Adventure
On the footsteps of great adventurers of the Silk Road
Follow the footsteps of Marco Polo along the Silk Road's most beautiful passes
- Duration
- 12 days
- Countries
- Kyrgyzstan
- Activities
- Historical Sites , Horse Riding , Wildlife Watching
- 01 Issyk Kul lake
- 02 Juku pass
- 03 Kumtor valley
- 04 Paterbashik lakes
- 05 Ishtik pass
- 06 Ishtik ancient caravanserail site
- 07 Tez canyon
- 08 Ak-Shyyrak range
The story
The journey
This new adventure will take you to a country located in the highlands of Tien Shan, forms the great barrier between China and the West.With the agility of Kyrgyz horses, you will cross mountains and rivers to meet Kyrgyz nomadic peoples with their two thousand years of culture.
Route map
The route
Day by day
The journey, day by day
12 chapters
Day 01 On the road to Issyk Kul lake
On the road to Issyk Kul lake
In the morning, we depart from Bishkek. Along the way, we visit the Burana Museum, a site housing the remains of a medieval city of Balasagun, the capital of the Karakhanid Khanate, a Turkish dynasty from the 11th century. We have lunch in the village of Tuura-Suu at Aibek's house, an experienced hunter of royal eagles. Hunting with these majestic birds is very popular in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, and Aibek shares his experiences and training techniques with us. We spend the night in a guesthouse in Tamga.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 02 Ride to the Jukku valley
Ride to the Jukku valley
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03 Horse riding to Arabel Suu high plateau by the Juku pass
Horse riding to Arabel Suu high plateau by the Juku pass
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04 Horseride to the Kumtor river bank
Horseride to the Kumtor river bank
Descending to Kumtor valley. We will see a goldmine and as well as big Ak-Shirak mountnain ridge. Overnight in a tent.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05 Horseback riding by the Ak-Bel pass to Paterbashik lakes
Horseback riding by the Ak-Bel pass to Paterbashik lakes
Kumtor valley Paterbashik lakes
Crossing Ak-Shirak (white banks) Ridge and Ak-Bel (white back) Pass. Among the traces of hunters and gold diggers we find the traces of caravans. Overnight in a tent.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06 Horseriding by the Ishtik pass to an ancient caravanserail site
Horseriding by the Ishtik pass to an ancient caravanserail site
Paterbashik lakes Ishtik ancient caravanserail site
We continue our way to the ancient caravanserai of Ishtik. We will ride over a small Ishtik (3689 m.) pass and come back to our camp. Free time in the afternoon. Sauna in the evening. Overnight in a tent.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07 Ride into the tight canyon of Tez
Ride into the tight canyon of Tez
Ishtik ancient caravanserail site Tez canyon
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08 Ride along the canyon of Utsh Koshkon
Ride along the canyon of Utsh Koshkon
Tez canyon Utch Kochkon valley
We will ride along the bank of Ak-Shirak canal and get to the canyon of Utsh Koshkon. Overnight in a tent.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09 Horse riding to Ak-Shyyrak hamlet
Horse riding to Ak-Shyyrak hamlet
Utch Kochkon valley Ak-Shyyrak
We will arrive in Ak-Shirak, a small village lost in the heart of the Tien-Shan. Visiting a yurt camp, see herdsman and yaks. Overnight in a tent. Riding: 4h
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 On the road from Ak-Syyrak village to the Taragaï river
On the road from Ak-Syyrak village to the Taragaï river
We leave our horses and set off for a place amidst the Syrty-Taragaï. Overnight in tent. Transfer: 70 km dirty road.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 From Taragaï river to Karakol
From Taragaï river to Karakol
Transfer to the Issyk-Kul Lake. Coming over Soeyeuk Pass (4021m), Barskoon Pass 3980 m.. We will stay for a night in a guesthouse. Transfer: 280km on dirty road and asphalt road.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Morning transfer to Bishkek, visit of Eagle hunter and visit of the capital
Morning transfer to Bishkek, visit of Eagle hunter and visit of the capital
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Photography
Along the way
Further reading
More from this journey
Practical information
Prepare for the journey
- All transportation in a private vehicle
- All airport transfers
- Accommodation as described in the program
- Meals (3 per day)
- Bottled water (when possible) & tea
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Horses with local saddles
- Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen
- Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)
- All the activities listed in the program
- Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program
- Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program
- Domestic flights mentioned in the program
- A contribution to our sustainable development projects
- Organisation of the trip & local taxes
- International flights
- International banking fees (PayPal, ...)
- Travel & repatriation insurance
- Visas / LOI (if applicable)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)
- Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)
- Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)
Reviews of Nomad's Land
Travelers, in their own words
Published reviews of our team and service.
Nous tenions à vous remercier pour l’organisation de notre voyage au Kirghizistan. Ce pays est magnifique avec des personnes très accueillantes. Grâce à l’énergie positive de notre guide Baktygul, nous avons pu entrer en contact avec la population locale, aidée par quelques vodka bien sûr.
Nomadsland organized a 5 days 4 nights winter tour from Bishkek to Issyk Kol lake via Chom Keming (horse riding), Jyrgalan (snow shoeing), Karakol (museums) and Bokanbaevo (fairy canyon, 7 bulls, eagle hunting), then back to Bishkek. Nikita, our guide, picked us up from the airport and drove us round the snowy roads in his excellent v8 4wd.
4 Day Hike through Archa Tor pass It’s my first trip to Kyrgyzstan! My wife and I are independent travelers and prefer the solitude of traveling without guide or porters. I found Aibek Nomad's Land online as we were on a short 5 day trip, 3 or which were full day hikes so transport to and from the exact start and end points were essential.
Private travel, made personal
Plan this private tour
Tell us your dates, group and travel preferences. Our team will shape the details with you.
Your quotation depends on dates, party size, transport, guide needs and overnight arrangements. Agree inclusions and requested changes with the team. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.