Kyrgyzstan: trekking in the Mountains of Heaven
Kyrgyzstan is often called the Switzerland of Asia. We will take you trekking through the Tian Shan range, meaning the Mountains of Heaven in Chinese, with dozens of valleys full of pastures and crystal clear blue rivers, snow-capped peaks, glaciers and picturesque lakes. It is a land of shepherds, yurts, horses and magnificent views.
The trek will take us through picturesque gorges with steep slopes covered with huge firs and spruces, leading up to the mountain lakes of Alakol and Aksu. We will get to know the most scenic routes of eastern Kyrgyzstan, winding through mountain passes and valleys. Expect more demanding ascends, but know that all the effort will be rewarded with beautiful, rigged landscapes. We will also go to see the unusual rock formations of Jeti-Oguz, take a dip in the Issyk-Kul Lake, visit Bishkek, the Burana minaret and the fabulous Skazka Canyon.
During this trekking trip, we will sleep in a yurt, enjoy some steam in a Russian “banya", drink kumis, eat a lamb skewer and listen to music played on traditional Kyrgyz musical instruments.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1-2
Departure from Poland and arrival to Bishkek in the morning. Trip to the east of the country, swimming in the Issyk-Kul lake on the way. In the evening dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 3
Visiting Karakol where we will see a market. Visit to the Orthodox church and the Dungan mosque of "Sino-Soviet" Muslims, both distinguished by stylish, wooden architecture. Opportunity to visit the museum of the Russian traveler Przewalski. Then complementing the supplies and drive to the Jety-Oguz where the red rocks occur and for the first time we will try the delicacies of Kyrgyz cuisine. Accommodation awaits us in a traditional yurt.
DAY 4-5
In the morning a local guide will join us with porters who will carry our backpacks. Our expedition will run along the Jety Oguz river. We climb further and higher, overcome 3960m altitude to Lake Ala Kol (3532m above sea level). We spend the night near the lake.
DAY 6-7
Further up in the mountain, around high-mountain lakes, we go through the pass to the famous valley of Altyn Arashan, considered to be one of the prettiest in the whole Tien Shan. It is known for its hot springs.
DAY 8-10
Continue up along the Aksu River to the glacier and return to the hot springs of Altyn Arashan.
DAY 11-13
The next part of the trip will run along the Anyrton gorge, up to the small Lake Aksu at an altitude of 3982m above sea level. Then we go down to the lower parts and we will have to return to Karakol through the valleys of Dzerges or Ak Su.
DAY 13-15
Morning departure, drive to the salt lake Issyk Kul. Eager will be able to swim in the "Warm Lake" waters. Visiting the Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon) and the unusual Burana Tower. Evening arrival to Bishkek. The next day, visiting the city center, a visit to the huge market, time for the last shopping and fligth back home.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• A return flight ticket with all airport charges
• Care of an English-speaking guide
• During the trekking breakfast and dinners prepared by the local chef (10x)
• Accommodation (5 x guest accommodation and/or a traditional yurt, other accommodation in own tents)
• Horses/porters to transport luggage during trekking
• Local transport in Kyrgyzstan
• Information packages and maps
• Insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• Insurance NNW + KL + insurance of amateur sports (!) + Luggage insurance up to 200 Euro
• A mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• You can rent a tent on site (however, we recommend taking your own). The price is about 5 USD/day.
• Catering in cities (prices relatively low).
FLIGHT:
The place of departure is WARSAW. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for price quotation for this trip.
TREKKING:
Most of the routes run through shepherd’s paths. We go with a small personal luggage, our main luggage carries a horses/porters. Good physical condition is required. The average daily trekking time is 6-8 hours. There are no technically demanding climbs on the route, but there would appear the places where it would be necessary to cross the river.
FOOD:
During trekking (10 days) Uyghur chef will be with us. He will prepare for us delicacies not only of Kyrgyz cuisine, but also Uyghur and Tatar. During the trip you should try the Tien Shan shashlik. In cities, 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!
WEATHER:
At the end of June, the weather in the mountains is the most constant, yet you have to be prepared for a drop in temperature to around 0 to -5 degrees at night at altitudes above 3000 meters, it can snow. During the day, the temperature is around 20-25 degrees. At the turn of August and September similar, slightly warmer at night.
GROUP:
We go in small groups. The minimum number of people on the trip is 6, maximum 15.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl.
