Activities & ToursTours by local professionalsTrekking & Horseback riding in Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve, Ref.: AKG0001

ACTIVITY

Trekking & Horseback riding in Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve

SERVICE PROVIDER

Adilet is a mountain guide, who has been guiding tourists in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for 5 years. He has an extensive experience in trekking, hiking and horseback riding.

Besides, Adilet represents “The Mountain Lake Karakamysh” public association, named after mountainous lake Kara-Kamysh, located next to the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve (or Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve). The association was created in order to develop and promote adventure tourism in the region of Lake Sary-Chelek. Furthermore, the association is trying to draw attention of the youth to the issues of environmental protection.

LOCATION

The area of the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve is a very important component of the West Tian-Shan ecosystem and its unique biodiversity is of a global importance. It is situated in Arkyt valley (in Chatkal mountains), 500 km from Bishkek and 300 km from Osh.

The Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve was created in 1959 and 20 years later UNESCO included it in the international network of biosphere reserves. The uniqueness of the biome consists in the combination of walnut forests, coniferous forests, mountain lakes (including Lake Sary-Chelek), rapid mountain rivers, waterfalls and alpine landscapes (lying at 1200-4274 meters of altitude). The lake Sary-Chelek lies at an altitude of 1873 metres above sea level. It stretches for 7.5 km, varying in width from 350 to 1500 metres. The greatest depth of the lake is 234 m.

There are more than 1000 species of plants, 160 species of birds, 34 mammal species such as deer, bear, lynx, wolf, fox, badger, porcupine … even the snow leopard) on the territory of this relatively small untouched national park.

ACTIVITY DETAILS

Adilet organizes different tourist activities within “The Mountain Lake Karakamysh” public association and offers a wide range of services:

• Tourist/mountain guide services (Kyrgyz, Russian and English-speaking guides are available)
• Horse rental and groom services
• Accommodation in a guest house
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Moreover, “The Mountain Lake Karakamysh” association organizes hiking and horseback riding tours for those who want to admire the astonishing nature of Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve. Among these tours you can find the following:

Five unforgettable days in the mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan

• Category: combined (trekking and horseback riding)
• Duration: 5 days (also you can opt for 3 or 4 days)
• Difficulty level: Medium
• Total distance: 55 km
• Best season: From May 15 to September 30
• Requirements: Trekking boots, warm and waterproof clothes, a hat, sunscreen, a sleeping bag, a tent, some horseback riding skills.
• Route: Kyzyl-Kul village – Kara-Suu lake – Kotormo pass – Sary-Chelek lake and reserve – back to Kyzyl-Kul village

Day 1: Arrival at the guest house. Dinner.

Day 2: Breakfast. You will receive a brief instruction on the tour and choose your horse. The tour starts from the Kara-Suu gorge then you will cross the river using wooden bridges. You will enjoy the views of the gorge covered with silver fir forests then you will pass by a waterfall and climb up to Kara-Suu lake (1800 m, 4 hours). Lunch and rest. Experience life on jailoo (alpine pasture). Dinner by the fire.

Day 3: Breakfast. Continue your trip to the Kotormo Pass, at 2446 m. Lunch after going down from the pass (7 km, 3 hours). After lunch trek to panorama of the5 lakes of Sary Chelek Natural reserve. Dinner and overnight in a camp (10 km, 3 hours).

Day 4: Breakfast. Walking along the shore of Lake Iri-Kul until 12:00. Dinner. Trekking through a walnut forest. The panorama of Sary-Chelek Natural Reserve. Going down from the pass to Kyzyl-Kul village. Dinner and accommodation in the guest house (20 km, 4 hours).

Day 5: Breakfast. Departure.

Tour through mountain lakes of Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve

• Category: combined (trekking and horseback riding)
• Duration: 5 days
• Difficulty level: Medium
• Best season: From May 15 to September 30
• Requirements: Trekking boots, warm and waterproof clothes, a hat, sunscreen, a sleeping bag, a tent, some horseback riding skills.
• Route: Kyzyl-Kul village – Kara-Suu lake – Makmal pass – northern Sary-Chelek lake – Ashu pass – Sary-Chelek reserve – back to Kyzyl-Kul village

 Day 1: Arrival at the guest house. Dinner.

Day 2: Breakfast. You will receive a brief instruction on the tour and choose your horse. The tour starts from the Kara-Suu gorge then you will cross the river using wooden bridges. You will enjoy the views of the gorge covered with silver fir forests then you will pass by a waterfall and climb up to Kara-Suu lake (1800 m, 4 hours). Lunch and rest. Experience life on jailoo (alpine pasture). Dinner by the fire.

Day 3: Breakfast. Continue along the river Kara-Suu, where the mountains are covered with silver fir forests. The way goes along uninhabited jailoos; stop for lunch before crossing the Makmal Pass. Crossing the Makmal Pass (2700 m) and going down to the Kozho-Ata River Valley and to the Sary-Chelek Lake. Dinner by the lake. Overnight in tents.

Day 4: Breakfast. Crossing Ashuu Pass (2600 m) surrounded by coniferous forests. Enjoy the panorama of countless ranges of the Tien Shan Mountains. Lunch on your way down from the pass. Continue the descent along the Ashuu gorge to the lake Sary-Chelek. Dinner and overnight in tents (25 km, 6 hours).

Day 5: Breakfast. Excursion to the 5 small lakes of Sary-Chelek (10 km, 2.5 hours). Admire the panoramic views of the Arkyt area. Descent to Kyzyl-Kul village. Dinner and accommodation in the guest house (20 km, 4 hours of journey).

Day 5: Breakfast. Departure.

PRICES

Please note, that the prices listed in US dollars are indicative and approximate, they will vary depending on the USD/KGS rate! The real prices indicated by the service provider are listed in Kyrgyz soms (KGS)!

NOTE: the prices for these tours are composed of the prices for separate services. For more details, please, contact the service provider.

If you need additional information, please, do not hesitate to contact the service provider using the contact form on this page!

BOOKING DETAILS

In order to book the activity, please, use the contact form on this page.  Please, do not forget to indicate your trip dates.

Remember, that your booking should be confirmed by the service provider and it does not represent a contractual relation with Central Asia Guidebook.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices are indicative and may therefore vary depending on the current KGS/USD rate, number of days/kilometres of your itinerary or time of the year and do not represent a contractual relation with CAGB. Besides, Central Asia Guidebook is not responsible for the price changes made by service providers without notice. 

You can check the actual kyrgyz currency exchange rates here or using Google services.

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