Trekking to the unique Merzbacher Lake in Kyrgyzstan

Some Tour Attractions:

Bishkek, Boom Gorge, Cholpon Ata Petroglyph Museum, Cholpon-Ata, Inylchek Glacier, Jeti-Oguz Gorge, Karakol, Karakol Gorge, Lake Issyk Kul, Lake Mertzbacher, The Dungan Mosque, The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Tour description

Central Tien Shan – how much mystery and magic in these words! Since earliest times people have tried to penetrate into this alluring and such unknown territory. These majestic mountains have one especially unique place – the Merzbacher Lake – “the heart of the Tien Shan”. It is situated at an altitude of 3304 meters above sea level and located between glaciers North and South Inylchek (one of the largest glaciers in the world). On its coast you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the highest peaks of the Tien Shan. You will not remain indifferent to the beauty of this ever-shining land among icy silence of snowbound giants. Each year, between July and August, the lake, containing 129 million cubic meters of water, suddenly disappears completely for 2-3 days. And the filling begins with the melting of glaciers. There are many hypotheses about this phenomenon, but none of them has found its full confirmation. “The heart of the Tien Shan” is still the mystery!

Tour Program

Day

Day 1: Airport - Bishkek

Itinerary

Meet at Manas airport. Bus to the guest house ~40min (25km). Bishkek City tour. Overnight in the guest house (Elevation: 900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

Day

Day2: Bishkek - Tamga

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Tamga ~5-6 hours (324km). On the way you will visit Burana tower. Overnight in the guest house (Elevation: 1700m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

Day

Day 3: Tamga - Jeti-Oguz valley

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Jeti-Oguz valley ~2 hours (70km). You will trek to waterfall along the valley ~2- 3 hours (5km). Overnight in the yurt (Elevation: 2300m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Yurt camp

Day

Day 4: Jeti-Oguz - Echkilitash - Tyuz valley

Itinerary

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 5: Tyuz pass - Tyuz River

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will hike to the baseline of Tyuz pass ~5-6 hours (14 km). On the way you will make a river crossing across the Tyuz River. Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3285m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 6: Tyuz pass - Chon-Tash

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Tyuz pass (4001m) and descend to the campsite Chon-Tash ~7-8 hours (16km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 7: Enilchek glacier - Glinaya Polyana

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike on Enilchek glacier (3900m) to the campsite in Glinaya Polyana ~5-6 hours (10km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3380m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 8: Polyana Merzbacher

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike to the campsite in Polyana Merzbacher ~4-5 hours (8km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3550m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 9: Merzbacher Lake

Itinerary

Free day. After breakfast you can hike around the Merzbacher Lake ~5-6 hours (8km). Overnight in the tents (Elevation: 3550m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 10: Enilchek glacier - Iva

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike down on Enilchek glacier to the campsite in Iva ~6-7 hours (10km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3000m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 11: Enilchek - At-Djailoo

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike ~5-6 hours (18km) along the river Enilchek to the campsite in At-Djailoo, on the way you will make several river crossings. There is a tourist camp where you can order Russian Bath (additional cost) and relax. Overnight in the tents (Elevation: 2630m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 12: At-Djailoo - Karakol

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite At-Djailoo you will travel by military truck to Karakol ~5-6 hours (180km). Overnight in the guest house (Elevation: 1670m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

Day

Day 13: Karakol - Cholpon-Ata

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Cholpon-Ata ~3-4 hours (130km). On the way you will visit an open air museum of petroglyphs. Overnight in the guest house (Elevation: 1600m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

Day

Day 14: Issyk-Kul - Bishkek

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Bishkek ~7-8 hours (320km). Overnight in the guest house (Elevation: 900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

Day

Day 15: Bishkek - Airport

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Manas airport ~40min (25km).

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

_ _ _

Less

Tour package

Included

Transportation to and from planned attractions
Accommodation in guest houses, yurts & tents
Accommodation & food for the personnel
Guide + English translator
3 fresh meals per day throughout the tour
Mountain cook
Porter
Mountain cook assistant (if more than 7 clients)
Mountain kitchen gear
Mountain toilet
Bottled water in cities/purified spring water during trek
Attraction ticket fees
Karakol National Park fees
Permit

Does Not Include

Single room in the guest houses
Transportation to attractions not included in tour
Alcoholic drinks
Bottled water during trek
Overnight in mountain huts (tents provided)
Flights to and from country
Visa cost (for countries not offered free visas)

Tour offers

GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE

1790 EUR per person

10740 EUR

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GROUP OF 5 PEOPLE

1960 EUR per person

9800 EUR

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GROUP OF 4 PEOPLE

2010 EUR per person

8040 EUR

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GROUP OF 3 PEOPLE

2400 EUR per person

7200 EUR

BOOK NOW

GROUP OF 2 PEOPLE

2995 EUR per person

5990 EUR

BOOK NOW

Notes

Additional information Personnel

The price listed above includes food, rental equipment and transportation for the personnel:

experienced mountain guide. The guides are all well educated in trekking and mountain safety in the kirghiz mountains.
one porter for each client. The porters can carry up to 17 kilos. The porters will carry all food and camping equipment for the entire trek. Typically our clients carry a small backpack which contains water, snacks, and 1 or 2 items of clothing during the trek. An additional porter can be provided for €23 per day.
professional mountain cook. The cook will prepare fresh and nutritious food for the trek. Please inform your cook if you are a vegetarian or have any allergies. If there are more than 7 clients, a mountain cook assistant is provided.

Climate Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate, here the weather can change 3-4 times a day. Be aware sometimes you may experience rainy, snowy and sunny weather in the same day. You need to bring: Winter jacket, sleeping bag rated for -26ºC to 0ºC, rain gear, 2-3 pairs of wool socks, waterproof trekking boots, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen with high UV-protection, lip balm with UV-protection. SR1416 will provide the necessary trekking equipment: A 2 person 3 season tent and a sleeping mat; a kitchen for the cook and dining area for the clients to eat their meals. If client wants to stay in single tent there is a cost of €4 per day. Food during the trek

Breakfast: hot cereal or fried eggs, cheese, honey, bread, butter, coffee and tea.
Lunch: salads, sandwiches, fruit, coffee and tea.
Snack: cookies, coffee and tea.
Dinner: soup, second course, cheese, honey, dried fruit, bread, coffee and tea.

Insurance It is strongly recommended that all clients have proper insurance to cover any illnesses, helicopter evacuation and transportation to their country of origin. In the event of an emergency SR1416 will do everything in its power to assist clients. Please contact your Embassy to find the best travelers insurance policy for your stay in Kyrgyzstan.

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Trekking through the Issyk-Kul region to the unique Merzbacher Lake

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