Mountains of Heaven

Duration: 12 Days Horse Trek
Season: July-September

After enjoying Kyrgyz hospitality in the village of Barskoon the adventures in the high Kygyz mountains will begin. You will meet the challenge of the craggy peaks and travel through the deep gorges. This trek is not for the faint hearted, but you will enjoy catching glimpses of wild yaks, fording rapids and finding the treasure of emerald lakes. Not only are there gems of nature to uncover but also treasures among the Kyrgyz people. For a brief time you can become a part of the nomadic life.

Level: This trek starts from Boz-Uchuk village 130 km from Barskoon. It is a demanding trek crossing many passes and rivers. You ride through a narrow canyon before crossing the Torpu Pass on day 4. On day you will ride through the Terekti Gorge, lined with poplars, fir and juniper trees. This trek is only possible during July and September. The Sary-Jaz river floods during August making the Terekti gorge impossible to access.

Itinerary

Day 1 Drive to Karakol town and to Boz-Uchuck Village130 km from Barskoon. After lunch your first outdoor adventure will begin. On horseback through Boz-Uchuk forests. Three times you will cross the Boz-Uchuk river on horse before you climb the Boz-Uchuk Pass (3362 m). Distance: 20-25 km.
Time: 4-5 hours.

Day 2 On horseback riding through the Turgon Canyon and Kok-Kyia jailoo where shepherds usually drive their flocks to the natural pastures. You will be introduced to the real life of nomadic Kyrgyz.
Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 3 Kok-Kyia-Karakyr Pass (3822 m) and Ottuk River. From the top of the pass you can see the beautiful scenery of Tien-Shan's mountains.
Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 4 Horse riding by the Ottyk River and through a narrow canyon. You will cross Torpu Pass (3550 m) and the Koiluu river-Maisaz jailoo. Distance: 25-35 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 5 On horse through Maisaz and Kurusai Pass 3760 m and cross Taldysuu. Here, if you are lucky, you can see mountain goats and Marco Polo sheep. Distance: 30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 6 This day you will ride along the road, Kichi Taldy-Suu-Chon Taldy-Suu Valley where you will be surprised by the beauties of this valley.
Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 7 Along the way to the Saryjaz River, you will come to Engilchek village, then ride through the Terecti Gorge where you will be amazed by the beautiful scenery of poplars, fir trees junipers. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 8 Horse riding from Sarytor to Achator and to Eckichat. Distance: 25-35km.Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 9 Ekichat-Kyzyl Pass (3700 m).You will be met here by a yak herder for a photo session with yaks. Please do not try to catch a yak. Bashkol is a mountain lake surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks, like a perfect jewel in a ring.

Day 10 Bashkol- Kyzyl Pass (3700 m). Eckichat jailoo
(meadows). Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 11 Ekichat-Aiutor-Sarytor, Terecti Valley. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 12 Ride down from Terecti Valley to Engilchek Village where our horseman will meet you by car and drive you to Barskoon. Distance: 220 km.
Time: 4-5 hours. Soak in a hot water bath, enjoy supper and night in a private home.

During your horse riding trek we provide:
English speaking tour guide, cook, horseman, 3 meals a day, tents, cooking equipment, horses with all equipment, first aid.

Need to bring
Down jacket and warm sweater, warm sleeping bag, rain gears, silk blanked inside sleeping bag, 2-3 pairs of warm socks, trekking waterproof boots, gloves, sunglasses, suncream, flashlight, personal medicine, metal water bottle (0,75 litters),Term-A-Rest mats, riding chaps, micro pure (or any other water disinfections).