Mountain bike

Mountain bike

15 day tour, experienced cyclists, since 2006

Explore the mountains of Kyrgyzstan by mountain bike

A tour through uncharted territory 

See the country, meet the people, go for a hike, have a swim, and most of all have a really great cycling experience

About tour

Level of difficulty: This tour has been designed for very experienced riders in good physical condition. Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and stiff climbs going over 3.000 m characterize this route. Not all slopes are steep but some are very long and on dirt roads. However, it is worth the effort. On your journey you will enjoy remarkable scenery and have the chance to visit the nomads who live in the mountains during summer. The hospitality of the nomads is simply legendary. 

Accommodation: In Bishkek you will spend the night in the Umai hotel (or similar) close to the centre of town. En route you will stay with families in villages or in yurts with the herdsmen. Sometimes you will sleep in tents transported by minibus.

Group: 4 to 8 participants. Distance – 45 to 115 km a day, depending on the level of difficulty of the stage. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide/interpreter. Your luggage will be transported in a vehicle.

Bicycle: Ideally you should bring your own bicycle and must bring your own helmet. However, bicycle rental is available. Due to the bad condition of the tracks it must be a solid mountain bike. No other bikes are suitable.

The itinerary of the 12, 15- and 19-days tour can also be done in opposite direction.

Day By Day Programme

Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations

  Day 1Departure from your local airport.
  Day 2Arrival at Manas airport where we will meet and take you to your hotel. Free until lunch then we prepare the bicycles followed by a short cycling trip north of Bishkek.
  Day 3By minibus through the tunnel at the Too-Ashuu Pass (2.564 m) into the Suusamyr Valley. After the tunnel we start cycling south along the Kökomeren River on a tarmac road to the small village of Kyzyl-Oi, descending down to 1.750 m. Total 60 km. Stay with a local family.
  Day 4Pass through the village of Chaek (1.700 m) and then up in to the mountains. Total 80 km. Accommodation in tents.
  Day 5Over the Kara-Keche Pass (3.300 m). From here there is good view of Lake Son-Kol. Down to the lake. Stay in yurts. Total 115 km.
  Day 6We cycle from one side of the lake to the other. We cycle about 50km depending on where the yurts are pitched. Stay in yurts.
  Day 7Cycle up to the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3.317 m) and descend into the Tolok Valley (2.400 m). We will stay with a local family in the nearby village. Distance 50 km.
  Day 8Today a rather short distance across the Dolon Pass and then we turn into a beautiful valley. Stay in tents at 2.900 m. Total 45 km cycling.
  Day 9We leave the valley and climb to 3.400 m. Descend into the Kara-Kudjur Valley. From Sary-Bulak to the village of Kochkor we can either go by minibus or continue cycling. 75 km or 110 km cycling. Stay in B&B.
  Day 10From Kochkor to Kara-Tala, a village on the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, a 65km ride. From here it is a short ride to the shore of the lake. We will spend the night here with a local family.
  Day 11First over asphalt road until Kara Koo where we turn into the Kongur-Ölong Valley and cycle over a tarmac, sometimes sandy, rather difficult road to Toguz Bulak where we will have lunch with a local family there. From here we continue to the Temir-Kanat yurt camp. Stay in yurts. 70 km cycling.
  Day 12From Temir-Kanat down to Bokonbaevo, by the lake, and into the Boz-Salkyn Valley (2.500 m). We ride over a very stony, and rather difficult, small road until we reach the entrance of the Tosor Canyon. From here down to Lake Issyk-Kul again. Total 72 km. Stay in the Royal Gate yurt camp.
  Day 13Today is an easier day, cycling along the coast to the yurt camp Sonun, very close to the beach, where we can relax and swim in the lake. 39 km. Stay in yurts.
  Day 14Return by minibus to Bishkek, stopping in Bokonbaevo to meet a man who hunts with golden eagles. He will tell about his profession and show his bird(s). In Bishkek we will have some time for shopping. Stay in hotel.
  Day 15Transfer 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
May 29June 12
June 15June 29
July 2July 16
August 9August 23
Group
4 and more persons
For four and more persons
Price with guide-interpreter€ 1.430 p.p.
Price without guide-interpreter€ 1.050 p.p.

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.02

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
•  Programme 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 programme

If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you 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 departureone pays the deposit
day 42- till day 2835 %
day 28- till day 2140 %
day 21- till day 1450 %
day 14- till day 575 %
day 5 – till day 290 %
on the last day before and the day of departure100%

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…
click the link below

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.