Mountain bike (short)
12 day tour, experienced cyclists, since 2006
Explore the mountains of Kyrgyzstan by mountain bike (12 days)
A tour through uncharted territory
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
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. For the 23 days tour a border permit is required because you cycle along the borders with China and Kazakhstan.
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 interpreter. Your luggage will be transported in a vehicle.
Bicycle: Ideally you should bring your own bicycle and helmet . However bicycle rental is available. Because of the bad condition of the tracks it has to 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 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Manas airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Free until lunch then preparing the bicycles followed by a short cycling trip north of Bishkek. |
| Day 3 | By minibus through the tunnel in Too-Ashuu pass (alt 2.564 m) to the Suusamyr valley. After the Tunnel start cycling south along the Kokomerenriver on a tarmac road to the small village Kyzyl-Oi, descending down to 1.750 m. Total 60 km. Stay with a local family. |
| Day 4 | Pass through the village of Chaek, at 1.700 m and then up in to the mountains. 80 km. Accommodation in tents. |
| Day 5 | Over the Kara-Keche pass (3.300 m). From here there is good view of Lake Son-Kol. Down to the lake. Accommodation in yurts. Total distance 115 km. |
| Day 6 | Cycling from one side of the lake to the other. Cycling around 50 km depending on where the yurts are pitched. Stay in yurts. |
| Day 7 | Cycle up to the Kalmak-Ashuu pass (3.317 m), descend into the Tolok Valley (2.400 m). Stay with a local family in the nearby village, distance 50 km. |
| Day 8 | Rather short distance to cycle today into a beautiful valley – 44 km. Overnight in tents (2.900 m). |
| Day 9 | Leave the valley and climb to 3.400 m. Descend into the Kara-Kudjur Valley. Continue from Sary-Bulak to the village of Kochkor by minibus or continue cycling. 75 km or 110 km cycling. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 10 | From Kochkor to Kara-Tala, a village on the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. After 65 km you reach the village. From here it is only a few km cycling to the shore of the lake where you can swim. Stay with local family. |
| Day 11 | From Kara-Tala back to Bishkek. In the afternoon time for shopping, stay in hotel Umai or equivalent. |
| Day 12 | Transfer to the 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 | |
| August 9 | August 20 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price | € 1.095 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
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.