10-day Trek through the mountains to Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, from Bishkek

Arrival in Bishkek. We will meet you at the airport and take you you to a wonderful hotel. After a rest break we will take you on a city tour, where you can get a feel of the Kyrgyz capital and its architecture. We will stop off at the Ala-Too square with its famous view of the snow-capped peaks in the Kyrgyz Range off in the distance. We will also visit the city’s green parks, the Manas monument and much more.

Meet-up with the support team and transfer to the Shamsi Gorge, to the trekking departure point (120 km). Along the way we will visit the Burana Tower, in an area where the town of Balasaghun once stood in the middle ages, the capital of the Khanate of Karakhanid (940-1210). After lunch, we will trek through the At-Djailoo Gorge to the Shamsi Pass (approximately 2 hours). We will set up camp  in the forest, on the river’s edge (2300 m) and finish the day with an evening meal. Overnight in tents.

Early departure for a long day ahead. Trekking up through the At-Djailoo gorge to Shamsi Pass (3570 m).  Along the way we will wade across two small rivers. Lunch on the pass and afterwards continue upwards through the southern Shamsi Gorge to arrive at the borderless summer pasture (Djailoo) Sarala-Saz. On this day we have to cover  approximately 25 km. Rest break and overnight stay in tents at an altitude of 3000 m.

We begin the day by wading across the small river of Buzulgan-Suu, and then continue trekking along the mountain crest, which serves as a watershed between this small river and the Kashka-Suu river. A steep downhill trek to then cross over the Eastern Karakol River will put us very close to the camp built by our team at the gorge entrance, under the Buchuk
Pass. Rest break and overnight stay in tents.(5-6 hours, 2500 m).

Trekking along the beautiful eastern Seok Gorge over the Buchuk Pass (3400 m). The ground of the gorge is at the same level, therefore the path to the next campsite is easy. The site on the river bank of the same name is very picturesque. We will camp overnight in tents at an altitude of 2550 m.

After crossing the eastern Seok River over a wooden bridge we will begin our morning ascent up to the Kumbel Gorge. This part is easy and should not present real difficulties. After the Kumbel Pass (3550 m), a long leg of the journey through gorges in the direction south-east until the opening of the gorge at the Kyzart Pass, which separates two valleys, the Kochkor and the Djumgal. Here, in a clearing with its own spring there will be a campsite already set up, along with a guide and a cook awaiting our arrival. Pause for rest and overnight stay in tents (8-9 hours, 2550 m).

After breakfast we will begin trekking through the Kyzart Valley in the Chaar-Archa Pass (3039 m). Trekking continues in a gorge of the same name and descent through the gorge in the broad Kilemche valley. We will spend the night in tents (6 hours, 2500 m).

Ascend to the last pass, the Djangyz-Karagai (3325 m), which offers a famous view of the Son-Kul Lake. This is a fairly easy ascent followed by trekking to the campsite on the shores of the high mountain lake (3013 m). Everywhere you can see cattle grazing peacefully among nomadic yurts, all with the amazing lake as a backdrop.  The incredible landscape is surrounded off by spectacular evening sunsets. We will spend the night in tents (6-7 hours, 3020 m).

Today we depart from Son-Kul Lake and transfer to Kochkor, where we will have a traditional Kyrgyz lunch at the home of local inhabitants. Wares produced by local artisans and craftsmen are available to purchase.  After lunch we will transfer back to Bishkek (4 hours) where we will spend the night in a hotel.