Program of JS Turkestan. A13

Day 1. Arrive Almaty - Karakol
Today you arrive in Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan. Just upon arrival you have a transfer to KARAKOL town via CHARYN CANYON (the small copy of American's Bryce or Grand or Zion Canyons) and TEMIRLAN STONES, place where is legendary burial ground of ancient Kyrgyz-Kazakh host. In Karakol you have accomodation for your first night in a hotel near the mountains.

Day 2. Karakol and about
Begin your day with a sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, CHINESE MOSQUE, MUSEUM OF ARTS, PRZHEVALSKY MEMORIAL etc. Afternoon is for preparation for your tour. Accomodation in hotel.

Day 3. Chon-Kyzyl-Suu
After breakfast in hotel you'll be transferred to CHON-KYZYL-SUU valley (50km from Karakol) and begin your trekking. After day of hiking you'll have a camp in the forest under the main gorge Terskey Ala-Too. The stream of crystal clear water from local glacier is very replenisher and lovely.

Day 4. Uchkul river
Today your travel will bring you over the pass Ashu-Tor to the valley of Uchkul river. On the pass you can find a picturesque view to the neighbour valley behind the main ridge and where the river Syrdarya begins. Camp near the UCHKUL river.

Day 5. Uchkul
Trekking along the river towards the next pass. Whole day of easy walking and seeing snow-covered peaks around. Camping is near the river.

Day 6. Kuyluu
Today you reach KUYLUU valley. Your trekking is over the pass Kuyluu. This passage is border between two valleys on the way to AK-SIYRAK valley. Camping on the flat meadow near the river.

Day 7. Ak-Shiyrak
Your day of fresh food. Today you hike over the pass AK-SHIYRAK and go down to AK-SHIYRAK valley. There is a reserve placed here and you probably need a permition to walk around. This is a rare area of snow leopard (ilbirs) population. Today 6wd Army truck will deliver a fresh food and drinks for your next part of trekking. Camp in tents.

Day 8. Ak-Shiyrak
This morning and afternoon you hike along the river Ak-Shiyrak and towards SARYJAZ valley, but this one is fenced with a ridge you will pass over. Today you can have a first look of KHAN-TENGRI and POBEDA peaks far from you. It depends on the weather. But don't become disillusioned with failure, you'll see all later. Camp in the tents as usual for these days.

Day 9-12. Saryjaz valley
These days are for your exploring SARYJAZ valley with high peaks and roared river. This river is biggest in Kyrgyzstan but going away to China. On the second day of your trekking along this river you should to cross it and after go on your approaching to Inylchek Base. The last day is for going over the pass to INYLCHEK valley. All overnights are in camping in tents near the river so far from civilization.

Day 13. Maydaadyr (Inylchek) Base
Maydaadyr is a place for your next destination 12km from camp of previous day. The trekking along the thrilling river and under the high mountains and rocks passing 1 passage. Here again you find your old friendly truck with fresh meal and any deliciouses things. Camping will be on the altitude of 2500m. Good day.

Day 14-15. Inylchek valley - Chon-Tash
Two-days' 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 16-17. Inylchek - Merzbacher lake
Explore the INYLCHEK GLACIER enroute to grass-covered MERZBACHER MEADOW just opposite the MERZBACHER LAKE. Campings on the 3400m surrounded with long glacier, ice-falls, avalanches and green grass (!).

Day 18-19. Inylchek - Tyuz
Go down toward TYUZ pass (4010m). Prepare yourself for drained climbing on the pass by scree of 1km. Here is a usual place to meet wild animals (e.g. Ibex or Marco Polo sheep). Over the pass you get to behind the ridge to Saryjaz river basin. Overnight in tents under the big part of fallen rock.

Day 20. Echkilitash
Day for your walking down along the Tyuz river to Echkilitash place. This is a place of borderguard post and checking documents is neccessary. Camping on the bank of river where is possible to go fishing.

Day 21-22. Saryjaz
Two days for going up to the origins of Saryjaz river. The valley is more and more narrow and mountains more and more high and wild to the upper course. The last camping is under the pass with acquaintance name Ashu-Tor. This is another pass in remote area with similar name.

Day 23-24. Narynkol
Trip is going on over ASHU-TOR pass to the NARYNKOL area near KARKARA valley. This is a land of Kazakhstan but you don't notice any borders. the first camp is 10km from the pass. Next day you go toward the next pass 3842m for crossing it for KOK-JAR valley. Camping in the tents.

Day 25-26. Kok-Jar
After passing days before you reach KOK-JAR valley with river of the same name. Your tour goes along the river and along the peaks of eternal snow and ice. To the end of second day you'll come to the mountains fence. There is a Djergalan valley behind it.

Day 27-28. Djergalan valley
DJERGALAN valley is your trekking place for next two days. This valley is not so difficult as before and presents a good place for easy walking along the clear river and two low passes aren't barriers for you. There is a coal mine at the end of this valley and you'll se the buildings of former USSR era. Overnights in tent's campings on the meadows.

Day 29. Almaty. Kazakhstan
This morning you bid farewell to Tien-Shan before continiue your tour to Almaty through the towns and villages of Kazakhstan. 250km 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 30. Almaty - Depart for home
Today you fly home from airport with many pleasant memories of your vacation to Tien-Shan.

SECOND VARIANT

Day 21-24. Djergalan valley
Pass Echkilitash of 3300m to DJERGALAN valley and going along there is your trekking place for next days. This valley is not so difficult as before and presents a good place for easy walking along the clear river and two low passes aren't barriers for you. There is a coal mine at the end of this valley and you'll se the buildings of former USSR era. Overnights in tent's campings on the meadows.

Day 25. Almaty. Kazakhstan
This morning you bid farewell to Tien-Shan before continiue your tour to Almaty through the towns and villages of Kazakhstan. 250km 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 26. Almaty - Depart for home
Today you fly home from airport with many pleasant memories of your vacation to Tien-Shan

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