Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Summary:

This tour combines a 7-day round trip trekking south of the Issyk Kul with encounters with the country, culture and people. We focus on the region around the largest lake of Kyrgyzstan, the Issyk Kul, where in summer you can also swim. The trip starts in the capital Bishkek, then goes through Ala Archa National Park in Tian Shan Mountains in Chon Kemin Valley, finally to Karakol, from where the trekking tour will start. The tour ends with the visit to the fairy-tale Skaska Valley and visits to shepherds in Temir-Kanat.

The highlights:

  • Sightseeing in Bishkek
  • 7 day round trekking through impressive mountain scenery
  • Encounters with the rural population
  • Bathing in Issyk Kul

Yurts, Yaks & Mountains

2690 EUR
  • 30. July – 18. August 2023

Tour route. The trekking route is marked in black in the right section.

Detailed Program:

30th July

Departure from home

31st July

Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel and after a short rest and light lunch some sightseeing in Bishkek. You can visit the famous historical museum where you can get acquainted with the Kyrgyz history, visit Old Square and walk along the oldest park in Bishkek – Oak Park. Passing by the National Opera and Ballet Theatre you will get to Victory Square build for the 40th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War (second world war). Stay in Umai hotel or equivalent. (L/D)

01st August

Day trip to  Ala Archa National Park. Hiking along the trail to Ala-Archa river. This National Park is an alpine park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, established in 1976 and located approximately 40 km south of the capital city of Bishkek. The park includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it. The park covers about 200 square kilometers, and its altitude ranges from about 1,500 meters at the entrance to a maximum of 4,895 meters at Peak Semenova. Have picknick lunch here. Return in the afternoon to Bishkek and stay in hotel Umai. (B/L/D)

02nd August

Leave Bishkek. Drive through the Cuij valley, near Kemin turn into the Chon Kemin valley, at 150 km.  from Bishkek. In the afternoon time for hiking in the surrounding mountains.  Stay in guesthouse at 2200m. (B/L/D)

03rd August

Day in Chon Kemin. This long valley itself lies at altitudes of between 1400 m and 2800 m above sea level and reaches over 80 km deep into the mountains between the Kingly Ala Too and Zanily ranges. It has verdant pastures, woodland (of Tien Shan firs), several mountain lakes and spectacular views of the mountains.  The valley has a rich variety of vegetation and animal life, and boasts both a Zoological preserve and a botanical reserve.   The park’s main task is to preserve the unique landscapes with their diversity of fauna and flora. Hiking up to a lodge (2800m) in the mountains, stay in guesthouse    

04th August

Back to Kemin and then continue through the Boom valley to hike 3-5 hours in the Konorchok canyons. The weather-beaten rocks are shaped and carved by time, wind and water, with the use of some imagination they may turn into people, animals or castles of bizarre shapes and forms.

Next continue to Oruktu, a village at the north side of lake Issyk-Kul. It has an open-air hot spa where you can take a bath. Stay in a guesthouse nearby.

05th August

Continue along the north side of the lake to Karakol, a friendly town on the east side of Lake Issyk-Kul. Time for some sightseeing, visit the Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. The Holy Trinity Cathedral is a fine example of a Russian Orthodox Church, which served as a dance hall under the Soviets. The exotic-looking, blue building in central Karakol resembles a Buddhist temple, but is in fact a mosque. Stay in guesthouse in Karakol.

06th August

Start 7 days trekking. By car to the to Jergez gorge (30km). There is not any pass for the 1st day trekking. We will reach the camp place around in ~5-6 hours. Stop along the way for lunch. Our camp will be located few kilometers before the Ailanysh lakes. Around 6-7 hours walking in total. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3170m). Trekking distance: 16 km.

07th August

Early breakfast because of the long day. Crossing the small ridge immediately west of camp and descending to the main valley. We will follow the trail uphill to the pass at 3524m. After about 2 hours of walking, we will reach the top of the pass. Continue towards the first Ailanysh Lake (at 3445m), and to the Ailanysh valley. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2750m). Trekking distance: 21 km

08th August

Today’s a relatively easy day, distance-wise, but it starts with an 800m+ climb to the Ortok pass (3650 m). Continues to the Ak-Suu Arashan valley. After lunch small walking to the wild hot springs and taking a dip in the hot springs. Tomorrow is a long but rewarding uphill day. Overnight in tents or in dormitory. (Elevation: 2500m). Trekking distance: 14 km

09th August

Today we cross the Ala-Kul pass.. From the turn of the Arashan valley it’s around an 8km uphill from 2570m at the valley to 3906m. The last 200m of elevation are very steep through loose scree over which two paths are made by the hikers that hike up this trekking route. The views from the top of the pass are sublime. On this day we will camp next to the Ala-Kul Lake. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3600m). Trekking distance: 15 km

10th August

From the camp, we will continue to the west, next around the lake along a small path which is visible from afar and climbs from the lake to the 3781m Panorama Pass. It takes about 2 hours to hike these 4 km. Have lunch here and start for the next climb. Head up the valley, after 1km there is a path up the Telety Valley. There are several camping sites here now. Our camp will be located at 3200m.

Trekking distance: 12-13 km

11th August

After breakfast we will head up the valley for the last uphill section – to the 3792m Telety Pass. It’s less than two easy hours, continuing down another hour and a half to the river valley on the far side. We walk down to the valley and camp not far from the river. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3100m). Trekking distance: 10 km

12th August

Walking down to Jeti-Oguz valley. We will have lunch in a yurt and make a short hike to the waterfall named Girl’s braids. By car back to Karakol. Overnight in the guest house.

13th August

If this is a Sunday, visit animal market in the morning, next along the sputh sode of the lake to the yurt camp Manyly. On the way we stop to visit Skaska, (Russian for Fairy tale). The sandstone cliffs of this miniature canyon have been weather-sculptured into an ensemble of fairy-castles, pillars and human forms and faces, ranging in color from deep red to bright orange and yellow. Continue to Manjyly, located in a semi-dessert area, stay in yurts

14th August

Day of rest in Manyly, the yurt camp is close to the lake, so swimming is also possible. Not far from the yurt camp you can visit Manyly Ata, a sacred place for the Kyrgyz with 7 wells with medicinal water. Stay in yurts

15th August

From Manjyly first to Bokonbaevo where you will meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and other birds of prey. You will see his birds and he will tell about his profession and the way he trains his eagles. Then on to the yurt camp Temir-Kanat at 2450m. This yurt camp is located on a plateau above the village. The last 100m up are too steep for most cars, so we will walk.

Stay in yurts

16th August

Day in Temir-Kanat, Time to visit herdsmen who stay here with family and flock during the summer months. Taste kymus, fermented mare milk. It is also possible to rent horses to go for a ride. Stay in yurts.

17th August

Return to Bishkek. Near Tokmok we will stop to visit the Burana tower – an architectural complex of the 10e century which survived from the times of the Great Silk Road. In the Middle Ages it was a city of Balasagun, the capital of the Karachanid Khaganate – a Turkish dynasty of that time. You will see the 24 meter minaret and mausoleums which were reconstructed. You can also see Balbal, grave stones and petroglyphs,(rock drawings) from the Middle Ages. Stay in Hotel Umai. 

18th August

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Preise und Termine

Basic Data for the tour

  • Date: 30th July to 18th August 2023
  • Min/Max participants: 4/10
  • Price: 2.690 EUR/Person

Services

  • Transfers from and to airport
  • Transportation by own minibus
  • Accommodation in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and tents
  • All meals
  • Trekking guide and porters (max. 12 kg p.p.)
  • All camping equipment
  • Cook during the trekking
  • English speaking guide/interpreter
  • Program as described

Not included

  • Flights (on request we can arrange appropriate flights for you)
  • Insurance (we recommend getting travel insurance)
  • Tips
  • Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
  • Personal exprenses
  • Horses for riding
  • Additional costs incurred due to illness, accident, change of route due to force majeure, etc.
  • Additional costs incurred due to flight cancellations or postponements
  • Activities not mentioned in the detailed program