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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 inclusive
* 8 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
* Altitude maximum 3,800m, average 2,730m
* 4 nights hotels, 8 nights full-service camping and 2 nights basic yurt
camp (multi-share)
* All breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners included
* Optional 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 inclusive
* 8 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
* Altitude maximum 3,800m, average 2,730m
* 4 nights hotels, 8 nights full-service camping and 2 nights basic yurt
camp (multi-share)
* All breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners included
* Optional 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 [1]. 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
https://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf"
target="_blank"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.
[1] node/714
Hotels, Camping & Yurts
On 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 Accommodation*
If 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 Supplement*
A 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 Days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We 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 Bishkek*
Your 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 socks
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Fleece jacket or similar
T-shirts, shirts, thin base layers
Warm hat and gloves
3/4-season down jacket
Trainers/sandals for the evening (and any river crossings)
Daypack of around 25-35 litres
Head-torch and batteries
2/3 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 protection
Walking pole(s) - highly recommended
Dry bags or plastic bags (bin liners) to line daypack and duffel bag
Toilet paper
Hand washing gel
Biodegradable soap/shampoo
Travel towel
Small 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 insurance
* Single 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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