Nomadic Adventure in Kyrgyzstan – Join the Confirmed Departure with Marjorie & Alain

Welcome upon your arrival at Manas airport by your driver. Transfer to your hotel.

Meeting at 10am in your hotel lobby, where your guide is waiting for you. We head towards Ala-Artcha National Park, a large mountainous area 40 km south of Bishkek.

We arrive in the lush Chon Kemin valley, a nature reserve offering a diversity of landscapes combining semi-desert, glaciers and gorge. For those who wish, we can discover the beauty of these places on horseback from our host's house, where we will spend the night.

This morning we visit Konorchek Canyon, an immaculate place where scarlet rock formations remind us of the American Grand Canyon. The red sand columns rising all around us dominate and make the place intimate. Arrival on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul (1609 meters altitude), the second largest alpine lake in the world. This lake, a veritable inland sea, is the pearl of Kirghizistan. Surrounded by the Celestial Mountains range, snow-capped peaks culminating at over 5000 meters are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. From the surrounding mountains, dozens of rivers flow towards the lake through numerous valleys rivaling each other in beauty.

Visit to the Ruh-Ordo cultural center in Cholpon-Ata, where culture and serenity blend together. In a peaceful environment, this complex is dedicated mainly to the 4 major religions: Islam, Catholicism, Judaism and Buddhism. You will also find spaces presenting Greek philosophers or famous figures from Kirghizistan.

Arrival in Karakol, a peaceful small town on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. We take time to visit the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, a 19th century Orthodox church; the Chinese mosque with the appearance of a Mongolian Buddhist temple, built by Dungan Chinese craftsmen. For dinner, we are received by our Dungan family, who will offer us a traditional meal and introduce us to the history of this Muslim people originating from Western China, who came to live in the region over 140 years ago.

Vehicle transfer to the trekking starting point, from the city of Karakol to the camp. After arriving at the camp, we begin our hike to Ala-Kul Lake (3522m).

Today's walk requires some effort, but will certainly be rewarding when we reach the Ala-Kul glacier lake (3600m), a small wonder in the heart of the mountains. The turquoise of its pristine waters contrasts with the bare peaks surrounding it, making the place enchanting. Elevation gain: +1000 m. Approximately 4-5 hours of hiking.

Departure around 8am. We climb up to admire the beautiful Ala Kol lake ("colored lake") approximately 3km long, which changes color according to the light, from turquoise to black. Ascent to the pass (1h30 of hiking). Beautiful viewpoint over the Terksey-Alatoo mountain range and its peaks. Descent on a first fairly steep section, then hiking in the Keldike valley in the midst of livestock herds.

Arrival in the Arachan valley and setup at the camp at 2500m. Possibility to bathe in the hot springs nearby. The camp is located near the Altyn Arachan thermal station with its few wooden cabins. Meals included. Between 6 and 7 hours of hiking, 17km, elevation gain +300 / -1300 meters. Night under canvas.

It is with emotion that we travel our last few kilometers which close this rich adventure. We say goodbye to our accompanying team and descend back into the gorge in a 4x4, heading towards the small town of Karakol.

Installation at our guesthouse for some rest.

Arrival in the Jety Orguz valley. Covered with lush vegetation, this superb gorge, one of the most beautiful in the country, stretches for 37 km between Lake Issyk-Kul and the Celestial Mountains. Monumental ridges of red rock, nicknamed "the 7 bulls", complete this picture-postcard landscape immortalized on Soviet postage stamps in 1968.

Hiking in the valley. Visit to the superb Skaska canyon, meaning "fairy tale" in Kyrgyz. These multicolored rock formations dominate Lake Issyk-Kul. Resulting from ancient volcanic eruptions, these rocks with multiple shapes will surely evoke fairy tale landscapes for you.

We resume the main road heading towards the village of Kochkor.

Early in the morning, we are transferred to the small village of Isakaev where our hiking will begin. We are welcomed by our local guide, who will assist us during these 2 days of trekking. After loading the logistics onto our pack horses, we begin walking on a trail. We cut across fields, and cross a few streams before finally gaining altitude. As we progress, new landscapes begin to emerge, giving way to less dense vegetation. Along our route, we can observe herds coming to graze in these jailoos. The last hour of hiking is somewhat more challenging, with the ascent of the pass (3000m) that will lead us to our destination. Finally, the waters of Kol Ukok reveal themselves to us. Its turquoise blue contrasts with the green colors of the valley.

Accommodation at our host's place, under the yurt. 2-day hiking in self-sufficiency. Transport of logistics and your personal belongings on pack horses.

We are going to visit Lake Kol Tor located at 3500m altitude. Early morning departure for a walk of approximately 3 hours (round trip). We follow the river until we reach a scree field. We continue on this terrain which becomes increasingly steep, and the grass gets higher. Be careful in rainy weather, the terrain is slippery. After an hour and a half of hiking and passing the pass, this magnificent small lake appears before us.

We head back towards Kochkor. The descent is easier and faster. Arrival at the small village of Kyzart, where we are transferred to our guest house, for some well-deserved rest.

Free evening.

This morning we set off on a hike towards the pastures of Kilemche, whose name means "like a carpet", because this place resembles a carpet covered with flowers.

2-day hiking trip in autonomy. Logistics and your personal belongings will be carried by pack horses.

A new step brings us closer to our objective. It is on a rocky path that we cross the Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400 m), where we can observe below the magnificence of the landscape reflected in the blue waters of the lake. We arrive in the pastures of Tuz Ashuu.

Arrival on the shores of Son-Koul Lake, the second wonder of Kyrgyzstan. This immense Alpine lake is the country's first freshwater reserve. Located in the midst of the Celestial Mountains, it reaches an altitude of 3016 meters and has long stimulated the imagination of foreign travelers. Its crystalline water is of unparalleled purity and changes color with time, turning from blue to green, sometimes turning orange.

We pick up our vehicle and take the Kyrgyz trail. We pass Moldo Ashuu pass, cross the magnificent landscapes of the Ak-Talaa valley before finally reaching the main road heading to Naryn, a charming town nestled in the middle of the mountains and crossed by the Naryn river.

After lunch we leave Naryn to reach Eki-Naryn, a small exceptional place where two currents of the Naryn river meet, the main tributary of the Syr-Daria. Eki-Naryn is an isolated spot in the middle of the mountains, breathtakingly beautiful!

After settling into the yurt camp, visit of the surrounding area.

After breakfast, accompanied by our local guide, we head to the highlands to overlook the mountains and surrounding valley. Along the way, we meet a few shepherds who have come to set up their camp for the summer.

After trekking in the Eki-Naryn valley, around 3 p.m. we leave for Tash-Rabat. A journey through time with a visit to the historic Caravanserai of Tach Rabat. Located on the route to Kashgar, the Tach Rabat caravanserai, the Stone Hotel, is probably the best-preserved site on the Silk Road, and you will be able to experience its original atmosphere here. Dating from the 15th century, it contained many rooms used to shelter merchants.

This morning, we set off towards Kel Suu Lake. We travel along a winding road and cross a wooden suspension bridge before arriving in the Kel Suu valley. We will need to cross the river if weather permits. Assistance from a UAZ vehicle if the passage is too difficult.

As we approach the border with China, we must register in order to continue this adventure.

Arrival at the camp, where we will spend the night.

A hike to the Kel-Suu glacier lake at 3500 m altitude, one of the most beautiful and most difficult to access places.

The lake has a peculiarity, in honor of which it got its name. "Kel-Suu" in Kyrgyz means "the water that comes". Indeed, sometimes the lake disappears, escaping into underground caves, so, depending on the year and season, it is possible that you will not find the lake.

After breakfast, we resume the "road", heading towards Naryn. The journey is less demanding, with a small mountain pass. Along the way we encounter shepherds, as well as some yak herds.

Arrival in the city of Naryn. We will find some comfort here, and will be able to take a real shower before continuing our Kirghizistan adventure. Hotel check-in.

Rest and free time with your guide who will accompany you for a walk around the city.

Last day of road before returning to the Kyrgyz capital. We leave the green mountains of Kyrgyzstan where we discovered a warm people with traditions still so persistent and arrive in Bishkek. Check-in at your hotel where you can rest for a few moments.

We head to Osh Bazaar, the liveliest market in Kyrgyzstan. Stalls of dried fruits, spices multiply according to your visit with the colors of Central Asia. You will also find many traditional souvenirs from the country.

Stroll around Ala-Too square in the center of Bishkek. A meeting place for Kyrgyz youth, it comes alive every evening with crowds of passersby who come here to walk around. This square has also been the scene of many revolutions in the country's history.