Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Gorge Trek

The group flights depart London this afternoon.

The tour starts in Bishkek. We have requested an early check-in for all clients, so the rooms should be ready when you arrive. Join at the start hotel no later than midday as we have a city tour in the afternoon.

Bishkek is the modern capital city and industrial centre of Kyrgyzstan; this afternoon, we have a guided tour to explore its wide avenues and Soviet heritage. We visit the Frunze Museum and Museum of Fine Arts (please note, the National History Museum is closed for maintenance at the time of writing) plus the main city sites (on foot and using transfers where necessary), taking in Manas Monument, the 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Resident (or similar)

We take an excursion to Ala-Archa National Park, about 40-60 minutes (25mi/40km) north of Bishkek, and go for a gentle warm-up walk, usually to a waterfall.

Accommodation: Hotel Resident (or similar)

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 193mi (310km), which takes six to seven hours. We break up the journey with a visit to the Unesco-listed Burana Tower. This 11^th-century minaret was 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 45mi by 110mi (70km by 180km) and is almost 2,295ft (700m) at its deepest point. The name means Hot Lake and was given as the waters never freeze, even in the depths of winter. 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.

Accommodation: 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 1hr 30min (45mi/70km) to Juuku Gorge and onwards into a smaller branch of the canyon – Juukuchak Gorge. Upon arrival, our tents are ready and waiting for us. We meet our trekking guides and camp staff and stretch our legs around the camp. There is a full trek briefing this evening.

Accommodation: Full-service wild camping

We set off after breakfast, taking a trail from the foot of the mountains up and over Orto-Bulak Pass (8,335ft/2,540m) in the Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu Gorge. The scenery is pristine, which adds to the beauty.

Accommodation: Full-service wild camping

This morning, we follow the trail to Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge, which is popular with Kyrgyz nomads as there are many green pastures and mountain rivers. We usually see several nomadic families along the way, together with their livestock and yurt settlements. We reach our campsite at Djili-Suu in the early afternoon. After arrival, we can 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.

Accommodation: Full-service wild camping

We continue our hike to the Jety-Oguz Gorge, one of the most beautiful and famous canyons in Kyrgyzstan. To reach it, we must cross the river and the Kok-Jaiyk Pass (9,020ft/2,750m). It’s quite a climb but the view from the top gives us a new appreciation of these so-called Mountains of Heaven as we’re rewarded with an unforgettable panorama. During today’s walk, we 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.

Accommodation: Jety-Oguz Yurt Camp (or similar)

We meet our team of porters this morning, who 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 wildflowers bloom. After a rest, we continue the trek to our tented camp (approximately 9,845ft/3,000m) at the foot of Telety Pass. After settling into our tents, we can take a 0.6mi (1km) walk to the nearby waterfall.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)

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 (12,470ft/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 need to concentrate on your footing to avoid the overgrown tree roots. Tonight’s camp is at about 8,200ft (2,500m) elevation.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)

We go on a round-trip daywalk up and along the Uyun Tor River to the foot of Karakol Peak. We have a chance to see Tian Shan blue spruce forest, underwood (dog rose, honeysuckle, black barberries, mountain ash, blackcurrants 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 where we can see Karakol Peak, the highest of the Terskey Ala-Too range.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)

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 0.6mi (1km), 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 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 fireplace inside – the perfect spot for a rest and snack. There are some wooden sculptures of animals and idols by the hut, like something from a fairytale. From here, the trail climbs higher and, leaving the forest, we hike along the river and reach a beautiful waterfall, flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. Tonight’s camp is at approximately 11,810ft (3,600m) elevation.

Accommodation: Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)

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 the shores, we see the main Terskey Ala-Too range, including Aksu, Djigit, Karakol and Oguz Bashi peaks. From the lake edge, it takes us another 1hr 30min to the pass. The initial descent from the pass is on a steep scree slope, and then through the picturesque Keldike Valley, where we encounter grazing cattle and sheep. 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 50C/122F).

Accommodation: Full-service camping (fixed tented camp)

This morning, we spend time admiring Altyn Arashan and the surrounding area, especially the fir forest, which contrasts with the snowy mountain backdrop. We then descend to Karakol town by military truck (approximately one hour). Depending on the route conditions, we may walk along the river as far as the national park gates before continuing by truck.

We have a short sightseeing tour of the town, visiting Dungan Mosque, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Prjevalskii Memorial Complex.

Tonight’s dinner is 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.

Accommodation: 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 155mi (250km) and takes five to six hours – we 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 1,400 and 4,000 years’ old. They lie 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) and a chopo choi (a wind instrument made of mountain reed).

Accommodation: Hotel Resident (or similar)

The tour ends in Bishkek after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the capital city.