Ecotour

Explore the mountains of Kyrgyzstan by mountain bike
A three-week tour through uncharted territory for experienced riders

Date: July 14 – August 4, 2010
Price: 1395 euro p.p.
Number of participants: 4-8 persons

Level of difficulty: This tour with a total length of nearly 850 km is meant for very experienced riders with a good physical condition. 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. On your way you enjoy impressive sceneries and have a change to visit nomads who live in the mountains during summer. The hospitality of the nomads is simply legendary. On resting days you will enjoy the stay in our yurt camps where you have the opportunity to hike, take a swim or a ride on horseback.

Accommodation: In Bishkek you will spend the night in a guesthouse, en route you will stay with families in villages or in yurts with the herdsmen. Sometimes you will sleep in tents transported by car.

Group: 4 - 8 participants. Distance: 45 - 115 km a day, depending on the level of difficulty. You will be accompanied by an English speaking interpreter. Your luggage is transported by a 4-wheel-drive.

Bicycle: You have to bring your own bicycle. Because of the bad condition of the tracks, it has to be a solid mountain bike. No other bikes are suitable.

You can find a description and pictures of this trip from one of the former participants on: http://web.me.com/jansjoerd.devries/Kyrgyzstan_2008/Welcome.html.

Everything is included in the tour price with the exception of the flight, visa and bottled beverages. A visa can be obtained easily upon arrival at the airport in Bishkek. The price of the flight depends on the company you are flying with and the date of booking. Until the end of 2009 it is possible to buy a two way ticket for about 480 euro.

Program summary (full description on request):

Day 1	Departure
Day 2	Arrival to Bishkek. Off till lunch, sightseeing, preparing the bicycles.
Day 3	We start off to the west, to Sosnovka. From climb from 800 to 1200m Overnight with a local family. Total: 80 km on a busy asphalt road.
Day 4	Climb to tunnel at the Töö-Ashuu pass (3100m), then descent into the overwhelming Suusamyr Valley. 2100m. Partially asphalt, 70 km. Accommodation in tents.
Day 5	Heading south along a river to the small village Kyzyl-Oi, 43 km. descend to 1750 m. Stay with a local family
Day 6	To the village Chaek (35 km.) 1700m. Stay with a local family.
Day 7	After Chaek we climb over a small, rather bad road to the Kara-Keche pass (3300 m). From here you have a good view on the Son-Kol lake. Last part of the route: off-road (3100 m), total of 115 km. Accommodation in a yurt camp at the south shore of Son-Kol lake.
Day 8	Resting/leisure day in yurt camp. Hiking, horseback riding, sipping kymyz, the national drink
Day 9	Along the south shore of Son-Kol lake you bike via the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (3317m) to the road leading into Tolok Valley (2500m). Overnight in tents. 79 km.
Day 10	After 10 km you encounter the road to China. Follow this road over the Dolon Pass (3030) Turn to the narrow, spectacular Solton-Sary Valley along the Kichi Karakujur river. 44 km. Overnight in tents, alt. 2900 m.
Day 11	We leave the Solton-Sary Valley and climb from 2900 m to 3400 m. Descend into the Kara-Kujur Valley. Continue to the village of Kochkor 75 km. Overnight B&B.
Day 12	From Kochkor over a very rough asphalt road to the village Kara-Talaa (1700m) at the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Overnight in the village with a local family, 73 km. rather flat itinerary.
Day 13	From Kara-Talaa into the mountains again, along a small river to the yurt camp Tuura-Suu (2200m ) a beautiful but rather difficult tarmac road. 35 km.
Day 14	Resting/leisure day in Tuura-Suu, hiking, horse riding.
Day 15	From Tuura-Suu to yurt camp Temir-Kanat (2450 m.). It is a tarmac, sometimes sandy, rather difficult road, crossing the Ala-Bash (2365 m) pass shortly after leaving Tuura-Suu. 60 km.
Day 16	Resting/leisure day in Temir-Kanat. Possibility to hike or cycle into the mountains, horse riding.
Day 17	To yurt camp Ak-Say at Lake Issyk-Kul. This is a short, rather easy route. Last 12 km through a sandy dry gorge to the lake. When it has been wet, this route is slippery. Total 36 km.
Day 18	Resting/leisure day at the lake, swimming, hiking, relaxing.
Day 19	From Ak-Say along the water site of the lake to a salt lake (12 km) and then on to Kara-Talaa. Overnight stay with local family. Total 48 km.
Day 20	Cycling to Balykchy at the west part of the lake. Cycling till the traffic gets too busy, then to Bishkek with the car. Accommodation in a guesthouse in the centre of Bishkek.
Day 21	Free day in Bishkek, shopping, visit Osh-bazaar. Lunch not included. Farewell diner.
Day 22	Departure.

If you book 4 persons or more, we offer 5% discount.

In case there are less then 4 participants for this tour, you are requested to pay an additional 150 euro p.p. to make this tour individually or with a small group.

Because of unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program. We ask for your understanding.