Jour 1: Bishkek
ITALIA/ BISHKEK (-/L/-)
Get ready to ride through this country of wonderful and unspoiled nature!!
A country that in many ways has survived human advancement… still very wild and with untouched nature. An adventure on horseback through spectacular landscapes, valleys, mountain passes, rugged ridges and rolling summer pastures where semi-nomadic shepherds live sheltered in their yurts.
A trek dedicated to those who love the outdoors, challenging trails but of unparalleled beauty.
Kyrgyzstan, which borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, lies along the Silk Road, the ancient caravan route between China and the Mediterranean, once travelled by the legendary Marco Polo!!
This country offers several highlights: stunning lakes including the second largest in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America, Ysyk-Köl, which is also salty and resembles more a sea than a lake, or the highest in the country, Songköl, located over 3,000 meters above sea level; red and multicolored sandstone canyons with absolutely unique shapes. One of them (Skazka Canyon) is also called Fairy Tale; the largest and oldest walnut forest in the world located in Arslanbob, where trees reach 30 meters in height and 2 meters in diameter; mountain ranges exceeding 7,000 meters: the Tian Shan mountains on the border with China. Their name in Chinese fittingly means Mountains of Heaven.
Not to be missed is the green capital Bishkek: built on the Kyrgyz side of the Alatau Mountains, creating a postcard-like background. The central square of the city, Ala-Too, is beautiful and features several fountains that every evening perform an attractive show of water, sound and lights. The State Historical Museum, the White House, seat of the Kyrgyz Government and Parliament, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Frunze house-museum (Frunze was the hero of the October Revolution), the blue-domed Orthodox Church, and the Manas Village — a park with concrete monuments representing traditional Kyrgyz cultural symbols.
Another interesting town we’ll visit is Karakol, with low buildings and long rows of poplars lining the streets, where the Chinese mosque, built in 1910, was constructed without the use of nails.
Upon arrival at Bishkek International Airport, meet with our local staff, with the possibility to exchange currency directly at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the city. If your flight arrives very early, you can rest before a light brunch. Afternoon dedicated to a guided city tour. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Jour 2:
BISHKEK / BARSKOON (B/-/D)
Breakfast and transfer to Barskoon, about 350 km, approx. 6 hrs. Free lunch along the road. Upon arrival in the village, time to relax, dinner and overnight in guest house.
Jour 3:
BARSKOON/FIUME CHONG-JARGYLCHAK (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will head to the stables, about 15 minutes away. Horses will be assigned and we will begin our trek, spending several days on horseback from the Juuku Valley to the Dunguromo Pass. We start from the Taldy-Bulak Valley, then continue through the Taarylga and Chalai Valleys, and finally reach the Chong-Jargylchak River. Dinner and overnight in a tented camp near the river.
Jour 4:
FIUME CHONG-JARGYLCHAK/ VALLE KINDIK (B/L/D)
Today we’ll pass through the Kok-Bulak and Sary-Bulak Valleys. We will cross the Kichi-Jargylchak River and continue to the valley where we will camp. Dinner and overnight in a tented camp.
Jour 5:
VALLE KINDIK/ VALLE CHYCHKAN (B/L/D)
Another beautiful day on horseback to the Chychkan Valley where we’ll set up camp for the night.
Jour 6:
VALLE CHYCHKAN/ VALLE JUUKU (B/L/D)
We will ride through the Orto-Bulak Valley and ford the Juuku River. We’ll arrive at the hot springs of Jyluu-Suu and then climb to the valley of the same name. The famous Swiss writer and photographer Ella Maillart rode through these valleys on her trip to Kyrgyzstan back in 1932.
Jour 7:
VALLE JUUKU/ FIUME KASHK-SUU (B/L/D)
From the valley we climb to a plateau crossed by the Kashk-Suu River, where we’ll meet some shepherds with their flocks. Dinner and overnight in tented camp.
Jour 8:
FIUME KASHK-SUU/ FIUME JUUKU (B/L/D)
Today we reach the It-tish and Chong-Tash Valleys. Dinner and overnight at a tented camp along the riverbanks.
Jour 9:
FIUME KASHK-SUU/ VALLE CHONG-TASH (B/L/D)
Last full day on horseback. We will cross the Juuku Pass at 3,633 meters, preceded by beautiful mountain lakes like Jashyl-Kol. In the afternoon we descend into the valley.
Jour 10:
BARSKOON (B/-/D)
We will ride again to cross the Dunguromo Pass at 3,779 meters. We descend into the Sary-Moinok Valley where we leave the horses and return by vehicle to Barskoon. Relaxation, dinner in a traditional yurt and overnight in guest house.
Jour 11:
BARSKOON (B/-/D)
Breakfast and visit to the nearby town of Karakol. We will visit: Karakol History Museum, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Dungan Mosque. Free lunch at the typical restaurant “Dastorkon” (or similar). In the afternoon, time for shopping at the bazaar and a dip in the hot waters of Ak-Suu (entrance fees not included). Return to Barskoon for dinner and overnight in guest house.
Jour 12:
BARSKOON/ BISHKEK (B/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer back to Bishkek. On the way, we’ll stop to admire the Skazka Canyon and the Tokmok Burana Tower. Dinner at your leisure and overnight in hotel.
Jour 13:
BISHKEK/ITALIA (B/-/-)
Breakfast and transfer to the international airport in time for your flight to Italy.
N The above itinerary is to be considered as indicative. It may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
Note:
(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED)
ACCOMMODATION: hotel/guest house + mobile tented camp
EQUIPMENT: local saddle made comfortable with animal skins, with pockets
HORSES: locally bred horses crossed with Russian blood. Docile, strong and used to mountain trails
PACE: FROM 4 TO 6 HOURS PER DAY ON HORSEBACK (approx. 25/30 km). Mainly at walking pace due to rocky terrain, significant elevation gain, and because horses carry camp equipment. Passes up to 4,000 meters. Participants must be in good physical condition and aware of altitude effects.
WHAT TO BRING: Layered and waterproof riding clothing suitable for mountain climate. For nights in tented camp: sleeping bag, inflatable mat, water purification tablets, water bottle, headlamp, small towel and soap. Only the essentials should be packed during trekking days. No hard suitcases.
MAX WEIGHT: 90 Kg
TYPE: point-to-point trek with overnights in hotel/guest house + mobile tented camp
ACCOMMODATION:
night 1: overnight in hotel in Bishkek
night 2: overnight in guest house in Barskoon
night 3: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 4: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 5: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 6: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 7: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 8: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 9: overnight in mobile tented camp
night 10: overnight in guest house in Barskoon
night 11: overnight in guest house in Barskoon
night 12: overnight in hotel in Bishkek
The tented camp is mobile and set up in a different place each evening. Igloo tents can be double or triple. Cooking is done over fire. No toilets or showers. Everyone must bring their own (cold-resistant) sleeping bag and inflatable mat. A personal water bottle and water purification tablets (or boiling water) are necessary. During trekking days, only essentials are taken and loaded onto the horses.
Meals are traditional and prepared by a local cook using fresh ingredients. On request, special menus can be arranged in case of allergies or intolerances.
Departure dates available on request with a minimum of 3 participants departing from Italy in July and August (departures can begin on any day of the week).
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 3 MAX 6
supplements & discounts
discount per person for groups of 6: €50.00
single supplement (for hotel / guest house nights): on request
