Horse Riding Tours in Uzbekistan
Ride through Uzbekistan's mountains with local guides and horsemen: the Nuratau range between the Kyzylkum Desert and the Silk Road cities, and the Chimgan and Chatkal ridges of the Western Tian Shan, a short drive from Tashkent.
See 8 toursWhere we ride
The Nuratau Mountains are our classic riding country. Trails link the villages of Asrof, Ukhum, Majrum and Sentyab, and the longer routes continue to the edge of the Kyzylkum Desert and Aydarkul Lake. Nights are spent in village homestays or at a camp by the lake, depending on the tour.
Closer to Tashkent, the Western Tian Shan offers higher, steeper riding: the Kumbel ridge, the Beldersay river and waterfalls, the Kyzyl-Jar cliffs and views down to Charvak Lake. These routes start from villages such as Kumushkan and Karamazar and usually include camping in the mountains.
How long and how demanding
Our rides run from a single day to nine days. The 1-day Chimgan ride is a 5-hour, 16 km loop that tops out at about 1,845 m, a good way to try riding in Uzbekistan's mountains. The 3- to 6-day Tian Shan rides and the 7- and 9-day Nuratau journeys add longer days in the saddle, river crossings and passes.
Every tour page shows its difficulty, rated from moderate to moderately hard. If you are not sure a route suits your riding experience, send us a message before booking and we will help you choose.
Best time to ride
Spring (April and May) is when the lower trails are at their greenest and the Nuratau walnut groves and wild tulips are in bloom. September is ideal for riding too, with comfortable temperatures and golden grasslands. In summer the higher Tian Shan routes come into their own, while the lowlands get hot.
All horse riding tours
1 day 1 Day Horse Riding Tour Along Chimgan Mountains
Route: Tashkent-Chimgan Village-Yubileyniy Village- Tashkent. Activity: 5-hour guided horseback trek (16 km). Elevation: Starts at 1,600 m, peaking at 1,845 m. Key Sights: Kyzyl-Jar cliffs, Charvak Lake, Greater & Small Chimgan Peaks, and local alpine flora/fauna. Difficulty: Moderate (mostly downhill after the midpoint).
3 days 3 Days Horse Riding In Western Tian-Shan Mountains
The Kyzyljar Ridge & Chatkal Ranges Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights Route: Tashkent → Aksakata Valley → Chet Kumbel Pass → Beldersay → Kyzyljar Ridge → Charvak Lake → Tashkent Themes: High-Altitude Trekking, Wild Camping, Panoramic Ridge Riding, and National Park Exploration.
4 days 4 Days Horse Riding in Western Tian-Shan mountains
Itinerary Summary Day 1: Ride from Kumushkhan village to Lake Achikkul and the Surenata slopes, descending into the Aksakata valley for riverside camping. Day 2: Traverse the ancient Marble Line, ascending the scenic peaks of Kokbet (1,800m) and Maygashkan (2,350m) before camping at a remote hydrometstation. Day 3: Descend into the Beldersay valley, cross the Urta Kumbel (1,830m) and Takhtajaylou (2,000m) passes, and camp at the base of Greater Chimgan near the Aksai waterfalls. Day 4: Ride along the Kyzyl-Jar (Red Cliffs) ridge, visit a traditional nomadic shepherd shelter to taste koumys, and descend to Charvak Lake for the return to Tashkent.
5 days 5 Days Horse Riding Tour In Chatkal And Chimgan Mountains
Tour Name: Horseback Tour Along Chatkal and Chimgan Mountains Region: Western Tien-Shan, Uzbekistan Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights Difficulty: Medium Total Distance: Approximately 90 km Route Type: Linear (Starting near Gazalkent, ending in Chimgan Village) This 5-day expedition offers an immersive journey through the Chatkal and Chimgan ranges. The tour balances physical adventure with scenic beauty, taking riders through wild orchards, high-altitude passes, and dramatic gorges. Highlights include camping by the Aksakata River, viewing the turquoise Charvak Reservoir from Charvak Peak, and hiking through the waterfalls of Gulkam Gorge. It is a full-service tour including an English-speaking guide, professional cook, and all mountain logistics.
6 days 6 Days Horse Riding In Western Tian-Shan Mountains
Itinerary Summary & HighlightsChet Kumbel Pass ($H = 1830\text{m}$): You start with a ridge walk that offers the best views of the Beldersay valley and the "petroglyphs" (ancient rock carvings) often found nearby.Urta Kumbel Pass ($H = 1830\text{m}$): A crossing point that leads you down into the Marble River (Mramornaya).The Marble River: This is a local favorite. The riverbed is made of natural white marble, polished smooth by water. Keep an eye out for fossilized shells in the rocks—remnants of the ancient Tethys Ocean.Takhtajaylou Pass ($H = 2000\text{m}$): A steep climb to a high-altitude plateau. The name translates roughly to "Throne Meadow," fitting for its majestic views of the surrounding peaks.Aksai River & Big Chimgan: You descend toward the base of Big Chimgan ($3309\text{m}$). This area is lush with birch groves and is the traditional starting point for climbers.Return to Tashkent: 85 km drive (about 1.5 hours) brings you back from the wild mountains to the modern capital.
7 days 7 Days Horse Riding Tour In Nuratau Mountains
Ancient Trails of Nuratau Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Route: Tashkent → Jizzakh → Eski Forish → Asrof → Ukhum → Majrum → Sentyab → Lake Fozilman → Tashkent Themes: Mountain Trekking, Rural Homestays, Ancient History
9 days 9 Days Horse Riding In Nuratau Mountains
This 9-day expedition offers a deep immersion into the Nuratau Mountains and the Kyzylkum Desert fringe. It is a rare "village-to-village" journey that connects the lifestyle of mountain Tajiks and Uzbeks with the vast solitude of the Aydar Lake basin. Itinerary Summary Day 1: Transfer from Tashkent via Jizzakh; begin riding from Bolomon to Eski Forish. Day 2: Ride to Asrof village; afternoon hiking for desert panoramas and bread-baking demonstrations. Day 3-4: A two-day expedition to the shores of Aydar Lake (39 km); lakeside camping and desert riding before returning to Asrof. Day 5: Mountain ridge riding to Ukhum village; visit the Severtzov Urial nature reserve and ancient petroglyphs. Day 6: Ride to Majrum village to see the 2,800-year-old Juniper tree and ruins from the era of Alexander the Great. Day 7: Journey to Sentyab village, exploring stone-built ruins and a hilltop mausoleum. Day 8: High-altitude ascent to Lake Fozilmon (1,640m) for lunch by the mountain waters. Day 9: Final ride through the Majrum valleys and artificial lakes before returning to Tashkent.
9 days 9 Days Horseback Tour In Western Tian-Shan, Chatkal Mountain Ranges
Summary of the Itinerary Day 1: Arrival: Welcome to Tashkent; city tour and orientation. Day 2: Into the Wild: Transfer to Ertashsay via the Kamchik Pass. Begin the ride (4-5 hrs) up to a "marble belt" garden camp. Day 3: The High Ridges: Adventure riding (6-7 hrs) across the Chichar Pass (2850m), traversing the Babaytag mountain to an alpine valley camp. Day 4: Bears' Pass & Pulatkhan: Ride (6-7 hrs) through the "Bears' Pass" into Maidantal valley, featuring views of the legendary Pulatkhan Plateau and wild berries. Day 5: The Long Trek: The most demanding day (8-9 hrs); crossing the Maidantal River, passing an old gold mine, and descending into the Aksakata and Nurikata valleys. Day 6: Chimgan Views: Ride (5-6 hrs) with views of Big Chimgan Peak, ascending through forests to the Beldersai Valley. Day 7: Village Life: Ride (5-6 hrs) through Uchterak village to meet locals, crossing the Galvaysai River to reach Chimgan Village. Day 8: Canyons & Lakes: Final ride (5-6 hrs) to Small Chimgan (2090m) for panoramic views, followed by a visit to Gulkam Canyon and Charvak Lake. Return to Tashkent. Day 9: Departure: Shopping in Tashkent and transfer to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need horse riding experience?
It depends on the route. Each tour page lists its difficulty, from moderate to moderately hard. The 1-day ride in the Chimgan mountains is the shortest option. For multi-day rides, tell us about your riding experience before booking and we will recommend a suitable tour.
Where do the horse riding tours start?
Most of our riding tours start in Tashkent, and some Nuratau tours can also start from Bukhara. The Chimgan and Western Tian Shan rides are a short drive from Tashkent.
Where do we sleep on multi-day rides?
It varies by tour: village homestays on the 7-day Nuratau route, a camp by Aydarkul Lake on the 9-day Nuratau route, and mountain or riverside camping on the Western Tian Shan rides. Each tour's day-by-day itinerary lists the accommodation.
When is the best season for horse riding in Uzbekistan?
April–May and September are the best months for most routes. Summer suits the higher Western Tian Shan rides. Winter is not a riding season in the mountains.
What should I bring?
Comfortable riding trousers, layered clothing with a warm fleece and a rain jacket, sturdy shoes, and sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), since the UV is strong at altitude. See our travel tips for a full packing list.