Discover lost in the middle Tien Shan region. Mountrek Ecotours and his team will present the new program. With the agility of Kyrgyz horses, mountains and rivers you cross the border with China. You will meet the Kyrgyz nomadic people who surround you with its two thousand year culture. This hike horse satisfy all the desires of enthusiasts jumper between epic traditions, history of the Silk Road and fascinating landscapes.
Sary Chelek is a UNESCO bioshpere reserve, 600km from Bishkek and 340km from Osh. The name "Yellow Jar" in Kyrgyz come from the main lake of the region, and the second deepest of the country after the Issyk Kul lake. It's surrounded by other small lakes in the middle of one of the three most important walnut forest of Kyrgyzstan. The rich variety of flora and fauna is another important facet of this area.
The program start from the Arkyt village at 1300m., east-side of the main Sary Chelek lake, and will finish into the Sary Chelek valley till the Arkyt village and main entrance of the park. The level of difficulty is moderate and open for amateur or beginner, and can be adapted for horseback riding lovers. The highest point is the Makmal pass at 2655m.

Program

Day 1 Osh - Village Arkyt: Early afternoon, meeting with our guide in Osh city, then transfer by shared taxi to Arkyt village (300km). Preparation of local meal "Dimdama". After dinner we have a small musical arrangement. Overnight in homestay.

Day 2 Kara-Suu Lake: Breakfast. Setting off northwards from Arkyt village to the Kara-Suu Gorge, along the banks of the Kara-Suu River and in the middle of walnut and fir forest. The valley becomes rather narrow and the slopes are covered with a beautiful silver fir forest. Further on the track passes below a waterfall and then we climb to Kara-Suu Lake (1802m, 17 km, 4 hours). This evening, we will learn how to play the local card's game named "Durak" ("the Fool" in Kyrgyz). Overnight in tent.

Day 3 Sary Chelek Lake: Breakfast, then continue the trek along the Kara-Suu river where the slopes of the mountains are covered with silver fir forests. The stony road winds through inhabited
jailoos (mountain pastures). After lunch we cross the Makmal Pass (2550m), and descend into the Kula Taï canyon till the Sary Chelek river. After 2 km into a canyon, the landscape open on the main Sary Chelek lake. Tonight our guide will explain legends of the Sary Chelek lake. Overnight in tent. (1875m., 17km, 4-5h).

Day 4 Kechkil: After breakfast, we leave the bank of Sary Chelek lake and we cross the Ashuu Pass (2560m) where we ride through fir forests and have a panoramic view of the infinite ridges of the Tien-Shan Mountains stretching to the far horizon and beyond. During the descent from the pass we will have lunch and then continue down through the Keshkil gorge to the bottom part of Sary-Chelek Lake where we will have dinner and camp overnight in tents (25 km, 6 hours).

Day 5 Five small Lakes: In the morning excursion to the 5 small lakes of Sary-Chelek (10km, 2,5 hours) till noon. After this we will continue on through the fir and walnut forests enjoying the panoramic views on the way to Arkyt village for dinner and overnight in a homestay (20km, 4 hours).

Day 6 Arkyt - Osh: In the morning after breakfast, visit of the local zoological and geological museum, then transfer with our guide to Osh by shared taxi. Arriving at midday in Osh. (end of the program, lunch not included).

Period: from 15th of May till 30th of September

Price includes :
- Organization and logistic of tour,
- Local guide (basic English speaking) from Osh to Osh
- Transportation to Kara-Suu village and from Arkyt village by shared taxi with our guide
- Horse guide,
- Full board (from dinner D1 to breakfast D6), cooked by our guide.
- Accommodation in homestay D1 and D5,
- Rent of horses,
- Permit entry and tent permit for Sary Chelek biosphere reserve
- Musical arrangement

Price doesn’t include :
- Travel insurance,
- Cook,
- Air tickets,
- Alcohol or minerals waters.
Notes:

- This trip has been designed for experienced riders.
- During the trip, the average altitude is 2200 m.
- The weather is usually sunny but can be harsh. We strongly recommend that you have adequate equipment to deal with storm, snow, rain and hail. Nights can be chilly.
- Have repatriation insurance.
- No visa is required for citizens of USA, UE, Japon and Canada citizenship. (total of 59 countries, up to 60 days, 6 month passport validity) www.mfa.kg
- This program can be changed in cases of changes in schedule of flights, weather conditions and other unforeseen conditions.