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: Karakol

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

Day 3: Jety-Oguz Gorge

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

Day 4: Teleti Gorge

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 overnight with stunning views of the steep-sided mountains lining the gorge.

Day 5: Sirota

Trek down the Karakol Gorge to the shelter at Sirota (2800m), then branch East for about a 2-hour 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: Ala-Kol Lake

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: Altyn Arashan Gorge

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

Days 8: Lake Issyk-Kul

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

Day 9: Bishkek

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: Departure

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 accommodations in the Hotels and Guest Houses as mentioned above

Meals: according to the program

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 restaurants – Please contact us for the price per person per meal

Use of swimming pool at hot spring in Altyn-Arashan Gorge – Please contact us for the price 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 a medical insurance policy.

3. Road to Altyn-Arashan Gorge is quite hard, therefore it is necessary to use a 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 a quiet manner, without a 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 fluids.

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.