Trekking On The Silk Road 12 Days Of Full Adventure
About this tour
We will follow the footsteps of the famous traveler Marco Polo through a beautiful mountain pass on the Great Silk Road. This magnificent journey will take you to the high plateaus, which separated East and West in ancient times. Thanks to agile Kyrgyz horses, you can walk freely along the rivers and mountains, valleys, and gorges. You will meet the nomads, who far from the cities. They maintained their culture in the last 2000 years. This horse track will enhance your joy of feelings being a silk road traveler; you will feel like a nomad and you will be fascinated by the nature of Kyrgyzstan.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manas Airport Road, Ak-Jol, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek to Tamga: Arriving in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and welcome you to Kyrgyzstan. At the airport, your guide will hold a sign with your name on it and the logo of Indy Guide. Since 90% of all the flights arrive at 4 am, you will be able to have a rest at a guesthouse before your day starts. (If someone wishes to arrive in Bishkek before the start of the tour we would be happy to help you with finding accommodation in Bishkek). After breakfast, your guide will give you an overview of the tour, and then you will be able to start your journey to the village of Tamga. The first stop on the way will in the driest canyons in Kyrgyzstan called Konorcheck canyons. It’s a great spot to enjoy a warm-up hike for ~ 3 hours. It’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch in the mountains. The next stop for the day will be in the small village that is well known for making Kyrgyz yurts and it’s a great way to get to know the local culture and population. The next stop of the day will be in the cozy village of Tamga where your host will welcome you with a typical Kyrgyz dinner for everyone. Sleeping Altitude: 1,600 m Driving km: 320 km Driving time: 4 hours Hiking time: ~3 hours 10 km Accommodation: Guesthouse in Tamga
Day 2: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Darkhan, Kyrgyzstan
Tamga to Juukuu valley to Juuku Pass: After breakfast, everyone will be transferred early in the morning to the Juuku valley where you will start your trekking journey to one of the most remote places in Kyrgyzstan. It will take ~1.5 hours for the horse men to get everything ready and then you will start your trek deep into the mountains. The goal for today is to reach the base of the Juuku Pass 3,800m and spend your first night in the wilderness of Kyrgyzstan. Please be aware of falling rocks or lose stones when traveling in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The trek it’s self will follow in the footsteps of Ella Maillart the famous Swiss Traveler that came to Kyrgyzstan in the 1930s. In addition, you will be traveling on one of the roads that was used during the days of the silk road. It’s quite the adventurous place to visit in Kyrgyzstan. Sleeping Altitude: 2,715 m Altitude Gain: 888 m Altitude Loss: 165 m Hiking time: 7.5 hours 22 km Accommodation: Tent camp at the base of Juuku pass
Day 3: Darkhan Mosque, Darkhan, Kyrgyzstan to Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan
Juuku Pass to Juuku Valley: After breakfast, everyone will make their way into the mountains for another great day of trekking and enjoying the views all around. Today’s goal is to cross the Juuku Pass at 3,800 m. Please be aware that after the Juuku pass there will be small rivers that you will have to cross and it’s a good idea to have a pair of extra socks in your day pack. Your guide and horsemen will help you reach this goal today. Do not forget to take countless pictures from the pass; the view is quite nice! Once you cross the pass, you will reach a flat place to build a camp for the night and everyone will be able to share dinner together. Sleeping Altitude: 3,715 m Altitude Gain: 1,221 m Altitude Loss: 222 m Hiking time: 8 hours 20.3 km Accommodation: Tent camp in the Juuku valley
Day 4: Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan
Juuku Valley to Kumtor Gorge: After breakfast, you will pack up all your gear on your horse and descend into the Kumtor Gorge. The Kumtor Gorge can be a bit of a dusty place because it’s such a large alpine valley with some truck traffic. Today you will pass over Ara Bell pass 4,016 m and you will cross down into the Kumtor gorge. The view from the pass is quite astonishing and it will show you what the next days will look like ahead. The goal for today is to reach the river at the bottom of the Ara Bell pass next to one of the main rivers in this area. Sleeping Altitude: 3,547 m Altitude Gain: 445 m Altitude Loss: 596 m Hiking time: 7.5 hours 17.9 km Accommodation: Tent camp in the Kumtor Gorge
Day 5: Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan to Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan
Kumtor Gorge to Ak-Shyyrak Gorge: After breakfast, you will be able to follow in the food steps of countless caravans from the days of the Silk Road. The goal for today is to pass the Ak Shyyrak ridge (white stone) thigh the pass Ak-Bel (white hill). It’s possible to see wild Ibex, Marco Polo sheep, and countless other wild animals in the valleys. Tonight you will build camp near the Ak-Bel Pass in the Ak-Shyyrak Gorge. Sleeping Altitude: 3,828 m Altitude Gain: 532 m Altitude Loss: 254 m Hiking time: 7.5 hours 18 km Accommodation: Tent camp in the Ak-Shyyrak Gorge
Day 6: Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan to Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan
Ak-Bel Pass to Paterbahik Alpine Lake: After pack up the tent camp you will cross down into the Ak Shyyrak valley where you will be able to look north east to see the massive Ak Shyyrak mountain range. This mountain range is very rarely visited by traveling guests and it’s one of the many hidden mountain ranges in Kyrgyzstan. Later in the day you will be trekking alongside the Ak-Shyyrak river until you reach the old fashion Soviet bridge that you will have to cross. Then you will walk across the high alpine basin of the Kara Say Valley until you reach camp for the night. Camp will be built next to the Paterbahik alpine lake. Sleeping Altitude: 3,570 m Altitude Gain: 234 m Altitude Loss: 475 m Hiking time: 7 hours 18.8 km Accommodation: Tent camp at the Paterbahik alpine lake
Day 7: Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan
Paterbahik alpine lake – Tez Canyon: After breakfast, you will push forward to reach an old caravanserai Ishtik, it’s very small and falling apart, but you will be able to feel like a real traveler on the silk road. The goal for today is to cross the Ishtik pass and reach the opening of the Tez Canyon. You will pass pay by the Ichtyk camp around mid-day. The last stop of the day will be at the start of the Tez Canyon where you will be able to build a camp for the night. It’s quite a wild and remote mountain range and a great place to get to know your horsemen and guide. Sleeping Altitude: 3,254 m Altitude Gain: 153 m Altitude Loss: 484 m Hiking time: 6.5 hours 16.3 km Accommodation: Tent camp at the mouth of the Tez canyon
Day 8: Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan
Tez Canyon to Wild Camping spot: After the last tea from your tent camp, you will make your way through the Tez Canyon northeast to the Ottukh Gorge and to an ever-changing landscape. Beware that you might have to cross the river today so it’s a good idea to have an extra pair of socks in your day pack. In addition, don’t forget that you will be traveling in a narrow mountain valley and it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for falling rocks. Once you pass through the last canyon the landscape will open up quite a bit and you will be able to enjoy the relaxed hike to your campsite tonight. The camp site is a wild camping spot so you can enjoy a longer day or shorter day on the trail. Sleeping Altitude: 3,457 m Altitude Gain: 778 m Altitude Loss: 575 m Hiking time: 7 hours 18.9 km Accommodation: Tent camp next to the “Wild Camping Spot”
Day 9: Uch Koshkon, Kyrgyzstan to Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan
Barlbas River to Uch Koshkon: After an early breakfast, your goal will be to pack up your things and make your way along the alpine river Baralbas until you reach the canyon of the Baralbas river. It’s quite a long hike today with many great views all around. The view from the unnamed pass is quite amazing and the rest of the day is quite straight forward where you will be walking alongside the alpine river until you reach your camp. Sleeping Altitude: 2,936 m Altitude Gain: 273 m Altitude Loss: 794 m Hiking time: 8 hours 19 km Accommodation: Tent camp next to the Barlbas River
Day 10: Ak Shyyrak, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Barlbas River to Uch Koshkon to Karakol: After the last tea is poured, everyone will start trekking alone side the road until you reach the very small settlement of Uch Koshkon that use to be a larger village lost among the Tian Shan mountain range. It’s possible to see Yaks, wild animals, and countless snow-covered mountain peaks. Once you arrive in Uch Koshkon make sure to have a talk with your guide and ask them about the history of this region during the Soviet Union. This area is full of legends and tall tales that go back 100’s of years. Your driver will pick you up from the Uch Koshkon settlement and bring you to the town of Karakol. You will be able to pass by the military base in Kara Say and then take a few pictures from the top of the Seok Pass at 4,028m, which leads to the Barskoon pass at 3,754 m with the final destination in Karakol. Once you arrive in Karakol late in the day, you will be able to enjoy a late shower and share dinner with a local family. Sleeping Altitude: 1,600 m Driving km: 250 km Driving time: ~6.5 hours Altitude Gain: 270 m Altitude Loss: 70.0 m Hiking time: 4 hours 7.69 km Accommodation: At a guesthouse in Karakol
Day 11: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Karakol - Bishkek: After breakfast in Karakol, you will make your way back to Bishkek. The first stop of the day will be at the hot springs on the north shore of Issyk Kul lake. It’s a great spot to enjoy the open-air hot springs and think back to the high mountains that you just came back from. The next stop for the day will be in Cholpon-Ata where you will have a late lunch. After lunch then you will be able to visit the ~1st-century petroglyphs close to the mountains. It’s a great spot to see a bit of the nomadic history of Kyrgyzstan and stretch your legs before heading back to Bishkek. The last stop of the day will be in Bishkek city where it is possible to buy a few souvenirs and have a walk through the city’s countless green parks. Tonight, you will have a farewell dinner at a local ethnic café in the heart of Bishkek. Sleeping Altitude: 800 m Driving km: 420 km Driving time: 7 hours Accommodation: At the Blue Camel Guesthouse in Bishkek
Day 12: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Manas Airport Road, Ak-Jol, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek Manas Airport After an early breakfast, everyone will be transferred from your guesthouses in Bishkek to the Manas Airport. The ride takes around 40 mints and it’s always recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight. We hope you enjoy your flight back home with the head full of memories... at least we hope so!
What's included
- Organization of the stay - Local Guide - All transfers in vehicle incl. from/ to airport - Horse guides - Accommodation described in the program - Full board incl. drinking water and tea - Rent of horses - Special border zone permit - All activities mentioned in the program - Entrance fees for monuments and parks mentioned in the program
- Insurance repatriation and CR insurance - Horses for riding which can be organized for an additional cost - Visas (if applicable) & any other administrative costs - International flights, airfare and taxes - Alcohol or sweetened beverages - Any charged activity not mentioned in the program - Rental of personal equipment (sleeping bag, water bottle, flashlight, etc.) - Tips (always optional, but always appreciated) - Personal expenses - Additional costs due to personal problems (health, loss of luggage, etc.).
What to know
– This tour is for experienced trekkers. – Average altitude during this tour will be 3600 m. – Weather can change. We advise you to prepare all the necessary equipment for the case of snow, rain, wind. Nights will be cold 0 C to -10 C.
Route & locations
Manas Airport Road, Ak-Jol, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan