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| Tour code T3/b |
16 Days/15 Nights
44 Meals:
15 Breakfasts,
14 Lunches,
15 Dinners
Month:
May-October
Route:
Almaty-Karakol-Bishkek |
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ITINERARY |
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Day 1. Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan
You begin your tour in ALMATY, the vibrant capital of Kazakhstan. Upon arrival you will be
met and taken on a sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE and ARTS MUSEUM. After the city tour, you will be
transferred to KARAKOL in Kyrgyzstan. The journey takes you via CHARYN CANYON
(the Central Asian version of America's Grand Canyon) and TEMIRLAN STONES ,
the legendary burial ground of ancient Kyrgyz-Kazakh tribes. Two nights accommodation at the
Turkestan Yurt Camp in central
Karakol (or in the Hotel Issyk-Kul
-optional extra).
Day 2. Karakol
A day to explore
Karakol with a city-tour, hosted by our guide. Today's highlights include the
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, SUNDAY MARKET, CHINESE MOSQUE and the
PRZHEVALSKY MUSEUM AND
MONUMENT.
Day 3. Chon-Kyzyl-Suu
After breakfast in a cafe (or served in your yurt - optional extra) you will be driven to
CHON-KYZYL-SUU valley (50km from
KARAKOL)
to begin your trekking adventure. After day of easy hiking we will strike camp in the forest under the main gorge of the
TERSKEY ALA-TOO. A stream of crystal clear water running down
from a nearby glacier refreshes and replenishes visitors to this remote spot.
Day 4. Asan-Tokum
This morning you will set off towards ASAN-TOKUM valley, crossing ARCHA-TOR pass (3800m) en route. Overnight camp at an altitude of 2700m in
forests beside the DJETY-OGUZ and ASAN-TOKUM rivers.
Day 5.
Djety-Oguz - Telety
A whole day to reach TELETY valley, hiking towards the pass of the same name. Tonight's
campsite is surrounded by enormous boulders, jagged peaks and dense fir-tree forests.
Day 6.
Karakol gorge
After breakfast you will trek over TELETY pass at 3800m to
KARAKOL valley. The stiff hike to Telety's summit is rewarded by
unrivalled views of the surrounding mountains, particularly OGUZ-BASHI peak, directly in front of you. This peak has three summits and makes a challenging climb even for professional
mountaineers. After descending to KARAKOL valley we will strike camp on the riverbanks for a well deserved rest.
Day 7. Karakol Glacier
Your travels this morning will take you within sight of the
TERSKEY ALA-TOO's highest peaks. By this afternoon you will have reached the foot of
KARAKOL and DJIGIT PEAKS and KARAKOL GLACIER. Overnight camp on the glacier's left moraine, where
nocturnal silence is broken only by avalanches in the peaks high above.
Day 8. Kul-Tor
Today you will cross mighty ON-TOR pass, majestic at 4,000m above sea level (or 4,001 to be more exact). On-Tor forms the border between two
tributaries of the Karakol river. Your route takes you under neighbouring DJIGIT peak with its ice-falls and crashing pack ice. Overnight camp several km from Karakol glacier.
Day 9. Sirota place
After breakfast you will descend into
Karakol valley, along the fast raging Karakol river. The mountains begin as
low hills but soon become soaring, jagged sky-scrapers as the day draws on. You will climb up to an altitude of 2900m to the forest oasis of
SIROTA (meaning "orphan" thanks to
it's location in the middle of a barren, rocky valley). Here you will find a little alpine log hut built by group of mountaineering enthusiasts several years ago.
Sirota is one of the
region's most arrestingly beautiful areas with its unique landscape and spectacular views. From here you will be able to see some of the neighbouring valleys with their corner peaks and
high ridges. Your campsite tonight will be on the banks of a little stream flowing down from
Lake ALA-KUL high above you. Surrounded by forest, this first
night of camping is a time for quiet enjoyment of the silence of the mountains and their crystal clear air and water.
Day 10.
Ala-Kul Lake
After breakfast you will continue your climb to the pearl of
Karakol canyon - LAKE ALA-KUL. This lake is
famous for its eerie, ever-changing colour and for being situated at an altitude of 3500m above sea level. Such a high altitude means that
Ala-Kul is
relatively barren and unable to support many species of wildlife. Everybody finds the spectacle of this miracle of nature absolutely unforgettable. If you
just here for the first time, we guarantee that you will fall in love with Ala-Kul and its surroundings. The color of the lake surface changes from
greeny-blue to violet every hour depending on weather conditions. Lucky visitors have good weather and see the sun set over the lake -a truly
wonderful experience. Camp tonight is pitched on the lake shore.
Day 11.
Altyn-Arashan resort
Today you will cross the 3860m ALA-KUL pass. The
short, flat summit makes a good vantage point for picking out the Terskey Ala-Too's highest peaks:
KARAKOL (5273m), DJIGIT and
OGUZ-BASHI. The ridge that these peaks creates runs across
the horizon from west to east. After this, you will descend to the valley of ALTYN-ARASHAN. The resort at
Altyn-Arashan is famous for its HOT
SULPHUR SPRINGS. Your evening is at leisure for bathing in this lovely spot. Overnight camping or optional guesthouse stay.
Day 12. Altyn-Arashan
A day to relax and enjoy the spectacular natural environment
of Altyn-Arashan. This remote valley is truly unique, surrounded by high mountains and unspoilt nature. Optional excursions and time to bathe once again in the natural hot sulphur
springs.
Day 13. Karakol
Today the morning will be at leisure for your own exploration of
Altyn-Arashan and for a final visit to the baths. This
afternoon you will descend along the river ARASHAN to the village of AK-SUU. On the way you will cross one more pass of less than 2500m but by this time the altitude is almost
unnoticeable. This pass forms the border between two valleys - ARASHAN and AK-SUU. Another, less remote and more commercial resort is located in AK-SUU valley. The Ak-Suu hot baths
may be similar to those at Altyn-Arashan but you will find yourself competing for a soak with tens of day-trippers! A final descent brings you
back to Karakol. Overnight at the Turkestan Yurt Camp in central
Karakol.
Day 14.
Issyk-Kul
This morning you will be collected and taken to
Lake Issyk-Kul for a whole day of swimming, fishing, boating or just sunbathing
and relaxation on the shores of this PEARL OF THE TIEN SHAN. Overnight accommodation in tents or chalets (optional).
Day 15. Bishkek
This morning you must bid farewell to the
Issyk-Kul region before driving to Bishkek. Today's journey takes you through the
rural towns and villages of northern ISSYK-KUL, via
BOOM GORGE with its intricate rock canyons and 11th century BURANA TOWER. Overnight at the Hotel Issyk-Kul, Bishkek - a blissful
treat after your mountain adventures.
Day 16. Bishkek - Depart for home
Today you will be transferred to the airport, taking with you many spectacular memories of your time in the Central Tien
Shan.
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