Kara Sai
Wild trek in the Tien-Shan
This trek takes experienced riders through meadows and high passes, along mountain lakes and rivers. You will enjoy open riding in beautiful mountain pastures and marvel at the views from high places overlooking Lake Issyk-Kul. Each day you will spend 5-6 hours in the saddle. Experience the nomadic life of the Kyrgyz people and share your meals with the shepherds in their high pastures.
Duration: 12 days
Season: July – September
Border zone permit is needed for this trek
Itinerary
Departure and return of the trek in Barskoon village which is situated near Lake Issyk-Kul. Distance from Bishkek to Barskoon: 350 km (5-6 hours by car). Accommodation and excellent traditional Kyrgyz food in a private home/yurta in Barskoon.
Day 1 After breakfast, you will get an early start, enjoying the fresh morning air as you ride from Barskoon to Ak-Dobo Valley. You cross the Tarylga River and ride through fir-tree forests below beautiful snow-covered mountains. Enjoy the views of wide open pastures where shepherds graze their flocks. Overnight in tents in the Kok-Bulak Valley.
Day 2 Ride form Kok-Bulak, cross the Kichi-Jargylchak River and pass through the Kindik jailoo (meadow). On the way down, you will pass through an amazingly rich tapestry of flowers and experience the breathtaking views of mountain scenery and Lake Issyk-Kul. Overnight in tents in Kok-Bel Valley.
Day 3 From Kok-Bel Pass your trek takes you to the Juuku Valley where a vehicle will meet you with fresh supplies. After lunch, you will begin to ride to the Kashka-Suu River. From this day onward the support vehicle will carry all food and gear. Overnight in tents.
Day 4 Ride a loop through the Kashka-Suu Valley, see and experience the real nomadic life of the Kyrgyz people. Cross the Kashka-Suu River several times before returning to the base of the valley. Overnight in tents.
Day 5 Today you will ride to Juuku Valley. As you are not carrying your gear, you can gallop along the flat parts. You will meet more Kyrgyz shepherds and be invited for lunch and “Kymyz” (the national drink made from mare’s milk). The impressive It-Tish Mountain looms overhead at 4808 m. Overnight in tents in the Chong-Tash Valley.
Day 6 Ride through the Juuku Valley to the Juuku Pass (3633 m). Along the way you will see two lakes called Jashyl-Kol “The Green Lakes” which are appropriately named. The trek will continue through the Arabel Valley to Jetim-Bel Pass (3993 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 7 Ride from Taragai River, over Ak-Bel Pass (3833 m) to the Kara-Sai River. Here you may see wild mountain goats and Marco Polo sheep. Then ride up to Kyrtash Lake and overnight in tents.
Day 8 Ride from Kyrtash Lake and travel up the south side of Ak-Shyirak Canyon, along the Baralbas River, around 25 km from the Chinese border. Overnight in tents.
Day 9 Today you will have an amazing ride through the Ak-Shyirak Canyon, crossing the river many times. You will stop to visit shepherds and have lunch with them. In the afternoon, you will ride to the Kara-Sai Valley and overnight in tents.
Day 10 Trek through the Kyzyl-Eshme Valley. In the afternoon, you will cross the Taragai River. Enjoy riding through beautiful mountain valleys and pastures. Set up camp by the Suek-Suu River.
Day 11 From Suek-Suu you will cross rivers and pastures to the Sary-Tor Valley. From here you have great views of the mountain range on the Chinese border in the distance. Overnight in tents.
Day 12 Today is the last day of the trek. In the morning, you ride from Sary-Tor Valley along the alpine lake of Okurgon-Kol to Suek Pass (4028 m). After lunch in the mountains, you will journey back to Barskoon in the support vehicle. Hammam at your leisure, have dinner and spend the night in a private home/yurta.
The trek includes:
Accommodation in a house/yurta upon arrival and before departure in Barskoon village, accommodation in tents during the trek, English speaking tour guide, cook, horseman, 3 meals a day, tents, horses with all equipment, cooking equipment, first aid kit and visa support.
You need to bring:
Down jacket, warm sweater, warm sleeping bag, silk sleeping bag liner, rain gear (waterproof trousers should have an opening on the outside at the bottom of the leg in order to put on and take off without removing your trekking boots), 2-3 pairs of warm socks, waterproof trekking boots, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream with high UV-protection, lip balm with UV-protection, torch, personal medicine, metal water bottle (0.75 L), Therm-A-Rest mat, riding chaps, Micropure (or any other water purification)
Please contact:
Ishembi Obolbekov
P.o. Box 2032
720000 Bishkek
Kyrgyz Republic
Mobile: +996 772 51 83 15
Phone: +996 312 43 45 32
+996 312 66 13 92
E-mail: shepherd@elcat.kg
www.kyrgyztrek.com
or
Bernard Repond
Buchille 14
1633 Marsens
Switzerland
Mobile: +41 79 304 84 04
E-mail: repondbernard77@gmail.com
Ride free like wild wind !
Shepherd’s Way Trekking reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary due to weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances. Insurance ! Photos by Jacqueline Ripart, Hermine Dreyfuss and Shepherd’s Way Trekking archives.