Taragai
By horse across the Tien-Shan mountains
This horse trek takes you across the Barskoon Gorge and Juuku River, to the Arabel and Taragai Valleys, through alpine meadows and high passes amidst majestic natural surrounding. The trek gives riders a chance to see the beauty of primordial nature: climb onto the shoulders of snow capped giants, meander through virgin forests and cool off in the crystal clear mountain lakes. Your journey takes you along the paths of the nomadic Kyrgyz who herd their animals to summer meadows, called “jailoos”, from July to September. Throughout these days you will experience different climate zones: from semi-desert to tundra and four seasons in one day. On your way you will see wild animals such as marmots, hares, foxes, eagles, vultures and if lucky a bear, a wolf, a Marco Polo sheep or even the elusive snow leopard.
Duration: 14 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 By car from Barskoon village to the Arabel Pass (3800 m). Distance: 55 km. Time: 2 hours. After lunch you will ride on horse over the Arabel Pass along the Jashyl-Kol mountain lake and then across the Suek Pass (4028 m). Distance: 15-20 km. Time: 3 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 2 You will ride along the Suek and Taragai Rivers and through the Kyzyl-Eshme Valley. In the afternoon, you will come to the Bell Pass (3714 m). Here you will enjoy open riding through beautiful high mountain valleys and pastures. Distance: 25-35 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 3 Ride from Bel Pass to the Kara-Sai River and a mountain lake where shepherds once took their cattle. Now these pastures are empty because of the present economic crisis. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 4 Kyrtash-Yshtyk Valley. Here it may be possible to see Marco Polo sheep. Distance: 35-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 5 Through Ak-Shyirak Canyon you will come to a shepherd’s home and have tea with them. Through your interpreter you can talk to them about the life of a shepherd. Distance: 35-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 6 From Kyrtash to the Kara-Sai River, with open fields to gallop and occasional roads to walk. The weather will vary from scorching sun to snow and hail. Distance: 35-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 7 From the Kara-Sai River to the Ak Bel Pass (3833 m), then to the Taragai River. Here you have again an opportunity to see mountain goats and Marco Polo sheep. Distance: 30-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 8 Ride from the Taragai River and Maitor Valley to Chokuluu Kol Lake. On the way you will meet horse shepherds and taste Kymyz (mares’ milk). From Juuku Pass (3633 m) down to the Juuku Valley. Distance: 35-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents. This pass is unique with its horse trails used by shepherds to bring their cattle to summer pastures. On the way you will see two mountain lakes called Jashyl-Kol (meaning “green lake”).
Day 9 From Juuku Valley up to Dunguromo Pass (3773 m), then down to Sary-Moinok. The trails run alongside a wild mountain river and you will cross it many times at safe fords. The steep slopes are covered with thickets of blackberry, juniper bushes and fir-trees. Distance: 30-40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 10 From Sary-Moinok to Keregetash. Along the way you will see shepherds and taste the national drink – Kymyz. A legend says that when foreigners drink Kymyz they will return to Kyrgyzstan. The wilderness of the mountains will excite you every day during this trek. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 11 From Zoo Otok to Chunkur-Kol, a beautiful mountain lake whose name means “deep lake”. At night, the stars shimmer on it as if the sky were kissing the earth. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 12 From Chunkur-Kol to Tosor Pass (3893 m). Two to three hours of riding will bring you to a yak shepherd’s yurta where you can watch them herd the hardy, woolly cattle. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 13 Across Karol-Dobo and Sarytor jailoos, Altyn-Knugoi Pass and the Tash-Kechuu River. On the way, you will meet shepherds and listen to their stories about the Kyrgyz and their beloved Ala-Too Mountains. Distance: 25 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 14 From the Tash-Kechuu River to Kok-Dobo jailoo (green hill). Revel in the beautiful mountain scenery with glaciers on the right and Lake Issyk-Kul on the left. In the evening, drive to Barskoon village by car. Soak in a hot bath, enjoy supper and fall asleep in a real bed.
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
Bernard Repond
Buchille 14
1633 Marsens
Switzerland
Mobile: +41 79 304 84 04
E-mail: repondbernard77@gmail.com
Experience the Tien-Shan mountain high !
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.