Tour Type: mountain bike
Total Duration: 13 days
Tour Dates: any dates between mid June and mid September
Best Season: mid June – mid September
Level of Difficulty: from medium to difficult
Maximum Altitude on the Trip: 3 800 meters ASL
Start and End Point: Bishkek
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Bishkek , and guesthouses outside Bishkek yurt camping and tent camp
Transport: 4×4 jeep , 4×4 minivan
Best group size: 4 — 12 persons
Itinerary: Bishkek – Kochkor — Bokonbai – Tosor – Jyluu Suu Hot spring — Karasaz – Solton sary — Song Kol – Kyzart village — Southern Karakol – Kegeti gorge — Bishkek
The crown jewel of the Tien Shan, Lake Issyk-Kul is 6232 sq m of sparkling blue paradise. The second largest saline lake in the world, its name in Kyrgyz means «hot lake»— though surrounded by spectacular snow capped peaks, the water never freezes. Silk Road traders stopped here to recover from the grueling trek over the passes of the Tian Shan, and it is still the most popular destination in Kyrgyzstan to relax for both tourists and locals.
Karakol is the regional center. On Sundays see a tradition which is reminiscent of Silk Road times, the famous animal bazaar. Shepherds from surrounding regions travel long hours to bring their livestock— on foot, by cart, by tractor, by car— even by motorcycle. Other cities in the region include Cholpon-Ata and Balykchi.
The mountains in Issyk-Kul rise over 7000 m, with Khan Tengri and Pobeda Peak being popular destinations for intrepid mountaineers. Trek to the massive Enilchek Glacier and the “dissappearing” Lake Merzbacher.
Arrival at Manas International airport. Transfer to Bishkek, 30 minutes. Hotel accommodation. Lunch at café. After lunch we will prepare bikes and after short drive we will have test cycling in mountains near Bishkek (25 km). Return to Bishkek. Dinner at café and overnight in the hotel.
Today we will visit Burana Historical complex (Balasagyn town 10-12c AD), leave Chui valley, drive through spectacular Boom gorge, have lunch and stop at Kuaky pass where we will prepare bicycles and cycle further to Kochkor village. Dinner and overnight in a local guest house
Today is a full day cycling. We will first cycle to Semiz Bell pass and further to Bokonbaev village. On the way we will see small villages, farms, shepherds and herds. Terrain is up and down with villages and farms each 5-10 km. We can be flexible and after cycling drive to Bokonbaevo where we will have dinner and overnight in a local guest house.
After breakfast we will cycle towards Tosor pass and get more and more into Tosor gorge. Road will slowlygo up. Dinner and overnight in a tent.
After breakfast we will cycle 13 km up to Tosor pass (3800m asl). It is steeper terrain to the pass from where we can see glaciers. And after that we will cycle down and see another spectacular views. After hard day, let us enjoy local hot spring at Jyluu Suu, have dinner and stay in tent.
Today we will start with cycling downhill. Later we will have cycling on flat terrain to Kara-Saz Valley where we will have dinner and stay in tent. The places we will see today are summer pastures for yaks, horses, cows and sheeps. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Today we also cycle through pastures with herds. Terrain is going slowly uphill and sometimes long pleasant downhill cycling. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Today we will cycle through several uphills. Most steep one is 32 parrots pass from which we will cycle to Song Kul lake where our yurt is waiting for us. For those who need a rest, a support vehicle will follow the group. Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
Today is rather lazy day. We will spend full day having rest or can also have some walking or try another shepherds transport. Optional: Horseback riding. Lunch, dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
We will cycle up to Tuz Ashuu pass (3300m asl). It is one of the best panoramic places to see the Song-Kol lake and peaks around. We will cycle down from the pass to Kyzart village where we will have dinner and stay in local homestay.
After breakfast we will cycle to southern Karakol Gorge by dirty road. We pass several villages on the way. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Today we will go by steep road up to Kegeti pass (3700m asl) and then descend to Chiy valley. Even in summer time one can see some glaciers here. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Today is easy day and cycling to Issyk Ata where we will rest in thermal pool and after that our vehicles drive to Bishkek. We will have rest in the hotel. Farewell dinner in restaraunt with folklore concert.
| Trip date | Availability | Trip Status | Price |
| Any date | Available | Booking | From $ 1 550 |
Trip inclusions:
Price doesn’t include:
