Tash Rabat
Trek into the past
The caravanserai of “Tash Rabat” (3200 m) is hidden in the Kara Koiun Canyon in southern Naryn, a region filled with history and culture. It was an inn and way point on the Great Silk Road between China and Central Asia. The origins of Tash Rabat are shrouded in legend, but the enigmatic structure remains. It’s a place close to the sky and far from civilization. Nearby is the crystalline Chatyr Kul Lake. The first part of this trek begins here in this alpine paradise. This long trek passes through two oblasts of Kyrgyzstan: Naryn and Issyk-Kul, and traces the Great Silk Road re-enacting the adventures of the past. You l travel through a variety of climates and collect unforgettable memories.
Duration: 30 days
Season: July – September
Border zone permit is needed for this trek
Itinerary
Departure in Tash Rabat 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.
This trek can be divided into 2 parts:
1st part: 15 days trekking from Tash Rabat to Kara Sai
2nd part: 15 days trekking from Kara Sai to Barskoon
Day 1 Transfer from Bishkek to Tash Rabat. After meeting the team and getting acquainted with the horses, we start our short ride. We camp in tents in Kara-Koiun Valley.
Day 2 We ride about 20 km from Tash Rabat Pass to Ak Sai Valley and on to Ak Tash and the beautiful Chatyr Kol Lake. Set up camp in Ak Tash Valley.
Day 3 From Ak Tash 25-35 km to the Keltebek River, then on to Ken Suu through Kok Aigyr. We camp at Ken Suu surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Day 4 From Ken Suu to Chet Ichke Suu and then crossing the Kashkara Tash River. We set up camp near the Muzdabas River. Distance: 25-35 km
Day 5 From Muzdabas, we ride 25-30 km up through Bordu to the high mountain lake of Kosh Kol (3355 m). We spend the night by the lake.
Day 6 From Kosh Kol we trek 25-30 km to Kashka Suu River. In the afternoon, we continue on to the Uzun Bulak River and Koiluu Suu. Our camp will be at the Kainar River.
Day 7 From Koiluu Suu we trek 25-30 km over the Tuz Ashuu Pass (3400 m) and on to Kundu Suu. We camp along the Kainar River.
Day 8 We spend the morning on the banks of the Kainar River taking some time to wash and clean. In the afternoon, we take a ride with no saddlebags up into the mountains and return to our camp.
Day 9 From the Kainar River we ride 25-30 km to the Balyktu River and on to the At Bashy River. We set up camp near the At Bashy River.
Day 10 From At Bashy we trek 25-30 km to the Ulan River and then cross the Ulan Pass (3791 m).
Day 11 From the Ulan Pass we trek onwards over Kok Jar Pass (3993 m), crossing the Kok Jar River. We set up camp along the Karakol River. Distance: 25-30 km.
Day 12 From the Karakol River to the At Jaioloo River. Tonight’s camp is just before the Chakyr Korum Pass. Distance: 25-30 km.
Day 13 Over the Chakyr Korum Pass (3882 m) 35 km to Joo Jurok jailoo and on to the Kara Suu River.
Day 14 We ride 25-30 km over Kara Suu Pass (4001 m) to our camp in the Tuyuk Valley.
Day 15 Ride from Tuyuk Valley to the small shepherds’ village of Kara Sai where we stay in a house with a family. Distance: 25-30 km.
Day 16 We spend the day in Kara Sai village getting acquainted with the local shepherds in the village and prepare our horses for the next stage in our journey.
Day 17 We trek 25-30 km from Kara Sai to Kyrtash Lake and set up camp there.
Day 18 From Kyrtash we ride 25-30 km through Besh Moinok Valley up to the opening of Yshtyk Canyon. We set up a base camp here.
Day 19 Today, we ride with no saddlebags up through the Yshtyk Canyon, through Baralbas Canyon to Boz Jalpak Valley and then return to our camp.
Day 20 Today, ride a total of 25-30 km heading up the Yshtyk Canyon to visit a shepherd’s hideaway for a meal and in the afternoon to our next camp in Kyrtash Valley.
Day 21 From Kyrtash we trek 25-30 km through Kara Sai River, over Ak Bel Pass and on to our camp along the Taragai River.
Day 22 We trek 25-30 km passing Ara Bel Lake through Mai Tor Valley to Jashyl Kol Lake.
Day 23 We ride 25-30 km up through Juuku Pass (3663 m) passing by a charming mountain lake. We set up camp at Chong Tash “Big Stone” in the Juuku Valley.
Day 24 Today, we ride 25-30 km, cross the Juuku River and on to the confluence of the Juuku and Kashka Suu Rivers. Here we spend time with shepherds in their yurt camp.
Day 25 We ride 25-30 km down the Juuku Valley to Jyluu Suu hot springs where we can enjoy a natural hot spring bath.
Day 26 From Jyluu Suu we ride 25-30 km through Kyzyl Sai Valley and along Bash Bulak River with stunning views of Lake Issyk-Kul. Camp at Kok Bell Pass.
Day 27 We trek 25-30 km over the Kok Bel Pass to our next camp at Ak Terek Valley.
Day 28 Today, we ride without saddlebags, cross the Ak Terek River and up to the Mongu Glacier, then loop back to our base camp at Ak Terek.
Day 29 We trek 25-30 km to the Kok Bulak River through Kindik Valley and Kichi Jargylchak River.
Day 30 On the final day of our trek we cross the Sary Bulak and Chong Jargylchak Rivers back to Barskoon where a hot bath, warm supper and a night in a private home/yurta are waiting.
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
Make history on the Silk Road !
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.