Day 1. Arrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
5 hours/60km
On arrival in Bishkek, the bustling capital of Kyrgyzstan,
you will be met and transferred to a cafe for lunch. This afternoon you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour, hosted
by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE and ARTS MUSEUM. An optional early
evening excursion involves a thrilling helicopter flightseeing tour above the snow-capped peaks of the KYRGYZ ALA-TOO. After
getting to know Bishkek you will be transferred to the ISSYK-KUL Hotel, 9 km from the city centre. This evening is at
leisure for relaxation and enjoyment of Bishkek's nightlife.
Day 2. Karakol
8 hours/400km
Today your adventure takes you along the North shore of
LAKE ISSYK-KUL to KARAKOL, via 11th-century BURANA TOWER, an ancient Silk Route staging post, and the prehistoric PETROGLYPHS at Cholpon-Ata. Lunch in 'Aydyn-Kol' cafe in Balykchi
or roadside yurt (the Kyrgyz equivalent of motorway service stations) is included. After lunch you will be transferred to the jetty, where a pleasure boat will be waiting to take you on a 2 hour
cruise along the Issyk-Kul lakeshore. Overnight at our yurt camp in the center of Karakol town upon arrival.
Day 3. Karkara valley
6 hours/140km
Today morning you will reach
KARKARA
valley (on the side of Kazakhstan, car transfer) where yourhorse tour begins from. We will stop en route at
TEMIRLAN STONES, legendary burial ground of the prehistoric Kyrgyz-Kazakhs. Upon arrival you have a lunch in IMC "Khan-Tengri" and optional thrilling 2 hours
helicopter flightseeing tour through over INYLCHEK GLACIER and along the wild KOKSHAAL-TOO and TENGRI-TAG ridges with view of
Khan-Tengri (6995m) and Pobedy (7439m) peaks (please add 200$ per person if you choose this flight and there is already a helicopter flying on that route,
otherwise see here for the hire price). Then you have time for the transfer to Chaar-Kuduk village,
where you meet and choose your horses and spend overnight in local yurts after the traditional Kyrgyz dinner with
'beshbarmak'.
Day 4. Kichi-Djalanach valley
5 hours/18km
Today morning begin your horse riding. You start to the south in Kichi-Uch-Kashka canyon up to Archa-Tor pass (3553m). After
the lunch on the pass you riding down and reach your camp-site in Kichi-Djalanach valley. The river of this valley is
one of many confluents of great Karkara river. Then you set your camp and have a good time for the dinner.
Day 5. Chon-Djalanach valley
5 hours/16km
Today you ride to the neighbour valley Chon-Djalanach. ('Chon' is kyrgyz 'big', 'Kichi' - 'small'). This area is without tree
forests, only alpine meadows. Your next camp is on the river bank on the green meadow with fresh water.
Day 6. Echkilitash pass (3723m)
4 hours/16km
Starting from Chon-Djalanach camp-site you are moving to the
south again. There will be the Echkilitash pass - the pass between Karkara and
Saryjaz valleys. From this pass you will
be able to see good view of 5000m peaks around. Today you set you camp just before the pass near the Chon-Djalanach river head.
Overnight in rocky area.
Day 7. Ken-Suu valley
5 hours/16km
Riding over the pass ECHKILITASH (3723m) you will see (if you are lucky with the weather today) the
wonderful view of Central part of Tien-Shan mountain system. This is the area of the highest northern 7000m peaks
Khan-Tengri and Pobeda. Descending from the pass you reach Tuyuk river and ride right along-shore. Reaching the
Saryjaz
river you turn to the left and find the Ken-Suu river flowing crossing your route. Here you set your last camp and bid farewell
to your horses. Overnight in tents last time in the mountains.
Day 8. Karakol
4 hours/150km
Today you will drive by comfortable 6wd
ex-Soviet Army truck through one of the most spectacular valleys in the Issyk-Kul region -
TURGEN-AKSU. As you cross
over CHON-ASHU pass (3800m) at one end of the valley, you will feel as though you are alone in the mountains. Only the bumpy
road reminds visitors of civilization in this remote area. Following your descent to Issyk-Kul valley, your truck will take you to Karakol town. Overnight at our yurt
camp.
Day 9. Bishkek
7 hours/398km
Today you must bid farewell to this
isolated corner of Eastern Kyrgyzstan. A comfortable car or private minibus (depending on group size) will be waiting to
bring you back to BISHKEK. This time you will be driven along Issyk Kul's wild SOUTHERN SHORES, completing your
circumnavigation of the second largest alpine lake in the world. The road hugs the water's edge and winds through remote
Kyrgyz villages of wooden chocolate-box cottages, against an arresting backdrop of the majestic Central Tien Shan
mountains. After a short stop in Balykchi for lunch your journey will continue via
BOOM GORGE with time to stop and
take photographs. On arrival in Bishkek you will be accommodated in ISSYK-KUL Hotel for your last overnight in Kyrgyzstan.
Day 9. Bishkek - Depart for home
2 hours/30km
After an airport transfer you will depart for home, taking
with you many spectacular memories of your trek in Eastern Kyrgyzstan. |
