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Daily Tour
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Europeans first arrived in the mountainous country of nomadic nomads in the 4th century BC, when the army of Alexander the Great marched to India. Two centuries later, the Chinese traveler Xuan Jiang arrived here and explored the routes of the future Great Silk Road. The famous Venetian traveler Marco Polo was looking for a route to China here in the 13th century. And in the 19th century, PP Semenov-Tian Shansky made several expeditions. The route of the bicycle tour is a touch of the merits of the outstanding ancestors. The first half of the bicycle tours passes through the passes (from 3 to 4 thousand meters) and valleys between the Western mountain ranges and ridges, and the second - through the Central Tian Shan.
Transportation from Bishkek to the mountain village of Arashan. 22 km. Cycling part: In Arashan we will get on our bikes and ride 37 kilometers to the confluence of the Alamedin and Alaarcha rivers. At first, the ascents predominate through the Tatar ski resort to Chonkurchak - one of the smallest but most beautiful gorges of the Tian Shan. Then we will ride through the National Bioreserve, which protects rare species of tulips. After the pass, we descend to the Oruu-Sai gorge (2100 m, ski resort). End in the village of Kashka-Su (nature park). Dirt roads, ascents and descents. 37 km. Transportation: from the village of Kashka-Su to Bishkek. 26 km.
Transportation: from Bishkek west to Kara-Balty, and then south to the Too-Ashuu pass (3586 m - "Camel Pass"). From time to time the car dives into galleries and tunnels that protect the road from avalanches and rock falls. This is one of the most treacherous and dangerous passes in the entire Central Asian region. 144 km BICYCLE: at the pass we get on our bikes and descend into the Suusamir Valley. We pass the picturesque villages of Kozhomkul and Kyzyl-Suu Overnight in the Kokomeren River Valley. Flat sections and slopes prevail. Soil. 72 km.
Transportation: from the overnight stay to Jangi-Arik we drive 75 km by car. BICYCLES: From Jangi-Aryk we climb to the Tuz-Ashuu pass (Kyrgyz: “straight pass”). The harshness of the nature of the inner Tian Shan valleys and the magical beauty of the snow-capped mountains are captivating. We descend to the mountain lake Son-Kul (Song-Kol, 3016 m, the 2nd largest lake in Kyrgyzstan). The lake is covered with snow for 200 days a year, and in winter it is almost impossible to get to it. Overnight stay near the yurt town of Batay-Aral on the shore of Son-Kul (overnight stay in a yurt is possible). Ascents and descents. Ground. 38 km.
BICYCLES: From Batay-Aral (we go around the lake from north to south) we climb to the Moldo-Ashu pass (3346). From the pass a wonderful view opens up of gorges, high mountains with ice caps and slopes covered with huge fir trees. There is often fog here, thick as milk, so almost nothing is visible. We descend from the pass to the south along the banks of the Kurtka River to the village. Aktal (Ak-Tal). From the alpine meadow zone we enter the forest zone. Overnight stay on the banks of the Naryn River. Many ascents and descents. Soil. 95 km.
Transportation: from the Naryn River to the Mels Pass (3420) through the village of Baetovas. 55 km. CYCLES: We continue to move south. A technical and adrenaline-filled descent from the pass brings us closer to the mysterious Tash-Rabat fortress (3600). Tash-Rabat Castle was a key point on the Great Silk Road crossing the Tien Shan. Lost in untouched nature, far from populated areas near the border with China, Tash Rabat looks stern, monumental and impregnable from the outside. Overnight at Tash-Rabat Castle (you can spend the night in a yurt). The relief is varied. Soil. 71 km.
Transfer from Tash-Rabat via At-Bashi – Naryn (2500) to the village of Tash-Bashat. 146 km. BICYCLES: we will ride through the Eki-Naryn gorge along two rivers. Both rivers flow in deep canyons that cut through a wide, flat valley, above which snow-capped ridges rise: a breathtaking view. We ride through the National Wildlife Park, home to mountain goats and deer. Overnight on the bank of the Maly Naryn river in the Eki-Naryn gorge. A picturesque dirt road follows the bends of the gorge. Unobtrusive ascents and descents. 32 km.
BICYCLES: along the Maly Naryn and Bolgart rivers: a spacious valley with snow-capped five-thousand-meter peaks in the distance. Occasionally we see yurt camps of Kyrgyz nomads. Regular round mountains standing in the middle of a flat valley, suspiciously reminiscent of volcanoes. Majestic gorges and beautiful valleys framed by snow-capped peaks. The road runs along rivers all day. Overnight at the thermal mineral springs (2390) Jilu-Suu. Relief: many flat areas, a few short climbs. Soil. 70 km.
BICYCLES: ascent along the Jilu-Suu River to the Tosor Pass (3893 m, translated from Turkic means “outpost” or “pre-post”). Descent to the blue pearl of the Tian Shan – Lake Issyk-Kul (1609 m, the second largest high-altitude mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America). Road terrain: a long ascent is followed by a descent of several kilometers. Ground. 68 km. Overnight stay on the shore of Issyk-Kul.
BICYCLES: along the shore of Issyk-Kul to Lake Druska. Flat areas prevail. Soil. Rest on the lake shore. (15 km) Transfer to Bishkek (245 km). Estimated arrival time in Bishkek is about 5 pm. Depending on weather conditions and the pace of the group, the organizers have the right to change the program.
Bicycle helmet, small backpack (17-20l) for personal belongings;
cutlery (cup, spoon, bowl, knife);
Headlamp, front bike light, 2L water bottle or camelback;
walking (riding) boots;
cycling shoes and clip-on pedals as needed;
camp shoes (slippers or sandals);
personal hygiene products;
thermal underwear (moisture-absorbing);
sweater or jumper;
comfortable hiking clothes and shoes, shorts (cycling shorts), sweatpants (cycling pants),
cycling gloves (or inexpensive construction gloves);
short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts;
personal first aid kit ("favorite medicines", warming ointment, sunscreen);
Bologna suit: windproof, rain jacket and trousers;
raincoat;
hat, panama (bandana, cap, etc.);
the socks are light and warm;
underwear, swimming trunks, shorts, swimsuit.
So, a few words about this wonderful place that you are going to visit. The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul, is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Lake Issyk-Kul is rightfully called the pearl of Central Asia. Issyk-Kul is the second clearest lake in the world after Lake Baikal. Mild winters and the heat reserves of the water and the salinity of the lake do not allow it to become covered with ice even in winter.
Issyk-Kul is located between two ridges of the Northern Tien Shan; its northern shore is the foothills of the Kungey-Alatau ridge, and its southern shore is the foothills of the Terskey-Alatau ridge, the highest point of which reaches 5200 m. The northern slopes of the mountains are covered with spruce forests, the southern ones are covered only with steppe vegetation.
Now about the details of participating in the bicycle tour in the Tien Shan Mountains. We recommend arriving in Bishkek a day earlier to rest after a long flight. The group meets at a guesthouse. If necessary, we can organize a meeting and transportation, or you can easily arrive on your own. There is a bicycle rental near this guesthouse.
Hike participants arriving on the day of the tour must arrive at the guesthouse no later than 8 a.m.
After a short briefing, we are given a rental of tourist equipment. Then we move to the bike rental point in an escort car. For the rental, a cash deposit (100-200 euros) or a partial cash deposit (50-100 euros) + document may be required.
After choosing bikes and signing the necessary documents, we will drive to the starting point of the bike ride.
Those wishing to participate in the hike should have experience in mountain biking and gear control. Part of the route is on dirt roads, part is on asphalt. In places there are steep climbs where you have to push the bike. Escort cars carry food, things, and equipment for tourists. In some sections of the route, they transport hikers and bicycles.
Track type: flat / hills / mountains / rocky / asphalt / dirt / country road…
We travel mostly on dirt roads and a little bit on asphalt.
Typically, the movement order is as follows: a small group is led by one instructor. The instructor chooses the speed of movement, trying to take into account the capabilities of all participants.
Every day, tourists travel 20-50 km through mountainous and forested terrain. The hike is intended for people of average and higher physical fitness. As many years of experience in cycling shows, everyone meets the norm, but with different levels of comfort. We recommend doing additional endurance sports at least a month or two before the trip. If you are ready, you will be able to enjoy the surrounding landscapes.
If you arrive earlier or depart later, it is recommended to stay overnight in Bishkek. You can book a hotel or guesthouse yourself, and we can help with the reservation. The drive from the airport to the city takes about 30 minutes, a taxi costs 20-25 €. The average price of a double room in Bishkek is 30-40 €. On the meeting day, our driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you back after the end of the tour.
During the hike, your belongings and food are transported by SUVs or minibuses. You travel easily, enjoying the ride.
Cycling in the Tien Shan Mountains requires a travel insurance policy with the "Active Recreation" option. It covers injuries and unforeseen situations.
Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and some other countries are allowed to enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for up to 60 days.
The route runs high in the Tien Shan mountains, far from settlements. Communication is only available on the first and last day. Phones and cameras can be charged in the accompanying car.
During the hike, you will eat 4 meals: a hot breakfast, two light lunches and dinner. Food is cooked on a campfire or on a gas stove. Vegetarian or diet food can be ordered upon request.
There are mosquitoes, midges and ticks in the Tien Shan Mountains. Use closed clothing and repellents for protection.
The climate of Kyrgyzstan is warm and dry in summer: in the valleys the temperature is +26–+30 °C. In the mountains it is 10–15 degrees cooler, at night it can drop to 0–+5 °C. It is recommended to bring a jacket, waterproof clothing, a warm hat and gloves.
If you don't have your own equipment, it can be rented:
tent €25
sleeping bag €20
tourist mat €5
This is convenient for participants of horseback riding tours in the Tien Shan Mountains.
Campsites are usually set up near mountain rivers or lakes. Guides and drivers prepare breakfast or dinner. Tour participants set up tents themselves. However, if you do not have experience, we can help.
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