Visit the nomads of Kyrgyzstan by bike Individually or in small groups
Accompanied by car: price: 1.290 euro p.p. min. 4 persons
Not accompanied by car, for individual cycling tour: price: 1.095 euro p.p., date on request
A three weeks tour on your own bicycle in a country not often visited by western tourists.
Meet the nomads and their culture. Sleep in yurts, the nomadic tents made of felt. Children sing their folksongs and play traditional instruments of the Kyrgyz. You watch the making of kymyz, fermented mare milk. You see traditional horseback games. En route you will visit the petroglyphs of the period of the Scythes (3. -1. Century BC).
During your bike tour there is plenty of time to enjoy the overwhelming nature. In the yurt camps on the shore you can go for a swim in the clear blue Lake Issyk Kul, in the mountains you can go for a hike, ride on horseback or pay a visit to the nomadic families, who stay in the mountain pastures in the summertime.
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation. Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains, appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
Level of difficulty: The tour leads through mountainous regions with frequent slopes and every now and then a firm climb (usually graded as 3rd level). If you ride your bike frequently, have a good physical condition and are not scared of a short climb, then this trip suits you perfectly. Because of the different activities besides biking and the regular breaks, an experienced biker can cope with this tour.
Accommodation: The tour takes you around Lake Issyk Kul, starting at the north shore. You will stay in hotels, guesthouses with local families and yurts.
Travelling in a group: We will start with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants from Bishkek. The average distance per day is 60 km. One day during this tour you will cycle 92 km on rather flat terrain. If the stretch is getting too straining we will shorten the daily stretch or we will introduce a longer rest. We prefer this approach because we do not want to focus on biking solely. Meeting Kyrgyz people, enjoying the unique nature and other activities are also part of the program. Your luggage will be transported by car and the car with the interpreter will be within reach during the whole trip.
Travelling as an individual: You can also do this trip individually. You will need to carry your own luggage. With map and tour description, you will cycle from one spot to the other. You have to bring a mobile phone and buy a Kyrgyz SIM so you can call the office of Ecotour in case assistance is needed. Arrival is expected between 4 and 6 p.m. Sometimes there will be an interpretor in a yurtcamp, travelling with other guests. This interpretor will be glad to answer your questions and give information if you want this.
Days of rest: We have planned sufficient resting days during the trip. During these days you have the opportunity to explore the countryside or the town.
Bicycle: You need to take your own bicycle along with you. Since roads are often in a bad condition we advise you to bring a good mountain bike or a strong trekking bike.
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Program
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| Day 1 |
Departure |
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| Day 2 |
Arrival, transfer to hotel, after lunch preparation of bicycles. Sightseeing. |
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| Day 3 |
By car to Bosteri at the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Stay with local family. |
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| Day 4 |
Cycle to Ananievo along the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, no ascend. 49 km asphalt road, last few km sandy road. Stay with local family. |
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| Day 5 |
To Karakol. Karakol is the biggest town on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Interesting to visit: Dungan mosque, Russian-orthodox cathedral. 92 km asphalt, slight climb. Overnight in guesthouse. |
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| Day 6 |
If you are in Karakol on a Sunday, in the morning you can visit of the famous animal market, next to Jeti-Ogus, this yurt camp is situated at 2250 m. A real climb for the first time, along a river. 20 km asphalt, then 16 km dirt road up to the beautifully situated yurt camp. |
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Days 7-8
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Leisure days in yurt camp. Possibility to hike in the woods and meadows near the camp. Beautiful red rocks, with names like "Broken Heart" and "Seven Oxen" can be seen in this area. In the village downhill a spa from Soviet time is located and still partly in use. |
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| Day 9 |
To Kichi-Jargylichak, starting with a 23 km descend to the main road, then asphalt road, total about 75 km. You now cycle on the south shore of the lake. Overnight with a local family. |
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| Day 10 |
To Manjyly, a dry semi dessert area. Overnight in a yurt. About 59 km over asphalt road. Last 2 km sandy road, total 59 km. |
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| Day 11 |
To the village of Bokonbaevo 13 km, alt. 1.600 m. asphalt road, then turn into the mountains to yurt camp Temir-Kanat, 20 km dirt road. From the village Temir-Kanat to the yurt camp is a short steep climb, you may have to walk there. |
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Days_12-13
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Leisure days in yurt camp, time to relax, hike, ride on horseback. To see horse games and maybe hear music performed by local people. |
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Day_14
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Descend to the lake, 30 km dirt road. To Ak-Say yurt camp, last 12 km through a very pretty dry gorge, total 42 km. Ak-Say is situated in a semi-desert area, not far from the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Possibility to swim, and walking in the badlands. |
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| Day_15 |
Stay in Ak-Say at the lake. |
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| Day_16 |
From Ak-Say to yurt camp Tuura-Suu at 2250m, 45 km over a difficult and stony road. |
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Day 17
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Stay in Tuura-Suu yurtcamp, possibility to hike, ride on horseback, and maybe hear the children from the nearby village sing and play their instruments. |
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Day 18
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To Kara-Talaa, a village at the lake. Cycling through a nice canyon with a bad road,30 km . Stay with local family. |
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Day 19
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To the small town of Kochkor from Kara-Talaa, 72 km bad asphalt. Stay with local family. |
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Day 20
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To Boom, 48 km along a storage lake to a pass at alt. 2.000 m, then down and back to the place you started 3 weeks ago. To Bishkek by car. |
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Day 21
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Free day in Bishkek for shopping etc. Lunch not included. Farewell dinner. |
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| Day 22 |
Departure. |
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The price includes everything from arrival at the airport till departure, except the flight, visa and alcoholic beverages.
If you book for 4 persons or more, we offer you 5% discount.
In case there are less then 4 participants for this tour, you are requested to pay an additional 150 euro p.p. to make this tour with car and interpreter.
Because of unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program. We ask for your understanding.
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique...
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Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m
characterize this route. Not all slopes are steep,
but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.
