Biking in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The mountainous region of the Tien Shan covers over 80% of the country, that with the remainder made up of valleys and basins can be called for "the Switzerland of Central Asia". Lake Issyk - Kul lake in the north-western Tian Shan is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest mountain lake in the world after Titicaca. The principal river is the Naryn, flowing west through the Fergana Valley into Uzbekistan. Bishkek in the north is the capital and largest city. The second city is the ancient town of Osh, located in the Fergana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan.

OUTLINE ITINERARY:
Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan Republic. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2. Drive to the East, to the side of Issik-Kul Lake, which is located at 1700m above see level (175km). Issyk–Kul Lake is considered to be the second large high altitude lake in the World after Titicaca Lake. The waters of the lake is slightly mineralized and do not froze winter time. Stop for lunch in Balykchy town at the shores of the lake. As an option we can spend some time after launch by the lake. A short drive brings us to a small village of Kachkor (60km). Accommodation in a private house or tents camp (1800 m). Preparing bikes for riding.

Day 3. Cycling from Kochkor village to Sary - Bulak village along asphalt road (around 40 km). Then we turn eastwards to cycle bitten off track up the valley of Kara-Kujur River (35 km). Overnight in tents, at the site of Lakol village (2600 m).

Day 4. Cycling along gentle way up to the saddle of Jalpak-Bel Pass (3350 m). From the pass we go down to the confluence of Kara-Saz and Kichi-Naryn Rivers. The day distance is around 70 km on good country road. Overnight in tents (2700 m).

Day 5. This day road goes along Kichi-Naryn Valley – tributary of one of the biggest rivers of Central Asia – Naryn. For overnight you will stay in beautiful Sary-Kungei Gorge. Lunch is at a camp site. After lunch we have an optional hiking up to Sary-Kungei Gorge. Day distance is 35 km. Good country track. Overnight in tents (2500 m).

Day 6. This day we start our way down along Kichi-Naryn River to confluence with a Naryn River, to a place called Eki-Naryn (it means Two Naryns). Than we go along Naryn River to Naryn town a former Russian and after Soviet army garrison. Distance is around 70 km. Good country and old asphalt roads. Family run accommodation in Naryn (2075 m).

Day 7. Cycling over Kyzyl-Bel Pass (2620m) towards At-Bashi village. Distance is around 65km. Old asphalt road. Overnight in tents.

Day 8. Cycling to Tash-Rabat Caravansaray (XI century). Distance is around 60km. Old asphalt and good track. Overnight in traditional Kyrgyz yurta (3050m).

Day 9. This day we will spend at leisure. We will visit the Caravansaray. As an option we can hiking to upper Tash-Rabat valley.

Day 10. This day we cycling over 2 passes: Kulak-Ashuu (3400 m) and Beurailu (3400 m). Lowest point between passes situated on 3000 m above sea level. From the top of Beurailu Pass opens nice view to the valley of Naryn River. Distance of the day is around 60km. Good country track. Overnight in tents, near the pass at a small pine tree grove (3200m).

Day 11. Cycling down to Naryn River. We cross the river at Ak-Tal village and than we start cycling up to Moldo – Too mountain ridge to confluence of Kurtka and Kol-Kaiyng Rivers (70 km). Cycling distance is around 70 km. Good track with a short difficult part at the beginning (up to 5km) and old asphalt road. Overnight in tents (2050m).

Day 12. Half day cycling to Son-Kul Lake (distance around 35 km). A view point is at the top of Moldo-Ashuu Pas (3250 m). Our camp site is on a shore of Son-kul Lake (3020 m). Song-Kul Lake is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. This lake is summer pasture for local people. Reasonably good country track. Overnight in tents (3070 m).

Day 13. This morning we cycle up to Kara-Keche Pass (3384 m). Several steep zigzags of the road will lead us from pass to the bottom of the valley, to Kara-Keche village. After cycling narrow part of the valley we take a small empty track which goes trough the fields to Chaek village. Day distance around 70 km. Zigzag downhill is moderately difficult. The rest of the way is good country track. Family run accommodation in Chaek.

Day 14. Transfer by car to Bishkek (around 250 km) through the tunnel on Too-Ashuu Pass (3586 m).Overnight in a hotel.

Day 15. Retune flight home.