Mountain biking tour along the Kyrgyz Silk Road

$1 / person

12days

Meduim

Kyrgyzstan

$1 / person

12days

Meduim

Kyrgyzstan

RedMount

Itinerary: Bishkek – Suusamyr – Keke Meren – Too Ashuu pass (3229m) – Son Kul lake (3000m) – Naryn – At Bashy – Dolon pass (3030m) – Yssyk Kul lake – Cholpon Ata (1600m).

This thirteen day-long cycling tour takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Kyrgyzstan -the world’s second largest alpine lake Issyk-Kul, mountain ranges and alpine peaks, passes and truly amazing Son Kul lake located high in the mountains at the altitude of 3000 meters above sea level. You will have the opportunity to discover the natural areas of Tien Shan Mountains, to get an epic view of the highest points and nomadic life. In this combined mountain bike tour You will enjoy the highlights and night life of Bishkek city, silk routehistorical sites, amazing mountain lakes, red canyons, nomadic green pastures, lots of cycling and of course golden beaches of Yssyk Kul lake.

Highlights and Overviews of this Trip

Duration: 12 days
Trip Season: Mai – September
Type: Cycling, mountain biking
Difficulty: Medium – Hard
maximum Altitude: 4200m
Accommodation: Hotels, Resort, Guest houses, Yurt Camp, Mountain Hut
Meals: Full board

PROGRAM:

DAY 1: Bishkek – 40km, 40min, Hotel, City Tour

Arrival in Bishkek. Meeting at the airport “Manas”, drive to the hotel and Check-in the hotel. After some time for resting or refreshing we’ll start sightseeing in Bishkek: State Historical Museum, Ala-Too Central square, Second World War Memorial Square, Osh Eastern style market, Shopping Malls (Bishkek Park, ZUM). After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll check and prepare the mountain bikes.

Accommodation in Hotel, Dinner in local restaurant. 

Breakfast. The first ride is to Suusamyr (2025m). The route proceeds sedately at first, on the well-used road from Bishkek to Kara Balta village at the foot of Kyrgyz Ala Too range. The Suusamyr road turns south to rear over the Kyrgyz range. After lunch crossing it via the 1.7 km – long tunnel at the Too Ashuu Pass (3586m). The road then slides down eleven kilometers into the Suusamyr valley, Dinner and accommodation in Ski base. Cycling distance is 40km, 4-5 hrs.

Breakfast. Biking along the Keke Meren River to Son Kul Lake (3000m). Son kul is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan with its lush pastures, silvery streams and huge expanse of water (13,5 meters deep) filled with fish, it is summer paradise for herders and their flocks. After lunch take the Pass Kara Keche on a truck. Dinner and overnight in Yurt Inn. Cycling distance 50km, 4-5 hrs.

Breakfast. In the morning we transfer to the Chara-Archa Pass (3061m), and descending on bikes to the Kara Oi River (2800m). After lunch continue cycling to Naryn Town – is a long, thin town, set between impressive red sandstone cliffs on one side and rolling green hills on the other, and spreads for about 15km along the longest river in Central Asia. Dinner and accommodation in a guest house with shower in share basis. Cycling distance 35km, 5 hrs

Breakfast. Start biking from Naryn Town to At Bashy Village via Kyzyl Bel Pass (2484m). After lunch continue cycling through modern Silk-road Highway to At Bashy. The road emerges into a huge, flat valley of lush pastures, with the green, leafy village of At Bashy tucked away in a hollow. It has a lively animal market on Sundays. Visit local open air market and then return to Naryn Town by truck. Dinner and accommodation in a guest house with shower in share basis. Cycling distance 40km, 4-5 hrs.

Breakfast. Start biking from guest house straight to Kochkor Village through Dolon Pass (3030m). This well-travelled route has some dramatic scenery of the vast Central Tien Shan, with lots of yurts and grazing herds. On the other side, there is beautiful descent through rugged limestone cliffs and steep valleys. Lunch stop – near the tiny village Sary Bulak to taste a local fish from Son Kul Lake. Dinner and Lunch at Family House

Day of rest on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, 1600m. On this day you can enjoy an easy ride along the South Shore of Yssykkul Lake, 15km to west there are Red Canyons called Skazka. Afternoon you’ll have a chance to swim in the lake, walk the beaches or lay in the sun and make BBQ! Overnight in a Ethno Yurt Camp

Breakfast in a Guest House. Start cycling along the lakeshore to Karakol Town. On the way visit Jety-Oguz Red Rocks & Broken Heart mountains. Picnic Lunch. Check in the hotel in Karakol Town. Overnight & Dinner

Breakfast at Hotel. Drive on the Kamaz 60km out of Town, start cycling to Too Ashuu Pass (4000m).Picnic – Lunch. Overnight & Dinner in a Base Camp Enilchek.

Breakfast at Base Camp, Start riding to At Jailoo. After Picnic-lunch ride to the Natural Hot Springs. Drive back to Base Camp. Overnight & Dinner in a Base Camp Enilchek.

Breakfast at Base Camp. Drive to Cholpon Ata Resort. On the way we will stop for lunch – Picnic. Overnigh & Dinner at Resort.

Breakfast at Resort, Start driving to Bishkek via Burana Tower, Cultural Complex Ruh Ordo. Lunch en-route café. Dinner with traditional music at Local Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel. Early Morning Flight.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport “Manas” depending on departure.

PRICE

Package of 13 days

on request

The price is influenced by various factors such as group size or season. The accessability of some places can change during the year. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a fixed price. 

Included:

  • Accommodation as mentioned in the program (twin sharing) – 12 nights
  • Transportation
  • Rent of mountain Bikes for whole program
  • Meals: Full board + bottled water
  • English speaking Guide
  • Kitchen & Dining utensils
  • Formalities: Excursions + entrance fees
  • Folklore show in Bishkek
  • All excursions
  • All local taxes

Not included:

  • International flights
  • Personal equipment: clothes, glasses, helmet, pump, repairing kit
  • Alcoholic beverages in restaurants
  • Kyrgyz visa (if required)
  • Refundable deposit – USD 500 per bike
  • Horseback riding in the Son-Kul Lake area – USD 15 per horse

Note:

  • Note: 4* and 5* accommodation is possible in Bishkek only.
  • In case of early check-in, the hotel is chargeable 1 extra night – 25 USD per persons in twin sharing.
  • It is highly recommended to have suitable clothes and personal equipment’s
  • Guest Houses, Family Home Stay and Yurt Camp are on the basis of shared bathroom
  • Accommodation in Yurt is shared by 4-5 persons in one gender, bathroom is outside
  •  
  • Contact us for addition nights, activites or any other questions
  • You can add other trips to your journey
  • Tour Operator reserves the right to modify itineraries and/or substitute hotels of a reasonably similar quality, when available, should circumstances beyond our control deem it necessary.
  • Domestic flights are booked as per availability, if flight is cancelled or no tickets available on the time of booking, itinerary will be modified as per timetable

Clothing

  • Layered clothing: Include base layers, mid-layers, and outer layers to adapt to varying weather conditions.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants: To stay dry during rain or wet conditions.
  • Warm hat and gloves: To protect against the cold, especially at higher altitudes.
  • Comfortable boots: Well-fitted and sturdy, preferably waterproof.
  • Additional pair of shoes or sandals for leisure time
  • Extra socks and underwear: Moisture-wicking and quick-drying options are best.

Gear

  • Backpack: A durable and comfortable backpack with a capacity suitable for the length of your trek. Recommended weight maximum 10kg
  • Sleeping bag liner: Adds warmth and ensures cleanliness. We cannot give you 100% guaranty that mattresses at the Yurt Camps or Homestays will be ideally clean and meet your standards. That is why better to put your own inlet to these beds.
  • Headlamp or flashlight: With extra batteries, for visibility at night.
  • Multi-tool or knife: Useful for various tasks.

Food and Water

  • Water bottles: To reduce waste we’ll recommend you to buy 7-10l Bottles from the stores and refill your bottles.
  • Food: meals which are not included to the program, you’ll have the choice to try local food at markets/bazars on the way, at restaurant or cafes.

Safety

  • First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
  • Personal hygiene items: Biodegradable soap, toilet paper, wet wipes.
  • Medications: Any personal medications, plus extras in case of delays. We are sometimes in very remote areas, so obtaining these items could be difficult.
  • Sun protection: Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF, hat, sunglasses.
  • Insurance: Travel insurance is not included in the tour package. It is highly recommended that clients have their own travel insurance to cover illness, injury, and loss or damage to personal belongings. In case of an emergency, the staff will do their best to assist and transport you to a hospital or another point of care. However, if you do not have insurance, you will be required to cover the charges yourself. Your insurance should also cover helicopter services and rescue/search operations in the mountains.

Miscellaneous

  • Money: it’s common to pay by cash.
    Credit cards and Visa cards to withdraw money can be used in Bishkek, Karakol only.
  • In bigger restaurants, cafes or gas station sometimes you can pay by card.
  • Camera or smartphone: To capture the beautiful scenery.
  • Power bank: To keep your electronic devices charged. In theory, accommodation places in the countryside have electricity. But it does not mean “automatically” that in practice it’ll be so. Sometimes there is the problem with electricity in some places but it is very unpredictable.
  • Wifi: at accommodation at the moutains can be possible but don’t expect it. Same with mobile phone reception
  • Reusable bags: For carrying trash out of remote areas.

Remember, packing light is important, but make sure you have all the essentials to stay safe and comfortable during your horse trekking adventure. Enjoy the ride!