Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Warning about Pegasus horse trekking and guesthouse in Choplan Ata

Country forums / Central Asia / Kyrgyzstan

Hi,
I just wanted to share my experience with Pegasus Guest House and horse trekking in Choplan Ata with you. Hopefully some of you will not have to go thru this same thing which I did.
They (Tania) organize treks with horses for 1 hour to the lake, 2 hours to the petroglyphs, 3 hours or more to the mountains.
I asked to go to the petroglyphs but because horses don’t have right shoes Tania told me she can go to the lake.
I didn’t really want to go to the lake, but thought 1 hour will be nice experience in Kyrgyzstan to go to the famous lake on horse.
For over 30 minutes she made me walk on horse on major street in Choplan Ata between people, kids and cars. I have to say it was not my dream trip…
At the other end of the city she met another lady who wanted to learn how to gallop for coming World Nomad Games 2014. They practised for 30 minutes when I was standing and watching them.
From there we went to the lake for not even 5 minutes along the shore, then again away from the shore to the hippodrome, where the other lady practised the gallop.
Tania disappeared for 10 minutes, when she show up she told me get away from the horse 2 hours is up (even though was really 80 min)and I have to pay now , and come back on my own to the hotel!!!
I didn’t have any money on me for the horse trek. I had to walk on foot for over 50 minutes back to the hotel(I was in the city not even 24hours yet)
My surprise was even bigger when I find out that she called hotel and made her daughter in law ask my husband for 2 hours to be paid immediately.
He paid, but when I told him what happen and he asked for money back she told him that she can call police and she will made her report and we can make ours!!!!
This how operate recommended by Lonely Planet organizer!
Something about guesthouse: for the price what they charge for dorm room with typical squad toilet in the garden , shower with no water or no warm water in the other part of the garden, I founded easy hotel with my private room with European(western style ) toilet hot shower cabin – everything just for myself!
For half what they charge you can get private room with share toilet and bathroom not far away from them!
I am not sure why LP recommends this place. To me this was a disaster in Kyrgyzstan!! Total rip off for the bed, and total cheating/stealing with the horse trek!
In my whole trip in Kyrgyzstan for over 3 weeks I met very friendly, kind and honest Kyrgyz people in every step away. She stands out in very bad way from all others.

I realize Pegasus was LP's 'Our Pick' for place to stay. Sorry to hear about your experience and what a shame about them. Good that here is a network to exchange ideas and tell about our experience.

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