Jyluu-Suu

High mountain horse trekking

Make a list of everything you expect from a great trip – beautiful landscapes, exotic culture, activity, companionship – they’re all here in this horse trek though the hidden valleys and verdant meadows of the Tien-Shan mountains. The nature of our mountains is majestic; picturesque canyons, dense forests of Tien-Shan fir-trees, evergreen junipers, thickets of sea buckthorn and blackberries. The trek passes through alpine meadows with unique and untouched flora and fauna, high passes, mountain lakes and gushing mountain rivers.

Duration: 8 days
Season: June – September

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.

Unless otherwise stated, the daily riding distance is approximately 25-30 km and takes 4-5 hours, the nights are spent in tents.

Day 1 After breakfast, we will drive a short distance up the Barskoon Canyon, past the remnants of an old caravanserai. It takes some time to prepare and balance the loads for the first time, then we start to pick our way up through the forest along the Sasyk-Bulak Valley. Our only companions are lowing cattle, sheep and horses.

Day 2 This morning we have our outdoor breakfast on the greensward. The climb continues as we pick our way slowly up the valley into increasingly stony and barren surroundings. We may pass the odd lone rider.

Day 3 The valley appears to be blocked by an impenetrable wall, but the track manages to find a way up and over our first high pass – Tosor Pass (3900 m). The wide Kerege-Tash Valley with a backdrop of snow-capped mountain - all around 4000 m altitude – truly magical scenery!

Day 4 Today’s ride is easy but long. As we make our way gently downward along the wide Uch-Emchek Valley, we see the occasional yurta. We pass separate herds of yak, horses, cows, sheep and goats – all the domesticated animals are here in an anything but domestic environment.

Day 5 From campsite at Jyluu-Suu hot spring we make our way along the bank of the swiftly flowing river to a crossing point, then turn left into another broad valley. This takes us eastward (that is almost back upon ourselves), as we climb gently along the Burhan Valley following the meandering river with high peaks on each side. If ever there was a place to gallop it’s here.

Day 6 Today we continue along the same valley. Whistling marmots pop up from the rocks on every side to watch us and send their alarm call to their fellows. Every now and then we pass a lone yurta – home to a family for the summer. This evening we camp by the Kalcha River.

Day 7 We head on toward the end of the valley which continues to narrow and close around us – the snowy peaks seem to loom right overhead on both sides. Tonight – our last night in this extraordinary mountain landscape – we camp close to the lake of Jashyl-Kol (3850 m).

Day 8 A short final day’s ride is on the flat. We are close to the road now. Eventually we emerge onto a well-graded road close to the 3754 m high Barskoon Pass. In the afternoon drive back to Barskoon. Soak in a hot bath, enjoy supper and 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

Learn to live the simple life of a shepherd !

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.