Kyrgyzstan biking 05

Kyrgyzstan biking: Tour 5

Destination: Kyrgyzstan

Activity: Bike tour

Duration of the tour: 12 days 

Have you ever explored real wild places? We want to present you a cycling tour that takes place in the celestial mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The route will be along immaculate mountain gorges where it is still possible to meet real nomadic people. You will ride your bike in places that are so far from the civilization and it is a perfect chance to feel the nature. You will see yurts on the way. Yurt is nomadic felt dwelling. And also their owners will invite you for a cup of tea. Kyrgyz nomads are very hospitable and like to meet travelers. 

Places to visit: Bishkek - Kochkor - Sarybulak - Kichi-Naryn - Naryn town - Son Kul lake - Kyzyl Korgon canyon - Kyrk-Kyz pass - Ter Jailak pass - Toluk village - Toktogul village - Bishkek city

Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
You will arrive to Manas International Airport and meet your guide. Then accompany you to Bishkek City (30 min. drive), where you will start the day with a breakfast. After accommodation in a hotel*** that is situated in a clam part of the city you will have a rest. Afterwards you will have an excursion to Natural Park Ala-Archa. It is situated in the Ala-Arch gorge, on the Kyrgyz ridge (a spur of Tien-Shan), in 45 km from Bishkek - capital of Kyrgyzstan. You will go to the top of a mountain to have a nice view of this famous gorge. Returning to Bishkek. Traditional dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend this night in a Hotel***.  

Day 2: Bishkek - Kochkor - Sarybulak
After breakfast we start our trip to Kochkor village by car via Orto Tokoi water reservoir. At the Kochkor village you will meet a family that shows you the way our national felt carpets are produced. You even can create your own carpet together with them! Also you will visit Kyrgyz Handicraft museum in Kochkor village. Then ride on an asphalt road to Sary Bulak village (2310 m. alt., 38 km). Transfer (7 km, 2390m. alt.) by bike on dirt road to confluence of Kara-Kudjur and Biulioomiu rivers. You will spend this night in tents.

Day 3: Sarybulak - Kichi-Naryn
Riding along the Balgart river and Kichi-Naryn river. It is easy day. Riding on dirt road. You will spend this night in tents in the forest near the Kichi-Naryn river. This place is popular among nomads since ancient time. Shepherds were coming to this area with all their relatives. Some big tribes could have about 1000 yurts! All of them were going from one place to another as a big family with a great amount of cattle.  

Day 4: Ride (63 km) Kichi-Naryn - Naryn town
After breakfast we will ride down to the Kichi-Naryn village (2351m. alt.) that is situated 4 km from the confluence of the Kichi-Naryn and Naryn rivers.  You will ride along Naryn river to the town of Naryn (2050 m. alt.). It is a long narrow town that was built right along the gorge near the longest river Naryn. The town is situated 2800 meters above the sea level and it has mountains very close to the town. The road to Naryn will surprise you by its beauty and amazing mountains. The whole way will be along incredible gorges and you will have many photo stops! It will be an easy day.You will have lunch on the road. Riding on the main road.And you will spend this night as nomads in yurts!  

Day 5: Transfer or Ride Naryn - Son Kul Lake
Today you can ride or to be transferred to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan Son Kul Lake over the Kurtka Pass (3243m. alt.). First part of ride to the beginning of the gorge is easy with a slight descent. There is a narrow spot where we will enter a narrow gorge with high sharp rock walls, in some places up to 200 meters. From here begins a steep ascent to the pass. Descent is shorter and easier. Son Kul Lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Dinner and night in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. It is made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings. You will spend this night in yurts (3016 m. alt.).  

Day 6: Son Kul Lake
And today we will walk among the Tian-Shan Mountains where every nomad invites you to his yurt to taste a piece of bread and kumyz (national holy drink made of mare's milk). You will have an excellent opportunity to explore Kyrgyz nature and lifestyle on your own. You can ride along the lake on a horse, or just relaxing in the atmosphere of the wild, but calm nature. It is a great chance to get acquainted with nomadic traditions and culture. You will spend this night in tents.  

Day 7: Ride Son Kul lake - Kyzyl Korgon canyon (80km)
Riding in direction of the holy stones with ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.). Afterwards we will leave Son Kul and will ride to the Djumgal valley through Kara Keche pass (3381m). It is a region of high mountains, snow peaks, rocks, red canyons. Local walking in the red canyons. You will spend this night in tents.

Day 8: Ride Kyzyl Korgon - Kyrk-Kyz pass 3223m
Today we will see unusual color rocks, pastures, panoramas. We pass near the Kizil Oi (red canyon) village. It is a small poor village in the mountains and you will have time to walk there to see the country side life of Kyrgyz people. On the way to the village you will see our famous red canyons that are completely different from other mountains in Kyrgyzstan. This place always impresses travelers and all of them want to come back there one more time. You will spend this night in the tents.  

Day 9: Ride Kyrk-Kyz pass - Ter Jailak pass 2446m - Toluk village (50km)
Today we will meet many Kyrgyz shepherds on the summer pastures summer. Even nowadays they come to this place and you can see their way of life. Nomads are very hospitable and they are always glad to communicate with foreigners. You can ask them about their life and to see their felt dwellings. Also it is possible to try national drink kumis that has a real unusual taste. It is made of mare's milk and it is fermented. You will spend this night in tents.  

Day 10: Ride and transfer to the Toktogul village
Today we will ride, and our driver will drive behind us. The road has a plenty of incredible views and you will never forget them. When you are there it is become clear that the best architecture in the world is Mother Nature! Lunch and transfer to the village where we can take a shower or drive to the artificial lake. You will spend this night in a home stay.   

Day 11: Transfer to Bishkek city
After arriving to Bishkek city you will be carried away by the wonderful scenery offered through views of the virgin nature. In the city you will have free time to go shopping and to walk in the capital. In the evening you will have a dinner in a restaurant and this night you will spend in a hotel***.  

Day 12: Transfer to the airport
Your guide will meet you at your hotel at the pick up time arranged previously according to your flight details and accompany you to Manas International Airport.