Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
Read our review policy
Tien Shan horse riding holiday, independent reviews
 Reviewed 24 Oct 2007 by Denise Tindale |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riding for up to five hours a day on sure footed horses which picked their way up steep hills and tracks,
over open grassland and mountain streams without hesitation. Picnic and campsites amid
breathtaking mountain scenery. Meeting shepherds and their families who invited us into their yurts,
their hospitality is legendary and we experienced it. Getting to know our guides and the Kyrgyz family
who organised the trek and who looked after us so well.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You have to travel light as you carry everything with you and the best piece of equipment I took was a
Camelback rucksack which meant I could drink while riding without having to unpack a bottle. We took
many photos of the people we met. If I had taken a Polaroid camera as well I could have given them a
photo there and then.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We visited a local workshop in Barskoon to see the women making felt and bought gifts from them. A
local payment goes to the Kygyz family who run the treks. Our guides were local people and one was
our interpreter who was also a teacher. This was their summer work. On the trek we carried everything
with us and nothing was left behind, everything was bagged and packed up after each meal and camp.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This holiday was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. Vast mountain scenery, horses, wild
flowers and wonderful people. I didn't want it to end and now I want to go back.
 |  |  |  |  | (click photos to enlarge) |
| Reviewed 5 Aug 2008 by John Smith | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riding through the silence and emptiness of the Tien Shan and the friendliness of the locals that we met there.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It gets *very* cold at night at altitude, you should go for a better than 5°C sleeping bag.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, surpassed expectations.
| Reviewed 17 Sep 2005 by Catherine Ingleby | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The incredible scenery and people
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be very well prepared for camping in freezing weather
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes
| Reviewed 6 Aug 2005 by Harry Martin | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole experience was just great from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the riding, the meeting of the native shepherds, and the company. It was a superb experience, just a shame it went by so quickly.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would say make sure you really do pack for the cold, the temperature can dramatically drop at night and if you are not prepared you can get really cold. The same goes for rain gear. Also it is worth pointing out that this holiday is not quite as demanding as it might seem. Through out the eight days we very rarely exceeded a trotting pace, and the saddles were really comfortable, so do not be put off if you have not ridden for a while.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely, we bought many of our souvenirs directly from the local family which we stayed with, and nearly all of the food we ate was grown or made within Barskoon; so it was nice to see our money literally going straight into the locals' hands. On the trek we made sure that any rubbish produced left with us, nothing was thrown away which was not biodegradable.