T-4
Golden Ring of Tien-Shan mountains
Central Tien-Shan GRADE: Steady

Duration: 8 days
Best season: May-September
Accommodation: hotels, tents, yurts
Tour grade: vigorous
Max. altitude: 3860 m
Daily altitude gain: 500-800 m
Price: ˆ 625-700 per person (from 2-15 pax)

This eight days-long trek takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Kyrgyzstan -the world's second largest alpine lake Issyk-Kul, mountain ranges and snow capped peaks, passes, hot springs of Altyn-Arashan valley and truly amazing Ala-Kel lake located high in the mountains at the altitude of 3500 metres above sea level. The tour begins and ends with the opportunity to visit some of Kyrgyzstan's finest cultural and historical treasures.

Itinerary
Day 1
Upon arrival group will be met by guide at Manas International Airport. Usually international flights arrive in early morning and leave enough time for a long transfer to Karakol town 400 km from the airport. Road goes along and over chains of snow-covered mountains making this transfer an exciting journey. After lunch in a cafe road goes along the shore of beautiful Issyk-Kul lake called the pearl of Tien-Shan. This second largest alpine lake in the world wrapped with snow capped peaks of 5000 meters high will stay in your best memories forever. Upon arrival in Karakol town you will be accommodated in a private guesthouse or small hotel and offered delicious home made dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast short drive to picturesque Jety-Oguz valley by exciting mountain road winding through fur tree forest and between stunning rocks along rushing waters of Jety-Oguz river. This road requires an advanced vehicle so we will use a Russian army truck. Jety-Oguz valley is famous with it's natural tourist's spots such us "Broken heart of the young beauty"-a clay cliff which has the appearance of broken heart and seven oxen cliff. Also here you will hear a nice fairy tail that tells how the cliffs become to be broken heart and oxen. Next stage is trek up the Telety valley through fur tree forest. Lunch on the bank of the mountain river. After lunch continue trek by the valley floor to Telety pass foothills. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 3
Trek over Telety pass (3800 m) with a fascinating view of highest peaks of Terskey-Ala-Too. Lunch upon descent from the pass. Trek down to Karakol valley trough fur tree forest. It is a nice wooded canyon ending with a gorgeous peak Karakol (5218 m). Dinner around fire. Overnight in tents near the Karakol river.

Day 4
Hike to the upper grounds of Karakol valley where is small turquoise lake with Karakol peak on background make this spot very picturesque. Hike back to the camp and have lunch. Trek down the Karakol valley floor to the beginning of Ala-Kel valley. Trek up the Ala-Kel valley to "Sirota" camping site. "Sirota" is Russian for orphan. It was created some 15-20 years ago by enthusiastic Soviet trekkers and stills gives a home to travelers. Dinner around fire. Overnight in tents.

Day 5
Trek up to Ala-Kel lake passing a nice cascade of small waterfalls. Ala-Kel lake has one of the most beautiful landscapes of Terskey-Ala-Too. It sits at the altitude of 3532 meters above sea level. Being 2,3 km long and 700 meters across, it takes waters from a melting glacier and turns to a nice waterfall on the other end. Trek over Ala-Kel pass (3860 m) with a great panoramic view of snow capped peaks of Tien-Shan and Ala-Kel lake. Lunch behind the pass. Short trek down of Kel-Dike valley and camp on the nice, green meadow. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 6
3 hours trek down the Kel-Dike valley to Altyn-Arashan valley. "Altyn-Arashan" is Kyrgyz for "golden springs" and famous with it's natural curative Sulfur hot springs. Before lunch guests may take hot baths in springs. Final dinner around fire. Overnight in tents.

Day 7
Meet vehicle. Drive to Karakol town by very spectacular mountain road. Switching vehicle to comfortable aircon bus. Long day drive to Bishkek with a possible stop for swimming in the lake Issyk-Kul. The lake is slightly salty but there are 5 times less salt then in ocean water. This plus warm water makes the lake very comfortable for swimming. Lunch in a road cafe on the way. Upon arrival to Bishkek accommodation in hotel or guest house.

Day 8
Early breakfast. Transfer to airport. Seeing off.

Level of difficulty. The tour is seven days trekking on foot. Paths are generally in good shapes. Mountain passes are steep but not technically difficult. The trek is porter-assisted, so you need to carry only a day pack with some of your belongings. Average walking time is around 5-6 hours per day. Daily altitude gain is about 500-800 m. You must be reasonably fit to attempt this trek. Trekking / hiking and camping background advisable but not essential.
Reference.
You should take warm clothes, hiking boots, raincoat, sunprotective cream, hat from the sun and the sleeping suck.

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