Horse Trekking in Uzbekistan's Mountains: Where to Go and What It Costs

In Uzbekistan's mountains a horse is not a fairground ride but working transport. Shepherds still ride up to their summer pastures, and a trail that takes half a day on foot can be covered in a couple of hours in the saddle. That is why a simple pony ride here easily turns into a real trek: a night by a river, dinner around a fire and views of ridges no car can reach. Below we look at where to arrange it, roughly what it costs and whether someone who has never ridden can manage.

Chimgan and the Charvak area

The most accessible spot is the village of Chimgan and the Beldersay valley in Bostanliq district, about 80–90 km from Tashkent. Local grooms with horses wait near the ski lifts and on the meadow by the guesthouses. The options are simple:

• a 30–60 minute ride along the slope with a view of Big Chimgan, fine for children and beginners;
• a half-day outing to waterfalls or up to a ridge overlooking the Charvak reservoir;
• a 2–3 day trek with overnight stays, arranged in advance, usually through tour agencies or guides who know the local herders.

The road to the mountains passes through Chirchik, so it is convenient to travel the Tashkent — Chirchik route first and then take local transport or a taxi up to Chimgan or Charvak.

Ugam-Chatkal National Park

For multi-day rides the valleys above Charvak are more rewarding: Koksu, Pskem and Ugam. This is Ugam-Chatkal National Park, with alpine meadows, juniper-covered slopes, walnut groves in the gorges and fast rivers of ice-cold water. Routes of 3–6 days usually go from village to village or from one pasture to the next.

Things to know:

• an ecological fee may be charged to enter the national park, so check on the spot;
• some valleys, such as the upper Pskem, lie in a border zone and may require a permit; tour operators usually arrange it;
• renting a horse for several days from a stranger on your own is not a good idea: you need a guide who knows both the trail and the animal.

Zaamin and the Turkestan range

The second major area is Zaamin National Park in the south of Jizzakh region, with juniper forests, high meadows and cool air even in July. Sanatoriums and guesthouses offer rides, and with a guide you can go on a one- or two-day route to the pastures. Get there via the Tashkent — Jizzakh route; from Jizzakh it is roughly another one and a half to two hours by road.

The Nuratau mountains

In the Nuratau range, between Jizzakh and Navoi, village tourism has been running for years, with guesthouses in villages such as Sentob and Asraf. Hosts often offer horse or donkey rides through gorges with petroglyphs, springs and ancient walnut trees. It is a less touristy option where a lot is settled by simply talking to your host.

What it costs

Prices depend heavily on season, place and your negotiating skills. Roughly:

All figures are approximate and change, so confirm the price in advance and agree on what is included: a horse for the guide, a pack horse, meals and tents.

Do you need experience

For a one-hour ride, no. Local horses are calm and used to visitors, and the groom usually leads the animal by the bridle. For a multi-day trek some experience helps but is not essential: guides choose quiet horses, and on a mountain trail the pace is a walk. The hard part is not control but stamina: five or six hours in the saddle will be felt if you are not used to it.

How to prepare:

1. Wear long, sturdy trousers; shorts and thin leggings chafe.
2. Choose shoes with a heel or a stiff sole so your foot does not slip through the stirrup.
3. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a windproof jacket: the mountain sun is harsh and evenings are cold.
4. Ask about a helmet; if it matters to you, bring your own.
5. Never get on a horse without stirrups and a bridle, even if someone offers a quick go.

When to go

The best season runs from late May to September. In spring trails can be washed out, rivers run high and snow lies at altitude. In July and August the mountains are pleasant while the valleys bake. October is beautiful, but nights are already cold, so an overnight trek needs a warm sleeping bag.

Getting there

The easiest way to reach the mountains is a shared ride: on Yo'ldosh drivers publish trips on the Tashkent — Chirchik and Tashkent — Jizzakh routes, and you book a seat in the app. It costs less than a taxi, and you can pick a departure time that fits the start of your trek. See other destinations in the routes section.

Cover photo: BLM Oregon & Washington, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.