Cycling
17 day tour, individually or in small groups, since 2005
Meet the nomads and their culture. Sleep in yurts, the nomadic tents made of felt.
Listen to children sing their folksongs and play the traditional instruments of the Kyrgyz.
Watch kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) being made
During your bike tour there will be plenty of time to enjoy the local nature
A wonderful tour taking in much of the Issyk-Kul region and part of Naryn.
This part of Kyrgyzstan is undoubtably the most beautiful and you will have time to get to know it and some of the people who live there.
About tour
This is a 17 day tour on your own or rented bicycle in a country not often visited by western tourists.
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation. Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains, appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
Level of difficulty – this is not a very difficult tour. The tour passes through mountainous regions with frequent slopes and every now and then a stiff climb (usually graded as 3rd level). If you cycle regularly, are in good physical condition and are not scared of a short climb, then this trip is perfect for you. With regular breaks and the different activities available on this tour it is well within the scope of a reasonably experienced biker.
Accommodation – the tour takes you around the south side of Lake Issyk Kul. You will stay in hotels, guesthouses, with local families and in yurts.
Travelling in a group – a group consists of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants. The cycling distances per day are between 60 and 95 km. If necessary you can ride along in the minibus. Your luggage will be transported by minibus, along with the interpreter, and will be within reach during the whole trip.
Rest days – we have planned sufficient days of rest during the trip. During these days you will have the opportunity to explore the countryside or nearby towns and villages, and go for a hike or ride a horse.
Bicycle – Ideally you should bring your own bicycle. However, bicycle rental is available. As many of the roads are often in a bad condition we advise you to bring a good mountain bike or a strong trekking bike. You also have to bring your own helmet and orange or yellow safety jacket
Day By Day Programme
Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations
| Day 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Manas Airport where you will be met and taken to your hotel. After lunch preparation of bicycles followed by some sightseeing in Bishkek with your guide/interpreter. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | By minibus first to the Burana Tower near Tokmok. We will visit the remnants of a town at the Silk Road. Here we start cycling over a secondary rather flat road to Kemin, (45 km) from there by car to Cholpon Ata, a niche resort at the north side of the lake. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 4 | Cycle along the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul to Oruktu, a small village with an open-air hot spa, close to the edge of the lake. We can take a bath here and will stay in a guesthouse near the spa. 68 km cycling over a good asphalt road. |
| Day 5 | Continue along the north side of the lake. After 77 km we arrive in Karakol. This is a friendly town at the east side of the lake. Sightseeing in Karakol. Places of interest that are worth visiting include the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 6 | We cycle from Karakol along the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul to the turn off to Jeti Ogus. This is one of the most beautiful gorges in Kyrgyzstan located at the altitude of 2.200 m. We will see famous red rocks the “Seven Bulls” and the “Broken Heart”. Many legends are told about these rock formations. In the small village there is an old Russian Spa. If one wants to take a bath or have a massage, this is possible to arrange. Back to the main road and continue to Jenish. Stay in a guesthouse near the lake. Total 31 + 55 km. |
| Day 7 | Daytrip – discover the valleys around Jenish, total 62 km, of which 28 km asphalt. Visit a hot spa and take a bath. Stay in guesthouse. |
| Day 8 | We cycle to the nice yurt camp Royal Gate. Close to this yurt camp we visit Skaska, a small hidden valley with strange eroded hills in many different colors. 44 km cycling Stay in yurt. |
| Day 9 | We continue along the south side of the lake to Sonun, a yurt camp in the so-called “badlands” The lake is very close and it is possible to go swimming. 32km cycling. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 10 | Cycle to the village of Bokonbaevo, 18 km and at an altitude of 1.600 m. After 3 km again asphalt road. We will stop to meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and to see his bird(s), and then into the mountains to the yurt camp at Temir-Kanat, 20 km of partly asphalt road. From the village of Temir-Kanat to the yurt camp is a short steep climb where you will have to walk up. Stay in yurts. |
| Day 11 | Leisure day in yurt camp, time to relax, hike, ride horses (horse rental not included). Stay in yurts. |
| Day 12 | Today again a rather short cycling part. From Temir-Kanat into the Kongur Olung Valley over a reasonably good asphalt road to the village Toguz-Bulak. We will stay in this nice village and have time to hike some or help cooking Kyrgyz meal. |
| Day 13 | Continue through the valley and turn to the main road along the river. At the village of Kyzyl-Tuu a local family will show how they make yurt frames and yurt decorations. We will have lunch with this family. Over the next couple of km you will slowly climb to 2.200 m (false flat), and then descend again to 1.700 m. In the village Kara-Tala we will spend the night with a local family. (50 km cycling). |
| Day 14 | Leave Kara-Tala, and cycle through a pleasant canyon but over a bad road, 35 km. Then over an asphalt road to Kochkor (1.800 m), a centre of felt making. Total 97 km. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 15 | From Kochkor to Boom, 48 km alongside a water reservoir and over a pass at 2.100 m, then down. Here the minibus will be waiting for you. Asphalt road. By minibus to Bishkek. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 16 | Free day for shopping, visiting the Osh Bazaar etc. Lunch is not included. A cycling tour in Bishkek will also be possible. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 17 | Transfer to Manas airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program.
We ask for your understanding.
Tour specifics
Our tours can be organized for individual travelers or groups of up to 10 people (and sometimes more) and for families with (young) children. For the majority of our tours you can specify the start date and length of the tour.
| Date | |
| June 9 | June 25 |
| group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For 4-5 persons | |
| price with guide-interpreter | € 1.540 pp |
| price without guide-interpreter | € 1.270 pp |
| For 6 and more persons | |
| price with guide-interpreter | € 1.295 pp |
| price without guide-interpreter | € 980 pp |
For bookings of 6, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. In case there are less participants than required, if you pay an additional fee, the trip will go on as planned.
Terms of payment
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of euros 250 per person. The outstanding balance must be paid either 8 weeks before departure or in cash upon arrival. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
• Transportation by minibus
• Transfer from and to the airport
• All meals, breakfast, lunch and supper
• Stay in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and homestay
• Program as described
• English/German (as required) speaking guide/interpreter
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance charges if applicable
• Tips
• Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
• Activities not mentioned in the program
If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you a cancellation fee.
If Ecotour cancels the tour, of course you will get back the full amount you paid.
If you cancel your trip, depending on the time your message reaches us, you owe Ecotour the following amount:
| till 42 days before departure | one pay the deposit |
| day 42-till day 28 | 35% |
| day 28-till day 21 | 40% |
| day 21-till day 14 | 50 % |
| day 14-till day 5 | 75% |
| day 5 – till day 2 | 90% |
| on the last day before and the day of departure | 100% |
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation.
Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains,
appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique…
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Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m characterize this route.
Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.