Kyrgyzstan biking: Tour 4
Destination: Kyrgyzstan
Activity: Bike tour
Duration of the tour: 12 days
Places to visit: Bishkek - Kochkor - Sarybulak - Kichi-Naryn - Naryn town - Son Kul lake - Kyzyl Korgon canyon - Kyrk-Kyz pass - Ter Jailak pass - Toluk village - Toktogul village - Bishkek city
If you are tired of every day life and you are looking for adventures then you are welcome in Kyrgyzstan in the country of nomads and pristine nature. Here you will ride among celestial mountains alpine meadows and seething rivers. Here you will get a chance to merge in the life of nomads sleeping in the Kyrgyz dwelling yurts made of felt leather and wood.
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
You will be met by your tour guide in the International Airport Manas and accompanied to the Bishkek City which is located in 30 km from the airport. This day you will start from breakfast. After accommodation in a hotel*** locating in a calm district of the city you will can have a rest after the flight. After that you will have an excursion to Natural Park Ala-Archa which is situated only 45 km from Bishkek on the Kyrgyz range (a spur of Tien-Shan). The route will lead us to the top of a mountain where you will see a panorama of the whole gorge. Return to Bishkek. Traditional dinner will be served for you at 7 o'clock. Night in a Hotel***.
Day 2: Bishkek - Kochkor - Sarybulak
Today after breakfast we start our way to Kochkor village by car passing by the Orto Tokoi water reservoir. At the Kochkor village we will come to a family that makes Kyrgyz national carpets. You will get a chance to create a carpet and to choose a pattern for it. Also you will visit Kyrgyz Handicraft museum there.After that you continue riding on an asphalt road to Sary Bulak village (2310 m. alt., 38 km). Transfer (7 km, 2390m. alt.) by car on dirt road to the confluence of Kara-Kudjur and Biulioomiu rivers. You will stay for a night in set up camp.
Day 3: Sarybulak - Kichi-Naryn
Today you will be cycling along two rivers Balgart and Kichi-Naryn. This day will be quite easy one. Riding on dirt road. There will be a forest near Kichi Naryn River and this place has been popular among nomads since ancient time. Shepherds were coming to this area with all their relatives sometimes counting up one thousand yurts! All of them were roaming from one place to another as a huge family with a great amount of cattle. Kyrgyz nomads are very hospitable and like to meet travelers. Overnight in tents in the forest near the Kichi-Naryn River.
Day 4: Ride (63 km) Kichi-Naryn - Naryn town
Today after breakfast we ride down to the Kichi-Naryn village (2351m. alt.) the location of in 4 km from the confluence of the Kichi-Naryn and Naryn rivers. You will ride along Naryn River to the town of Naryn (2050 meters asl.). It is a long narrow town built right along the gorge near the longest river Naryn. The town is situated 2800 meters asl very close to the mountain range. The road to Naryn will surprise you by its beauty and amazing views. It will be a quite easy day today. We will have lunch on the road. This night you spend as in yurts and you will manage to feel real nomadic way of life!
Day 5: Transfer or Ride Naryn - Son Kul Lake
Today you can choose to ride or to go by car to Son Kul Lake over the Kurtka Pass (3243m. alt.). First part of riding leading to the beginning of the gorge is easy with a slight descent. There is a narrow spot where we will enter a narrow gorge with high sharp rock walls, in some places they reach up to 200 meters. A steep riding down to the pass begins from here. Descent is shorter and easier. Son Kul Lake is surrounded by mountains and situated at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level being the highest lake in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz nomads used to come here with their families to graze their cattle because here are many good pasturelands. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the the lake and its surroundings. You will have dinner and overnight in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts made of wood leather and felt. Overnight is in yurts (3016 m. asl)
Day 6: Son Kul Lake
This day you will have much free time to see the surroundings. We will be walking among the Tian-Shan Mountains where many people still practice nomadic way of life. You will have an excellent chance to explore Kyrgyz nature and lifestyle on your own. You can ride along the lake on a horse, or just relaxing in the atmosphere of the wild, but calm nature. It is a great chance to get acquainted with Kyrgyz traditions and culture. You will stay for a night in the tent camp.
Day 7: Ride Son Kul Lake - Kyzyl Korgon canyon (80km)
After morning meal we will ride see ancient stone inscriptions (made in 2 century B.C.). Afterwards we will leave Son Kul and ride to the Djumgal valley via Kara Keche pass (3381m). It is a region of high mountains, snow peaks and red canyons. You will sleep in tents.
Day 8: Ride Kyzyl Korgon - Kyrk-Kyz pass 3223m
Today you will see different types of landscapes. We pass near the Kizil Oi (red canyon) village. It is a small poor village locating in the mountains and you will have time to walk there and to see how Kyrgyz people live. On the way to the village you will see red canyons that differ from many other places in Kyrgyzstan. This place always impresses travelers and all of them want to come back there one more time. Overnight is in tents.
Day 9: Ride Kyrk-Kyz pass - Ter Jailak pass 2446m - Toluk village (50km)
The route will be difficult here. This day will give you an opportunity to meet many Kyrgyz shepherds on the summer pastures summer. They still come to this place and you can see their way of life. Nomads are very hospitable and they are always glad to talk to foreigners. You can ask them about their life and to see their felt dwellings. Also it is possible to try national drink kumis that has a real unusual taste. It is made of mare's milk and it is fermented. You will overnight in tents.
Day 10: Ride and transfer to the Toktogul village
After having breakfast we start riding and the driver will follow us. The road will have a plenty of incredible views and you will never forget them. Then is lunch and transfer to the village where we will be able to take a shower or drive to a water reservoir. Overnight will be in a home stay. In the evening you will have free time.
Day 11: Transfer to Bishkek city
In the morning is return to Bishkek city. During the whole way back you can enjoy the scenery of our nature which will not leave indifferent. In Bishkek you will have free time for shopping or walking around. In the evening you will have a dinner in a restaurant. This night you will spend in a hotel***.
Day 12: Transfer to the airport
Your guide will meet you at your hotel at the pick up time arranged previously according to your flight details and accompany you to Manas International Airport.