Special Announcement:
During the 2022 season Supplier SR1401 will have permanent tent camps set up along this entire trekking route. This ensures a number of things:
1) Your journey will be easier and more comfortable than ever since you do not need to carry any food, tents, kitchen utensils, etc.
2) This lessens the overall cost of your tour since you will have no need to hire porters, cooks, etc.
3) Your journey is safer. There are means of communication available at every tent camp.
city. On arrival accommodation at the hotel (early check-in is included).
After some rest we go to visit famous Osh bazaar. This is the brightest example of trading and boiling life. This a good chance to buy handmade souvenirs, dried fruits etc. After visit the market we head back to the city center to start walkingtour around the main Ala Too square to see the legacy of the Soviet Union. There are several objects on our way: Manas Monument, the main national hero of Kyrgyz people; the State Flag and the ceremony of changing the Guards of Honor; the monument of the Revolution of 2010 and the White House, Lenin statue and the old Ala Too Square with number of interesting buildings of the past; Oak park and museum under the clear sky; unique fine art gallery and Kurmanjan Datka monument, finishing walk back at the main Ala Too square and transfer to the Victory Square dedicated to the WWII to finish the city tour by short excursion there.
Lunch and dinner at a local cafe.
Overnight.
Tokmok city. That minaret was constructed in Balasagun town, one of the capitals of Karakhanid State
existed in 12 centuries AD. Also, watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient stone statues.
After excursion lunch at the Kazakh family house in Tokmok, where we can learn more about life of local people.
In the afternoon continue the journey to Son Kul lake, the second largest mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival accommodation in the yurt camp located on the south shore, not far from the water of the Song Kul Lake.
Dinner at the yurt camp. Overnight.
We can optionally have horseback riding (own arrangements) or just hiking, spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their products, like Airan (yogurt) and Kymys (a fermented national drink from mare’s milk).
Lunch and dinner at the yurt camp. Overnight.
Lunch in Bokonbaev village at a local kyrgyz family house.
On the way stop to visit and walk around Skazka canyon. The canyon looks scenic with the dark blue Issyk-Kul Lake on the background. After walk we continue drive and in a few hours reach the town.
Upon arrival dinner at a local cafe and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight.
After sightseeing, lunch at a local cafe.
After lunch we meet mountain guide and porters, further drive to Karakol gorge on a special military truck.
Dinner and accomodation at the tent camp.
After forest zone we go up to the stone hill and reach the point with a view at the highest peak of Terskei Ala Too – Karakol peak. Here is a nice place to have lunch with a wonderfull view. Later, we walk back to the tent camp with the same route.
Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.
Rather long ascent finishes at a steep slope covered with grass, the trail turns into a serpentine, passes by a river overflow, and arrive to an unusual place, which is called Sirota mountain log hut. There is a table, benches, fireplace inside. We can find a number of sculptures of animals and idols carved in wood around the hut. It looks like a fairy tale place. It is a nice place to sit down, rest, have a snack.
Later, the trail goes up higher, leaving the forest behind we hike along the river and reach a beautiful waterfall, flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. We pass the waterfall and ascent on a natural dam,
from where we can see Ala-Kul lake. The last kilometer till the tent camp goes along the lake.
Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.
After breakfast we start the ascent to Ala-Kul pass. During the ascent, we enjoy wonderful views of the lake. Arriving closer to the lake we see the main range of Terskei Ala-Too with a number of peaks – Ak-Suu, Djigit, Karakol, Oguz Bashi, etc. From the lake edge, it will take us another hour and half to the pass.
Descent from the pass along a talus slope, and later across a wide valley of Keldike with picturesque landscapes, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing.
Upon arrival to the tent camp you may use an opportunity to relax in the hot springs. There are thermal baths (up to +50C) in the valley.
Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.
In the morning special military truck will come to the tent camp to pick us up. After breakfast we start drive towards Karakol town along the gorge. The descent is over green fields with blooming flowers and crystal mountain springs.
The final 5 km of the gorge are very narrow, not more than 30 m width with high rock walls. At the entrance to the gorge we pass by a village – Ak Suu (the name comes from the hot springs). Here you will take place inside the car and drive to Karakol.
Lunch at a local cafe in the town.
After lunch continue drive to Cholpon Ata town. Upon arrival accommodation in a hotel on the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Continue driving to Bishkek. Lunch en route.
Upon arrival to the capital accommodation at the hotel. Last dinner at the cafe.