Genuine paradise of the Kyrgyz Mountains
Duration: 13 days Trek
Season: June and September
The Osh region is situated in the South-West of the Kyrgyz republic. The Alai Mountains are located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and can be defined as the area covered by three principal geological formations: The Alai range, The Trans-Alai range and the Alai Valley, a plateau at 2,800m located between the Alai and Trans-Alai ranges.
The Alai region is characterised by continental high mountain conditions. Summers are dry and warm with temperatures upto 32C. This is a place intended mainly for stock farming and you will see the real nomad life of the Alai people and shepherds during the trek. There is a big difference between the people of northern and southern Kyrgyzstan and their way of life.
The Alai mountains are home to unique wildlife species such as the golden eagle, snow vulture, snow leopard, wolf, Marco Polo sheep and ibex.
Level: This 10 day horse riding trek starts from Chong Karakol village 2400 meters high in the Alai mountains. This trek begins with the smooth valley fading into high altitude mountains. During your trek you will possibly face four seasons in one day. You will go through passes and canyons. The trek itself seems easy but in reality you will find yourself going through increasing challenges.
Flight Bishkek-Osh, (Flight ticket Bishkek – Osh if needed, is not included in price)1 hour flight by plane from Bishkek to Osh. Afternoon drive from the airport to the hotel in Osh. Have a rest. Take a shower and have a lunch. Around 3-4 o’clock sightseeing of Osh city and Osh market.
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan – reputedly 3000. One claim that is often heard is that Osh is “Older than Rome ”. There are several legends about the origin of the city – including claims to having been founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. Its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes that became known as the Silk Road almost guaranteed that it would become a major settlement. Osh is also mentioned in the greatest epic of the Kyrgyz People - Manas - where the wise man Oshpur was a tutor of Manas.
Itinerary
1 hour flight from Bishkek-Osh followed by a short drive to the hotel in Osh. Relax, shower and lunch. Around 3-4pm a sight-seeing tour around Osh, including the very busy market.
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan. One claim that Osh is "Older than Rome". There are several legends about the origin of the city, including claims to having been founded by either Solomon or Alexander the Great. Its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes of the Silk Road almost gauranteed that it would become a major settlement. Osh is also mentioned in the greatest Kyrgyz epic, Manas, where the wiseman Oshpur was a tutor to Manas.
Day 1. Osh to Gulcho 3 hours by car (170km). Drive over the Chiyrchyck pass (2400m). Lunch on the road. In the afternoon arrive at Chong Karakol village. Get acquainted with the horses and pack saddlebags. A short ride through Chagyr pass. Overnight in Kyzyl-Alai.
Day 2. From Kyzyl-Alai, ride through the mountains and forests of newly planted fir trees and juniper bushes and along the rivers. Overnight before the Agachart Pass.
Day 3. Your ride starts with crossing the Agachart Pass (3700m). After crossing the pass you will see amazing views of the Alai mountains. Go through the Taldyk valley to reach the Kashka-Suu river. Overnight on the riverbank.
Day 4. Riding from Kashka-Suu along the Taldyk canyon. After 2 hours riding, you will be astonished by the views of the Alai plateau, the Pamir Alai mountains and Lenin peak stretch out from East to West for nearly 100km. The width of the Pamir-Alai mountains is about 20km. You can clearly see the ranges with giant glaciers and Lenin peak.
From the paradise farm, keep riding along the north side of Alai, and go up towards the small lakes: Overnight in Balykjuugan valley
Day 5: Riding over the small pass, passing by a farm high in mountain, down to the valley near Kashka suu .Overnight in Korumduu Chukur.
Day 6: Next day your journey will continue through Korumduu valley to Sary Mogol village, have a night in a local home, enjoy sauna-hammam. You will experience mountain village life which is aimed primarily at cattle breeding.
Day 7. From Sary Mogol village, you will cross the big Kyzyl-Suu river (sometimes by bridge). Go accross the Alai plateau and come to Kyzyl Tyryk farm. Overnight with the shepherd's family on the farm or in tents.
Day 8. In the morning you will begin your trek from Turuk Tam and along a horse trail to arrive at a mountain lake which is called Tulpar Kol. Have lunch near the lake. In the afternoon, ride to the east side of the valley, then come back to the Lenin base camp (3600m). Overnight at the base camp.
Day 9. Start from the Lenin base camp. Ride up to the first camp (3600m). Here, you will leave your horses and begin the ascent on foot to close to the second camp (3700m).
The view of the mountains will give a feeling that you are among the Gods of the mountains. The height of Lenin peak is 7134m. From the second camp you will descend back to the Lenin base camp.
Day 10. From Lenin base camp you will return to Sary Mogol village from the west side of the Alai mountains. Overnight in Sary Mogol village.
Day 11. Drive back to Osh. Stay at the hotel, relax and have dinner.
Day 12. Flight back to Bishkek (1 hour)
Or by car:
Drive by car( 6-7 hours) in beautiful sceneries through Ozgen, Tash Komyr, TOKTOGUL : Overnight in B&B
Day 13: Toktogul through Chychkan canyon, Ala Bel Pass, Suusamyr and Too Ashuu Pass, Kara Balta and finally arrive to Bishkek. (6-7 hours in a very wonderful country side.)
During your horse riding trek we provide:
English speaking tour guide, cook, horseman, 3 meals a day, tents, cooking equipment, horses with all equipments, first aid.
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).
