Geographical location. Northern Tian Shan, Zailiski Alatau ridge. The Northern Tien Shan stretches from west to east for 400 km. It is divided into two ranges - the Zailiski Alatau ("the first range behind the Ili river") and the Kungei Alatau ("bright snowy mountains facing the sun"). The Zailiski Alatau ridge is 280 km long and up to 60 km wide. Its northern slopes are located in the Southeastern part of Kazakhstan. Kungei Alatau ridge (275 km long and up to 31 km wide) is situated completely in Kyrgyzstan. The highest point of the Kungey Alatau is Chaktal peak (4771m) and of the Zailiski Alatau - Peak Talgar (5017m). All these mountain systems belong to the Chiliko-Keminski mountain complex. The highest part of the ridge is situated between the Kastek (2825m) and Amanjol (3510m) passes, in the east and west, respectively. It is about 180 km long. The largest glaciers: Korzhenevskogo, Bogatyr, Shokalskogo, Tuyk-Su, and Djangaryk.

Terskei Alatau ridge. The ridge lays to the south of Issyk-Kul lake, and is about 375 km long. In the east, it joins Kungei Alatau ridge, and then Sarydjaz ridge in the region of Semenov glacier. The highest part of the ridge is situated between the Barskaun and Turgen-Aksu gorges (valleys), the highest point is Karakol peak (5280m). The ridge stretches from Djoon-Aryk gorge to the upper part of the Tekes river and Kan-Tenir mountain massifs. Main glaciers: Kolpakovskogo, Turgen, and Ailanysh.

Climate in the region. Climate is continental. It is effected by the terrain, high-altitude zone, and the presence of Lake Issyk-Kul. Maximum average temperature in July is +18 C at 3600m. Climate of the northern coast of Issyk-Kul lake is mild, with warm winters and cool summers. Average monthly temperature on the coast in July is +16.5 C, and in August, +16.9 C. If summer is cool, the weather is mostly cloudless.

Temperature. The coldest months are January and February, with average monthly temperature from -17 C to -24 C. Temperature in the high mountain hollows is from -14 C to -17 C. The warmest month is July, with average monthly temperature from +14 C to +22 C. In July at heights of 1000 - 1500 m, temperatures may reach - 0 C. In high-altitude regions, the temperature falls by 0.6 C per 100 m.

Sunny days. The most favorable are summer months. In July, there are about 17 sunny days in the region of our safari program, and in September no more than 14. At the bottoms of deep valleys, within the tree line, the maximum number of favorable days in August and September is about 17. Nights in summer in the forest zone are relatively warm.

Winds. In Summer, in the mountains, winds are mountain-valley. Wind speed is reasonable, rising in the morning. Winds in the region of Issyk-Kul lake are the most constant - breezes blowing from the lake during the day and from the coast at night. Strong winds blow from the east from Boomsky gorge, and Santash winds - from Santash pass in the east.

Precipitation. In Summer, precipitation reaches 2200mm. At a height of 2600m, snow falls in the third week of August. When it is raining, clouds are low, and cover the peaks and passes. In July and August, precipitation reaches 90mm. Precipitation increases with height in the mountains from 433 to 633 mm per year. Max precipitation is in July. The southern slopes get 2 times less precipitation than northern ones. Precipitation rises from west to east from 119 mm to 538 mm.

Route and difficulty - no difficulties. Any healthy person can join this program. Itinerary runs along old usable dirt roads. It is a good trip for mountain bikes.

The program:

Day 1. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to hotel, accommodation in "Otrar"****. Rest. Breakfast. City sightseeing: visit to the 28 Panfilov's guardsmen memorial, Cathedral, Museum of national musical instruments, National museum, Medeo gorge, and Republic square (4 hrs.) Lunch at a local cafe. Dinner. Night in hotel.

Day 2. Breakfast. Transfer: Almaty - Issyk village - Turgen village - Turgen gorge - forest (90 km) through small villages. Preparation for biking. Start of biking: forest - Shenturgen river (22 km) Asphalt road leads from forest to Batan tract along a beautiful gorge and the clean Turgen river. Lunch on the way. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 3. Breakfast. Biking: Shenturgen river - Kishi-Turgen river - Assy river (2422m) - shepherd's farm (2590m)(30 km). Asphalt road comes to an end soon and turns to dirt, on which we easily ride. Road leaves the gorge and we are in a legendary Dzhailau (open area high in the mountains - pasture for horses, sheep and cows. Along the way, we will see yurts of shepherds, their tents, horses and sheep. Lunch. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 4. Breakfast. Biking: shepherd farm - Assy river - forester house (34 km). Road runs on top of the Assy plateau. On our right, in the South, are seen the ridges of the Kungey Alatau Mountains, the most southern ridges of the Northern Tien Shan. Ford Assy river and start ascent along the old river to the plateau. Lunch. In the afternoon, we arrive at Red Rocks. Rocks are below the forester's house. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 5. Breakfast. Biking: Forester's house - Bartogai reservoir (1155m) (25 km). After transfer (if possible) we will visit the Bartogay dam locks. This dam retains a reservoir. Water cascades more than 50m from the dam. Lunch en-route. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 6. Breakfast. Biking: Bartogai reservoir - Kokpek village - Charyn canyon (58 km). Road is asphalt again. We summit a small pass, ride through Kokpek village and come to the Syugatinskaya valley (873 m), which is called the Valley of mirages. Lunch. 13 km before Charyn Canyon, we turn onto a country road. Upon request, we can ride down to the canyon for a tour (1.5 km to the river) Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 7. Breakfast. Biking: Charyn ñanyon - Uzun-Bulak - Kuluk-Tau mountains - Bukan pass (2110 m) - Zhalauly village (46 km). Our route lies along an asphalt road, across small Assy pass (1336 m) and down to Zhalanash valley, to the bridge over the Charyn river. Ahead - the "moonscape" of Charyn canyon. Lunch. After Uzun-Bulak, riders will pass a small mountain range on foot and proceed down to the Kegen river valley. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 8. Breakfast. Biking: Zhalauly village - Kegen village (1848 m) - Karkara village - Karkara tract (59 km). Full day trip along a picturesque valley via Kegen. Excursion to a local market. After Karkara village, cross bridge over the Karkara river and view of big meadows with horses and sheep. Further, we cross the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border and via a derelict village of Kyrgyz shepherds come to Karkara. Lunch. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 9. Breakfast. Biking: Karkara - Karkara river - Zindan pass (2906m) - Kozhar river (2694m) - Zolbusay (2799m) - Dzhiak (55 km). Our route winds along picturesque Karkara gorge, among Tien Shan firs. Slowly, we make our way up Zindan pass. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 10. Breakfast. Biking: Dzhiak river - Mingtur (3714m) - descent to Sary-Dzhaz river - Ak-Chunkur cave (3105m) - Echkilitash - Ottuk river (62 km). Our route follows along a mountain area. We can see a magnificent view of the Central Tien-Shan mountains in fine weather. Upon request - excursion to the Ak-Chunkur ancient cave. Beyond the border post near the Echkiliktash river - rest near the Ottuk river. Lunch. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 11. Breakfast. Biking: Ottuk river - Chon-Ashu pass (3828m) - Turgen-Asu river (2761m) - Kok-Tobe area (60 km) Our road runs on pavement to Chon-Ashu pass. On the way, we see shepherds' camps. From the pass, the way is downhill. We see rock monuments. A tractor is placed on this monument. Lunch en-route. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 12. Breakfast. Biking: Koktobe area - Akbulek village - Novo-Voznesenovka village - Teploklyuchenka - Karakol (1690m) (64 km) Gorge widens gradually. We pass a bridge and ride along the right side of the Turgen-Aksu river. We pass some Kyrgyz villages and come to Karakol. Accommodation in hotel. Lunch - on the way. Dinner at a local cafe. Overnight.

Day 13. Breakfast. Rest day. City tour. Visit to Dungan mosque, orthodox church, bazaar, Przhevalsky museum. Free time. Lunch at a local cafe. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 14. Breakfast. Vehicle transfer: Karakol - south shore of Issyk-Kul lake - Ottul village - Balykchi village - Burana Tower - Bishkek (462 km) South shore of Issyk-Kul lake is the most picturesque and beautiful. In some places the road is 30m from lake. On the way, stop in Kadzhi-Say for swimming. Lunch - on the way. Dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 15. Breakfast. Sightseeing of Bishkek: orthodox church, National museum of History, Republic square with Lenin statue, Osh market. Lunch in cafe. After lunch, transfer Bishkek - Almaty (240 km) Accommodation in hotel "Otrar". Dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 16. Departure from Almaty.

Additional information

You can alter the duration of your tour and places of visits by adding one of the extensions. Our tour operator will work closely with you or your travel agent to carefully prepare an itinerary based on your stated interests.

Reserve tour now >>>