HR-2. Barskoon gorge.
Itinerary: Bishkek - Barskoon - Jashyl-Kel lake - Horse riding - Barskoon - Bishkek
Duration: 9 days
Best season: June - September
Accommodation: hotels, tents, yurts
Tour grade: moderate
Max. altitude: 3800 m
Total distance: 600 km by car and 100 km on horseback


This horseriding tour goes through the Barskoon gorge and river Juku which are situated in the southern part of lake Issyk-Kul. These places reserved their virgin beauty, untouched by civilization. You will see the true beauty of the virgin nature: snow mountains, virgin forests and mountain rivers with crystal pure water. Your itinerary will go along the passes which were used by the nomads to take the cattle to the summer pastures (jailoo).
During the whole way you will find yourself in various climate zones: from half a desert to tundra. You will see wild animals and birds on the way: marmots, hares, foxes, falkons, and if you are lucky, you will meet a bear. You will have a chance to spend a night in traditional houses of Kyrgyz people-yurts and feel yourself a nomad, getting used to their life and culture.

Itinerary
Day 1
 Bishkek.
Arrival at Bishkek. Excursion around the city. Accommodating in a hotel or a guest house.
 Bishkek
Day 2
 Bishkek - Barskoon.
Transfer to the village of Barskoon. Accommodating in a private house, supper in a Kyrgyz family.
 Barskoon
Day 3
 Barskoon - Jashyl-Kel.
Tour to the Jashyl-Kel lake, situated at an altitude of 3750 m (Region of Kumtor, 50 km-1.5 hour). Horse ride (2-3 hours). Overnight stay in a tent.
Day 4
 Horse riding.
Horse riding through the pass (3800 m over the sea level) at about 5-6 hours, crossing two mountain rivers on the way. Overnight stay tents (3200 m above the sea level).
Day 5
 Horse riding.
Horse ride for 5-6 hours. Going down the river to 2500 m over the sea level. Overnight stay in tents in the forest.
Day 6
 Horse riding.
Horse ride tour through the mountains (5-6 hours) with the view to Issyk-Kul lake and a wonderful scenery of the glaciers and a green forest. Overnight stay in the tents (3500 m above the sea level).
 Issyk-Kul lake
Day 7
 Horse riding.
Horse ride way goes through the small forest and bushes. Then crossing the river Chon-Jyrgalak. Overnight stay in tents (3200 m above the sea level).
Day 8
 Barskoon - Bishkek.
Horse ride tour to the village Barskoon. Russian banya. Coming back to Bishkek. Accommodating in a hotel or a guest house.
 Barskoon
Day 9
 Departure home.

Level of difficulty. You must have the skills of horse riding as you have to ride a horse for 5-7 hours every day.
Conditions. You must take warm clothes, special walking boots, and jackets from rain, sun protective cream, a sun protective hat and a sleeping suck.

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Kyrgyzstan travel