Program of JS Turkestan. A6

Day 1. Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan - Karakol
You begin your tour in ALMATY, the capital of Kazakhstan. Today you arrive in this huge city and just upon arrival and after sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide (Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE, MUSEUM OF ARTS etc.), 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 or in Yurts Camp in downtown.

Day 2. Chon-Kyzyl-Suu
After breakfast in cafe you'll be transferred to CHON-KYZYL-SUU valley (50km from KARAKOL) and begin your horse trekking. After a few hours of riding you'll have a camp in the forest under the main gorge TERSKEY ALA-TOO. This good place is famous with hot springs.

Day 3. Djety-Oguz
Today you will reach AT-JAILOO valley and go over JYLUU-SUU pass (3400m). The camp is again in the forest and near the rivers DJETY-OGUZ and AT-JAILOO. The altitude for overnight is 2500m.

Day 4. Djety-Oguz
Your day for riding up along the river to the wall of OGUZ-BASHI - five-thousand peak, and to the foot of glacier. After that you go back to the camp and prepare for the next day.

Day 5. Karakol gorge
Horse riding over the pass to KARAKOL valley and then to KASHKA-SUU canyon, where ski-base of Karakol town is situated, is the task for today. This valley is using for picnic time on holidays by people of town. Here you can see the small popular peaks for beginners in mountain climbing. Camp is in forest on altitude 3000m.

Day 6. Altyn-Arashan resort
Today is a day of KASHKA-SUU pass of 3410m high. You have good acclimatization for passing over it. The short top on the summit is good for seeing around and watching the highest peaks of Terskey Ala-Too: KARAKOL (5273m), DJIGIT and OGUZ-BASHI PEAKS. The ridge of these peaks lasts from the west to the east. After that, you go down to the valley of ALTYN-ARASHAN resort. This resiort is famous with its HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS. Your evening is at leisure and having bath in this lovely spot. Camping in tents or in a local guest house optional.

Day 7. Zindan gorge
Today your morning is for your own excursions in this place or for visiting baths again and afternoon you ride down along the river ARASHAN to the village AK-SUU. Short of the village you have a camping for tonight in the ZINDAN gorge. This place in nearby local forestry.

Day 8. Nikolayevski Gulf
Your day begins with your early starting of riding towards another side of ISSYK-KUL valley. From Terskey Ala-Too you ride across the valley to Kungey Ala-Too. Upon reaching the Gulf Nikolayevski of the lake Issyk-Kul you find a good place for your next camping.

Day 9. Sary-Bulak
Today you reach SARY-BULAK village and then crossing the meadow you ride towards the mountains' foot. This ridge is KUNGEY ALA-TOO and lies on the north side of ISSYK-KUL Lake. The first green meadow is your camp-site for overnight.

Day 10. Kul-Say Lakes
Today you begin your riding up to the pass SARY-BULAK. On the summit of the pass of 3274m you will see the wonderful view of eastern part of ISSYK-KUL. A few gulfs of the Lake are just under you and on the other side of the large ISSYK-KUL valley a TERSKEY ALA-TOO is visible through clouds. Then you have descent to the Middle Kul-Say Lake via upper one and forests. If you like mushrooms you find them here in great number in the summer. The nature of this region sometimes is similar with downhills of European mountains. Upon arrival the lake you should you reach the best place for your next camp-site. This lovely spot is near the emptying the river from the upper lake to this one. There is a quiet fireplace for evening's stories.

Day 11. 2^nd Kul-Say Lake
One day for your enjoying of this paradisiacal spot. There are many possibilities for your day spending: fishing, boating, hiking in the neighbour valley, climbing on the peak of 3400m for the great view around, riding down to the lower lake or just being here with fire and drinking tea or wine. Overnight is in tents.

Day 12. Kensu valley
Today you ride back up to the ridge and turn to the left before the pass. This day is a day for riding over many small passes to the valley KENSU. Here, upon reaching and riding down, you spend your overnight near the river's bank.

Day 13. Karkara valley
Last your ride day is beginning with palatable breakfast on the nature and then you continiue your tour riding towards KARKARA valley. Kungey Ala-Too ridge is lower and lower to the east and passes are more easy. When you reach the road to Almaty you can set your tents and prepare for your overnight. Tomorrow you'll be picked up for driving towards home.

Day 14. Almaty
This morning you bid farewell to beautiful mountains region before completing your tour returning to Almaty through the towns and villages of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Upon arrival in Almaty you have a hotel accomodation for your last overnight in Central Asia after the horse trip in the mountains.

Day 15. Almaty - Depart for home
Today you travel home from airport with many pleasant memories of your visit to Issyk-Kul region and mighty mountains of Kyrgyz Republic.

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