Discovering the lakes of Sary Chelek on horse
Sary Chelek is a UNESCO bioshpere reserve, 600km from Bishkek and 340km from Osh. The name "Yellow Jar" in Kyrgyz come from the main lake of the region, and the second deepest of the country after the Issyk Kul lake. It's surrounded by other small lakes in the middle of one of the three most important walnut forest of Kyrgyzstan. The rich variety of flora and fauna is another important facet of this area. The program start from the Arkyt village at 1300m., east-side of the main Sary Chelek lake, and will finish into the Sary Chelek valley till the Arkyt village and main entrance of the park. The level of difficulty is moderate and open for amateur or beginner, and can be adapted for horseback riding lovers. The highest point is the Makmal pass at 2655m.
This horse-trek satisfy all the desires of enthusiasts jumper between epic traditions, history of the Silk Road and fascinating landscapes.
6 Days • Adventure tours • Kyrgyzstan
1 people: $779
2 people: $545
3 people: $467
4 people: $415
5 people: $384
6 people: $372
Program
Osh - village Arkyt
Early afternoon, meeting with our guide in Osh city, then transfer by shared taxi to Arkyt village (300km). Preparation of local meal "Dimdama". After dinner we have a small musical arrangement. Overnight in homestay.
Horseback riding from Arkyt village to the lake Kara-Suu
After breakfast, we ride up and down the forest's nuts on east side of Arkyt village. In the afternoon, we ride up along the banks of the Kara-Suu River, in the middle of walnut and fir forest. The valley becomes rather narrow and the slopes are covered with a beautiful silver fir forest. Further on the track passes below a waterfall and then we climb to Kara-Suu Lake (1802m). Installation of the camp. Overnight in tent.
Day of riding from Kara Suu lake to Sary Chelek lake
Breakfast, then continue the trek along the Kara-Suu river where the slopes of the mountains are covered with silver fir forests. The stony road winds through inhabited jailoos (mountain pastures). After lunch we cross the Makmal Pass (2550m), and descend into the Kula Taï canyon till the Sary Chelek river. After 2 km into a canyon, the landscape open on the main Sary Chelek lake. Tonight our guide will explain legends of the Sary Chelek lake. Overnight in tent. (1875 m, 17 km, 4-5 h).
Day of riding from Sary Chelek lake to Bakaly lake
After breakfast, we leave the bank of Sary Chelek lake and we cross the Ashuu Pass (2560 m) where we ride through fir forests and have a panoramic view of the infinite ridges of the Tien-Shan mountains stretching to the far horizon and beyond. During the descent from the pass we will have lunch and then continue down through the Keshkil gorge to the bottom part of Sary-Chelek lake where we will have dinner and camp overnight in tents (25 km, 6 h).
Day of riding from Bakaly lake to Arkit village
In the morning excursion to the 5 small lakes of Sary-Chelek (10 km, 2:30 h) till noon. After this we will continue on through the fir and walnut forests enjoying the panoramic views on the way to Arkyt village for dinner and overnight in a homestay (20 km, 4 h).
Drive from Arkyt to Osh city
In the morning after breakfast, visit of the local zoological and geological museum, then transfer with our guide to Osh by shared taxi. Arriving at midday in Osh. (end of the program, lunch not included).
Very reliable and good organization! Have helped us all around to plan our road trip, big plus: very flexible people, adapt their trips to your personal requirements and works with local partners (cool if you want to learn the local culture and inhabitants). Also renting camping/trekking equipment and possible to stay the night/eat in their guesthouse (Bishkek). Highly recommend this for travelers! FYI: the guide Shamil is amazing and very funny (we did a Song Kol Horse trip with him)
Alex Johnson is a tour guide par excellence, especially for English-speaking visitors. He is very knowledable about Kyrgyzstan, considerate, flexible, and a born problem-solver. Combined with his detailed knowledge of off-the-beaten-path sights and wonders plus his many friendships with locals everywhere, a traveler cannot go wrong picking Alex as a companion. I know because we toured the mountains together for two weeks of glorious fun
On your way
Sary-Chelek reserve KG
The State Nature Reserve of Sary-Chelek was created in 1959, a biosphere located between the Chatkal and At-Oynok ridges in the Jalal-Abad region, from 1200 to 4247 meters altitude. In 1978 it was declared as a World Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
The largest lake named also Sary-Chelek is situated at 1874 meters above the sea level, with an area of 470 hectares and a depth of 234 meters.
981 species of plants are repertoried. The region is covered by one of the largest walnut forest (juglans regia), wild apple (malus spp.), pear (pyrus spp.) and an plums (prunus divaricata), fir (abies semenovii), spruce (picea schrenkiana), juniper (Juniperus sp.) and grape (Vitis silvestris) and more.
You can also observe a variety of fauna (80 species of shrubs, 38 species of animals, 157 species of birds).
To travel in this biosphere with Nomad's Land, it means you accept the rules of the reserve. With our local partner, we do our maximum to avoid leaving human traces.
Sary-Chelek lake KG
Lake Sary Chelek ( Kyrgyz - " yellow bowl " ) - a freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan. Located in the Biosphere Reserve Sary- Chelek at the junction of the chain and Chatkal Has Moynok chain in the western part of the Tien Shan massif.
The lake was formed, there are about 10,000 years in a landslide.
1878m height coastline . alt . , surface water 4.92 km ² , 7.5 km length of the lake . , a maximum width 2280m . , average width of 650m . , maximum depth of 234m . , with an average depth of 98m . in the Total group has 7 lakes.
In the lake flows numerous streams and springs. The coastline is quite complex, robust and stiff. Kojo Ata River leaves the lake .
The area of this beautiful lake is rich in flora and fauna. There are about 300 species of plants, 32 species of trees, 80 species of shrubs , 38 species of animals, 157 species of birds.
The adminstration of the reserve offers tourist activities such as: boat ride , walking and equestrian trails. Lake Sary Chelek is the heart of the reserve , it attracts local and foreign tourists .
Reserve base is located in the village of Arkit .
Since 1959, this biosphere reserve Sary Chelek is protected by UNESCO.
