Program of JS Turkestan. A1

Day 1. Arrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
You begin your tour in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, (optional Almaty (KZ), Tashkent(UZ)). Your afternoon is at leisure and enjoying in hotel.

Day 2. Bishkek and about
Begin your day with a sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE, MUSEUM OF ARTS etc. Afternoon is for preparation of cycle tour.

Day 3. Boom gorge
After breakfast in hotel you'll cycle to BOOM gorge 146 km from Bishkek-city towards ISSYK-KUL LAKE. Today's highlights are BURANA TOWER (11th century) and EOL CASTLE in BOOM. Evening time for excursions and spending the night in tent camping surrounded with rocky mountains.

Day 4. Issyk-Kul Lake
Your travel will bring you to the famous lake of Kyrgyzstan, to the pearl of Tien-Shan,- ISSYK-KUL. The distance you will have cycled is 125 km. The chalet accomodation is waiting for you tnight. Enjoy the amazing view of sunset on the lake.

Day 5. Nikolayevka resort
Today you reach Nikolayevka resort on the east end of ISSYK-KUL LAKE 125 km from previous camp. The altitude of being here is 1600m above the sea level. There are many possibilities for relaxation: fishing, boating, swimming... You will overnight in cabins of resort.

Day 6. Nikolayevka resort
Your day is at leisure. Today you may wish to choose from a variety of optional entertainment.

Day 7. Turgen-Aksu Gorge
This morning you tour good-looking Turgen-Aksu Gorge leading to Inilchek valley. Distance is 125km from previous leisure resort. You will reach altitude 3200m above sea level and camp will be set on the alpine meadow.

Day 8. Inylchek Base
The Inylchek Base is a place for your next destination 120km from camp of 7th day. The cycling along the thrilling river and under the high mountains and rocks passing 2 passes of 3400m and 4050m. But camping will be on the altitude of 2500m. Hard day.

Day 9. Inylchek Base - Hot Springs
The day of your relaxation and enjoying the surprising nature around. The Saryjaz River going away from Kyrgyzstan is captivateful. Full day of excursions and swimming in the natural sulphur Hot Springs.

Day 10. Chon-Tash
Today's journey takes you to CHON-TASH place just under the INYLCHEK GLACIER near the big stone,natural monument for mountain climbers, who was perished capturing high peaks of Central Tien-Shan. Camping on the altitude 2900m.

Day 11. Merzbacher meadow
Explore the INYLCHEK GLACIER enroute to grass-covered MERZBACHER MEADOW just opposite the MERZBACHER LAKE. Camping on the 3400m surrounded with long glacier, ice-falls, avalanches and green grass (!).

Day 12. Merzbacher Lake
Day for your walking across the 7km wide INYLCHEK GLACIER to the iceberg filled MERZBACHER LAKE. Lunch on the lake's indented coastline. Afternoon back to the camping.

Day 13. Merzbacher Lake - Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks - Inylchek Base
This morning you will have thrilling helicopter flightseeing tour through over whole INYLCHEK GLACIER and along the wild KOKSHAAL-TOO and TENGRI-TAG ridges. View of Khan-Tengri (6995m) and Pobedy (7439m) peaks is unforgettable. Back to Inylchek Base. Camping.

Day 14. Saryjaz Gorge
Trip is going on to SARYJAZ gorge - the valley of SARYJAZ river, the biggest in Kyrgyzstan. Cycling for 125km and camping near the river on altitude 2600m. It's real possibility to observe wild yaks there.

Day 15. Karkara Gorge
KARKARA VALLEY is the next destination for you. This day will be full of mountain rocks and windy slopes. One pass between two valleys is waiting for you - 3700m high. Camping on the picturesque meadow.

Day 16. Charyn Canyon
Today you will feel yourself strange in the CHARYN CANYON. If you have been in American's Bryce, Grand or Zion Canyons you feel the same senses here. All the similar but reduced scope. Camping here is wonderful.

Day 17. Almaty. Kazakhstan
This morning you bid farewell to CHARYN CANYON before continiue your cycle tour to Almaty through the towns and villages of Kazakhstan. 150km distance. Exploring this huge for Central Asia city is the best for the evening time. And again Hotel accomodation is good for overnight after long trip in the mountains.

Day 18. Almaty - Medeo complex
Begin your day with the city tour, hosted by our guide. Today's highlights are the ZENKOV CHURCH, GREEN MARKET, NATIONAL SQUARE, MUSEUMS AND THEATRES. Afternoon is for trip to MEDEO COMPLEX - the largest Skating Rink in the world. Hotel.

Day 19. Almaty - Depart for home
Today you fly home from airport with many pleasant memories of your vacation to Central Tien-Shan's Merzbacher Lake.

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