Kyrgyzstan – The Land of Adventure 2022

Detailed Itinerary:

Note that although we try to follow the detailed itinerary below, at times local trail or weather conditions may make slight changes necessary. The itinerary may also vary slightly depending on our acclimatisation rates.

Day 1  Welcome to Bishkek-Transfer to Chon-Kurchak Gorge (35km; approx  4hrs) 

Early in the morning you will land at Manas International Airport and will be transferred to a mountain lodge in the picturesque Chon-Kurchak Gorge located 1hour from the Airport outside the capital of Kyrgyzstan -Bishkek. After breakfast and rest you will set up your bike and we will start exploration of the area. We will cycle on a very scenic dirt mountain road offering a magnificent panorama of the snow-covered peaks of almost 5000 meters and breathe pure mountain air filled with the aroma of juniper trees. Later in the day you will cycle on an 8km long MTB single trail passing through the woody slopes of the gorge. Return to the Lodge. For dinner you will have some local specialties like manty, lagman, boorsok and drink green tea.  

Overnight: Mountain Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 2  Chon-Kurchak Gorge-Noorus Village-Kegety Gorge (77 km; approx 6hrs) 

After a restful night spent in a cozy lodge in the mountains we will hit the road. Today you will enjoy an exciting ride through Kyrgyz countryside as the route will take you through small villages located just at the foothill of the mountains with herds of cows, sheep and horses roaming free on the lush green hills. Get ready for some exciting downhill! Arrival at our destination- a mountain lodge located in the picturesque Kegety Gorge right by the river with ice-cold water flowing from Ala-Too Mountain Range. After dinner you will have a chance to relax and explore the area on foot. 

Overnight: Mountain Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Day 3 Kegety Gorge-Orlovka Village- Chon-Kemin Valley (90km;  approx 7 hrs) 

After breakfast you will continue cycling through the countryside, through fileds of flowers and green hills and enjoy panorama of the snow-capped mountains- silent  witnesses of the times when trade caravans from China traversed this valley on their way to Europe. Little is left from that time-only the tower of Burana standing lonely in the distance and the remains of the ancient city Balasagyn  serve as a reminder of the glorious past of this once flourishing area. By the evening you will arrive to our lodge on the verge of the coniferous forest.   

Overnight: Mountain Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Chon-Kemin Valley- Konorchek Canyon-Kochkor Village (85 km; approx 7 hrs) 

In the morning, after a short transfer, we will start exploration of the exciting MTB single trails that strech for 15 kms through Konorchek Canyon (sometimes called as “the Kyrgyz Grand Canyon”). After lunch you will continue your ride along Chui River- the second biggest river in Kyrgyzstan and fascinating Orto-Tokoi water reservoir surrounded by dry and moon-like landscapes. Arrival to Kochkor Village famous for its artisan workshops. If we still have time we can attend a local artisan show and see how a felt carpet “Shyrdak”is made.   

Overnight: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5  Kochkor Village- Kyz-Art Pass (2664m)- Kyz-Art Village (80km; approx 7 hrs)

Today will be a long cycling day. A scenic road with bad asphalt will take you through the valley and then through  Kyz-Art Pass (2664m). As you cycle  you will meet a lot of herders who set up their shops on the road and sell their produce. Arrival at Kyz-Art Village. After dinner you will have a chance to taste home-made dessert and chat with the lady of the house about the life in this remote area  over a cup of tea. 

Overnight: Local family house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6  Kyz-Art Village -Chilbel Pass(3267m)- Son-Kul Lake  (60km; approx 7hrs) 

Early in the morning you will say good-bye to your friendly hosts and start a 30 km uphill ride to one of the highest located lakes of Kyrgyzstan- Son-Kul Lake (3016m). After crossing 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. Here 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 enjoy a beautiful sunset and spend the night like a real nomad- in a yurt on the shore of the lake.  

Overnight: Yurt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7  Son-Kul Lake- Kochkor Village (70km; approx 6 hrs) 

After a peaceful night in a yurt you will leave the lake. It will be a very long and thrilling descent on a dirt mountain road with a series of 33 switchbacks.  Down in the canyon you will have a chance to hike to a waterfall. Once you get to the highway you will be picked up and transferred (60km) back to Kochkor Village.   

Overnight: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8   Kochkor Village- Turasuu Village-Kara-Kyzyl-Tuu Village(75km; approx 6 hrs) 

After a hearty breakfast we will start cycling to the shore of the second biggest alpine lake in the world- Issyk-Kul Lake.  The dirt road passes through  mountain villages and  through Turasuu River Canyon.  As you cycle you will enjoy the view of the lush green banks of the river and the surrounding desert-like landscapes. Arrival to your today destination.- a family house in Kyzyl-Tuu Village whose inhabitants are engaged in yurt (traditional dwelling of nomads) manufacturing. You can learn this process and take part in yurt assembling. Today is the last day of riding, so we must pack up our bicycles and get them ready for transportation the next day. 

Overnight: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Kyzyl-Tuu Village-Bishkek ( 260km;  approx 4hrs drive)

In the morning you will have a chance to relax after 8 days of cycling and take a plunge in the refreshing water of the Issyk-Kul Lake (1700m). After lunch we will load the bicycles into our van and head back to Bishkek. Tonight is our last night in Kyrgyzstan and we can take you for dinner at any restaurant in Bishkek with local cuisine.

Overnight: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10  Bishkek- Manas International Airport

Early in the morning you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight. We will take you to the airport where we bid each other farewell after a great experience in Kyrgyzstan!

The price includes:

Accommodation  9 nights in hotels  based on standard rooms on twin share,  yurts (shared by 3-5 PAX), guesthouses (room shared by 3-5 PAX),  +early check-in. For example of hotel, please, check: www.baikhan.kg

All meals

Snacks (nuts and dry fruit), sweets and coffee between main meals (2 times per day)

Transportation as per the detailed itinerary

Your guide and support crew, with all their transport, equipment, insurance and including their meals and accommodation and a first aid kit appropriate for the group size and activities

Bottled water (3 L/ person) per day

Felt show in Kochkor Village

The price does not include:

Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary

Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy

International flights to and from Kyrgyzstan

Any excess baggage charges

Travel insurance (we insist you have this)

Rescue/evacuation costs (to be covered by your insurance)

Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itineraries above

Personal expenses (eg tips, alcohol/soft drinks/bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, camera charges etc)

Tips for your guide and crew

Costs incurred due to changes in programs and reservations due to unforeseen events (eg landslides, strikes, large increase in diesel prices etc)

Single room supplement (100 USD) (Only on first and last night in hotel in Bishkek)

Yurt assembling show in Kyzyl-Tuu Village