Hiking & Skiing around Issyk Kul lake

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Pick-up at the airport where you are greeted by a member of the team who will drive you to your hotel in the heart of the Kyrgyz capital, where you will have breakfast. After getting to know your guide and settling the last administrative formalities, we leave for the bucolic small freeride ski resort of Ak Tash located on the foothills of the Ala Too range, visible from Bishkek. The small family resort of Ak Tash which has 2 ski lifts and a small hotel restaurant is the haunt of the rare Kyrgyz freeriders who love nature and thrills.

During the day, after reviewing the equipment, briefing on the peculiarities of Kyrgyz snow and mountain safety rules, your guide will take you on a first short ski non-groomed slopes of the small station to warm up and take the temperature of the Kyrgyz snow. You will also have the chance to borrow a unique, homemade ski lift that is sure to amuse you! A little advice, raise your spatulas well! Dinner and overnight in the small family hotel.

• After breakfast, you will be able to make your way to the Ala Archa National Park which is just down the road from the Ak-Tash Ski resort.  You will be able to enjoy a short hike in the national park and see a mix of high mountains and Tian Shan Pine trees.
• The next stop for the day will be in Chong Kemin where you will be able to unpack your bags at your guesthouse for the night. 
• After lunch, you will be able to meet your horseman and enjoy half a day on horseback in the Chong Kemin National park.
• There is countless spots to enjoy horseback riding in the Chong Kemin National Park in winter.
• After horseback riding you will share bottomless cups of tea with your hosts over dinner.

• After the last cup of tea with your hosts, you will make your way to Konorcheck Canyons for a 2-3-hour trek into the dry canyon with great views.
• The local legend is that you can see statues / people in the Konorcheck Canyons.  An additional legend, is that it was once a volcano million years ago and that’s why it’s so dry.  Winter is the best time to see Konorchek Canyons because of the contrast between the snow and red sand.
• Later in the day, you will be able to see the amazing Lake Issyk Kul with its crystal-clear water and countless snow caped peaks all around you.
• Once you arrive in Turasu valley make sure you have your camera ready for a great local experience.  Your hosts will share his traditions and techniques of hunting with Golden Eagles.
• After the sun sets you will be able to enjoy a Kyrgyz national dish with your hosts. 

• After breakfast, you will make your way to another hidden valley in Kyrgyzstan.
• The first stop of the day will be in Fairy Tale Canyon where you will be able to enjoy a 1-2-hour hike though the dry canyon.  Everyone loves this stop with the great views of Issyk Kul lake from the top of the sandy rock formations.
• The next stop for the day will be in the former Soviet Union Geophysical station in the Chong Kyzyl Suu valley.  This geophysical station is full of history from WW2 and it’s on the real Silk Road that would pass into China from Kyrgyzstan.
• To reach the geophysical station in winter you will have to hike 6-8 km in the snow.  It’s also possible to hike in with snowshoes.

The Kashkator gorge starts from the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu. This gorge can be visited even in winter. At the top of the valley, you can visit the glacier's lake of the peak Karabatkak. This glacier is under study of the geo-physical station. In Summer, to reach the glacier's lake, you may count around 3-4 hours hiking. In winter, the gorge offer a good way to observe the wild nature. In winter, it’s also possible to hike in with snowshoes but to get to the the lake can be hard depending on snow cover, nevertheless the track is safe (no avalanche risks). Overnight at the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu.

• Morning departure will start with a hike to meet your driver at the bottom of the Chong Kyzyzl Suu valley.
• The first stop of the day will be at the hot springs in Kyzyzl Suu where you will be able to relax after your hike to the nearby mountains.
• Lunch will be had next to the "Seven Bulls" in the Jeti Oguz valley.  It’s a great spot to see the famous red canyons and enjoy a short hike to the panoramic point. 
• The last stop for the day will be in Karakol, where you will be able to enjoy a walk through the small Soviet feeling town. 
• You can explore the vintage orthodox church and the Chinese Dungan Mosque and of course the bazar of Karakol.
• Karakol is a great spot to enjoy a coffee and to enjoy countless local dishes at cafes.

Today it’s important to get an early start because today is a packed full day of fun winter activities.
The first winter activity is skiing at the Karakol Ski base.  The ski base has 4 lifts and the top of the ski lift offers a great view of the whole area.
Lunch will be had at the ski resort with your guide and driver.  
At ~3:00 pm you will make your way from the ski resort to the north side of Lake Issyk Kul where you will be able to enjoy hot springs.
After the hot springs, you will be greeted by your hosts in the village of Tamchy and share dinner together with the family of the guesthouse.

• After breakfast, enjoy a short swim or walk down to Issyk Kul Lake before you make your way back to Bishkek. 

In the village of Tamchy it’s possible to meet with local masters that are making handicrafts and special Kyrgyz slippers that are great gifts for your friends back home.
The first stop of the day will be at the historical Burana tower where you can see the ancient city of the Balasagun.  It’s a great stop to see a bit of the Silk Road History.
The next stop will be in Bishkek where you will be able to enjoy a walk thought the city and see a few of the hidden bazars and buy possible gifts for friends back home. 
Tonight, you will be able to have a farewell dinner with your guide and driver before you take a rest at your guesthouse in Bishkek.

Options : rafting in Chuy or Chong Kemin river; hiking in the Konorchek canyon, visit of the Chong Kemin valley; baths in hot water springs of Issyk Ata.

Depending on your flight time, your guide will join you to the airport and help you check in for your flight.  If your flight is later in the day your guide will show you more places in Bishkek before your flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and we hope you come back again to explore other counties in Central Asia with us.