In the land of the nomads

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Bishkek

  

  In the morning, we briefly visit the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, a former Tsarist garrison built by Frunze. Visit of the capital: Erkindik and Molodaya Gvardia boulevards, the largest market "Osh Bazaar," always lively and colorful, as well as the most important squares. Lunch and dinner in town. Overnight at the hotel (760 m).

• day 2

  Bishkek - Kyzyl Oi

  

  In the morning, transfer towards the Suusamyr plateau. On the way, pass through the village of Kojomkul, where we visit the museum of a national hero. Further down in the valley, we reach the Kokomeren river, on the banks of which we have a picnic. Then, we head towards the village of Kyzyl Oï, crossing the ochre-toned canyon, which offers an exceptional subject for photography enthusiasts. Picnic en route Dinner and overnight stay with a local family (1800 m)

• day 3

  Song Koul

  

  We take the road towards Lake Song Koul, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan, a high mountain lake located on an alpine pasture at 3000 m altitude. To get there, we cross the Karaketché pass. The road climbs through the gorge, where the mix of burgundy rocks and the dark green of the fir trees may remind us of some American westerns. At the end of the day, we arrive near Tach Debe in a yurt camp, "jailoo" in Kyrgyz. Meeting with the nomads and discovering Kyrgyz traditions. Picnic on the way Dinner and overnight in the yurt (3016)

• day 4

  Song Koul

  Walk of about fifteen kilometers on the heights above the lake. We walk east, towards the ridges, to see the peaks of the Moldo massif. Return to our jailoo (or yurt camp). Picnic. Dinner and night under a yurt at the same place as the previous night.

• day 5

  Song Koul - Tash Rabat

  

  We say goodbye to the locals and leave by car towards the Moldo Too pass, located at an altitude of 3380 m. Crossing the Kara Kujur valley, the Kourtka valley, and the Ak Talaa valley ("white fields"), we enjoy beautiful landscapes. Arrival and lunch in Naryn. Visit of the city, its bazaar, and the Fine Arts gallery. We continue on the road and stop to visit the famous caravanserai of Tash-Rabat. Lunch on the way Dinner and overnight in a yurt at Tash-Rabat (3500 m).

• day 6

  Tash Rabat

  

  Walk towards Lake Chartyr Kul, from where you can observe a view of the Chinese border. We climb to the pass at 3819 m, from where you will have an incredible view. The hike lasts about 8 hours for 16 km (round trip). Picnic. Dinner and overnight in a yurt (3500 m).

• day 7

  Tash Rabat - Kochkor

  

  In the morning, transfer to Kochkor. We pass through the Dolon pass (3200 m). In the afternoon, arrival in the small town of Kochkor. Visit to a craft workshop where we will be shown how felt carpets are made, followed by a folk concert. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family (2500 m).

• day 8

  Kochkor - Chong Kemin

  

  In the morning, transfer to Chong-Kemin. After an hour and a half drive, we start the walk to discover the surprising little canyon of Konorchek (if the weather permits, 2 h 30 min walk). Then, transfer to the guesthouse in the Chong-Kemin valley. Picnic Dinner and overnight stay with a local family (1800 m).

• day 9

  Kalmak Ashu (the pass)

  

  2-day trek to Lake Issyk Kul. In the morning, we walk due south towards the Kalmak Ashu pass, located at an altitude of 3400 m. Before the pass, we stop in a mountain pasture to spend the night there. Picnic Dinner and overnight in a tent (2200 m).

• day 10

  Cholpon Ata

  

  In the morning, we cross the pass and descend with a magnificent view of Lake Issyk Kul, "very hot lake", the second largest mountain lake after Titicaca, located at 1600 m altitude, as well as the Terskey Alatoo range, peaking at over 5200 meters. At the end of the day, we meet up with our vehicle and drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul. "Hot lake", the second largest alpine lake after Titicaca, is the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. We stop at Cholpon Ata, the seaside capital, to spend the night. Free time for swimming. Picnic Night in a guesthouse. (1645 m)

• day 11

  Karakol

  

  We leave in the morning towards the former garrison of Commander Prjevalski, in Karakol. On the way, we stop at the petroglyph park of Cholpon Ata. To better understand the discovery of Kyrgyzstan in the 19th century, we will visit the Prjevalski museum and memorial. Next, we will pass through the large bazaar of Karakol, where you can taste the meat skewers "chachlik" or, if your heart or stomach desires, try the traditional Achlam Fu. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Karakol, where we will see the Dungan mosque and the Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. In the evening, we visit the traditional Russian bathhouse. Lunch in Karakol Dinner and overnight with a local family. (1700m)

• day 12

  Karakol - Djeti Oguz

  

  Road to the port of Karakol and visit to the museum and memorial of Nikolai Przhevalsky, legendary Russian explorer. Return to Karakol. Lunch in a Dungan restaurant. Departure by car to the Djeti Oguz valley. Arrival and visit of the sanatorium gardens. Walk to the camp. Lunch in a Dungan restaurant. Dinner and overnight in a tent near the river. (1900m)

• day 13

  Djeti Oguz

  

  Walk towards the Oguz Bashi glacier, one of the highest massifs of the Terskey Ala Too range. Picnic during the walk at the foot of the great peaks located at more than 5016 m altitude. (18-22 km of walking for the day) Picnic Dinner and overnight in a tent. (1900 m)

• day 14

  Tamga

  

  Day hike of 15 km towards the Chong Kyzyl Suu valley. We go back down the road for a few kilometers to the small holiday house of astronaut Gagarin, then we walk towards a pass located at 2,760 m altitude and descend into the "clear" valleys. After the picnic, we walk to meet our vehicle. We drive along the edge of this canyon and reach the southern shores of Lake Issyk Kul. Picnic Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Tamga (1,685 m).

• day 15

  Tamga-Barskoon-Syrty-Tamga

  

  Transfer to the Barskoon gorge. Hike to the Barskoon waterfall. Picnic. Then, we cross the Barskoon pass (3819 m) and arrive at the Syrty valley, the Kyrgyz tundra, at an altitude of 3300 m. We will visit the outskirts of Sarychat, the nature reserve where more than 100 species of various animals live. Return to Tamga. Arrival and check-in at the Tamga guesthouse in the evening. Picnic Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse (1700 m).

• day 16

  Bishkek

  

  Departure by car to Bishkek. Continue towards Kochkor. Stop at Bokonbaeva to discover the amazing life of eagle hunters. You leave the shores of Issyk-Kul to head towards the country's capital, crossing landscapes made up of winding gorges and the blue waters of the Orto-Tokoy reservoir lake. On the way, visit to the Burana Tower. Lunch en route Dinner in Bishkek Accommodation in Bishkek in a hotel. (760m)

• day 17

  Departure