Trekking tour to Lake Sary-Chelek, southwest of Tien Shan

Arrival to the airport, meeting and transfer to a hotel in Bishkek.  At the afternoon our first excursion will be to the Ala-Archa Natural Park (40 km from Bishkek) where you´ll have an easy trek to the Ak-Sai waterfall and then return back to Bishkek.

We´ll be transferred to the Talas Valley. The road goes along the Tuya-Ashu pass and the Susamyr Valley. On the way we will have a stop to visit the historical architecture complex “Gumbez Manas” and then continue until the trek’s starting point.

You´ll spend night at a campsite in a birch grove on the bank of Urmaral River. We’ll sleep in tents.

We´ll trek towards the confluence of the Shor-Alysh and the Chiim-Tash rivers (about 15 km). The road goes along the riverbank. We will arrive to the next campsite close to lunchtime. We will take a little hike into the Valley of Urmaral River and then we´ll come back to camp for the night (2100 m).

We´ll pass the Chiim-Tash trekking. Tonight our campsite will be on the shores of two moraine lakes under the pass. (12 km, 3150 m).

We´ll go across of the Chiim-Tash pass (3,601 m), from which we´ll enjoy a fantastic view of the Karakulja Valley and the Talas range. Then we´ll descend to the valley of the Karakulja River and further trekking towards the Karakulja pass. We´ll settle in a camp at an altitude of 2850 m in a charming mountain pasture.

After crossing the Karakulja pass (3161 m) we will go down into the valley of the Kashka-Suu River. Tonight we´ll camp at the confluence of the Kashka-Suu and the Karakulja rivers at an altitude of 2150 m.

We´ll trek towards the Kashka-Suu pass. We´ll cross further the pass (3390 m) and then will descend to the valley of Kara-Suu River. On the road we may see local miners and their machines on the shores of small streams which feed the Kara-Suu river. The place was surrounded by small villages and summer houses owned by local shepherds. As this area doesn´t have roads, local people use horses. Tonight we will camp in tents near to the Kara-Suu Lake (~15 km, 2000 m).

Today we´ll have a rest day. There will be an easy trek in the Kara-Suu valley (6-7 km, 1810 m).

We´ll trek to the Kuterme Pass (2446 m). This is a steep path, rocky lakeside of one of the region’s most marvelous lakes – Lake Kara-Suu. The ascent will be along a picturesque path surrounded by Archa trees. We will see from the pass three wonderful lakes: Sary-Chelek, Karasuu and Irikel. Tonight we will camp on the shores of the lake Iri-Kel (10 km, 1950 m).

We will have a short trek to the shore of Sary-Chelek Lake (2-3 km, 1890 m). Along the way, maybe a visit to the ancient city of Uzgen. Transfer to Osh city and accommodation in the hotel.

Today we´ll have a city tour in Osh.  The Osh oriental Bazaar has remained at its original site on the bank of Ak-Buura River in town center upon the centuries. A lot of different products come to Osh Bazaar from all over Central Asia. The most particularly point of interest in Osh is Suleiman Too (holy mount), where local people regardless of age, often climb the mountain in the conviction that it brings blessing and good health. From here we transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bishkek. Hotel accommodation.