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Guided Trekking tours in
Kyrgyz Tien Shan
&
Pamir Mountains

KARAKOL TREK

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Itinerary

Day
Itinerary
1

Arrive Bishkek. Meet agent and drive 400 km to Karakol town based on the eastern end of Issyk Kul lake – the second largest alpine lake in the world after lake Titicaca in South America. If time permits possible stop for swimming. Short sightseeing around the town. Overnight in hotel.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: homestay
Distance: 400 km, Vertical: +1000 m

2

Final preparations and 2 hours drive in the army truck to picturesque Chon-Kyzyl-Suu valley by exciting mountain road winding through fir tree forest and between rocks along rushing waters of Chon-Kyzyl- Suu river. 2 hrs trek up to Kara-Batkak valley. After lunch free time to explore the environs or rest.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 4km, Vertical: +263m

3

Trek up the Archa -Tor valley. Lunch in the foothills of Archa-Tor pass (3800 m) on the bank of mountain stream. Trek over the pass with a great view of Jety- Oguz peak north face and other snow capped peaks of Terskei mountains. Camp in lower grounds of Asan valley.

Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 7km, Vertical: +1035m

4

Trek down Asan valley to Djety-Oguz enjoying views on Djety-Oguz wall - a chain of snowy peaks with a beautiful Oguz-Bashi peak (5181 m) dominated over the area. Oguz-Bashi is Kyrgyz for "Ox head" and with a portion of imagination you can clearly see it at the end of the valley. Here we cross the river to trek down Djety-Oguz valley before we turn right to Telety valley. From here we trek upstream Telety river thru the fur tree forest. Camp in juniper grooves.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 16km, Vertical: +453m

5

Trek up and over Telety pass (3800 m). For the rest of the day we trek down through alpine glades, fur treeforest and juniper groves to lower grounds of Karakol valley.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 10km, Vertical: +814m

6

Optional hike (2-3 hrs) to the upper grounds of Karakol valley. Enjoy a view over a little lake with amazing Karakol peak (5218 m) on the background before we return to camp. Free time after lunch to explore the environs or read the book.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 3.5km, Vertical: +400m

7

Short trek down Karakol valley to cross the river and then 2 hours up again through the forest along Ala-Kol river. Trek up the Ala-Kol valley along the cascade of small waterfalls to Ala-Kol lake, which sits at the altitude of 3532 m. Camp on the rocky cliff overlooking the lake. Overnight in tents with a great panoramic view out of tents.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents
Distance: 8km, Vertical: +983m

8

Trek up the scree slope along the shore of the lake and then over Ala-Kol pass (3860 m) to Kel-Dike valley. Trek downstream to Altyn-Arashan valley. "Altyn Arashan" is Kyrgyz for "golden springs", and known for it's sulphur and radon thermal activity. Soak in baths before dinner.


Meals: BLD. Overnight: tents.
Distance: 12km, Vertical: +300m

9

Meet vehicle in the morning. Drive to Karakol town (40 km) along very spectacular mountain road. Switch ex army truck for comfortable aircon vehicle. Continue to Bishkek with a possible stop by the shore of Issyk-Kul lake for swim. If time permits short sightseeing before dinner around Bishkek.

Meals: BLD. Overnight: hotel.
Distance: 400km, Vertical: -1200m

10

Onward travel - Transfer to the airport for your return or onward journey.

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