Magic lakes of Sary Chelek

6 Days
Horseback Riding

Kyrgyzstan

Discovering on horse lakes of Sary Chelek.

This horsetrek satisfy all the desires of enthusiasts jumper between epic traditions, history of the Silk Road and fascinating landscapes.

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.

Program

D 1 / Osh - Arkyt village

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.

D 2 / Arkyt village - Kara-Suu lake

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.

Horseback riding in Sary Chelek reserve

D 3 / Kara-Suu lake - 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).

Sary Chelek lake

D 4 / Sary-Chelek lake - 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).

D 5 / Bakaly lake - Arkyt 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).

D 6 / Arkyt village - Osh

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).

 

Map

Info

Include:
  • Organization of the stay
  • All transfers in vehicle incl. A / R airport
  • French speaking tour guide
  • Full board incl. drinking water
  • Accommodation described in the program
  • Carrying luggage during trekking and horse riding
  • Rent camping equipment (tents, mats, kitchen utensils)
  • All the visits indicated in the program
  • Entry fees at national parks or nature reserves
  • Entry fees at museums mentioned in the program
  • National or regional flights specified in the program
Non Include:
  • Insurance repatriation and CR insurance
  • International airfare and taxes
  • Alcohol or sweetened mineral water
  • Additional services not mentioned in the program
  • Staff costs and rental of personal equipment (ATV, sleeping bag, water bottle, flashlight, etc.)
  • Tips
  • Additional costs due to personal problems (health, loss of luggage, etc.)
Remarks:

Since July 27, 2012, the visa is not any more required for the persons of Swiss, EU, US, Canadian and Japanese nationalities (in total 44 new countries, for more information visit www.nomadsland.kg); passport should be with minimum of 6 months validity for period of 60 days maximum. Vaccination is not mandatory.

This is a draft program. It can be changed due to changes of flight schedules, safetely reasons, weather conditions and others imponderable or unforeseen conditions. Only our tour guide is authorized to take the necessary decisions. Prices are calculated daily and are subject to change in case of wide fluctuations in prices or exchange rates.

Though Kyrgyzstan evidenced caravans over 3000 years it is still a young developing country and infrastructure of villages is not at a very high level. Refusing hospitality might be offensive and in order to avoid misunderstanding one had better to read some guidebooks and other books about Kyrgyzstan before getting prepared to visit.

Hope to see you soon.


Nomad’s Land Team

On your way

We will help you to follow Marco Polo’s routes over the most beautiful passes of the Great Silk Road. This peculiar adventure will lead you to the land lying amidst the high Tien-Shan Mountains, a big mountain range between China and West. You will cross fast rivers and high mountains thanks to staying power of Kyrgyz horses, the most important animal for nomads from the ancient times.

HT23D6

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