Cycling Tour Kyrgyzstan  12 days

Kyrgyzstan- a “Terra Incognita” for most of european tourists is a small mountainous country in Central Asia with pristine nature and nomadic lifestyle waiting to be discovered by real adventure-and bike lovers. On this 590 km long trail traversing majestic Tian-Shan mountain range you will be surprised by the astounding variety of its landscapes: you will cross vertiginous mountain passes over 3,000 meters and enjoy the beauty of lush mountain valleys with alpine lakes, coniferous forests and rushing rivers while at lower altitutudes you will be rewarded with amazing views of desert and moon-like landscapes with beautiful canyons. But this trip is more than just cycling through this remote place of the world with fascinating landscapes. You will get to learn personally the simple rural lifestyle and traditions of Kyrgyz people and experience their hospitality as they share food and shelter with you. This trip will present you hundreds of incredible photo opportunities and leave you with many new experiences, stories and lifelong memories.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Day 1. Airport- Bishkek – transfer to hotel

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Bishkek. 

Today we'll have a short rest a walking tour of the city (Central Square, Relieve of Guards, Oak Park, etc.), visit of the Osh Bazar where tourists can stock up on fresh and dried fruits, nuts, bread, etc. Dinner at the restaurant.  

Day 2. Bishkek - Suusamyr Valley - Aral village - Jany-Aryk Village

After an early breakfast (06.30) we will load our bicycles into the van and head to the start of our exciting bike trip- Suusamyr Valley (130km, 3.5 hours) - the home to Kyrgyz nomads and their large herds of cows, sheep and horses.  On the way to the valley we will cross Too-Ashuu Mountain Pass (3125m).  After the pass we will start cycling on a gravel road passing through the fields and then along  full of water Kokomeren River as it flows through the beautiful canyon with colorful mountains. At the village of Aral you will be picked up and transferred to Jany-Aryk Village (60km/1 hour). You will stay at the house of a local Kyrgyz family that will treat you to a tasty dinner and tea with home-made sweets. Dinner and accommodation in a local family

Cycling distance- 70 km / 44 miles, +250 Hm /  -800 Hm  or 820 feet / -2952 feet (gravel road)

Day 3.  Jany-Aryk Village-Chilbel Pass(3200m)- Son-Kul Lake (3016m)

Early in the morning we will leave our friendly hosts and start a 27 km uphill cycling to one of the highest located lakes of Kyrgyzstan- Son-Kul Lake (3016m). After crossing the Chilbel Pass you will enjoy a thrilling 6km descent through the fields of edelweises to the shore of the lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast steppes that are used by local herdsmen as a giant summer pasture. As you cycle along the spectacular northern side of the lake you will encounter nomads with their cattle and immerse into atmosphere of nomadic life: you will taste kumys (fermented milk), airan (yoghurt), kurt (dry cheese) and home bread. You will spend this night like a real nomad- in a yurt on the shore of the lake. Accommodation in a yurt.  

Cycling distance: 55 km / 34 miles,  +1.250 Hm -350 Hm /  +4100 feet, 1148 feet. 100% Dirt road 

Day 4. Song-Kul Lake-33 Parrots Pass- Town Naryn

After a restful night on the shore of the lake you will start cycling along the southern shore to 33 Parrots Pass. It s a very scenic ride: you will see yurts of nomads, hundreds of horses and sheep, beautiful snow-capped mountains, the lake that always change the color because of the clouds that rush over the lake and sometimes bring rain and even snow. From the top of the pass you will be admired by the stunning panorama of the valley. It will be a very long and thrilling descent with lots of switchbacks. Down in the valley we can do a short sightseeing tour to a waterfall. After lunch you will cycle through the mountain valley to the highway where you will be picked up and transferred to Naryn. Dinner. Accommodation in Hotel

Cycling distance: 62 km / 38 miles,  Hm +1100m -1400m / + 3280 feet - 4921 feet (100% gravel road)

Day 5. Town Naryn - Eki-Naryn Canyon - Kochkor village

After a short transfer ( 35 km / 1 hour) you will start cycling though Eki-Naryn Canyon -a place of unparalleled  beauty and rarely visited by tourists. It will be a thrilling ride on a narrow stony trail just alongside the deep canyon covered with spruces and junipers. After exiting the canyon you will roll through a valley with and yurts of nomads and hundreds of horses and yaks roaming free. You will have a chance to stop by one of the yurts and spend some time with the hosts- hospitable and friendly people. Through Jalpak-Bel Pass (3343m) you will be transferred to the village of Kochkor where a plentiful dinner and a soft bed has been already arranged for you.  Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse.

Cycling distance: 55 km / 34 miles, Hm +1100 / 3600 feet, -750m / 2460 (100% gravel road, transfer 120 km)

Day 6. Kochkor Village- Semiz-Bel Pass—Kara-Talaa Village

After breakfast and a short transfer you will start cycling on a gravel road through the mountains. After crossing Semiz-Bell Pass (2700m) you will be rolling down through the mountain valley and then down through the gorge to our homestay. Dinner and accommodation with a local family.

Cycling distance: 62 km / 38 miles,  Hm +500 m, -1.000m / 1640 feet, -3280 feet, 

Day 7. Kara-Talaa Village - Bokonbaevo  - eagle show - Fairy Tale Canyon - Djety-Oguz Gorge - Karakol

Today will be a no cycling day. After a normal breakfast you will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo to meet a local Berkutchi (eagle hunter) who will demonstrate to you the process of hunting. After that you will proceed along the picturesque southern coast of Issyk-Kul Lake- the second biggest lake in the world after Titicaca in Peru. A short (0.5 h) hike through Fairytale Canyon with red sandstone and clay formations shaped like bizarre animals. Afterwards you will a chance to spend some time on the wild beach and go for a swim if you want. Picnic. Transfer to Djeti-Oguz Gorge where you will see famous Broken Heart and Seven Bulls Rocks. Arrival to Karakol. Visit to famous Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. Accommodation at the Hotel. Dinner at the restaurant

Cycling distance-0

Day 8. Karakol - Karkyra Valley

After an early breakfast (07.00) and a short transfer you get on your bike and after climbing a small pass you will descend into Karkyra Valley just on the border with Kazakhstan. We will continue to our destination- a small place by the river surrounded by the mountains covered with forest.  Dınner. Accommodation at the Lodge/Tents

 Cycling distance: 45km / 28 miles, Hm +500m, -250m / +1640 feet, - 820 feet (asphalt/gravel road)

Day 9. Karkyra Valley-Turuk Pass(3381m)- Sary-Djaz Valley

After breakfast you will cycle through the picturesque gorge along Karkyra River that serves as natural border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In the summer local herdsmen put up their yurts here and stay with their horses and sheep. From the top of the Turuk Pass (3381m) you will be awarded with a magnificent  panorama of the snow-covered Enilchek Range and Nansen Peak (5697m). After a picnic descent into the valley of Sary-Djaz River to our camp site. Dinner. Accommodation in small tents.

Cycling distance: 70 km / 43 miles, Hm +900, - 500m / +2950 feet, -1640 feet (gravel / dirt road)

Day 10. Sary-Djaz Valley-Chon-Ashu Pass (3822m)-Turgen Gorge- Town of Karakol

Today wil be the most exciting and the most rewarding day of the trip. You will cross Chon-Ashu Pass- the highest pass of this trip (3822m) and  will enjoy a very exciting and speedy descent (35km)  through a scenic Turgen Gorge with virgine alpine landscapes and a river. Transfer to Karakol. 

Accommodation in the guesthouse.

Cycling distance: 82 km , Hm +1000, -2000m / 3280 feet, -6560 feet (gravel / asphalt road)

Day 11. Town of Karakol- Bishkek

Aafter breakfast we  will load our bicycles and depart for Bishkek. Lunch in Boom Gorge. Arrival to Bishkek and accommodation in the Hotel.  Dinner at the restaurant.

Cycling distance: 0 km,  Transfer 400km.

Day 12. Transfert to the airport Manas

Depending on your flights schedule: transfer to the airport of Bishkek

Please, note that because of the nature of this trip, itinerary and hotels may be slightly modified  due to  local conditions or unforseen circumstances!!!