fbpx Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road

Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road

Illustrative map of the trip © Barents.pl
• Cycle through the passes of Tian Shan at 4 000 meters
• Swim in Issyk-Kul lake the second largest mountain lake in the world
• Yurts and the traditional life of Kyrgyz shepherds
• Cycling lightly - luggage transported by car
• Jety-Oguz, Skazka Canyon, Burana Tower and Bishkek

The Switzerland of Asia: Kyrgyzstan owes the nickname to its beautiful nature. In the south rises the Pamir foothills with reportedly the world's most easily accessible seven-thousander, Lenin Peak, while in the east the relatively young mysterious Tian-Shan (Chinese: Mountains of Heaven) mountains are still forming. Many awe-inspiring seven-thousand-meter peaks can be found there, of which Khan Tengri (Ghost Mountain) stands out, attracting daredevils on climbing expeditions.

The Tian Shan is made up of dozens of valleys full of green pastures, with clear blue and extremely wide glacial rivers flowing through them. The most famous in this range is the Enylchek glacier, which is so large that it can easily be seen from space. Kyrgyzstan is the country that, of all the countries in the world, is the farthest from the sea, yet it has been blessed with the second largest mountain lake in the world (after Titicaca).

Lake Issyk-Kul, where we will also be bathing, is extremely picturesque - in the background rise huge snowy peaks on the north side and red rocks on the south side. The destination points of our cycling trip around Kyrgyzstan are the Tian Shan (from the north and east), further on, of course, the Enylchek glacier. Also standing on our route is Mount Khan Tengri - don't be afraid, we won't ride all the way to the top, but we will choose such a route to have a chance to see at least its outline.

We will ride right along the Chinese and Kazakh borders, ascend four thousand meters and bathe in Lake Issyk-Kul. We will see the wide steppes and sit in a yurt, drink kumyz and vodka, eat shashlik and listen to traditional Kyrgyz musical instruments.

Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl

Dates of tours

Number Difficulty Date Duration Price Remarks Booking
EN-650-24 2-3 03.08.2024 to 17.08.2024 15

2030 EUR

Book now!
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl

ITINERARY:

DAY 1-2
Fly to Bishkek or Almaty. Transfer by minibus to the east of the country - to Karakol. We will bathe for the first time in the second largest mountain lake in the world - Issyk-Kul (1690 meters above sea level). We will stay overnight in a mountain valley in a traditional yurt. Accommodation, preparing the bikes for the ride.

DAY 3
The first stage awaits us - a warm-up towards the mountains, we will see the rock formations of the Jety-Oguz, the snowy tops of five-thousand-meter peaks and grazing herds of horses. Then a long descent towards Karakol, where we will spend the night at a family guesthouse.

Number of kilometers: 55
Starting altitude: 2196 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 1762 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 2547 m above sea level

DAY 4
From Karakol we will reach the beautiful valley of Altyn Arashan. A difficult several-kilometer climb awaits us, culminating in a beautiful view of the valley, where we will spend the night.

Number of kilometers: 32
Starting altitude: 1762 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 2516 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 3627 m above sea level

DAY 5
We take a break from the bikes and embark on a full-day trek to the mountain lake of Ala Kul. This is the highest point on our tour route. Overnight stay at Altyn Arashan.

Number of kilometers: 24
Starting altitude: 2516 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 2516 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 3903 m above sea level

DAY 6-7
We will ride east, having the "Mountains of Heaven" on our right, but still among civilization - through villages and pastures until the point where our route turns south. We will ascend as far as Chongas Pass (3822 meters above sea level), then descend to the almost deserted settlement of Enylchek.

Number of kilometers day 6: 77 (30 by car, 42 by bicycle)
Starting altitude: 2516 m above sea level
Final altitude: 2943 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 2943 m above sea level

DAY 8
The end of civilization: we will still occasionally meet shepherds, abandoned collapsed villages or old non-functioning mines. We will leave the main trail and take an interesting mountain route towards the camp from which expeditions to the "Ghost Mountain" begin - Khan Tengri.

Number of kilometers: 80
Starting altitude: 2523 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 2523 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 2770 m above sea level

DAY 9
Drive by car to the picturesque valley of Sary-Jaz. Then we will change to bicycles and ride along the glacial river, almost to the border with Kazakhstan through the valley of shepherds, yurts and cattle.

Number of kilometers: 63 (37 by car, 26 by bicycle)
Starting altitude: 2523 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 2962 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 2966 m above sea level

DAY 10
We will pass the next ridge and the road will begin to descend through endless green pastures where hundreds of grazing horses can be seen. Covering the roads of northeastern Kyrgyzstan, we will arrive at a camp with the "charming" name Kalashnikov. At the camp, a well-deserved rest in the local bathhouse and sauna awaits us.

Number of kilometers: 56
Starting altitude: 2962 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 2198 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 3365 m above sea level

DAY 11-12
The longest stretch of our journey, ending with a well-deserved swim in Issyl Kul. The next day back to Karakol.

Number of kilometers day 11: 107
Initial altitude: 2198 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 1615 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 2340 m above sea level

Number of kilometers day 12: 37
Starting altitude: 1615 m above sea level
Final altitude: 1783 m above sea level
Highest point on the route: 1783 m above sea level

DAY 13-15
Drive to Bishkek/Almaty. Possible visit to Burana minaret and stone sculptures and a walk through the fabulous Skazka Canyon. Sightseeing tour of Bishkek/Almaty. Departure to Poland.

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Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl

PRICE INCLUDES:

• return flight ticket with all fees

• care of an English-speaking guide

• local guide - driver

• accommodation (guest accommodation, yurts, own tents)

• transporting backpacks in an assurance car

• meals prepared by a local chef during a bike ride (8 days) + breakfast in cities

• any transport in Kyrgyzstan

• visit to the bathhouse (and sauna) in the Kalashnikov camp

• information packages 

• entrance to the Enylchek Park (75 USD)

• permission to enter border areas

• mandatory travel agency insurance

• accident and accident insurance and luggage up to 200 Euro

• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person

• mandatory payment to the state Tourist Fund for Assistance (TFP) for each person.

• insurance against contracting the virus (COVID-19) while abroad

Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• air transportation of a bicycle (sports luggage supplemented with clothes/bicycle equipment/etc.).
• catering in cities (Karakol and Bishkek) - prices relatively low
• fees for passes to border zones when registering for participation less than 60 days from the date of departure (min. 75USD)
• Covid-19 test (if applicable)

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT:
We will be accompanied by a KAMAZ/GAZ, which will not only transport luggage from one accommodation to another each day, but can also serve as a transport for tired cyclists.

ROUTE:
Average difficulty level, passing through mountain roads, unpaved surface or dirt road, often outside the marked paths, numerous ramps. The average daily distance is approx. 70km. Estimated length of the bicycle route: about 600 - 680 km.

FOOD:
During the bicycle trip (11 days), a Uyghur chef will be with us. He will prepare for us delicacies of Kyrgyz cuisine, but also Uyghur and Tatar. During the trip you should try the Tien Shan shashlik. In cities (Karakol, Bishkek) individual catering, prices in restaurants and shops are relatively low.

ACCOMODATION:
In own tents in places selected by the guide. In cities, accommodation in family pensions. One night will be organized in traditional yurts! 

GROUP:
We travel in small groups. The minimum number of people on the trip is 8, maximum 15/16.

FLIGHT:
The place of departure is WARSAW or BERLIN. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for price quotation for this trip.

WEATHER:
In August, the highest temperatures are recorded, the weather is stable. However, you have to be prepared for the changing mountain weather - rain or snow at altitudes above 3000 meters. During the day, the temperature is around 20-30 degrees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather, group speed, and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• Attention! In case of the introduction of restrictions that prevent the implementation of the tour, we will refund 100% of the money paid up to 7 days from the date of cancellation of the tour.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl

Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Illustrative map of the trip © Barents.pl
Illustrative map of the trip © Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Mateusz Wiśniewski, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Roman Stanek Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Małgosia Busz, Barents.pl
Kyrgyzstan: Cycling down the Silk Road © Małgosia Busz, Barents.pl

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