The Great Trek A
31 August 2024
The Great Trek
27 August 2024
Helen (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Fabulous!! | The horses were great, sure footed and knew their jobs. Neck reined and ridden on the buckle end. They literally did not put a hoof wrong. Don’t expect well schooled horses but they know their job perfectly and you quickly learn to trust them and their ability over some very tricky terrain. Saddles were comfortable for long hours. The terrain is tough going. Vertigo sufferers will struggle with the sheer drops and narrow paths etc. and definitely worth getting as fit as possible before hand as there are some tough parts done on foot.
The Great Trek B
27 August 2024
Lidia (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) One of the best holiday experience ever done | Excellent
The Great Trek B
19 August 2024
Marion (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing landscapes of Kyrgyzstan | I kind of missed the variety of riding. Of the 7 days on horseback, we only galloped on one day, the rest being walk.
The Great Trek A
31 July 2024
Martine (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) The horses were super strong and sure on their "feet".
Very different terrain, including steep descents and ascents.
You must be comfortable with heights and steep mountain sides to participate in this ride. In addition, have reasonable/good fitness and be a steady rider! This is important for your own and the group's safety, and to ensure that everyone has a good trip 🙂
Nothing to complain about in terms of tack. Comfortable saddles, sweet and lovely horses and a super guide!
Amazing scenery - I will definitely go back one day!
The Great Trek B
19 July 2024
Henrik (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) It was an absolutely fantastic trip. When I don't score top on the riding, it is because the trip took place 95% in walk. It was far, far away in most places to choose the right (necessary) pace, as the paths were steep and narrow. In some places, however, the terrain seemed very suitable for trotting or cantering, but we didn't get the chance. We had three canters in 8 days.
It does not change the fact that the trip was exceptional and I would definitely recommend it. You just need to know that it is a trip through a very beautiful mountain landscape, where the means that this is more a transport on horseback more than an actual horse ride, where the focus is on technical or fast riding. But with this in mind, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who likes beautiful nature and a look into an original nomadic culture.
The Great Trek
5 July 2024
Olwen who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Brillliant | Excellent
The Great Trek A
23 June 2023
Mike who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. First class mountain equestrian experience | For someone who has a head for heights, is fit, can trust a horse 110%, enjoys outdoor pursuits, is passionate about nature (geology, botany, zoology, physical geography, hydrology, weather), loves to experience culture not influenced (too much) by globalization, and wants to meet friendly locals THIS IS THE RIDE FOR YOU.
The Great Trek A
23 June 2023
Caroline (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Holiday far exceeded expectations - we had an epic time | Riding was as described. 80% of the time you are at the walk as you are negotiation mountain terrain, steep and narrow tracks. One day we had very long and quite fast canters as we were in a wide open valley with fantastic sandy going.
The Great Trek
19 August 2022
Suzy who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. An amazing adventure. Quite demanding with high rewards | The horses all looked really well although many had scars from tack rubbing but this may well have not been the current owner. Life is tough in Kyrgyzstan and it is important to leave behind our western softee approach to loving our horses as part of our family. It is clear that Helene care very much about the welfare of her horses.
The Great Trek A
28 July 2022
Alexandra (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Adventurous, exhausting and beautiful | The first 3 days were very long (8 hours riding), but that was not the fault of the operator. 3 riders in the group couldn't keep up the pace at the beginning. It was really exhausting to arrive that late at the camp. But after a good talk they managed to keep up and we actually had some time to relax in the afternoon.
What I really missed was more information about the region, flora and fauna. When asked Helen answered the questions, but it could have been so much more.
Otherwise it was a really good ride and I can absolutely recommend it.
Helen is a very competend guide and the horses are in good shape and are well treated.
The Great Trek B
7 August 2021
Isabelle who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Beautiful landscapes | The riding was a little slower then I expected. The horses are well behaved and well taken care off
Janet who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Loved my ponio! | The horses were amazing - they knew their job and were very sure footed in all types of terrain.
They knew the 'rules' and were not going to stray away from the herd!
From my personal view I would have preferred to ride shorter distances and trot more as opposed to walk most of the time - but I did realise I was signing up for a trek at mostly walk