Cycling expedition (long)
19 day tour, experienced and adventurous cyclists, since 2007
From west to east in 19 days
This has to be the ultimate cycling expedition across Kyrgyzstan
The route takes you to places rarely seen by visitors and puts your cycling abilities to the test
About tour
Level of difficulty: This tour has been created for experienced riders in good physical condition. Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long. However, it is worth the effort. Along the way you will enjoy striking scenery and have the chance to visit nomads who live in the mountains during summer. The hospitality of the nomads is simply legendary. The route starts in Talas, the capital of the most western province of Kyrgyzstan. You will cross a large part of the country encountering a diversity of landscapes.
Accommodation: In Bishkek you will stay in a small, pleasant hotel close to the centre of the city. En route we will stay in hotels, B&Bs in villages, in tents (transported by minibus), or in yurts.
Group: 4 – 8 participants.
Distance: 36-100 km a day, depending on the level of difficulty of the route. We will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide/interpreter and our luggage is transported by minibus.
Bicycle: You may bring your own bicycle and helmet or rent a bicycle in Bishkek. Due to the bad condition of some of the tracks, the bicycle must be a solid mountain or tracking bike with wide tires and good springs. No other bikes are suitable.
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 we will meet and take you to our hotel. After lunch we will prepare the bicycles, followed by some sightseeing. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | By minibus through the tunnel (2.565 m) at the Too-Ashuu Pass to Talas, the starting point of the tour (300 km). In the afternoon we cycle to the Manas Mausoleum (2 x 15 km). Altitude 1.250 m. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 4 | From Talas first to Aras and then continue over a tarmac road to Taldy Bulak. Total 75 km. Stay in tents. |
| Day 5 | Over the Ötmok Pass (asphalt) at 3.200 m into the Suusamyr Valley. Stay in tents. About 80 km depending on the place the tents will be put up. |
| Day 6 | We cycle south along the Kökomeren River on a bad tarmac road to the small village of Kyzyl-Oi, descending down to 1.750 m. Total 60 km. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 7 | First to the small town of Chaek. After 15 km we start climbing to the Kara-Keche Pass (3.484 m). About 65 km after the turn off, the tents will be put up to spend the night. |
| Day 8 | Continue along the bad road to the mining village of Kara-Keche. 25 km after the village we reach the junction to Son-Kul Lake. Cycle along the south side to the yurt camp where we will spend the night (75-85 km). |
| Day 9 | Cycle around the shore of the lake to the north-east side. Here again we will spend the night in a yurt. Around 50 km cycling. |
| Day 10 | Through a series of many switchbacks we descend the Kalmak Ashuu Pass (3.340 m) to the village of Tolok (2.480 m). Here we will stay with a local family in the village. |
| Day 11 | From Tolok first to the main road (8 km) then over an asphalt road to Kochkor, a center of felt making. Total 50 km. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 12 | Along the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir to the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul. After 61 km we reach the village of Kara-Tala (1.700 m) where we will spend the night with a local family. |
| Day 13 | We turn into the Kongur Ölung Valley to the village Toguz-Bulak where we have lunch with a local family. Continue to Bokonbaevo where we will meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and other birds of prey. Then continue to the yurt camp Sonun at the border of the lake (93 km) cycling. |
| Day 14 | Then a short distance to the nice yurt camp Royal Gate. Close to this yurt camp you can visit Skaska. The sandstone cliffs of this miniature canyon have been weather-sculptured into an ensemble of fairy-castles, pillars and human forms and faces, ranging in color from deep red to bright orange and yellow. Here again it is possible to go swimming. Stay in yurt (33 km ). |
| Day 15 | Continue along the lake, to the village of Jenish. Stay in guest house. Total 50 km. |
| Day 16 | Cycling into a beautiful gorge with red rock formations to a hot spa where, if we feel like it, we can take a bath (entrance fee not included), and then cycle back to the main road (70 km total). Continue by minibus to Karakol. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 17 | Cycle through Karakol to Tup, a village on the east side of the lake, and from here by minibus to Cholpon-Ata, a friendly lakeside resort. Here we can go swimming. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 18 | By minibus back to Bishkek. In Chon-Sary-Oi we will visit the new Nomad Museum. In the early afternoon we arrive back in Bishkek and will have time for some shopping. Stay in hotel Umai or equivalent. |
| Day 19 | 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 27 | August 14 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price with guide-interpreter | € 1.640 p.p. |
| Price without guide-interpreter | € 1.180 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.
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 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…
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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.