Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Gorge Trek
Overview
Highlights
- Enjoy views of Lake Issyk-Kul and Aka-Kul
- Hike through six different gorges, including the famously beautiful Jety-Oguz Canyon
- Take the chance to bathe in the Altyn Arashan hot springs
- Discover Bishkek, Burana Tower and the Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs
- Enjoy panoramic views from the Telety Pass
- Learn how to make traditional lagman noodles in a family home in Karakol
- Walk to the foot of Karakol Peak, the highest in the Terskey Ala-Too Range
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Trip includes
- All accommodation
- All listed transport and activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Arrival and departure transfers (group flights only)
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Itinerary
The tour starts in Bishkek. We have requested an early check-in for all clients, so the rooms should be ready when you arrive. Join at the start hotel no later than midday as we have a city tour in the afternoon. Bishkek is the modern capital city and industrial cent...
We take an excursion to Ala-Archa National Park, about 40-60 minutes (25mi/40km) north of Bishkek, and go for a gentle warm-up walk, usually to a waterfall. Accommodation: Hotel Resident (or similar)
We begin our journey towards the Tian Shan or, more specifically, the Terskey Ala-Too range. Our destination is Tosor on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The drive is approximately 193mi (310km), which takes six to seven hours. We break up the journey with a visi...
We have a free morning to take in the scenery, perhaps swim in the lake or sunbathe on its shores. After lunch at the yurt camp, we drive for around 1hr 30min (45mi/70km) to Juuku Gorge and onwards into a smaller branch of the canyon – Juukuchak Gorge. Upon arrival, o...
We set off after breakfast, taking a trail from the foot of the mountains up and over Orto-Bulak Pass (8,335ft/2,540m) in the Kichi-Kyzyl-Suu Gorge. The scenery is pristine, which adds to the beauty. Accommodation: Full-service wild camping
This morning, we follow the trail to Chon Kyzyl-Suu Gorge, which is popular with Kyrgyz nomads as there are many green pastures and mountain rivers. We usually see several nomadic families along the way, together with their livestock and yurt settlements. We reach our...
We continue our hike to the Jety-Oguz Gorge, one of the most beautiful and famous canyons in Kyrgyzstan. To reach it, we must cross the river and the Kok-Jaiyk Pass (9,020ft/2,750m). It’s quite a climb but the view from the top gives us a new appreciation of these so-...
We meet our team of porters this morning, who carry our main luggage for the remainder of the trek. We follow a path along the bank of the West Telety River, through a very narrow wooded gorge (Bay Tor), and eventually emerge in alpine meadows. We usually stop for a p...
Today is a challenging day with a reasonable amount of ascent and descent and some tricky terrain. The route over Telety Pass follows a narrow path, which ascends gradually for the most part. There are, however, two steep slopes, which require considerable effort. Fro...
We go on a round-trip daywalk up and along the Uyun Tor River to the foot of Karakol Peak. We have a chance to see Tian Shan blue spruce forest, underwood (dog rose, honeysuckle, black barberries, mountain ash, blackcurrants etc) and wild mushrooms. In the summer, flo...
Although the distance today is not great, this is a tough walk due to the amount of ascent, especially if it is hot. We firstly descend along the gorge for about 0.6mi (1km), and then cross the river by bridge to follow the trail into a forest. A long ascent brings us...
As we ascend, we enjoy wonderful views of the lake. In the Kyrgyz language, Ala-Kul means colourful lake, and its water can appear in different colours depending on the light. As we get closer to the shores, we see the main Terskey Ala-Too range, including Aksu, Djigi...
This morning, we spend time admiring Altyn Arashan and the surrounding area, especially the fir forest, which contrasts with the snowy mountain backdrop. We then descend to Karakol town by military truck (approximately one hour). Depending on the route conditions, we ...
We drive back to Bishkek, stopping to visit the Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs along the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul en route. The drive is approximately 155mi (250km) and takes five to six hours – we stop for lunch at a road cafe on the way. Close to Cholpon Ata are Scyt...
The tour ends in Bishkek after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the capital city.
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings
Vast landscapes and stunning scenery
A fantastic trip! When I told people that I had been hiking in Kyrgyzstan, nearly everyone immediately asked 'where?' It is a remarkable country, and a trip that h...
Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews
Excellent service
Excellent service
Roger
They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable
Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt
Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.
If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.
Period before departure in which you notify us
From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started
Cancellation charge
Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 100% of the total holiday cost.
For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:
Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)
Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.
179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.
119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.
89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost.
59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.
For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions
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