HR-3
Itinerary: Bishkek - Karakol - Kurmenty - Kel-Sai - Sary-Bulak - Kurmenty - Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek
Duration: 9 days
Best season: June - September
Accommodation: hotels, tents, yurts
Tour grade: moderate
Max. altitude: 3800 m
Total distance: 800 km by car and 120 km on horseback

This is the possibility to feel your self a nomad and spend several days in the saddle in Ala-Too mountains. The shepperds’ horses are strong and stable. You will visit 6 various high mountain lakes on the way and will get beautiful views of Lake Issyk-Kul from the mountain picks and will see wild forests out of juniper, barberries and blue spruces. You can touch to the stones of San-Tash barrow which was layed by the worriers of Tamerlan’s army.

Itinerary
Day 1
 Bishkek - Karakol.
Arrival at Bishkek. Move to Karakol. Accommodating in a guest house.
 Bishkek
Day 2
 Karakol - Kurmenty.
Transfer to the beginning of the horse track to the village of Kurmenty (about 5-6 hours).  Horseriding tour to Kurmenty (5-6 hours). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 3
 Kurmenty.
Horse riding track to Kurmenty pass (about 3 hours). Crossing the pass (3800 m), with a beautiful high mountain lake with a trout in it. Going down as far as 2800 m (about 2 hours).
Overnight stay in the tents.


Day 4
 Kurmenty - Kel-Sai.
Horse riding track to the two mountain lakes (about 3 hours) along the gorge Kel-Sai. Overnight stay in the tents.
Day 5
 Kel-Sai.
Five hour horse riding tour to Kel-Sai lake, surrounded by the forest with lots of mushrooms. Overnight stay in the tents (2200 m).
Day 6
 Kel-Sai - Sary-Bulak.
Horse riding track to Sary-Bulak pass (about 6-7 hours). Overnight stay in the tents.
Day 7
 Sary-Bulak - Kurmenty - Cholpon-Ata.
Horse riding transfer across Sary-Bulak pass (3500 m) and going down to the village of Kurmenty (at about 5-6 hours). A majestic view at the Issyk-Kul lake opens from there, it is the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. Transfer to Cholpon-Ata. Accommodating in the house, hotel or resort.
 Issyk-Kul lake
Day 8
 Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek.
Rest at the bank of the Issyk-Kul lake. Transfer back to Bishkek after lunch. Accommodating in a hotel or a rest house.
Bishkek
Day 9
 Going back home.

Level of difficulty. This tour is for the people with the average level of training and experience in horse riding due to possible move during 5-6 hours.
Conditions.
It is necessary to bring warm clothes, hiking boots, a jacket for rain, sun protective cream, a hat for the sun, and sleeping suck.

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Kyrgyzstan travel