Kyrgyzstan is an amazing country with endless and massive mountain peaks. They say, “better than mountains, maybe only mountains.” We offer an interesting route for lovers of mountains and outdoor activities, take an 8-day hike from the Jyrgalan Valley to the famous mountain Lake Alakol and Jeti-Oguz gorge. Immerse yourself in complete immersion in the vast expanses of mountain horizons, find many mountain lakes hidden in the mountains and feel the local flavor, saturated with a nomadic spirit.
What could be better to overcome the passes beyond the pass, to collect water from a crystal clear stream directly from the glaciers, to spend the night with millions of stars in the sky that shine brightly and it seems so close that you can get it with your hands. Eight days and eight nights, where there is only you and nature, hot springs and insane and pristine beauty first hand. Dream. Explore. Discover.
The morning begins with the first day’s trekking from Jyrgalan village. (The village of Jyrgalan is located in the Karakol area. From the town of Karakol to the village the journey takes about 1.5 hours.) You start with the hike up to the Jyrgalan river and reach the mountain valley Terme – Gate. The small valley lies on the Jyrgalan mountain slope and the name “Terme Gate” comes from Kyrgyz and means “assembled peak”. Set up the tents and spend the night in the wilderness.
You will be accompanied by our team. Guide, rider. All luggage: tents, food and your luggage are transported on the pack horses.
Trekking time – 4 hours
After breakfast and a good rest, we continue on the second day of trekking. Today you go on a hike to the small mountain lakes Kosh-Kol. You can have a picnic lunch on the lakeshore and rest in the beautiful surroundings. After descending the Turgen Valley, set up camp for the night.
Trekking time – 4 -5 hours
Today you continue the hike to the next gorge, Boz-Uchuk. The gorge is accessible with many mountain lakes in the area. You reach the gorge in one go and arrive at the location at lunchtime. After lunch, take time for a hike to see the mountain lakes from the best views and good light for photos without the rush. Spend an enjoyable time in wild nature. Sleeping in tents.
Trekking time – 4 hours
Trekking to another beautiful gorge of Jergez via the two mountain passes. Today is a challenging day of trekking and you reach Jergez just in time to set up the tents and rest overnight.
Trekking time – 6-7 hours
After breakfast the Almaluu valley opens up. The valley is green and surrounded by a spruce forest. Feel the scent of the fir trees and feel the spirit of nature, you too will no longer be able to shake the feeling of living in the fresh air. Sleeping in tents.
Trekking time – 4 hours
Today it’s time to descend the Altyn-Arashan valley, where you’ll be welcomed at the Arashan mountain hut with hot springs thermal baths. Finally, you will be a guest of honor for two nights in the guest house with comfortable beds and enjoy a hot thermal bath from nature. Dine and sleep in the guesthouse.
The hiking time is 4 hours.
Following a fulfilling breakfast, set out on a trek to the picturesque Lake Alakol. Today’s adventure will lead you through one of the most demanding mountain passes, offering unparalleled views of the captivating Alakol. The awe-inspiring scenery makes the challenging journey truly worthwhile. Conclude your day by camping near the lake, where you can pitch your tent and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the highest lake valley.
After a hearty breakfast, venture into the breathtaking trek down the majestic Karakol Gorge, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery. As you descend, the air becomes crisp, and the soothing sounds of nature accompany your journey. Find the perfect spot along the riverbank to set up camp, where the gentle murmur of the flowing water and the backdrop of scenic landscapes create an idyllic setting for a memorable camping experience.
Today, we make our way towards the enchanting region of Jeti-Oguz. Anticipate a challenging yet rewarding trekking day, dominated by the ascent and descent of the Teleti Pass. This journey unfolds against a backdrop of breathtaking panoramas and captivating scenic views, immersing you in the beauty of nature. As you conquer the pass, revel in the stunning surroundings before finding an ideal spot to pitch your tents in the untouched wilderness, where we will camp overnight, surrounded by the tranquility of the great outdoors.
On this final day of our trek to Jeti-Oguz valley, enjoy a leisurely walk downhill towards the picturesque Kok-Jaiyk valley. Your waiting car will seamlessly transfer you to Karakol town, providing a well-deserved rest after the invigorating trekking adventure. Reflect on the memorable journey and relish the stunning landscapes as we conclude our trek with a comfortable transition back to civilization.
The tours start upon request, please contact us. The itineraries can be adjusted individually to fit into your schedule and provide you with the best experience. Furthermore, we are happy to create tailor-made tours according to your wishes.
After having solved all the questions and programs confirming we issue an invoice for payment. You can make a bank transfer or pay upon your arrival time in Bishkek before the trip starts.
The price of the tour depends on the number of people and the season. According to the request and interest, we can negotiate the optimal price for your budget.
The altitude is high and you will cross several mountain passes. We recommend you train with sport or jogging 2-3 times a week in the run-up to your trip.
Clothing for hiking in temperatures from +20C to -0C.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST FOR TREKKING
We recommend you to travel with a soft material bag and a small day-pack. Please
bear in mind the porters will be carrying your luggage so please ensure they are of
good quality, have strong straps and secure zips.
In terms of clothes, it is all about layers as you could experience temperatures (in
celsius) that range from zero to thirty degrees. Though the weather will
usually be less extreme than this, you will find yourself adding and removing layers
a fair amount during a day, especially if you are walking. As such lots of layers are
essential and we would recommend packing a range of clothes from t-shirts, long
sleeve t-shirts, jumpers, shorts and trousers.
CLOTHING
That unzip to make shorts) for walking
Recommend ‘cortex’ as it is light and breathable, though leather is better in wet
and snowy weather. Please ensure you have ‘broken’ the boots in, new ones could cause aggravation.
We recommend you to carry in your daypack
Out walking, we recommend the following items be carried in your daypack:
Overnights during the activity tours mostly you will sleep in the portable tents. You can bring your own tents or we provide you with your request. Nights 6th will be accommodation in the guesthouse Altyn-Arashan.
We provide you with pack horses till the Altyn-Arashan. All heavy bags and all food, and tents will be carried on horseback inside the special saddlebags. All you need to take your light back bags for your things. From Arashan to the lake Alakol and further to the finish point we will take several porters to carry the tents, food, and other staff.
Water is important during trekking, we are providing boiled water or tea/coffee during breakfast, lunch, dinner, however boiling the water is limited, and it is not enough if you will need to fill up your bottles for the next day. Water can be a cause of stomach problems on a trek. On the other hand, you need to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Water in some hills is also the source of water for animals and wild animals in the higher area. Always fetch water from running streams. The faster the better. Stagnant water has a high risk of bearing pathogens, irrespective of the cold surrounding. Whereas, as fast gushing water has very low chances of bearing pathogens in it. It even has less particulate materials. You will be able to fill up water from natural springs, it’s the best as it acts as a natural filter and has very fewer chances of having particles in it. Local people same as a lot of tourists don’t have problems to drink water from the source, however, if you are not sure please bring water cleaning pills with you for the trek from your homeland. You will not be able to find water cleaning pills in Kyrgyzstan.
The basic hints for travelers.