A fantastic trip! When I told people that I had been hiking in Kyrgyzstan, nearly everyone... Michelle Elliot, 2019 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all Bishkek to Bishkek Day 1 Depart London The group flights depart London this afternoon. Day 2 Arrive Bishkek; afternoon city tour 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 Day 3 Full day excursion and warm-up walk in Ala-Archa N.P. 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 Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Drive via Burana Tower to Tosor Village on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul; overnight in a yurt camp 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Free morning by the lake; transfer to Juukuchak Gorge 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Trek over Orto-Bulak Pass (2,540m) to Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu Gorge 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Hike through nomad pastures to Djili-Suu; option to visit nearby hot springs by jeep 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 Trek to Jety-Oguz Canyon via Kok-Jaiyk Pass (2750m) 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 Ascend via a narrow, wooded river gorge to the base of Telety Pass 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) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Cross Telety Pass (3800m); descend through alpine meadows to Karakol 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) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Daywalk to the foot of Karakol Peak, the highest in the Terskey Ala-Too Range 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) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 12 Ascend through forest to a waterfall by Lake Ala-Kul (3600m) 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) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 13 Long descent with fine mountain views to Altyn Arashan; option to take a dip in the thermal baths 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) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 14 Military truck to Karakol for sightseeing; traditional home-cooked ‘lagman’ noodle dinner 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 15 Drive to Bishkek visiting Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs en route; optional Kyrgyz folklore show 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 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 16 End Bishkek 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. Meals included: Breakfast
Kyrgyzstan British, most European and most other nationalities, including Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians do not require visas for visits of under 60 days. All other nationalities should contact the nearest Kyrgyzstan Embassy if in doubt. IMPORTANT: You can be arrested if you are not carrying ID in Kyrgyzstan. You should carry your passport or a copy of it with you at all times.
Kyrgyzstan No vaccinations are compulsory, but vaccination against typhoid, polio, tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria are recommended. The risk of Malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or Travel Clinic for advice.
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).
January 16, 2020 Uncover Central Asia: How travel can support cultural heritage along the Silk Road Home to the Stans, Central Asia’s conjures up images of majestic blue-domed cities to nomadic traders travelling alon
Reviewed September 2019 Michelle Elliot Trip: Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Gorge Trek Vast landscapes and stunning scenery A fantastic trip! When I told people that I had been hiking in Kyrgyzstan, nearly everyone immediately asked 'where?' It is a remarkable country, and a trip that has been planned to ensure absolutely stunning days of walking in the Tien Shen mountains. The cities have their own charm and fascinating history and they bookend the trip. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Opening the tent every morning to see sunshine and blue sky with a backdrop of hills or peaks was quite special. Walking for several days and seeing only our crew, nomadic farmers and their animals was wonderful. This is not yet, but likely will become, far more popular as a walking destination so it was a privilege to be able to see the natural rhythms of summer life in the mountains. The food and hospitality in some of the more remote camps was surprising, delightful and gratefully appreciated. A particular highlight was watching and taking part in the 'first' Highland Games in Kyrgyzstan - a brilliant opportunity for the group and the porters to compete together! What did you think of your group leader? This inaugural trip had a few different leaders, each playing important roles. Overseeing everything was veteran trip leader Suzy who has a deep knowledge and love for the country and its mountains. The local city guides had great English and brought the local history to life. Ilya and Asa are tremendous guides, bringing confidence, competence and laughter to each day (all day). It was a really good group! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Some of the details within the trip notes were not accurate, though it was the first time this trip had been offered so the growing pains and unforeseen issues were to be expected. Not all the walks were as long as noted, but there are so many opportunities to continue to explore around the camps. Or relax and read. Or bathe in the icy rivers, swim in Issyk Kul Lake, or soak in the thermal pools. The porters are hardworking - get to know them if you can - athletic competitions do not require a shared spoken language. The camps and equipment are of very good quality and very comfortable - you do not need to bring a sleeping mat. The food is plentiful and tasty, and there are hot drinks and snacks awaiting the group upon arrival at camp every day! Is there anything else you would like to add? I require a gluten free diet and therefore the advanced planning and discussions about the ability of local operators and their teams to accommodate such a dietary need is important. The Exodus staff were brilliant in asking the questions prior to booking. The local city guides were helpful and responsive, particularly in Karakol. The camp cooks did remarkably well in their remote settings. The lead guide Ilya even carried packages of rice cakes for me. I never went hungry but it was important that I also brought food along with me. It is also important to continue to ask questions and seek clarification along the way.
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