Terskey Ala-too Range Tour

Terskey Ala-Too

Best season: July - September

Trekking in Terskey Ala-Too Range

Itinerary: Bishkek - Karakol - Ala-Kol Lake - Issyk-Kul Lake - Bishkek

Day 1

International flight to Bishkek. Met at the airport in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel. Rest. Afternoon city sightseeing tour in Bishkek: Philharmonic Society, Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, Handicraft Shops, Osh bazaar, Fine Arts Museum.

Day 2

Transfer to Karakol (400km, 6 hours drive). Overnight in Guest House.

Day 3

Transfer to Jety-Oguz Gorge (30km). Trek up the Valley of Flowers, trekking towards the Teleti Pass. Overnight in tents

Day 4

Continue trekking along the Teleti gorge, over the Teleti Pass (3759m). This takes approximately 4 hours. It is then another 3-4 hours descent down into the Karakol valley. Camp in the gorge over night with stunning views of the steep sided mountains lining the gorge.

Day 5 .

Trek down the Karakol Gorge to the shelter at Sirota (2800m), then branch East for about a 2 hours climb up a small tributary valley (Kurgak-Ter gorge) towards Ala-Kol Lake. Camp next to a little lake near the alpine shelter.

Day 6

Trek up to the Ala-Kol Lake. Trek from Ala-Kol Lake over the Ala-Kol pass (3860m). There are incredible views from this pass. The descent (2 hours) starts with a short steep section, but then eases as you descend into the Keldike Gorge (approximately 8 hours total trekking time). Water is available from streams along the route.

Day 7

A 3 hour trek down into the Altyn Arashan Gorge. Visit to Altyn Arashan (‘Golden Spring’) hot springs with water temperatures of 40-45° where it is possible to swim. Vehicle meets group for transfer to Karakol. Overnight in Guest House.

Days 8

Transfer to Lake Issyk-Kul (180km, 2.5 hours drive). On the way visit to pethroglyphs, an open air collection of stones with ancient inscriptions. Overnight in accommodation on the beach of Issyk-Kul Lake.

Day 9

Transfer to Bishkek (260km, 4 hours). On the way visit the Burana Tower, an architectural monument of the Great Silk Road dating back to the XII Century. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 10

Check-out. Transfer to Airport. Departure by international flight.

Price includes the following service:

Mountain Guide for trekking

Cook for trek

Porters to carry food and kitchen utensils only

Twin bedroom accommodation in the Hotels and Guest Houses as mentioned above

Meals: according to the programme

Airport transfers and transport:

Minivan for groups of up to 4 people

Minibus for groups of 5 - 10 people.

Transfers to the Gorges by Cross Country vehicle

Excursions and entrance fees

Additional services available at extra cost:

Porter service to carry personal belongings

Lunches and/or Dinners in Bishkek in restaurant – from USD 12 per person per meal

Use of swimming pool at hot spring in Altyn-Arashan Gorge – USD 4 per person

Accommodation in four or five star hotel in Bishkek – available on request, prices on request

Notes:

1.These prices are from 2 people in a group and this is the minimum number of people in a group

2. Tourists must have medical insurance policy with coverage of USD 40 000.

3. Road to Altyn-Arashan Gorge is quite hard, therefore it is necessary to use 4WD vehicle or a cross country vehicle (so called truck bus)

Altitude. If you are new to altitude you may have concerns about the effects. Don’t worry because this trekking goes in quiet manner, without big altitude difference. This altitude rarely causes anyone any problems on this trip. The best way to avoid such symptoms is to walk at a gentle steady pace and drink plenty of fluid.

Age: We have been conducting this trekking trip for people aged from 15 to 70 years old.

Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking poles, rucksack, sleeping bag, carry mat, sunglasses, sunblock creme.

Trip itinerary and service can be changed by request