge. Transfer back to Karakol..
Cross the Border → Wildcamp at Charyn canyon
This day, we will have a long day of driving ahead. We will drive to the eastern border and cross it by foot. We will be picked up with a van in Kazakhstan to drive to a few beautiful canyons. We stay the night at the Charyn Canyon.
Kaindy and Kolsai Lake I & II
After the canyons, we will go and visit the beautiful lakes of Kazakhstan and stay the night as well.
Arriving in Almaty
We will drive to our last destination: Almaty. A vibrant city that contrasts with the start of our journey. Experience the mix between Sovjet and modern buildings.
Sightseeing Almaty
Let's go for a tour through the city and see what is has to offer to us.
End of trip
We end our trip, can have a lunch together depending on the flights, and for the people that prefer to fly back from Bishkek this will be a short driving day back to Kyrgyzstan.
This expedition is part of a broader Cold Ember storytelling journey. Along the way we document the landscapes, the culture and the people we meet. Of course, you are not mandatory to be “on camera”. But you do become part of the atmosphere that shapes the final piece: a cinematic reflection of the Tien Shan, its traditions and its changing world.
Expedition leader
Jordy built Cold Ember by scouting routes himself first, from Kilimanjaro to Everest Base Camp and now the Tien Shan. On this expedition, Jordy keeps the overview, makes the on-mountain decisions and ensures the group moves safely and steadily.
He also films the quiet moments that make this journey worth remembering.
See what's included in our price
7-day expedition programme on foot and horseback, from Kyrgyz mountain valleys to the canyons and Almaty
All local transfers during the programme (e.g. to/from the starting point, between valley, canyon and city)
Professional local guides + Cold Ember expedition leader
Pack horses and riding horses as described in the itinerary
All overnights during the official programme (tents in the mountains + simple guesthouse/yurt and hotel nights in the city)
All meals during trekking days in the mountains (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Drinking water, tea and coffee during trekking days
Use of shared camping and cooking equipment (tents, cooking gear, eating utensils, etc.)
All required permits, park fees and entrance fees related to the route
Basic group med kit and emergency/satellite communication carried by the guiding team
International flights to/from the start and end point (usually Almaty)
Any visa, border or registration fees required for your nationality
Travel and cancellation insurance (mandatory, including mountain/trekking cover)
Personal gear (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothing layers, hiking boots, poles, etc.)
Rental of any additional personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, poles, etc.)
Meals in the city that are not explicitly mentioned (e.g. lunches/dinners in Almaty)
Personal expenses such as snacks, alcohol, souvenirs, extra drinks
Tips for local guides, horse teams and drivers (we’ll share a guideline beforehand)
Any additional nights before or after the official programme
Costs for optional activities outside the set itinerary
To confirm your spot, a deposit is required (€450,-)
The next 50% is due three months before departure, and the remaining 50% one months before departure
Once everything is checked and ready, the adventure begins.
All payments are made directly to Cold Ember in euros.
You’ll receive a digital invoice and confirmation after each payment.
A full refund is available within 48 hours of booking.
After this period, your spot is confirmed and non-refundable, as we begin securing permits, staff, and logistics.
Travel insurance with high-altitude coverage (up to 6,000 m) is mandatory.
Your policy must include emergency evacuation and medical treatment.
If the expedition is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances on our side, you receive a full refund or the option to move to a new date.
Booking is simple.
Choose your desired period, add extra add-ons if desired, fill in your details and secure your spot with the deposit after checkout.
You’ll then receive:
a confirmation email
the pre-expedition information pack
your 8-week preparation guide
access to the participant WhatsApp group
We’re here to help at every step, if you have questions before booking, just reach out.
You need a good general fitness level to join this Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan expedition, especially for the day we cross the Ak-Suu Pass. Expect full days outside (6–9 hours) on uneven terrain, with some steeper sections and sustained hiking at altitude. If you can comfortably hike several days in a row in the Alps (or similar) with a daypack, including one longer, tougher day, you’re in the right zone. You don’t need to be an ultra-runner, but you do need to be used to moving for hours and staying mentally steady when you’re tired, cold or the weather turns. If you want, you will be able to ride the horse the first four days, so this helps a lot with the difficulty of the hikes.
No. You’ll get a basic briefing on how to sit, steer and stop your horse. Local horsemen and our guides are there to help. We use horses both as pack animals and, on certain sections, for riding. You should be comfortable around animals and open to trying something new.
You have the option to carry part of the load yourself, but this is not mandatory. The horses will carry most of the luggage. However, the last few days we may need to carry a bit more, as the horses will not be able to cross the Ala Kul pass.
Pack horses carry the group gear and part of the personal gear. You hike with a daypack (water, layers, camera, snacks). Your main duffel goes on the horses between camps. You still need to be able to walk for hours, but you’re not hauling a full expedition pack every day.
Mostly tents in the mountains, plus simple local stays and a city hotel at the end. Wild camping near lakes and in valleys A yurt / guesthouse night where the route allows. A comfortable hotel night(s) in Almaty at the end of the trip. Expect simple, clean and close to the elements, not luxury.
We keep it small: usually around 8–10 participants, plus guides and crew.
Yes, as long as you remember: this is an expedition first, not a staged shoot. You’ll move through some very photogenic terrain (lakes, passes, canyon, Almaty at night) and there is time at camp and during breaks to shoot. The founder is a filmmaker and plans the days with light and story in mind – but we don’t hold up the group every five minutes for “the perfect shot”.
Yes, parts of the expedition are filmed for Cold Ember storytelling. We focus on honest, respectful scenes: people moving through landscape, camp life, small moments. You can always tell us if you don’t want close-ups or interviews. We don’t force anyone into the spotlight, and we never use locals as background decoration.
We stay in a moderate altitude range for the Tien Shan (mountains, but no extreme high camps). You might feel a bit more out of breath than at sea level, but we build the route so your body can adapt. We travel with experienced local guides, a Cold Ember expedition lead, a group med kit and emergency communication. You still need proper insurance that covers trekking and horse riding in remote areas.
We travel in late summer / early autumn, when trails are open and passes are usually clear. Days can be warm in the sun and cold in the wind, nights in the tent can drop close to freezing. You need to be ready for sun, dust, wind and the occasional storm. A detailed packing list will be shared before the trip.
Absolutely. Many people join alone. We match tent/room sharing by gender where possible, and you can request a single room in the city nights if available (usually at extra cost). The small group size makes it easy to connect without feeling lost.
It’s both, but if you only want a relaxed holiday, this is probably not your trip. You’ll be tired, sometimes dirty, sometimes annoyed by dust, horses or weather. You’ll also get big landscapes, real contact, campfire evenings and the weird silence in your hoofd wanneer je na dagen tent ineens weer in een stad staat.
The main expedition language is English. Local guides speak Kyrgyz/Russian (and sometimes English), and the Cold Ember lead makes sure everyone understands the plan, safety briefings and context.
Within realistic limits for a remote trek: yes. Vegetarian is usually possible; vegan, gluten-free or other restrictions we need to discuss in detail beforehand. Food options in the mountains are more limited than in the city, so we sometimes ask you to bring specific snacks/supplements that work for you.
Within realistic limits for a remote trek: yes. Vegetarian is usually possible; vegan, gluten-free or other restrictions we need to discuss in detail beforehand. Food options in the mountains are more limited than in the city, so we sometimes ask you to bring specific snacks/supplements that work for you.
Within realistic limits for a remote trek: yes. Vegetarian is usually possible; vegan, gluten-free or other restrictions we need to discuss in detail beforehand. Food options in the mountains are more limited than in the city, so we sometimes ask you to bring specific snacks/supplements that work for you.
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