Taste of Tian-Shan trekking tour

Upon arrival to the international airport “Manas” meet local guide and driver and transfer to Bishkek city. On arrival accommodation at the hotel (early check-in is included). After some rest we go to visit famous Osh bazaar. This is the brightest example of trading and boiling life. This a good chance to buy handmade souvenirs, dried fruits etc. 

After visit the market we head back to the city center to start walking tour around the main Ala Too square to see the legacy of the Soviet Union. There are several objects on our way: Manas Monument, the main national hero of Kyrgyz people; the State Flag and the ceremony of changing the Guards of Honor; the monument of the Revolution of 2010 and the White House, Lenin statue and the old Ala Too Square with number of interesting buildings of the past; Oak park and museum under the clear sky; unique fine art gallery and Kurmanjan Datka monument, finishing walk back at the main Ala Too square and transfer to the Victory Square dedicated to the WWII to finish the city tour by short excursion there. Lunch and dinner at a local café. Overnight.

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Altitudes above sea level: overnight in Bishkek – 800m

In the morning transfer to Karakol town and en route visit to Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok city. That minaret was constructed in Balasagun town, one of the capitals of Karakhanid State existed in 9-12 centuries AD. Also, watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient stone statues. After excursion continue drive to the Karakol town. Lunch en route in a cafe. Upon arrival to Karakol town accommodation at a hotel. Dinner at a local cafe and overnight.

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Altitudes above sea level: overnight in Karakol – 1700 m

In the morning short sightseeing tour in the town, we visit Dungan Mosque, Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Prjevalskii Memorial Complex. Lunch at a local café. 

After lunch meet trekking guide and transfer to Djety Oguz gorge located in the Northern slopes of Terskei Ala-Too some 35 km west from Karakol town. The length of the valley is 40 km. There is a chance to see well-known redsand rock formations – “The Broken Heart” and “Seven Bulls”. The slopes in the gorge are covered with the world-famous Tien Shan blue spruce for about 25 km along the fast mountain river. The road goes along the river (five log bridges to cross). This is the most narrow part of the way. Later it opens into so called “Flower Meadow” (Kok Jaiyk). We drive through all this beauty and reach the yurt camp we stay for overnight. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at the yurt camp.

Meal B/L/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the yurt camp – 2600 m

Expected altitude: + 900 m

Meet porters in the morning. We leave the yurt camp after breakfast and start trekking along the riverbank in a very narrow wooded gorge Bay Tor; it leads to the alpine meadows. Here, on a flower carpet, in the mountains, the air is sweet and clear, the views are amazing, and one forgets all his troubles and gets closer to the nature. After some rest, continue trekking to the tent camp at the foot of Telety pass. Getting closer to the tent camp cross quite big river with bridge. Few hundred meters and we are at the tent camp. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

PLEASE NOTE: Put all stuff (extra payment for more than 12 kg per person) into a special rucksack provided by NoviNomad company and give it to the porters in the morning. Porters carry the luggage from one tent camp to another, and upon arrival to a tent camp after trekking day, one will take the luggage back.

Meal B/Lunch-box/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the yurt camp – 3050 m

Expected altitude: + 450 m

We leave the tent camp after breakfast and start ascent to Telety pass. The first kilometre of the trail hidden among the bushes of juniper. Further, route goes along a narrow path with a slight ascend. From the top of the pass at 3800 m a.s.l., we enjoy wonderful panoramic view. Descent is rather simple, along a wide slope covered with talus, across alpine meadows with various herbs and flowers, along East Telety river, cross this river at some point and it is advisable to have sandals, since there is no bridge. Later we hike through the wood along the trail covered with roots and go down to Karakol gorge. The last kilometre is going through the old dirt-truck road that leads us to the tent camp, located in the forest. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

Meal B/Lunch-box/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the yurt camp – 2500 m 

Expected altitude: + 750 m, – 1300 m

Today, we have radial hike to the foot of Karakol peak. We go along Uyun Tor river, the part of the way is old dirt-truck road that ends after a small river. After we crossed the river the trail is going through Tien-Shan blue spruce forest (starting from May there are flowers blooming on the meadows – snowdrops, tulips, primerose, white anemone, alpine Aster, edelweiss (really big ones), etc. After forest zone we go up to the stone hill and reach the point with a view at the highest peak of Terskei Ala Too – Karakol peak. Here is a nice place to have lunch with a wonderful view. Later, we walk back to the tent camp with the same route. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

Meal B/Lunch-box/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the yurt camp – 2500 m

Expected altitude: + 700 m, – 700 m 

After breakfast we descent along the gorge about 1 km and later cross the river over a bridge and the trail leads us into a forest. Rather long ascent finishes at a steep slope covered with grass, the trail turns into a serpentine, passes by a river overflow, and arrive to an unusual place, which is called “Sirota” mountain log hut. There is a table, benches, fireplace inside. We can find a number of sculptures of animals and idols carved in wood around the hut. It looks like a fairy tale place. It is a nice place to sit down, rest, have a snack. Later, the trail goes up higher, leaving the forest behind we hike along the river and reach a beautiful waterfall, flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. We pass the waterfall and ascent on a natural dam, from where we can see Ala-Kul lake. The last kilometre till the tent camp goes along the lake. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

Meal B/Lunch-box/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the yurt camp – 3600 m

Expected altitude: + 1100 m

Moraine Lake of Ala-Kul stretches from east to west for 2.8 km, its width is 500 m and depth 70 m. Ala-Kul means Colorful Lake in Kyrgyz language. Depending on the light the water might change its color. It can be emerald green, turquoise with white clouds reflected, light green or dark grey, or even black. 

After breakfast we start the ascent to Ala-Kul pass. During the ascent, we enjoy wonderful views of the lake. Arriving closer to the lake we see the main range of Terskei Ala-Too with a number of peaks – Ak-Suu, Djigit, Karakol, Oguz Bashi, etc. From the lake edge, it will take us another hour and half to the pass. Descent from the pass along a talus slope, and later across a wide valley of Keldike with picturesque landscapes, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing. Upon arrival to the tent camp you may use an opportunity to relax in the hot springs. There are thermal baths (up to +50C) in the valley. Dinner and overnight at the Guest house.

Meal B/Lunch-box/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the guest house – 2600 m

Expected altitude: + 200 m, – 1200 m 

There is a resort Altyn Arashan, founded in 1963, famous for its hot mineral springs. The resort represents several wooden huts located on a big treeless meadow on the right bank of Arashan river. The Northern slopes of the left river bank are covered with fir trees. It gives an unforgettable picture – dark green trees with snowcapped mountains “Ak-Suu wall” (5022m) in the background.  In the morning special military truck will come to the tent camp to pick us up. After breakfast we start drive towards Karakol town along the gorge. The descent is over green fields with blooming flowers and crystal mountain springs. The final 5 km of the gorge are very narrow, not more than 30 m width with high rock walls. At the entrance to the gorge we pass by a village – Ak Suu (the name comes from the hot springs). Here you will take place inside the car and drive to Karakol. Lunch at a local cafe in the town. After lunch continue drive to Cholpon Ata town. Upon arrival accommodation in a hotel on the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meal B/L/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the hotel – 1600 m

Expected altitude: – 1000 m 

In the morning transfer to the Bishkek city. En route we also visit so called “Stone garden” or Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hung suns civilizations dated back 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungei Ala-Too Range with a beautiful view of the whole lake. Continue driving to Bishkek. Lunch en route. Upon arrival to the capital accommodation at the hotel. Last dinner at the cafe.

Meal B/L/D

Altitudes above sea level: overnight in the hotel – 800 m

Expected altitude: – 800 m 

Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Departure back home.

Meal B/-/-