High Lakes Of Tian Shan - Trekking
About this tour
Alpine lakes and beautiful places of Kyrgyzstan
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning, meeting with the Kyrgyz driver, transfer to hotel for rest and breakfast. Afternoon free day at clients own disposal. No service of guide and transportation during the day. Overnight in the hotel. Overnight in the hotel B-Hotel *** or Shah Palace Hotel ***
Day 2: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
Trekking Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the National park of the valley of Chon-Kemin (160 km, about 2,5 hours) to the start point of the trek to the gorge Tory-Air. Meeting with the local team with horses for luggage. Start the trekking up to the gorge Tory-Aigyr for about 4 hours. Here you can see a unique spectacle – meadows, full of edelweiss. Stay overnight in tents. (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point – 800 m in Bishkek, start point of the trek- 2150m, end of day -2400 m in the tent camp. Altitude difference during the day is +350 m)
Day 3: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Chong-Kemin National Park, Kyrgyzstan
Trekking The walk takes you to the pass Tory-Aigyr (2400 m). You will do crossing the small pass about 2900 m. Trekking towards the mountain Lake Kol-Kogur (Kol-Tor). (5-6 hours). The lake is a magnificent spectacle in the bright sunshine. It looks like a sapphire set amongst a vast array of silver, snow-covered mountains. Stay overnight in tents (2400 m above sea level). (Altitudes above sea level during the day: in a tent camp - 2400m, highest point - 2900 m, end of day -2400m in the tent camp. Altitude difference during the day is +500 m first half and -500 m second half)
Day 4: Chong-Kemin National Park, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
Trekking. Breakfast. Trekking over the pass Kol-Kogur (3250 m) about 6 hours. The path passes through alpine meadows where, in summer, local people live with their families and livestock. Picnic. Trekking down for 850 m. till the place with water. Stay overnight in tents (2400 m above sea level). (Altitudes above sea level during the day: in a tent camp – 2400 m, the highest point of the trek is 3250 m at the pass, end of day -2400m in the tent camp. Altitude difference during the day is +850 m first half and -850 m second half)
Day 5: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
Trekking: Breakfast. Trek down to the mouth of Kol-Tor valley for about 3 hours. Picnic for lunch. Meeting with the car. Transfer to the Kochkor alone on the Northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Free time for swimming on the lake. Dinner and overnight in Kochkor. (Altitudes above sea level during the day: in tent camp - 2400m, end of day -1700m in Kochkor)
Day 6: Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast. Visit the women's cooperative, where we will see learn about felt carpets like Shyrdak, Alakiiz. Transfer to Kyz Art village for about 2 hours. Lunch in the village. Meet the local guide. Take a horse. Start the horseriding cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley follow the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shark. Dinner and overnight in Kilemche yurt camp of nomads (simple toilet). Overnight at the yurt camp. (4 people in the yurt)
Day 7: Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3300 m, about 2-3 hours), over the Song-Kol Mountains, and into the lake’s basin. The morning climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo, and the pass itself is rocky and exciting. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you trek down the slopes for about 2 hours, it gets larger and larger; the mountains on the other side get higher and higher until finally, the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it. Lunch in Yurt camp. Spend afternoon time at the lakeside. Dinner in the Yurt camp. (Altitudes above sea level during the day: the beginning of the day – 2700 m in Kilemche Jailoo, highest point – 3300m at Jalgyz Karagai pass, end of the day – 3080m in Yurt camp Later on meet local shepherds, watch the shepherd’s way of life: taste bread and kumyz (the national Kyrgyz drink from mares’ milk). Overnight at the yurt camp. (4 people in the yurt)
Day 8: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast. Transfer to Bishkek (380 km). The road goes over the high pass Kalmak Ashuu (3065 m). Lunch. On the way a visit to Burana tower the remaining of Karakhanid Empire in Central Asia (11 c). Dinner in the local restaurant. Optionally Kyrgyz folklore program during the dinner. Accommodation in the Hotel. (Altitudes above sea level during the day: 3080m in Son Kul end of the day – in Bishkek 700m)
Day 9: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Transfer to the Airport.
What's included
1. Transport for all transfers and excursions in Kyrgyzstan: • 2 pax – Jeep • 3 pax - One minivan • 4-6 pax – One Mercedes Sprinter 2. English speaking Guide 3. Double/twin room accommodation in hotels, guesthouses and families according the program. 4. Four-five people accommodation in one yurta for staying in Kilemche and on Song-Kul lake; 5. Meal as indicated in each day of the program 6. Mineral water during the tour (one liter a day per person); 7. Entry fees to museums; 8. Trekking personal (guide, cook, stableman) 9. Trekking equipment (tent, kitchen etc.) 10. Horse for luggage
1. Alcohol and soft drinks; 2. Single room accommodation 3. Horses for riding in Song-Kul 4. Motor boat excursion in Issyk-Kul 5. Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo village 6. Horse game Ulak-Tartysh 7. Cost for visa 8. International and domestically flight tickets; 9. Airport taxes in Bishkek; 10. Porter service in hotels and airports.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan