Mountain Lakes of Kyrgyzstan

Meet at the airport and transfer to accommodation at the hotel. After a short rest, we will go on a little tour around Alamedin Gorge (1800-2000 m) for our introduction to the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range. 30 minutes from Bishkek, surrounded by tall fir trees, bushes of black currant, barberry, rose hips and buckthorn, you can truly relax after your long flight and enjoy views of the mountain river and waterfall, and even take a hot bath in the thermal hot springs. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bishkek.

 On the way to Naryn city, we will stop at Burana tower, all that remains of the 10-11^th century Turkic Karakhanid capital of Balasagun. From here, our route will pass through beautiful Boom Gorge, along Orto Tokoi reservoir (1700 m) and over the Dolon pass (3030 m). We will spend the night in Naryn town.

In the morning, we head south along the Ak-Sai Valley, surrounded to the East and West by the mountain ranges of Naryn-Too, At-Bashi and Jany-Jer. In order to get to the starting point of our horseback tour, we must cross two more passes: Kyzyl-Bel (2484 m) and Kyndy (3102 m).

At the Kyndy pass, there is a frontier outpost where our documents will be checked as special permits are required. The landscape here is very diverse, sagebrush plateaus and valleys alternate with high fir trees and thick vegetation. The drive will take us 4-5 hours. We can spend the night in yurts or tents under the open sky.

In the morning we will have a briefing in horsemanship, before continuing to the  Ak-sai cultural center (3560 m) where old houses from Soviet union era are still preved. On the way we will pass the panoramic views of the Ak-Sai valley and mountain river. The trip will pass through the summer pastures of the nomadic shepherds where we will see the shaggy yaks resistant to the high mountains and extreme cold. Overnight in yurts or tents.

This day is one of the easiest of our trips. We will cover 15 km on horseback through the highlands and small rivers. After dinner we will spend the night in the Ak-Sai valley on the border with China.

Today we will reach the pass from which we can see Kol-Suu lake (3,550 m.) The Eastern shore of Kol-Suu lake is considered the most beautiful highland lake view in Kyrgyzstan. The length of the reservoir, which was formed from a strong earthquake, is 15 km, and the water has a clear greenish color. Here, we are likely to see rare Marco-Polo mountain goats and rams as wild animal paths lead to the lake. We will enjoy lunch at the lake and then return to the cultural center for the night.

After an early breakfast, armed with the flashlights, we will climb to the pass to see the lake from the west side. In some places, there will be the marshy terrain. On this side of the pass there are many rocks and caves, which we can inspect with flashlights. We will then return to the camp where we will spend the night in yurts.

On Day 8 of our trip, we will visit two unique objects of nature and history. The first part of our route will pass through the Ak-Sai valley and over the Torugart pass (3752 m) on the border with China, bringing us to the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Chatyr-Kol (Heavenly lake, 3530 m).

Chatyr-Kol, is the largest freshwater mountain lake in the country. It belongs to the protected part of the Karatal-Zhapyryk State Reserve and has international significance. Chatyr-Kol is not only a nesting place for the protected mountain goose, but also a migratory camp for birds from the Altai, Siberia and Kazakhstan. Here you can relax on the shore of the picturesque lake surrounded by spruce forests and alpine meadows.

The final point of our trip on this day will be a stone caravansarai (inn), Tash-Rabat (3500 m), which was built in the 15th century as a stop on the Great Silk Road. In ancient times it was a resting place as well as shelter from the weather and robbers for the merchants and travelers traveling to China and back. We will have dinner and overnight in yurts.

From Tash-Rabat, we take a trip over the Ak-Bayit pass (3285 m) to our final fabulous high mountain lake and heart of Kyrgyzstan, Son-Kol (3016 m). The lake is located on a plain surrounded by alpine meadows. Part of it belongs to protected area of the Karatal-Zhapyryk reserve, which is also a home for wild animals and more than 100 species of birds and 10 species of fish. Here we can watch the animals and birds, visit the chabans (shepherds), taste national drinks, fish and swim. We will spend the night on the coast in tents or yurts.

On the way back to Bishkek city we will stop at Kochkor village, where the local felt craftswomen will give us a master class. You will have a chance to try the technique of felting, and learn about the manufacture of souvenirs and carpets from them. Overnight in the hotel in Bishkek.