Follow the footsteps of Marco Polo along the Silk Road's most beautiful passes
This new adventure will take you to a country located in the highlands of Tien Shan, forms the great barrier between China and the West.With the agility of Kyrgyz horses, you will cross mountains and rivers to meet Kyrgyz nomadic peoples with their two thousand years of culture.
On the footprints by the caravan trails
12 days with 9 days of horseback riding on high plateau of Tien Shan.
12 Days • Adventure tours • Kyrgyzstan
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10 people: $1,223
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2 people: $2,767
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3 people: $2,135
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1 people: $4,664
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4 people: $1,820
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5 people: $1,630
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6 people: $1,500
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7 people: $1,405
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8 people: $1,330
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9 people: $1,270
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5 people: $1,465
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6 people: $1,327
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7 people: $1,290
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8 people: $1,208
Program
Drive to Tamga
In the morning, we leave Bishkek. On the way, visit of the Burana Museum, a site of a medieval city of Balasagun, the capital of the Karahanid Kaganate, a Turkic dynasty of the 11 century. Drive along the southern shore of the lake. Lunch in Bokonbaevo village in Sagynbai’s House, an old hunter with golden eagles. Hunting with golden eagle is very popular in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia and Sagynbai's son will tell us about this kind of hunting and how he trains his birds of prey. Overnight in guesthouse.
Ride to the Jukku valley
After breakfast we will leave the village for Djoukkou valley. We will get to the kingdom of green mountains, red rocks, steep cliffs. Stop en route for picnic. Horseback riding to Djoukkou valley, where we will camp. Overnight in a tent. Transfer: 60km, Riding: 6h
Horse riding to Arabel Suu high plateau by the Juku pass
After leaving the camp we will ride over Juku pass (alt. 3633m). We will enjoy a wonderful view of the Arabel Suu Syrty and small glaciers of the Soek Too range. Overnight in a tent near the Chokoli lakes
Horseride to the Kumtor river bank
Descending to Kumtor valley. We will see a goldmine and as well as big Ak-Shirak mountnain ridge. Overnight in a tent.
Horseback riding by the Ak-Bel pass to Paterbashik lakes
Crossing Ak-Shirak (white banks) Ridge and Ak-Bel (white back) Pass. Among the traces of hunters and gold diggers we find the traces of caravans. Overnight in a tent.
Horseriding by the Ishtik pass to an ancient caravanserail site
We continue our way to the ancient caravanserai of Ishtik. We will ride over a small Ishtik (3689 m.) pass and come back to our camp. Free time in the afternoon. Sauna in the evening. Overnight in a tent.
Ride into the tight canyon of Tez
In the morning we will ride in the direction of the Chinese border. We will s have a wonderful view on the ridge on the border with China. Comming back to the Ishtik river and enter Tez Canyon to get to a small farm. Overnight in a tent. Riding: 5/6h
Ride along the canyon of Utsh Koshkon
We will ride along the bank of Ak-Shirak canal and get to the canyon of Utsh Koshkon. Overnight in a tent.
Horse riding to Ak-Shyyrak hamlet
We will arrive in Ak-Shirak, a small village lost in the heart of the Tien-Shan. Visiting a yurt camp, see herdsman and yaks. Overnight in a tent. Riding: 4h
On the road from Ak-Syyrak village to the Taragaï river
We leave our horses and set off for a place amidst the Syrty-Taragaï. Overnight in tent. Transfer: 70 km dirty road.
From Taragaï river to Karakol
Transfer to the Issyk-Kul Lake. Coming over Soeyeuk Pass (4021m), Barskoon Pass 3980 m.. We will stay for a night in a guesthouse. Transfer: 280km on dirty road and asphalt road.
Morning transfer to Bishkek, visit of Eagle hunter and visit of the capital.
After breakfast you will hit the road again. On the way, a stop will be at the house of an Eagle hunter. You wil be able to get to know him and his long traditions of hunting with eagles. You will have lunch on the way. Arrival in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. From 1926 to 1991 the city was known as Frunze named after the Bolshevik military leader Mihail Frunze. After the independence it was renamed Bishkek. City tour. Walk around the city. Visiting Ala-Too Square, the main square of Kyrgyzstan. Overnight in our guesthouse.
We booked a 8 day tour with Nomad's Land, with the main part of the trip a six-day trek in the mountains near Issyk-Kul lake. From the first contact with Nomad's Land they were really responsive, taking time to understand our needs and suggesting a trip that would work for us. As we were travelling quite early in the trekking season (mid-late May), the team made sure that our itinerary would be possible, making adjustments as required. Bakyt organised our trip and was really helpful all the way through the process. On arrival at the airport in Bishkek we were met by our guide Mikel and assistant guide Ivan, and were driven down to the lake by our excellent driver Shakir. The whole team were really welcoming. We spent the first night at Bel Tam Yurt camp which was lovely. Really relaxing and the food was amazing. The next day we started our trek which was incredible! We met our horseman, Ermek, and the two horses that carried all our equipment. This was really helpful so we didn't have too much to carry each day! On the first day the weather was lovely but the next morning we were greeted by a lot of snow! Because of this Mikel took the decision to change our route, which was definitely the right decision as going high in the snow might have been dangerous (and certainly very cold). The whole of the rest of the trip Mikel, Ivan and Ermek took the time to make sure what we were doing was the right thing for the weather conditions, and when we had to change plans they made sure we were consulted and agreed. The food Mikel prepared was really good, and the tents were comfortable, warm and waterproof. We had a great time in the mountains. After our trek ended we spent a day exploring the lake region, including visiting an eagle hunter and a yurt-making business, and on the final day we got to see a little of Bishkek. It was the perfect end to a great trip. Overall I would highly recommend Nomad's Land and the great service from all the team. Thank you!
It is more than a typical trip, it is an unforgettable life experience: the kindness and hospitality of the Kyrgyz people, the spectacular scenery, their peace ... and not least the company of our guide Mikel, a man of character excellence, kind, with experience in the field, able to solve any setback, with him I and my group of friends felt cared for and calm, we knew that everything would turn out well or better, and so it was.Thank you Mikel for everything and that Life takes care of you I hope that many travelers enjoy your company and your knowledge.
On your way
Ishtik ancient caravanserail site KG
This site is situated at the foot of the ancient border post of Bedel. There are traces of settlement and tombs of different centuries. There is still a dirty road to China, but it closed and guarded by Kyrgyz border patrol. In II-IV centuries AD the track through Bedel pass and southern Issyk Kul was already in regular use by caravans. Commercial use of this road stop in 1975.
Border zone permit is necessary.
Tez canyon KG
It is a small canyon in Ak-Shirak region, between the Ishtik caravanserai camp and Baralbas canyon.
Paterbashik lakes KG
The 2 endoheric Paterbashik lakes are located on a high plain north of the Borkoldoy range, where the Tez river originates. The larger one, which stretches for 2.3 km, is to the west of the road leading to Uch-Kochkon, and the other smaller 670m. is on the east side of the road.
Kumtor valley KG
The waters of the river Kumtor come from melting glaciers in the northwest of the mountain range Ak-Shirak. It loses its name as soon as it meets the river Arabel Suu and takes the new name Taragay.
Ishtik pass KG
A road pass that allows you to reach the Karasay valley to that of Baralbas. Formerly a Silk Road passed there to join the Bedel Pass on the Chinese border, and the Chinese city of Aksu.
Issyk Kul lake KG
The Issyk-Kul lake has a length of 182 km, a maximum width of 60 km and covers an area of 6,236 km². This makes it the second largest mountain lake in the world behind Lake Titicaca. Located at an altitude of 1,606 m, it reaches 668 m deep. About 118 rivers and streams flow into the lake. The largest are the Djyrgalan (Jergalan) and Tyup. It is fed by springs, including many hot springs and snowmelt, and it has no outlet. Its south side is dominated by the Tian Shan mountain range of wild beauty. The lake water is slightly saline and level down about 5 cm per year.
The Issyk-Kul lake is an important step on the Silk Road, a dirt road for travelers from the Far East to Europe. Many historians believe that the lake was the point of origin of the plague that hit Europe and Asia in the early and mid 14th. The status of the lake as a place of passage for travelers allowed the plague spread across the continents through the medieval merchants who unknowingly took away the vermin infested with them. Armenian monastery from the 14th century was found on the northeast coast of Lake retracing the steps of a medieval map used by Venetian merchants on the Silk Road.
Juku pass KG
The pass permiting to cross the Terskey Alatoo for the caravans riding from Kyzyl-Suu to Kashgar.
Ak-Shyyrak range KG
Range situated in the Central Tien Shan part.
Info
What is included
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All transportation in a private vehicle
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All airport transfers
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Accommodation as described in the program
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Meals (3 per day)
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Bottled water (when possible) & tea
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English-speaking trekking guide
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Horses with local saddles
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Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen
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Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)
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All the activities listed in the program
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Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
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Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
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Domestic flights mentioned in the program
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A contribution to our sustainable development projects
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Organisation of the trip & local taxes
What is not included
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International flights
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International banking fees (PayPal, ...)
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Travel & repatriation insurance
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Visas / LOI (if applicable)
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Alcoholic and soft drinks
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Personal expenses
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Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)
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Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)
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Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)
Ready to go?
Book your tour today.
May we help you?
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- Postal address
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Nezhinsky lane 27
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Phone number
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Ecotourism projects
Through various ecotourism projects and initiatives, Nomad's Land aims to increase awareness of ecotourism and responsible travel, for a sustainable development of the tourism sector.
Rural development in Nepal
The Nepalko Sathi association leads its actions in favor of the Sherpas of Khembalung in the Arun valley (Province of Koshi).
From Tumlingtar airport we reach by jeep the small town of Kahandbari where we are greeted by Kibutie and his family. From there, we climb to the small village of Gontala, in the heart of the actions of Nepalko Sathi (three days of walking), then we go up to Saissima, where Tendi Sherpa is rehabilitating the hamlet of his childhood. From Saissima it is possible to continue and make a loop towards Makalu and the impressive surrounding peaks (under tent).
Samuel Maret
