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Trek in the 'celestial mountains' with views over Kyrgyzstan's Lake Issyk-Kul
The tour starts in Bishkek. The group flights are scheduled to arrive into Bishkek in the morning; those on the group flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel (approx. 40km/1hr drive). We have requested early check-in for all clients so the rooms should be ready for when you arrive. Land only clients who have booked their own flights should join at the start hotel no later than midday as we have a city tour in the afternoon. Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan’s modern capital city and industrial centre and this afternoon we'll have a guided tour to explore its wide avenues and Soviet heritage. We visit the Frunze Museum and Museum of Fine Arts (please note that the National History Museum is closed for maintenance at the time of writing) as well as the city's main sites (on foot and using transfers where necessary), taking in Manas Monument, Lenin Statue, Ala-Too Square (where we witness the ceremonial changing of the guard), Kurmanzhan Datka Monument, and the Government buildings. We end the tour at Victory Square.Hotel Asia Mountains, or similar
Today we take an excursion to Ala-Archa National Park, located about 40-60 minutes (40km) north of Bishkek and go for a gentle warm-up walk, usually to a waterfall which takes approx. 4-5hrs for a round trip / 3.75km each way.Hotel Asia Mountains, or similar
Distance in Km: 7.5
Distance in Miles: 4.7
Activity Hours: 4-5
We begin our journey towards the Tian Shan, or more specifically, the Terskey Ala-Too Range. Our destination is Tosor on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul (the drive is approximately 310km/6-7 hours). We break up the journey with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site - Burana Tower, an 11th century minaret and the first of its kind in Central Asia and an important point along the Great Silk Road. Issyk-Kul is the second largest salt lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea (and fast becoming the largest as the Caspian Sea recedes), it measures 70km by 180km and is almost 700m at its deepest point. Its name translates as 'Hot Lake' and was given as, even in the depths of winter and despite being just above 1,600m, it never freezes. The area around the lake is a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of towering mountains. Tonight, we usually sleep in a yurt camp but as space is limited, occasionally we may have to stay in a guesthouse in Tamga village instead.Tosor Yurt Camp, or similar
We have a free morning to take in the scenery, perhaps swim in the lake or sunbathe on its shores. After lunch at the yurt camp, we drive for around 1.5hrs (70km) to Juuku Gorge and onwards into a smaller branch of the canyon - Juukuchak Gorge. Upon arrival, our tents will be ready and waiting for us. We'll meet our trekking guides and camp staff, stretch our legs around the camp, and this evening there will be a full trek briefing. Full-service wild camping
After breakfast we set off walking along a trail from the foot of the mountains up and over Orto Bulak Pass (2,540m) in the Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu Gorge. The scenery is pristine which adds to the beauty. Full-service wild camping
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 5.6
Activity Hours: 4-5
Altitude Gain: 440
Altitude Loss: 240
This morning we begin following the trail to Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge. Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge is popular with Kyrgyz nomads, as there are many green pastures and mountain rivers. We will usually see several nomadic families along the way, together with their livestock and yurt settlements. We'll reach our campsite at Djili-Suu in the early afternoon. After reaching our camp there is an opportunity to take our jeep to the nearby hot springs. There are several small pools with hot springs and the waters are believed to have good health properties. Full-service wild camping
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 5
Activity Hours: 3-4
Altitude Gain: 300
Altitude Loss: 600
We continue our hike to the Jety-Oguz Gorge, one of the most beautiful and famous canyons in Kyrgyzstan. To reach this gorge, we have to cross the river and cross the Kok-Jaiyk Pass (2750m). It's quite a climb but the view from the top of the pass will give us a new appreciation of these so called 'celestial mountains' as we're rewarded with an unforgettable mountain panorama. During today's walk, we will also get magnificent views of Lake Issyk-Kul. At the end of the day, we reach the yurt camp - a chance to grab a shower. Jety-Oguz Yurt Camp, or similar
Distance in Km: 15
Distance in Miles: 9.3
Activity Hours: 5-5.5
Altitude Gain: 700
Altitude Loss: 500
This morning we meet our team of porters who will carry our main luggage for the remainder of the trek. We follow a path along the bank of the West Telety River, through a very narrow wooded gorge (Bay Tor), and eventually emerge in alpine meadows. We usually stop for a picnic lunch in the meadows, which are awash with colour in spring as the wild flowers bloom. After a rest, we continue the trek to our tented camp (approx. 3000m) at the foot of Telety Pass. After settling into our tents there is the option to take a short 1km walk to the nearby waterfall.Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7.5
Activity Hours: 5-6
Altitude Gain: 700
Today is a challenging day with a reasonable amount of ascent and descent and some tricky terrain. The route over Telety Pass follows a narrow path which ascends gradually for the most part. There are however, two steep slopes, which require considerable effort. From the top of the pass (3,800m) the views are spectacular. The descent is along a wide slope covered with talus, which gives way to alpine meadows and then follows the East Telety River. One of the latter sections of the trail passes through woodland, where you will need to concentrate on your footing to avoid the overgrown tree roots. Tonight's camp is situated at about 2,500m elevation.Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.7
Activity Hours: 8-9
Altitude Gain: 750
Altitude Loss: 1300
Today we go on a return daywalk up and along Uyun Tor River to the foot of Karakol Peak. We have a chance to see Tien Shan blue spruce forest, underwood (dog rose, honeysuckle, black barberries, mountain ash, black currents, etc.) and wild mushrooms. In the summer flowers are in bloom in the meadows, such as snowdrops, tulips, primroses, and edelweiss. We trek to a point from where we can see Karakol Peak, the highest of the Terskey Ala-Too Range.Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.7
Activity Hours: 6-8
Altitude Gain: 600
Altitude Loss: 600
Although the distance today is not great, this is a tough walk due to the amount of ascent, especially if it is hot. We firstly descend along the gorge for about a kilometre, and then cross the river by bridge to follow the trail into a forest. A long ascent brings us to a grassy slope, from where the path snakes its way onwards, passing by a river overflow, to finally arrive at a log hut, known locally as Sirota mountain hut. There's a table, benches and a fireplace inside - the perfect spot for a rest and a snack. There are some sculptures of animals and idols carved in wood in the area surrounding the hut, like something out of a fairy-tale. From here, the trail climbs up higher, and leaving the forest behind, we hike along the river and reach a beautiful waterfall, flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. Tonight's camp is situated at approx. 3,600m elevation.Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 5.6
Activity Hours: 6-8
Altitude Gain: 1100
As we ascend we enjoy wonderful views of the lake - in the Kyrgyz language Ala-Kul means "colourful Lake", and its water can appear in different colours depending on the light. As we get closer to its shores, we see the main Terskey Ala-Too Range, including Aksu, Djigit, Karakol and Oguz Bashi Peaks. From the lake edge, it will take us another hour and a half to the pass. The initial descent from the pass is on a steep scree slope, and then through the picturesque Keldike Valley, where we'll encounter herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing. Later the trail brings us into a forest again and descends into Arashan Valley. At the tent camp in Altyn Arashan, there's the option to relax in the hot springs (there are thermal baths of up to +50degC).Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)
Distance in Km: 18
Distance in Miles: 11.2
Activity Hours: 6-8
Altitude Gain: 200
Altitude Loss: 1200
This morning we spend some time admiring Altyn Arashan and the surrounding area, especially the fir forest in contrast with the snowy mountain backdrop. We then descend to Karakol town by military truck (approx. 1 hour). Depending on the 'road' conditions we may walk along the river as far as the national park gates before continuing by truck. We'll have a short sightseeing tour of the town, visiting Dungan Mosque, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Prjevalskii Memorial Complex.Tonight's dinner will be taken in a Dungan family home in Karakol town, where we can see traditional cooking methods and learn how to make lagman noodles, before sitting down to eat together.Hotel Amir (Karakol), or similar
We drive back to Bishkek, stopping to visit the Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs along the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul en route. The drive is approximately 250km and takes 5-6 hours - we'll stop for lunch at a road cafe on the way. Close to Cholpon Ata are Scythian burial mounds, as well as the 'stone forest' or petroglyphs which are between 4,000 and 1,400 years old. They are located at the foot of Kungei Alatau Ridge at a scenic spot overlooking the lake.A farewell dinner is included in Bishkek and if you wish, there is the option to arrange a Kyrgyz folklore show. The talented musicians and singers wear traditional Kyrgyz costumes and play a wide range of national musical instruments – including a Komuz (a three-stringed wooden musical instrument) to Chopo Choi (wind instrument made of mountain reed).Hotel Asia Mountains, or similar
The tour ends in Bishkek after breakfast. Those who are travelling on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in time for the flight back to London. The group flights are scheduled to depart early in the morning and arrive into London the same day.
15 days land only/16 days flight inclusive8 days point-to-point walking with
full porterageAltitude maximum 3,800m, average 2,730m4 nights hotels, 8
nights full-service camping and 2 nights basic yurt camp (multi-share)All
breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners includedOptional single supplement
(excludes yurt camps)
All breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners are included. During the trek,
breakfast will comprise of porridge or an alternative dish. The alternative
will usually be one of the following: omelette with bacon/cheese, fried
sausages, pancakes, scrambled eggs with sausage, boiled eggs.Lunch on trek
will be a box lunch. There will be a buffet selection for you to fill your
lunch box from each day. The type of foods available will be: bread, cakes,
various types of sausage and cheese, pate, canned fish, boiled eggs,
vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, as well as cookies and chocolate, plus a
soft drink.Dinner during the trek will consist of salad, soup, a main dish
and a dessert. Salads: funchoza (starch noodles), rice with crab sticks,
eggs with fish, cabbage with carrot, Greek salad, beans with onion. Soups:
minestrone, kesme (egg noodle), lentil, rice soup, pumpkin soup, fish soup or
soup with dumplings. Main dish: kuurdak (meat stew), pilaf (rice cooked in
broth), stew with spaghetti and cheese, dymlyama (potato and meat stew),
stuffed pepper, lagman (noodles), beef stroganof with rice. For dessert a
selection of sweets and biscuits are available.
15 days land only/16 days flight inclusive8 days point-to-point walking with
full porterageAltitude maximum 3,800m, average 2,730m4 nights hotels, 8
nights full-service camping and 2 nights basic yurt camp (multi-share)All
breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners includedOptional single supplement
(excludes yurt camps)
This trek has been graded level 5 (Challenging) and involves 8 days
point-to-point walking and 8 nights full-service camping. Please refer to
our activity level guidelines. You should expect to be walking for between
5 and 8 hours each day and covering a distance of approximately 16-18
kilometres (10-11.2 miles) each day. Whilst you may be comfortable doing a
daywalk of this nature, you should also consider the impact of doing this on
consecutive days, which can take its toll. You should ideally have previous
experience of multi-day point-to-point trekking. The route crosses numerous
mountain passes as we cross from one gorge to the next. Two of the passes are
at an altitude of 3800m, which is the maximum altitude reached on this trek.
3,600m is the highest sleeping altitude. Please refer to the 'Altitude
Warning' within the Trip Notes for further information. The trail is
undulating with considerable ascent and descent on some days, particularly
when we cross Telety Pass (750m ascent and 1300m descent). The terrain in
the Tian Shan is rugged and the region is remote - both factors add to the
challenge - for this reason this trek is not recommend for novice walkers. If
you are an experienced hiker with steady footwork and a good level of fitness
who loves wild landscapes, then this spectacular trek should appeal There
will be rocky sections of trail, descents on scree slopes, some narrow paths
(not suitable for vertigo sufferers), trails with tree roots, and the
possibility of snow cannot be entirely ruled out.This is a fully supported
camping trek with full porterage (jeeps and porters) throughout; you need
only carry your day pack. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful
reference.Walking distances and hours are given as approximates only and will
vary depending on the pace of your group.
Hotels, Camping & YurtsOn this tour we spend 4 nights in hotels, 8 nights full-service camping and 2
nights in yurt camps (multi-share).The hotels usually used in Bishkek and
Karakol have a 3-star local rating. The hotels are chosen for their location
and all bedrooms have en suite facilities. Yurts are traditional housing of
nomadic tribes across Central Asia - facilities are basic but they are
generally quite cosy. The number of yurts is limited and you should come
prepared to share with 3-4 people of the same gender per yurt. There are only
a couple of toilets at the yurt camp.The first three nights of the trek are
the most remote and there are no fixed camps or facilities - these nights are
wild camping. For the remaining five nights' camping, our local partner in
Kyrgyzstan sets up fixed camps for the duration of the season. All eight
nights camping are on a full-service basis, meaning that the staff will cook
and do all the camp chores for you (in the wild camps they will also erect
and dismantle the tents). In the fixed camps there are toilets, wash basins,
and shower facilities as well as a dining tent. When wild camping, the camp
staff will erect a dining tent and toilet tent and will provide a bowl of
warm water for washing with each day. Foam sleeping mats are provided but if
you want extra comfort you may wish to bring your own 'top up' mat. A
generator will be available in all camps (inluding the wild camps) for
charging, lighting etc. Additional AccommodationIf you wish to extend your
stay, it is possible to book extra nights in Bishkek before or after the tour
through Exodus - please request this at the time of booking. Optional Single
SupplementA limited number of single supplments are available on a first-come
first-serve basis. This includes a single room in the hotels and while
camping but it is not available for the two nights in the yurt camps (the
yurts are 3-4 people to a yurt regardless).
Yurt camp, 
The group will be made up of between 4 and 16 clients, plus tour leader and
local staff. There will be a Western leader for the tour duration who will be
supported by a local guide, plus other staff where needed. There will be camp
staff, cooks, porters and drivers, and a local sightseeing guide for the tour
of Bishkek. For groups of over 8 clients, there will be an additional local
assistant trek guide.
All breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners are included. During the trek,
breakfast will comprise of porridge or an alternative dish. The alternative
will usually be one of the following: omelette with bacon/cheese, fried
sausages, pancakes, scrambled eggs with sausage, boiled eggs.Lunch on trek
will be a box lunch. There will be a buffet selection for you to fill your
lunch box from each day. The type of foods available will be: bread, cakes,
various types of sausage and cheese, pate, canned fish, boiled eggs,
vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, as well as cookies and chocolate, plus a
soft drink.Dinner during the trek will consist of salad, soup, a main dish
and a dessert. Salads: funchoza (starch noodles), rice with crab sticks,
eggs with fish, cabbage with carrot, Greek salad, beans with onion. Soups:
minestrone, kesme (egg noodle), lentil, rice soup, pumpkin soup, fish soup or
soup with dumplings. Main dish: kuurdak (meat stew), pilaf (rice cooked in
broth), stew with spaghetti and cheese, dymlyama (potato and meat stew),
stuffed pepper, lagman (noodles), beef stroganof with rice. For dessert a
selection of sweets and biscuits are available.
For the main road journeys, we use air-conditioned mini-buses which seat 8-9
clients each. For larger groups we will use 2 vehicles. From the trek end
point we travel by military truck to Karakol: there are no seatbelts in the
military truck but with their high ground clearance, they are well-suited for
the terrain (the journey duration is approx. 1 hour). Jeeps will be used to
transport camping equipment for the first few days of the trek.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 16 DaysThe group flight from London
is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the
itinerary.Flights from LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of
Turkish Airlines (depending on availability). As flight timings and
schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our
specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings.
Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be
confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.Travelling land
only: 15 days starting and ending in BishkekYour trip normally starts at our
accommodation in Bishkek in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary - please
ensure that you arrive no later than midday in order to join the afternoon
city tour. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final
Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check
the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this
transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your
own expense.
Although Kyrgyzstan's overall climate is continental, there can be huge
variations in temperature between seasons, different geographical locations
and elevations. Summer can extend from May to September, but some mountain
passes can remain blocked by snow until June. Snow persists in the high
mountains year-round. For this reason, the trekking season in the Tian Shan
is short - we only schedule departures in July and August when the
temperatures are at their mildest. Kyrgyzstan gets surprisingly little rain
and has over 300 days of sunshine a year.In summer, mornings are
characteristically clear, but afternoons can sometimes be hazy with
occasional rain. Even in summer, there can be occasional snowfalls above
3000m. At lower altitudes (around the tree line) summer temperatures usually
range from 16-28°C (61-80°F) in July/August and it can feel very hot
during the day. In the highlands, the temperatures in July/August range from
8-12°C (46-54°F). Night times will feel cold and at the higher camps
temperatures may hover only a few degrees above freezing.Bishkek and the
lowland areas around Lake Issyk-Kul will be hot in the day times and mild in
the evenings.
The porterage weight limit on trek is 12kg per person. Jeeps will transport
your luggage and the camping equipment for the first few days of the trek but
when we reach the fixed camps, we'll meet our porters who will carry your
main luggage for the remainder of the trek.A soft duffel bag will be provided
locally on a loan basis for the duration of the trek - the capacity of the
bag is 50 litres. Your porters will each carry 2 of these duffel bags inside
a backpack. We ask that you use the bag provided locally as larger bags or
Exodus kitbags may not fit inside their backpacks. Anything that you do not
want to take with you on the trek can be stored free of charge in Bishkek -
your leader will assist with this. The following is not an exhaustive list
but includes the essential items for the trek:4-season sleeping bag (liner
optional)Walking boots (waterproof, with ankle support, and worn in)Several
pairs of walking socksWaterproof jacket and trousersFleece jacket or
similarT-shirts, shirts, thin base layersWarm hat and gloves3/4-season down
jacketTrainers/sandals for the evening (and any river crossings)Daypack of
around 25-35 litresHead-torch and batteries2/3 x 1-litre water bottles (you
will need to carry enough water for the whole day's trek)Sunhat, sunglasses,
sunscreen and lip salve with sun protectionWalking pole(s) - highly
recommendedDry bags or plastic bags (bin liners) to line daypack and duffel
bagToilet paperHand washing gelBiodegradable soap/shampooTravel towelSmall
personal first aid kit including rehydration salts, blister plasters, pain
killers, antidiarrhoeal medicine and any medication you regularly
take.A polyurethane sleeping mat is provided locally so you do not need to
bring one.
On trek, there is not a lot to spend money on but you should take enough with
you for tipping your trekking crew, the hot springs in Djili-Suu and Altyn
Arashan, for any extras in the yurt camps, and spending money for Karakol and
the travelling day back to Bishkek. It is also possible to buy drinks and
snacks in the fixed camps on trek - payment is accepted in Som or USD cash
(beer approx. USD3/KGS200, soft drinks: approx. USD2/KGS140).We would suggest
allowing in the region of USD80-120 spending money for the two
weeks.Bishkek:Folklore show ‐ USD150 per group (optional)
Tipping is customary in Kyrgyzstan in recognition of good service but is
entirely at your own discretion.Tipping can often be an awkward affair,
especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how
much to tip. As such, your tour leader will usually offer to arrange and look
after a group tipping kitty which will be used to tip porters in hotels,
local sightseeing guides, trekking guides, porters, and the drivers. Your
leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size but this
is usually between USD70-90 per person. Tips for the trekking crew are
usually given on the last night of the trek or the final morning of the
trek. Please try to tip local staff in local currency.Tipping of the leader
is also at your discretion. If you would like to give a tip, we suggest you
send an envelope around the group at the end of the holiday so that each
person can put in whatever they see fit. A nominated spokesperson from the
group may then like to present it to the leader on the last evening. As a
guideline, we suggest somewhere in the region of USD4-5 per person per day
(USD60-75 in total per person).
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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