Cycling Tour in Kyrgyzstan

Excursion to the Ala-Archa Nature Park (120 km /2 hours).

Altitude: Bishkek-900m asl; Ala-Archa – 2200m asl
Elevation difference: +1300m asl, -1300m asl
Bicycles: up to 60 km, dirt roads and partially asphalt

After breakfast in hotel, we have an excursion to Ala-Archa Gorge (40 km). This road is not so interesting for cycling, because of the constant traffic, and it is much more convenient to use a bus to reach Ala-Archa for lunch  in the Canyon.
Ala-Archa National Natural Park is located in the picturesque canyon of Ala-Archa, 40 km from Bishkek. It is a popular place for hiking, skiing and mountaineering, including trips to more than 20 glaciers. It covers an area of 200 km2 mainly forested valleys, waterfalls and rivers rich in trout. The altitude of the range varies from 1500m to the highest point 4895m, and the fauna of several rare species, especially the traditionally revered Juniper tree, is protected in the natural park. It has a very diverse fauna: mountain meadows are the habitat of wild goats, deer and marmots. Ala-arca National Park is one of the few places in the habitat of rare snow leopards.1 On the territory of the park, you can trek through the Ala-Archa Gorge along the mountain river to enjoy the views of the magnificent peaks of the Kyrgyz Alatau Ridge (Tian-shan Mountains).
Meet another bus full of bikes. Repack the bikes, prepare them for the bike and ride about 25-35 km (the distance depends on your wishes) at the foot of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountain (on a dirt road leading to the city).
Cycling back to Bishkek City. Dinner at a local restaurant/cafe. Overnight at the hotel.
(Breakfast – Hotel, Lunch -picnic, Dinner – restaurant).

Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Bishkek

Nutrition: Breakfast/Lunch/dinner

Bishkek-Bokonbayev Village (280km/4-5 hours).

Altitude: Bishkek-900m asl; Ishik-Kul-1600m asl
Elevation difference: +700m
Cycling: 80km of asphalt (old type of asphalt road).

Early breakfast at the hotel. Depart from the city at 8:00 am and go directly to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-kul. Lunch on the way.
Drive to Bokonbaev village and accommodation at the nearby yurt camp.(2-4 people in one yurt)
If necessary: Upon arrival at Bokonbaevo village, you can stay at the yurt camp, have a rest or cycle to kadjy Sai village, swim in the lake. 80 km both ways.
Lake Issyk-kul is the 2nd largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Measuring 182km in length and 58km in width. You can swim in the lake surrounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Tian-shan Mountains. A very deep, clean and warm lake for centuries has been like an oasis in this inhospitable mountain environment. The diverse flora and fauna and the surrounding environment of Lake Issy-kul are rightly considered to be one of the most prominent places in Central Asia.
Dinner and overnight in the yurt.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – on the way, dinner – yurt camp).

Accommodation: yurt camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

.Cross the Korgomdu Bulak Pass.

Elevation: Lake Isik-kul – 1600m asl; Korgomdu Bulak Pass – 2540m asl; Tent camp – 2900m asl
Elevation difference: +940m; +360m.
Cycling: 35km+ (20km extra at option)

Korgomdu Bulak Pass（2540a.s.l.Cycling and altitude 2900a.s.Sleeping in a tent at l Our bus leaves us at the camp site (Tosor Pass is sometimes not even available on 4WD trucks) and drives through the villages of Kochkor and Sary Bulak. We meet our bus at the camp side in the evening.
1. Tien Shan, one of the great mountain systems of Central Asia, is the most distant, unknown and fascinating. The expanse of endless peaks, many of which have never been explored. The unknown valley is inhabited by nomadic shepherds living in a traditional residence – Yurt. Most valleys do not have tourist facilities or even villages, and in some cases there are no roads.
Arrival to the camp and lunch. After that, you are free to stay here to relax or continue cycling. It all depends on your physical skills and how well you adapt to high altitudes.
Dinner and overnight in a tent camp at the at an altitude of 2900 meters.
(Breakfast /Pao Camp, Lunch/Tent camp, Dinner/Tent camp)

Accommodation: Tent camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/Lunch/dinner

Over the Tosor Pass.

Elevation: Tosor Pass – 3893m asl; Tent camp -3000m asl
Elevation difference: +993m, -893m.
Cycling: 58 km, dirt road and mountain road

Tosor Pass (3893a.s.l.Cycle 23km to Jely Suu hot springs and down 35km to Jely Suu hot springs. Night in a tent (about 3000a.s.l.Tonight and tomorrow I will sleep in a tent because there is no yurt camp. Just a small inconvenience for being in the middle of nowhere.
Keep in mind that it will be the most challenging day for cycling. If you do not know if you can finish the day on a bicycle, it is better to take a bus.
(Breakfast -Tent camp, Lunch -Lunch box, Dinner -Tent camp)

Accommodation: Tent camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Radial ride to Teshik Kul Lake.

Altitude: Lake Teshikkul – 3720m asl;
Elevation difference: +720m asl, -720m asl.
Hiking: 10 km, dirt road and mountain road

On this day you will hike to Lake Teshik Kul (3720 m) (10 km in both ways). The location is perfect for fishing. If you want to fish, bring a spinner and a hook.
Kyrgyzstan has about 2000 mountain lakes, most of which are at an altitude of 2500-4000 meters above sea level. Most of their lakes were formed as a result of glaciers. “Kul” means “lake” in Kyrgyzstan. The landscape of the lake is amazing.
How to return to tent camp. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – tent camp, Lunch -lunch box, Dinner – tent camp).

Accommodation: Tents

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

To the station Narin Valley.

Altitude: Tent camp – 2500m asl
Elevation difference: 500m asl
Cycling: 68 km, dirt road and mountain road (the last 30 km runs through the forest)

Our camp this night, altitude 2500a, mainly down to the station Narin Valley riding 68 kilometers.s.It will be L.
Our path passes through stunning views of heavenly mountains and vast valleys, snow-capped mountain rangers and fast mountain rivers, alpine lakes and herders living in yurt, herds of shepherds and herds of horses and cattle driving up to the mountains in spring and stunning canyons bringing them down to the valley in autumn.
The bus will escort you all day. Dinner and overnight in a tent camp.
(Breakfast -Tent camp, Lunch -Lunch box, Dinner -Tent camp)

Accommodation: Tent camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

To Son-kul Lake (250km/5 hours).

Elevation: Moldo Ashuu –3346m asl; Son-kul Lake-3016m asl
Elevation difference: +846m asl, -330m asl.
Bicycle: You will not ride a bicycle on this day.

After breakfast, start the drive to Son-kul Lake via Moldo-ashu Pass. All day on the bus with a few photos and a toilet stop, including a lunch picnic.
Son-kul is an alpine lake in the Tien Shan Mountains. The territory around Son-kul is considered the best pasture in Kyrgyzstan. The area retains all the attributes of nomadic life and is an ideal place to meet nomadic families in Yurt. Be ready to step into the life of nomads.
Arrival at Son-kul Lake and accommodation at yurt Camp. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – tent camp, Lunch – on the way, dinner – yurt camp)

Accommodation: tent camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Son-kul Lake – the town of Naryn (180 km / 3 hours).

Elevation: Son-kul Lake – 3016m asl; “33 Parrot” Pass – 3133m asl; Naryn Town – 2000m asl.
Elevation difference: +117m asl, -1133m asl.
Cycling: 70 km, dirt road and mountain road (wide dirt road)

From the lake to the main road across the mountain road Terskey Torpok (3133m asl) about 70 km, the road meandering to the asphalt part, we finish the cycling and travel further to Naryn.
Naryn is a town of long and slender shapes between high cliffs. The modern town was founded in 1868 as a Russian garrison town, and many of the current towns are post-war (Soviet architecture. Arrival in the town of Naryn and hotel accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – yurt camp, Lunch-picnic, Dinner – Hotel)

Accommodation: yurt camp.

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

The town of Narin – Tashrabat Caravan Saray (115 km / 1,5 hrs).

Altitude: Naryn–2200m asl; Tashrabat-3200m asl.
Elevation difference: +1200m asl.
Cycling: 22 km dirt road.

After breakfast we start the drive to Tashrabat Caravan Saray – 100 km. At the end of the asphalt road, we start cycling up to the yurt Camp (8 km).
Accommodation in yurt Camp.
If necessary: Upon arrival at the yurt Camp, you can cycle to the Tashrabat Caravan Saray (14 km both ways).
Tash Rabat caravanserai is a carefully restored stone building that once housed the great Silk Road inn. Its date of origin is a complete mystery; however, archaeological evidence suggests that the site was occupied in the 10th-11th centuries.
Dinner and overnight at yurt camp.
(Breakfast – yurt camp, Lunch-picnic, Dinner – yurt camp).

Accommodation: Yurt camp

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Tashrabat Caravan Saray- Bishkek City (480km/6-7 hours).

Elevation: Tashrabat – 3200m asl, Narin Town – 2000m asl, Bishkek – 900m asl.
Elevation difference: -2300m
Bicycle: You will not ride a bicycle on this day.

Today we leave Tash Rabat Caravan saray and drive to Bishkek via Naryn town and Kochkor village.
Lunch in the village of Kochkor. On the way we will visit historical monument Burana. Night arrival to Bishkek City. Dinner at a local cafe. End of the tour
Overnight at the hotel.
(Breakfast – yurt Camp, Lunch – on the way in café, Dinner – cafe).

Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Bishkek

Nutrition: Breakfast/lunch/dinner