Biking to Sonkul and Issyk-Kul

Best season:

mid June – mid September

Location: Bishkek –Suusamyr - Issyk-Kul – Son-Kul

Duration: 16 days

Highly recommended: All tourists should have medical insurance for the particular activities with a minimum coverage of USD 35 000.

This bicycle tour is a good test of endurance and it give you opportunity to combine an active part of the program with visits of interesting and beautiful places of our country. Most part of the trip takes place outside of highways, where you will be free to move. Height difference during tour from 1000m up to 3100m. Transport support is provided for the trip and distance of riding can be changed and depends on clients fit and weather conditions.

Scheme of the program

1^st Day. Bishkek

Arrival in Bishkek, meet at the airport, transfer to the hotel. City sightseeing: the Art Museum. Lunch in a local restaurant and then continue with the city tour (Ala-Too square, Victory square, etc.). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hotel.

2^nd Day. Radial biking to Oruu-Say Ski Base

After breakfast prepare the bikes and transfer to Oruu-Say Ski Base (1600m). Bike back to Bishkek. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hotel.

3^rd Day. Bishkek – Suusamyr

The first bike stage from Bishkek to Suusamyr (approx. 2025m). Tent camp at the confluence of the Karakol and Kekemeren Rivers .

4^th Day. Suusamyr – Karakol Pass

Bike along the Karakol River (approx. 2820m). Tent camp before the Karakol Pass (3452m).

5^th Day. Karakol Pass – Djumgal River.

Transfer by vehicle to Kyz Art Pass (2664m), then bike over the Chara Archa Pass (3061m) to the Djumgal River (2800m). Camp overnight in tents.

6^th Day. Djumgal River – Sonkul Lake

Bike over the Tuez Ashu Pass (3229 m) to Song Kul Lake (3021m). Overnight in Yurts. Bike approx. 50km

7^th Day. Son-Kul lake

Bike along the lake to Kokjerty River via Terskey Torpok Pass (3133m). Overnight in tents

8^th Day. Son-Kul Lake - Naryn.

Bike to Naryn along country roads. Altitudes: 1600 - 1800m. Overnight in Guest House.

9^th Day. Naryn – Kara-Kaman River.

Naryn – Naryn river – Kichi Naryn river – Sary-Kungey gorge to Kara-Kaman river. Camp overnight in tents. Bike 70km. Altitudes during the day range from 2000m to 2600m.

10^th Day. Kara-Kaman River – Jyli-Suu springs.

Bike along the Balgart river (2725m) and Jyli-Suu River (2947m) to Jyli-Suu hot springs. Camp overnight in tents. Bike distance approx. 40km.

11^th Day. Teshik-Kol Lake.

Circular bike ride or hiking to Teshik-Kol Lake (3504m), about 5km from Jyli-Suu springs. Bike to Uchemchek River (approx 3451m).

12^th Day Teshik-Kol Lake – Tamga Village

Bike along Uchemchek and Tosor Rivers via Tosor Pass (3893m) to Tamga Village. Overnight in Tamga Guest House. Bike distance approx. 50 km. Altitudes during the day range from 3900 - 2200m.

13^th Day. Tamga village

Rest day on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Overnight in Tamga Guest House.

14^th Day. Tamga Village - Bishkek.

Transfer by vehicle to Bishkek (310km). Pack bikes. Overnight in Hotel in Bishkek.

15^th Day. Bishkek

Breakfast at Hotel. Free time for last minute shopping, sightseeing etc. Overnight in Hotel.

16^th Day. Departure

Transfer to Bishkek Airport (40km, approx. 40min drive.). Departure

Accommodation in any Yurt Inn is usually 3-4 persons of the same gender in a yurt, however if the Yurt Inn is not full when the group arrives, double occupancy may be arranged at no extra cost
Prices for 4* and 5* Hotels in Bishkek are available on request

Prices 2020:

Group of 4 people = USD 1625 per person

Group of 6 people = USD 1270 per person

Single supplement: USD 125 per person per programme, available in Bishkek and Tamga only

Price includes the following service:

Twin bedroom accommodation in the hotels and guest houses mentioned above – standard rooms
Accommodation in tents
Transport:

Minibus for airport transfers and for city tour

Cross Country vehicle GAZ-66/URAL/KAMAZ (depend on the group size)

Meals: according to the programme
Personnel:

English speaking Bike Guide

Cook
All kitchen and dining utensils + gas at base camp
Excursions + entrance fées

Service available at extra cost:

Kyrgyz visa support (if required) – USD 30 per person
Kyrgyz visa (if required) – USD 70 per person
Mountain Bike rental – USD 210 per bicycle per programme. Refundable deposit – USD 500 per bike
Horseback riding in the Son-Kul Lake area - USD 20 per horse
Folklore show in Bishkek – USD 150 per group

Payment
To guarantee booking, full payment for confirmed trips should be made 21 days prior the 1st day of the trip. Border permits should paid 6 weeks prior. Different terms of payment may apply to particular trips. Failure to pay on time may result in full cancellation.

All service fees charged by banks or other financial institutions for payment processing must be paid by the sender.

Cancellations and charges
- There is no fee for changes or cancellations when made more than 21 days prior to arrival, but any actual expenses incurred relating to documents such as visa support, permits, or any other necessary official paperwork, have to be paid for by the client;

- Refunds for mountain guide services may not be available and should be discussed on a case by case basis.

There is a fee '10% of ordered services' for changes or cancellations when made 15 to 21 days prior to arrival.
There is a fee '50% of ordered services' for cancellations when made 7 to 14 days prior to arrival.
There is a fee '100% of ordered services for cancellations when made less than 7 days prior to arrival.