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Magic lakes of Sary Chelek

Discovering the lakes of Sary Chelek on horse

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.

This horse-trek satisfy all the desires of enthusiasts jumper between epic traditions, history of the Silk Road and fascinating landscapes.

6 DaysAdventure toursKyrgyzstan

  • 1 people: $779

  • 2 people: $545

  • 3 people: $467

  • 4 people: $415

  • 5 people: $384

  • 6 people: $372

  • Starting from

    $372
    USD

    Download the program PDF

    Program

    
            Osh - Arkyt village
    Osh - village Arkyt
    Osh - Arkyt village

    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.

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    330 km
    06:00
    
            Arkyt village - Kara-Suu lake
    Horseback riding from Arkyt village to the lake Kara-Suu
    Arkyt village - Kara-Suu lake

    After breakfast, we ride up and down the forest's nuts on east side of Arkyt village. In the afternoon, we ride up along the banks of the Kara-Suu River, 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). Installation of the camp. Overnight in tent.

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    19 km
    05:00
    1400 m
    800 m
    
            Kara-Suu lake - Sary-Chelek lake
    Day of riding from Kara Suu lake to Sary Chelek lake
    Kara-Suu lake - 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. (1875 m, 17 km, 4-5 h).

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    17 km
    
            Sary-Chelek lake - Bakaly lake
    Day of riding from Sary Chelek lake to Bakaly lake
    Sary-Chelek lake - Bakaly lake

    After breakfast, we leave the bank of Sary Chelek lake and we cross the Ashuu Pass (2560 m) 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 h).

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    25 km
    06:00
    
            Bakaly lake - Arkyt village
    Day of riding from Bakaly lake to Arkit village
    Bakaly lake - Arkyt village

    In the morning excursion to the 5 small lakes of Sary-Chelek (10 km, 2:30 h) 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 (20 km, 4 h).

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    20 km
    05:00
    
            Arkyt village - Osh
    Drive from Arkyt to Osh city
    Arkyt village - 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). 

    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
    330 km
    04:00
    400 m
    600 m

    Little given to write comments, this occasion certainly deserves it. I just arrived from Kyrgyzstan just a week ago, and what was initially planned as a great trip has turned out to be an unforgettable life experience. The imposing mountains of the country, its lakes, landscapes, the kindness and simplicity of its people have greatly marked in me the most pleasant memory that I will always keep from this trip. If the context already met all the requirements to become a great adventure, the presence of our guide, Mikel, has turned the trip into an experience that will make any lived image be accompanied by a smile. What to say about the great Mikel, as a guide he is extraordinarily decisive, and there were many complications that we were given, but he was always there to propose solutions to everything that happened to us. A great lover of everything he does, and always with knowledge, an endearing person and with a great heart, he has earned the respect and affection of all of us with the naturalness that characterizes him. And of course, he always guided by good humor !!. In my particular case, I lost my luggage on the flight stopover, and with little time for presentations, he managed to get my suitcase delivered as soon as possible. If I had to undertake any other journey, of course Mikel's presence would bring great peace of mind. Thank you for making the trip unimaginable !!!

    Tuberkulina

    Nomad’s Land is an agency with a very high level of professionalism. Go there with your eyes closed and re-open them to admire the purity of the landscapes crossed. From the first emails exchanged to the taxi scheduled to return to the airport, everything is expertly managed by Fabien and his team. I chose to go to Kyrgyzstan to find skiing conditions a little different from France, I was not disappointed. The snow remains powdery for several weeks in this season. It's simple, there hasn't been a descent that hasn't happened in 5-star conditions. Gionas, our mountain guide knows these places perfectly. He always knew how to take us where it was the best of the best. But the skiing conditions almost take a back seat compared to the exchanges with the locals and the incredible landscapes in which we have been evolving for almost 15 days. Alex, our guide and steward, allows for a most immersive contact with Kyrgyz culture. The proposed program is balanced, intelligently constructed. There is something for everyone. One word, bravo !!

    Goulven Marie

    On your way

    Info

    What is included

    • All transportation in a private vehicle

    • All airport transfers

    • Accommodation as described in the program

    • Meals (3 per day)

    • Bottled water (when possible) & tea

    • English-speaking trekking guide

    • Horses with local saddles

    • Pack horses with saddle bags & horsemen

    • Camping & cooking equipment (tents, mats, gas, stove, etc)

    • All the activities listed in the program

    • Entry fees at national parks and/or border zones listed in the program

    • Entry fees at museums and historical sites listed in the program

    • Domestic flights mentioned in the program

    • A contribution to our sustainable development projects

    • Organisation of the trip & local taxes

    What is not included

    • International flights

    • International banking fees (PayPal, ...)

    • Travel & repatriation insurance

    • Visas / LOI (if applicable)

    • Alcoholic and soft drinks

    • Personal expenses

    • Personal equipment (sleeping bag, headlight, personal medication, etc)

    • Additional costs due to unexpected personal events (health, loss of luggage, ...)

    • Tips for guide & driver (always optional, always appreciated)

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    Postal address

    Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

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