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On this trip: The group size is kept deliberately small - maximum seven people - in order to minimise the impact on local communities (which often consist of no more than an extended family), and to foster the possibility of meaningful communication - through our guide/interpreter. Before and after the horse trek we stay in the home of the family who run this tour, in a typical Kyrgyz village on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. While there we visit the workshop of a master yurt maker, who makes not only the components (wooden staves, felt, pegs, ties, etc) required to build these traditional dwellings, but also produces the various decorative items used to adorn the interior. We then travel on horseback, using mounts rented from various owners in the village, into the high mountain valleys of the Terskey Ala-Too range, where we meet the families who in summer move from their villages on the lakeshore to yurts up in the high pastures - the annual transhumance. Passers-by are extremely rare here, so we are invariably welcomed with warmth and curiosity.
We often camp close to the yurt of a herder family, and through close contact have a unique opportunity to understand a way of life that has remained comparatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Other than the the herders and their herds of cows, yaks, sheep, goats and mares, we see only the occasional whistling marmot or raptor floating on a thermal. We play with the children, exchange songs, and are invited to drink kumiss - the national drink of fermented mare's milk. Once they have overcome a certain initial shyness, the Kyrgyz often have as many questions for us to answer as we have for them.
Although we carry most supplies with us, nearly everything is local produce and few concessions are made to Western tastes. Along the way we purchase bread, milk or yoghurt from the inhabitants of the yurts, which gives them a welcome opportunity to augment their meagre income. We endeavour to bag all litter out, and are careful not to pollute water supplies in this unspoilt environment. Travelling in this style is hard but intensely rewarding...
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.
Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.
Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.
Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book.
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