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Tour code T2/a |
19
Days/18 Nights
53 Meals:
18 Breakfasts,
17 Lunches,
18 Dinners
Month:
June-August |
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Route:
Bishkek-Karakol-Ala-Kul-Merzbacher Lake-
Karakol-Bishkek
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ITINERARY
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Day 1. Arrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Today you begin your tour in BISHKEK, the bustling capital of Kyrgyzstan, (optional Almaty [KAZ], Tashkent [UZ]). After lunch you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE and the MUSEUM OF ARTS. Overnight accomodation at the comfortable 3* Hotel Issyk-Kul, 9km from the city centre.
Day 2. Issyk-Kul
Today you will be transferred to the shores of
Lake ISSYK-KUL near KARAKOL, 400 km from BISHKEK (via
BOOM gorge with its intricate rock canyons and 11th century
BURANA TOWER). Your second night will be spent on the lake shore in a chalet 1600m above sea level.
Day 3. Karakol and about
Begin your day with a morning sightseeing tour of
Karakol, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the
ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, CHINESE MOSQUE, MUSEUM OF ARTS and the
PRZHEVALSKY MEMORIAL. Afternoon at leisure in preparation for your tour. Overnight yurt accommodation at the
Turkestan Yurt Camp in the centre of
Karakol.
Day 4. Karakol - Sirota place
Today you will begin your trek from
Karakol, ascending up the Karakol valley along the raging Karakol river. The mountains begin as low hills but by afternoon will have become high, rocky sky scrapers. You continue your climb to
SIROTA forest (meaning "orphan" thanks to its location in the middle of a barren, rocky valley) at 2,900m. Here you will find a little log hut built by a group of mountaineering enthusiasts several years ago. This is a place of spectacular beauty with an unforgettable landscape and panoramic views. Overnight camping on the banks of a little stream running down from
Lake ALA-KUL high above you. Surrounded by forest, your first campsite is a peaceful place for quiet enjoyment of the mountains, with their silence, clean air and crystal-clear water.
Day 5. 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 experience good weather and see the sun set over the lake -a truly wonderful experience. Camp tonight is pitched on the lake shore.
Day 6. Altyn-Arashan resort
Today you will cross the 3860m ALA-KUL pass, having allowed plenty of time for acclimatization. The short, flat summit makes a good vantage point for picking out
Terskey Ala-Too's highest peaks: KARAKOL
(5273m), DJIGIT and OGUZ-BASHI
PEAKS. 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 taking a bath in this lovely spot. Overnight camping or optional guesthouse stay.
Day 7. Altyn-Arashan - Echkilitash
Your morning is at leisure, providing ample opportunity to explore
Altyn-Arashan or to bathe again in the hot springs. The afternoon brings an easy descent along the river ARASHAN to the village of AK-SUU. En route you will cross one more pass at less than 2500m (almost unnoticeable by this point). This pass forms a border between the ARASHAN and AK-SUU valleys. AK-SUU also boasts hot spring baths, but since it is less remote you may find yourself competing with day-trippers for a soak. From here we carry on to Echkilitash, where borderguards will check your documents.
Day 8. Tyuz valley
From Echkilitash you will trek towards the Central Tien-Shan's major ridges via the TYUZ VALLEY. The river here simply bursts with tasty fish and there will be plenty of fish dishes on the campsite menu tonight. From
here, NANSEN PEAK, glowing pink in the sunset is easily visible and makes a spectacular evening cabaret.
Day 9. Under Tyuz pass
Today you will reach the north foot of
TYUZ PASS. Tyuz is famous for being an ideal place to encounter wild animals, including
ibex and Marco Polo sheep. Tents tonight will be pitched under enormous, ancient, overhanging rocks, forming a natural roof.
Day 10.
Chon-Tash
This morning you will break camp and head for
CHON-TASH (big stone) just under
INYLCHEK GLACIER. The huge rock forms a natural monument to those mountain climbers who perished whilst capturing the Central Tien-Shan's highest peaks. En route you will cross
Tyuz pass at 4010m, savouring its breathtaking views of the
Southern Inylchek Glacier. Camping tonight is at an altitude of 2900m.
Day 11. Inylchek Glacier
After breakfast you will embark upon a particularly interesting trek along the
Inylchek Glacier to your camp on its right moraine. From this point onwards, the Valley of
Merzbacher Lake is clearly visible. The smaller PUTEVODNY GLACIER, branching away from the main glacier will be passed en route. Tonight you will strike camp on sandy, flat meadows next to a source of fresh, crystal clear water. Overnight altitude is at 3000m.
Day 12. Merzbacher meadow
Another chance to explore
INYLCHEK GLACIER en route to grass-covered MERZBACHER MEADOW, just opposite
MERZBACHER LAKE. Camping tonight is at 3400m, surrounded by glaciers, ice-falls, and grassy meadows. Fall asleep to the sound of avalanches rumbling in the distance.
Day 13. Merzbacher Lake
After breakfast, we will traverse 7km-wide
INYLCHEK GLACIER to iceberg-filled
MERZBACHER LAKE. Lunch on the lake's indented coastline. Afternoon hike back to the campsite with the rest of the day at leisure for relaxation.
Day 14. Merzbacher meadow - Panorama peak
Today, visitors can choose activities from a variety of options. At 4,500m, Panorama Summit is tempting for climbers and for those who wish to experience the best possible views of the valley. For hikers there are plenty of possibilities to explore the neighbouring branch of Inylchek glacier - Shokalsky glacier.
Day 15.
Merzbacher Lake - Khan-Tengri and
Pobeda peaks - Inylchek Base
This morning you will be met by helicopter and taken on a spectacular flightseeing tour over
INYLCHEK GLACIER and along the wild KOKSHAAL-TOO and TENGRI-TAG ridges. Views from the helicopter of
Khan-Tengri (6995m) and Pobeda (7439m) peaks are absolutely unforgettable. Return to Inylchek Base for overnight camping.
Day 16-17. Issyk-Kul
Time to bid farewell to the Inylchek Valley and descend to
Lake Issyk-Kul for two days of swimming, fishing, boating or just relaxation on the shores of this "PEARL OF THE TIEN-SHAN". Overnight camping or chalet accommodation (optional).
Day 18. Bishkek
Today you will be driven along
Issyk-Kul's southern shores to Bishkek, completing your circumnavigation of the second largest alpine lake in the world. You will be transferred to the Hotel Issyk-Kul for your last night in Kyrgyzstan. This evening is at leisure for your own exploration of Bishkek's nightlife.
Day 19. Bishkek - Depart for home
Today you fly home, taking with you many happy memories of your adventures in the Tien-Shan's Lakes and Valleys. | |
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