Trek in Tien-Shan Mountains

 

Countries: Kyrgyzstan

Tour duration: 15 days

Trek type: moderate

Trek gives an opportunity to experience a fantastic world of Tien-Shan – unforgettable and diverse landscapes of majestic glaciers, magnificent mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, abundant forests, flocks of yaks, sheep and horses.

Trek goes along plateaus of “Terskey Alatau” Mountain Range at the altitude of 2200 – 3860 m and in the greater extent goes aside of main tourist routes.

 

Tour program:

Great Silk Road

Adventure

Bird-watching

Riding

Heritage

Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek

Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel for a rest. Bishkek is a capital and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of magnificent Kyrgyz Ala-Tau mountain range. Bishkek is a city of many green parks and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks and thousands of smaller privately built houses. It is laid out on a grid pattern, with most streets flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels that water the innumerable trees which provide shade in the hot summers. The city is believed to be the greenest in Central Asia with more trees per head of population than any other. Our sightseeing tour includes: blooming Osh Bazaar, Historical Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Ala-Too square, the main square of the country. The square serves as a place for state events and celebrations and includes many monuments, open-air picture gallery, famous Oak Park, marble government buildings and theaters. Transfer to Cholpon-Ata at the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.

Accommodation: Hotel 3 Crowns ***

Day 2. Transfer to Altyn-Arashan Gorge

Transfer to Karakol along souther shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The lake sits in a hollow surrounded by snowcapped peaks of Terskei and Kungei Ala-Tau Mountain ranges at the altitude of 1600 m. The Lake is 180 km long, 60 km wide and 700 m deep. 134 streams and rivers flow into the lake but none flows out what is explained by underwater tectonic activity. The atmosphere of Karakol town will bring you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. Karakol in previous times had another name – Prjevalsk, in honor of the famous Russian explorer of Asia – Nikolai Prjevalski, whose grave is situated at the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. The town was founded in 1869 and is constructed in an old Russian style with many buildings from Tsar time. Visiting of Orthodox Cathedral and Dungan Mosque. Afternoon transfer to Altyn-Arashan Gorge (“Golden Spa”) gorge (2200 m) with numerous sulfur and radon springs (water t0 +30+50 C0). Here we meet our trek crew.

Overnight: Tents

Day 3. Trek to Ala-Kul Lake

On the first day of trekking part of the tour we take an easy start to the very beautiful  Ala-Kul Lake over same named pass (3860 m). Literally, the name Ala-Kul  means a "variegated lake", although it  takes its name from the Ala-Таu mountains lying further north. Magnificent views along the way and the most beautiful view the top are ready to meet you. The water of the lake is crystal clear, untouched, unpolluted surrounded by wild untouched Tien Shan mountains.

Overnight: Tents

Day 4. Trek to Telety Pass

Our journey continues along Karakol valley to the foothill of Telety Pass (3800 m).

Overnight: Tents

Day 5. Trek to Jeti-Oguz valley

Over Telety Pass and through thick coniferous forest to Djeti-Oguz valley. Hence a majestic panorama opens on Ogus-Bashi Pass (“wolf's head", 5168 m). The ascent starts by two steep trails but the whole complexity  will be overshadowed by the beauty that opens to your eyes. The descent from the pass to the  Telety Gorge will be a convenient and picturesque place for a picnic.

Overnight: Tents

Day 6. Trek to Arch-Ter Pass

We continue of trek  Along Djeti-Oguz valley to the foothill of Archa-Ter Pass (3800 m). Easy hike along Western Telety river to its confluence with Jet0Oguz river. The trail runs through amazing panoramas of the valley overgrown with spruce forest.

Overnight: Tents

Day 7. Trek to Chon Kyzyl-Suu Valley

Today we cross Archa-Ter Pass. Ascent along Asan-Tukum river leads us to alpine meadows, we continue through the valley, bypass a glacier and climb over the pass. Steppe descent to Archa-Ter valley.

Overnight: Tents

Day 8. Trek to Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge

We proceed along Chon Kyzyl-Suu valley to the gorge of the same name.

Overnight: Tents

Day 9. Trek to Kichi Kyzyl-Suu

This day we climb Instructor Pass (3325 m) and descent to Kichi Kyzyl-Suu basin.

Overnight: Tents

Day 10. Transfer to Tamga

Today we finish out trek and go down to the valley. Transfer to Tamga.

Overnight: GH

Day 11. Tamga

Rest day at Issyk-kul lake or hiking:  Tamga gorge, where a split stone “Tamga Tash” is situated with mysterious signature in Tibet language “Om Mani Padme Tun” (letters are up to 0.5 high). Further walk Djolborstu canyon and hike back to Tamga (5-6 hours)

Overnight: GH

Day 11. Transfer to Bishkek

Transfer to Bishkek. By the way excursion to Karakhanid minaret Burana (12 cent.) with burial stones of Turk time (6-8 cent.) and petroglyphs of Scythians (7-3 cent. BCE). In Bokonbaevo village excursion to felt workshop.

Overnight: GH

Day 11. Transfer to Bishkek

Transfer to the airport and departure. End of services.

 

Tour price and list of services - on request

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