14-day cycling and hiking tour through Kyrgyzstan

Arrival in the early morning and shuttle ride to our hotel in the city. First, we will sleep in until noon, enjoy a late breakfast, unpack and set up our bikes. In the afternoon, we will explore the bazaar and the center of Bishkek during a small city tour. Afterwards, we will wind down the day with a joint dinner featuring good traditional cuisine.

The first part of our journey takes place over 3 stages by bicycle through the Chui Valley from the capital Bishkek along the over 4000-meter high backdrop of the Kyrgyz mountain range into the Chon Kemin Valley. The route partly follows paved, lightly traveled roads and dirt paths. The goal of our first stage is the thermal springs in the Issyk Ata Valley (1,800 m), which is surrounded by beautiful alpine scenery. Here we will sleep in a guesthouse.

After a 10-km descent, we reach Rotfront, a settlement founded in 1927 by German immigrants as a mountain valley and still home to the largest German community in Kyrgyzstan. About an hour later stands the Burana Tower, a minaret from the 11th century. After lunch at the Burana Tower, we cycle through various villages to Orlovka, where we will spend the night in a guesthouse.

On today's cycling stage, we leave the Chui Valley and turn into the idyllic Chon Kemin Valley. With its alpine mountain landscapes, it hints at why Kyrgyzstan is also called the 'Switzerland of Central Asia.' In the early afternoon, we reach our guesthouse, where we can relax in the garden after lunch and enjoy the mountain backdrop for the rest of the afternoon.

After breakfast, we drive about 20 km to the starting point at the forestry operation. There, we load the luggage onto horses and begin our day-long hike. Impressed by the diversity of the plant world and the alpine landscape, we reach Kol Kogur Lake in the afternoon. Upon agreement, a stretch on horseback is also possible.

After breakfast, we hike to the pass (3,240 m), which we reach after about 3 hours. In clear weather, we see the Issyk Kul for the first time, the second largest mountain lake in the world. After a two-hour descent, we have lunch with a farming family and then continue by Russian-made off-road vehicles to Tamchy, a resort on the Issyk Kul.

After the hike of the last two days, we are relaxing this morning on the beach of Issyk Kul. After lunch, we will continue by vehicle to the other side of the lake to Kara Talaa, a small village on the shore of the lake (about 1.5 hours). From here, we will start biking into the hinterland of Issyk Kul on a gravel road into the picturesque Tura Suu Valley. We enjoy the view of the magnificent mountain landscape that borders the valley to the south.

After breakfast, we drive down the 2,365 m high Ala Bash Pass into the Ala Bash Valley. Time seems to have stood still in this valley. The people there live from livestock farming, and only a few travelers visit this remote side valley at Issyk Kul. By noon, we reach the salt lake Kara Köl, whose salt content allows us to float in the water. After a swimming stop, we drive about 12 kilometers to our yurt camp right by the shores of Issyk Kul.

(Note: In bad weather, the canyons are impassable. In this case, we will use an alternative route).

The stage begins impressively with a ride through the loess-shaped Kyzyl-Eschme Gorge. On a gravel road along the Tong Bay, we reach Bokonbaeva, where we pause in the garden of a guesthouse and also visit an eagle hunter. We continue relaxed along the Issyk-Kul shore to Kaji Say. Optional: Pass crossing (2,540 m), 65 km/1,300 m elevation gain. Optional extension: Pass crossing at Kaji Say (2,540 m) with 65 km/1,300 m elevation gain.

After breakfast, we use the morning for swimming and a trip to the nearby sandstone gorges. After lunch, we drive about 80 km to Kyzyl Suu, turn into the valley, and hike the last 10 km to the hot springs. There, we are greeted by a small bathing facility with simple rooms in the midst of the mountains.

Those who wish can take another bath in the hot springs in the morning. After breakfast, we start our hike to the neighboring valley of Yeti Oguz. Over nearly 20 km through meadows, forests, and past the yurts of the locals, we enjoy the views of Issyk Kul and the mountains. The hike ends at the distinctive red rock formation "Yeti Oguz," which translates to "Seven Bulls." In the afternoon, we reach our cozy lodge. With Kyrgyz cuisine, we wind down the evening.

At the end of the journey, there is still much culture to experience. In the morning, we explore Karakol with its bazaar, a Dungan mosque, and a wooden Orthodox church. A highlight is the Uyghur cuisine, especially the famous 'Aschlamfu'. Those who prefer to relax can visit the hot springs in Aksu. In the evening, we will also hear traditional Kyrgyz folklore.

During the approximately 6-hour drive along the shores of Issyk Kul and through the Chui Valley, we let the travel route of the last two weeks pass by us spatially once again. Along the way, we stop at the workshop of a yurt master. We can also lend a hand and build a yurt together. In the late afternoon, we reach Bishkek and conclude the journey with a shared dinner.

Return flight home in the early morning hours.