Winter

Rivers of Tien Shan

Uncover the hidden gems of Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan range with our exclusive winter tour

Duration
11 days
Travel window
Start day
1
Start month
End day
30
End month
Countries
Kyrgyzstan
Activities
Hiking
Discover the journey
Chong Kyzyl-Suu Mountain Refuge
Private field journal 11 chapters

The story

The journey

Discover Lake Issyk Kul in winter on skis or snowshoes

This program has been specially designed for nature lovers seeking adventure from autumn to spring. Hiking, discoveries, homestays, lakes, and mountains, a complete immersion in Kyrgyz life.

Route map

The route

Day by day

The journey, day by day

11 chapters

Day 01 Meeting at Bishkek's airport, visit of the capital and Burana tower, then drive to Chong Kemin National park
Day 02 Skiing or snowshoeing in Chong Kemin before heading to Karakol
Day 03 Drive and walk to Altyn Arashan valley
Day 03

Drive and walk to Altyn Arashan valley

Karakol Altyn Arashan hot water springs

Half an hour transfer by vehicle to the alpine valley of Altyn Arashan. Then walk up to the hot springs where we will spend the night (4-5 hours walking, free time, swimming in the radon source) at 2600 m altitude. Overnight and meals in a shelter's home.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Altyn Arashan valley - winter
Day 04 Hiking down to Ak-Suu, then drive to Karakol
Day 05 Drive to Chong Kyzyl-Suu valley including visit of Jeti Oguz rocks
Day 05

Drive to Chong Kyzyl-Suu valley including visit of Jeti Oguz rocks

Karakol Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station

In the morning we take the road along the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, then we assemble the Jeti Oguz valley, topped by the huge massif Oguz Bashi, which rises to over 5000 meters. Walk through the sanatorium park and around the red ocher cliffs. At noon we stop at the village of Kyzyl Suu to have our meals in a Kyrgyz family, who works at the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu. The village of Kyzyl Suu was one of the last supply sites before attacking the long way through the Tien Shan to reach China. In the afternoon, we take the mountain road and we drive into the gorge of Chong Kyzyl Suu. As you wish, we spend free time swimming in the warm waters of Jeli Suu, or for walking at the foot of majestic mountains. Installation at the shelter, part of the geo-physical station of Chong Kyzyl Suu located at 2550 m. altitude. Meals and overnight at the shelter.

Options: visit the Ethnographic Museum of Orgochor; visit the village of Pakrovka (bazaar, church, beaches); visits to archaeological sites dating from the 8th century BC; Horse ride.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station
Day 06 Exploring the Kashkator canyon
Day 06

Exploring the Kashkator canyon

Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station

After breakfast, hiking into the direction of the Archa Toer pass. 3860 m. alt. The track is easy on an ancient dirty road made by geologist. One the West side, many cliffs of the Shakiratma mount, on the East side, the relief is less rugged with high pastures. Night and dinner in the same place. (2500 m). During the summer, we can hike till the glacier's lake or into the Aïlama (Aylama, Ailama) gorge, on the foot of 4900 meters alt. peaks.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shakiratma peak in the Chong Kyzyl Suu valley 4064 meters altitude
Day 07 Visit of a falconer and transfer to Kochkor village
Day 07

Visit of a falconer and transfer to Kochkor village

Chong Kyzyl Suu meteo station Kochkor

Today we drive by the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul (warm lake). On the way, visit a fantastic place calling "Skazka". Picnic by the lake then we visit at Bokonbaeva village with a famous hunter eagle. He tells us about his interesting life. In the afternoon arrival in Kochkor. Dinner at homestay in Kochkor.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sagimbay Bokonbaeva birds of prey
Day 08 From Kochkor, transfer to Kilemche valley, and hiking to upper winter farms
Day 08

From Kochkor, transfer to Kilemche valley, and hiking to upper winter farms

Kochkor Kilemche Jailoo

This morning, you leave the Kochkor village to the Kilemche gorge. The road goes through the Kyzart pass 2665 meters altitude, then till the village of Kyzart and the entrance of the Kilemche gorge. You will hike now till the high pastures of the valley, and till winter farms. Dinner and overnight in shepherd's house.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cattle near Kochkor village
Day 09 Day hiking in the Kilemche valley
Day 09

Day hiking in the Kilemche valley

Kilemche Jailoo Kilemche Jailoo

Today, we enjoy visiting this beautiful valley, walk back and forth towards Tolok pass which marks the summit of the valley. The walk is pleasant all year round, and the contrast is even more surprising in winter. Evening meal and night at the shepherd.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horseriding in Kilemche
Day 10 Hiking down till the village of Kyzart, then drive to Bishkek
Day 10

Hiking down till the village of Kyzart, then drive to Bishkek

Kilemche Jailoo Bishkek

In the morning, we take the road to the valley of Jumgal that we go down to the small village of Aral, from there the road goes up the canyon of Kekemeren, very colorful. Lunch with a Kyrgyz family in the village of Kyzyl Oï. In the afternoon, the road goes up to the Toe Ashuu Tunnel that connects the Suusamyr Valley to the Chuy Valley. Arrival in Bishkek, installation in hotel.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

credit alpage productions nomadsland kilemche.jpg
Day 11 Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
Day 11

Transfer from Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Bishkek Manas International Airport

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. 

Manas International Airport

Further reading

More from this journey

Practical information

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Reviews of Nomad's Land

Travelers, in their own words

Published reviews of our team and service.

“One word: THANK YOU! Two fabulous weeks experiencing nomadic life up close. Bakyt, without you, the journey would not have been the same. Thank you for your kindness and energy! Thanks to Youri, our amazing driver! In short, highly recommend this agency 100%.”

Laure Facebook

“"Visit to Kyrgyzstan = Nomad’s Land" Our stay in the country boils down to this. An unforgettable experience! The whole team is very competent and responsive. The country is amazing. We did 17 days and visited incredible and untouched corners. I recommend the nights with nomadic shepherds. Magical moments!”

Yann Décaillet

“An attention and a treatment of 10. Highly recommended. Kyrgyzstan, an unforgettable experience. I will return if you do !!!”

David Suarez Garcia

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From KGS88,550.85 per traveler at 8 travelers
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