On the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul DE
22 day tour, good physical condition, since 2019
Hike in 2 different areas of the Tian Shan Mountains
During your bike tour there will be plenty of time to enjoy the local nature
In the yurt camp on the shore of lake Issyk Kul you can go for a swim in the clear blue water.
In the mountains you can go for a hike, ride a horse or pay a visit to the nomadic families who live in the mountain pastures during the summer.
About tour
Trekking tours are great holidays when you are in a good physical condition, able to cope with unpredictable situations and love nature. On this tour you will not only hike in 2 different areas of the Tian Shan Mountains but will also have the opportunity to experience life of the Kyrgyz nomads, staying in yurts in the mountains.
The first trek is mostly through green alpine meadows, alt. between 2.000 m and 3.000m, ending in a yurt camp at 2.450 m. The second trek is in the Karakol region with passes of over 3.500 m. The second trek tour is not easy but you will always remember it as an unforgettable experience.
Walking days are usually between 4 to 8 hours. The group consists of 4-8 people, guides and an English speaking interpreter. For the first trek your luggage will be carried by horse, and on the second trek porters will carry your luggage, – a maximum of 12 kg p.p. During the tour you will sleep in small tents or in yurt camps. Transportation will be by own minibus.
You need to bring a warm sleeping bag, isomat, warm clothes, water proof clothing and very comfortable walking shoes.
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 Manas airport, transfer to the hotel and after lunch sightseeing around Bishkek. Stay in hotel in Bishkek. |
| Day 3 | Day hike in Alamedin Gorge, 30 km from Bishkek, to get used to altitude and time change. Stay in hotel in Bishkek. |
| Day 4 | By car first along the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul and into the mountains to the yurt camp at Tuura-Suu at 2.200 m. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 5 | Day in the yurt camp Tuura-Suu, hike and/or horse ride. Visit village. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 6 | By car to the yurt camp Sonun close to the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Here you can swim or hike in the badlands. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 7 | By car to the starting point of the first trek. In Tosor canyon the guide, horsemen and horses will be waiting for you. Hike that day about 4/5 hours. Stay in tent. |
| Day 8-9 | Hike to the yurt camp at Temir-Kanat at 2.450 m where you will arrive in the afternoon of day 9. Stay in tent and yurt. |
| Day 10 | Day in Temir-Kanat, hiking in the mountains, horse-riding. |
| Day 11 | From Temir-Kanat to the district village of Bokonbaevo where you will meet a man who hunts with golden eagles. Then to Skaska (fairytale) for a short hike in a hidden valley with remarkable weather-beaten rock formations and finishing in Jeti-Oguz, famous for its flowers and also for its red rock formations with names like “Broken Heart“and “Seven Oxen”. Stay in yurt. |
| Day 12 | To the yurt camp at Kara- Kyz, alt 2.200 m, starting point of the second trek. |
| Day 13 | Start trek, hiking about 5/6 hours, camping at the end of the Jergez Valley. Stay in tent. |
| Day 14 | Crossing the Ailanysh Pass (3.560 m) Camping in forest. |
| Day 15 | Crossing the Ortok Pass (3.780 m) to the Arashan hot springs. Camping and the possibility to take a bath in the hot spring waters. |
| Day 16 | Day trek to Ala-Kol Lake (3.500 m) crossing the Ala-Kol Pass (3.860 m) Return to Arashan for the night. Stay in tent. |
| Day 17 | Walk down through the Arashan Gorge to the car (3-4 hrs) and then back to Karakol. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 18 | Along the north side of Lake Issyk-Kul to Tamchy, a nice village with a good beach. En route stop in Cholpon-Ata to visit the archeological open air museum to see petroglyphs made by the Scythes. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 19 | In the Boom Gorge stop for a hike of 4-5 hours in the Konorchok Canyons and then continue to the ski resort Orlovka where you will stay in a cottage. |
| Day 20 | Near Tokmok visit the Burana Tower and museum, a remnant of a town from the old Silk Road. By car back to Bishkek, stay in Hotel Umai or equivalent. |
| Day 21 | Day without fixed programme, time for shopping and visiting Osh bazaar. Stay in hotel, (lunch not included). |
| Day 22 | 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 | |
| July 17 | August 7 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price | € 1.695 p.p. |
For bookings of 4, 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
• Transportation by own minibus
• All meals
• Stay in hotel, guesthouse, yurt, tent
• Programme as described
• English speaking guide/ interpreter
• Camping equipment except sleeping bag and Iso-mattress
• Porters to carry luggage (max 12 kg pp.)
• Cook
• Trekking guide
• Road taxes
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance fees
• 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 departure | one pays 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…
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.