The Marco Polo sheep hunt in Kyrgyzstan offers an exceptional sheep hunting experience at a fraction of the cost of most North American sheep hunts. As point creep in the United States continues to put sheep hunts further and further out of reach and outfitted hunts go up in price rapidly, Asia continues to allow hunters the opportunity for a sheep hunt as soon as the hunter is ready. This is the mountain hunt that every sheep hunter should have on their list.
Set in the Ak Say Valley south of the Naryn River, your hunting concession spans nearly 380,000 acres of prime Marco Polo sheep country. The terrain is classic high-mountain wilderness — sweeping ridgelines, rocky slopes, and alpine valleys that hold strong populations of Marco Polo sheep with excellent trophy quality. Groups of 2–4 hunters make this one of the best buddy hunts available anywhere.
Hunt Area
The hunting takes place in the Ak Say Valley of Kyrgyzstan, situated well below the Naryn River in the heart of the Tian Shan mountain range. At altitudes between 10,000 and 13,000 feet, this is prime Marco Polo sheep habitat — vast open valleys and ridgelines where mature rams can be spotted at distance and stalked on horseback. The concession is carefully managed and holds strong sheep numbers with proven trophy quality. Hunters seeking a combo hunt of Marco Polo sheep and Mid-Asian ibex will be pleasantly surprised to find that ibex trophy quality in this area is just as high — or better — than in the ibex-only hunting area.
The Hunt
After arriving at base camp, you will spend a half day or full day on gear preparation, rifle zeroing, and preparing horses for the trek into the mountains. From base camp, a 4–5 hour horseback ride takes you to spike camp where the hunting begins. Expect 5–6 days of active hunting on horseback and on foot across steep mountain terrain. Shots are typically taken between 300–600 yards, so a long-range rifle capable of accurate shots to at least 600 yards is strongly recommended. Spotting scopes, binoculars, and rangefinders are essential. Hunters should be in good physical condition for hiking at altitude — Diamox is recommended to have on hand for altitude sickness prevention.
Camp & Accommodations
Base camp features a traditional yurt for the kitchen and common area, with camping trailers for sleeping quarters. Food in base camp is excellent by Western standards — hearty meals of meat, vegetables, and delicious soups prepared by a dedicated camp cook. From base camp, hunters spike out for 4–5 days into the mountains. Spike camp is more rugged — hunters should bring their own water filter, personal camp stove, and freeze-dried meals. The option to hunt from a hard structure is also available at an additional charge.
Travel
Getting to Kyrgyzstan is easier than most hunters expect. Turkish Airlines offers the best route into Bishkek (FRU) with clean, easy handling of firearms and trophies. Plan for a 10-day door-to-door trip. Your visa, customs clearance, and all ground transfers are handled for you — a representative meets you at the airport and you begin the drive to Naryn immediately. The 6-hour drive from Bishkek to Naryn is comfortable in a large van or SUV, followed by a 3–5 hour transfer in hunting vehicles to base camp. The roads in Kyrgyzstan are better than most Central Asian countries. After the hunt, full trophy handling, permitting, and shipping to your taxidermist is included — trophies typically arrive 3–4 months after the hunt.
Combo Hunt
One of the best advantages of hunting Marco Polo sheep in this area is the option to add a Mid-Asian ibex to your trip. The ibex trophy quality in the Marco Polo concession is outstanding — equal to or better than the dedicated ibex-only area. Ask your consultant about combo pricing and availability to make the most of your trip to Kyrgyzstan.
Buddy Hunt
This is one of the best buddy hunts in the world. The Marco Polo sheep hunt in Kyrgyzstan is ideal for a pair up to a foursome of hunters to share the experience and contribute to each other’s hunts. Each hunter gets two dedicated guides, but the camaraderie of hunting together in these remote mountains is what makes this trip unforgettable. Ask your consultant about group pricing and how to plan the ultimate buddy hunt.
Pricing
- Marco Polo sheep hunt: Upon Request
- Marco Polo + Mid-Asian ibex combo: Upon Request
- Observer fee: Upon Request
What’s Included
- Airport meet and greet with customs clearance
- Kyrgyzstan tourist visa
- All ground transfers to and from hunt area
- All meals in base camp with camp cook
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Hunting licenses and permits
- Rifle permit
- Kyrgyz CITES permit
- Horse usage during hunt
- Base camp accommodation
- 2 experienced guides per hunter
- Skinning and field preparation of trophies
- Veterinary inspection and certificate
- Full concierge trophy handling and import service
What’s Not Included
- International flights to Bishkek
- Hotel and meals in Bishkek after hunt
- Gratuities
- Excess baggage fees
- Spike camp food and water filter (hunter provides)
- Hard structure upgrade at spike camp
WO Trip Protection
For 5% of your trip cost, we guarantee your hunt. If the outfitter cancels, goes out of business, or a wildfire shuts down the area — we rebook you on a comparable hunt at no extra cost.
Ask your consultant about adding trip protection when you book.
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