"From Tien-Shan to Issik-Kul Lake"

Short Description:
3 or 6 days of trek which will offer you the opportunity to feel different  experiences and landscapes. Crossing flower covered jailoo, having outstanding views on the Tien Shan Range, seeing in real paradise for birds, approaching huge glaciers, enjoying hot springs, crossing a 4000 meters pass and relaxing in the clear water of Lake Issik Kul. In addition, you will share part of the life of the Shepherds every evening in the yurt and feel little bit like them.

Level of difficulty: Difficult (long trek and 2 difficult passes) on the other hand the tour depends on the whether (preferring not to make a trip with out information about pass “Tong” and forecast news)
Equipment:Waterproof trekking boots, raincoat, warm clothes, sleeping bag and torch…  Your luggage will be transported by horses or by car from Kochkor to Bokonbaeva directly.  
Departure place: Jer Kochku (90 km from Kochkor village).
Alternative routes: Possible to make a 3 days trek from Kara Saz Jailoo to Bokonbaeva.  (From Kochkor to Kara Saz jailoo 130 km.).
Best season: late June to end August. 

Itinerary:

Day 1. After a morning meeting in Kochkor village with the CBT Kochkor coordinator and your local guide, leave town by car for Jer Kochku village, 90km to the southwest (2.30 of driving). This first day will acclimate you with the peace flower covered jailoo. Follow the breath of the glacier in front of you and enter the Tuiuk Tor valley. Spend the night in a yurt just near the river.  Trekking time: 3 hours.

Day 2. After breakfast in the yurt, spend the morning following a river and let the glaciers behind you. Cross a first pass to arrive in a verdant valley before arriving on the balcony of the Tien Shan—the Celestial Mountains. Take a picnic looking at this wide range of beautiful snow covered peaks and follow the outstanding Moldo Peak in front of you. After a last pass, descent and finish the day on a small road to arrive in your yurt in the Kara Bulak jailoo. Trekking time: 6 hours. 

Day 3: After a good breakfast, follow a small horse trail enjoying the smell of flowers and wild onions. Cross different jailoos before descending in the Kara Saz valley (Blak Mash). This place is like a bird’s paradise. Many species stop here on the way of their migration. You will have the chance to see herons, cranes, colorful sparrows, etc. Take your time enjoing the outstanding views of the Tien Shan & look on the ground finding big feathers. Spend the night in a yurt, naturally. Trekking Time: 4.30 hours.

Day 4: During this short day, you will have to turn around the big & strenuous Ichke Tor River. Pass through flowers covered jailoos and visit some shepherds to drink a refreshing kumus (fermented mare’s milk). After crossing the river, continue to follow it till the gate of the secret valley of Ichke Tor. You will be welcome in the yurt by a young shepherd’s family which will teach you the good techniques of fishing in the river. A fresh dinner will surely wait for you. Trekking time: 5 hours.

Day 5. 1st option: After a good breakfast on early morning, spend the morning climbing the Ichke Tor  gorge  going up to the river. Let the Tien Shan Range behind you. Slowly, you will be just under huge glaciers and feel the fresh air of the altitude in this verdant valley. After 4 hours of slow ascent, you will arrive to the pass at 3650 m above sea level. Go down to the tiny Teshik Kol lake and have a picnic on the lakeshore. Continue following the river to Juluu Suu, famous for his hot springs and sanatorium. Take rest in the hot spring. You will have the opportunity to see an eagle hunting demonstration realized by your host. Spend the night in the ancient sanatorium cabin. Trekking time: 6.30 hours.

2nd options: (less difficult) Avoid Ichke-tor gorge and make a round Jyluu-Suu Mountains follow the easy horse way on the flat Kara-Saz valley.

Day 6. After breakfast, your way is going up to the North. Let the Juluu Suu valley behind you. Quickly, you will see the rocky pass (Pass “Tong”) which is waiting for you at 4016 m above sea level. 3 hours of walk later, you will arrive on the pass and see the huge Issik Kul lake 2000m down. Descend to the first shepherd’s building on the way to Bokonbaeva. Your car will pick you up in a yurt camp, just 700 near the beach. Enjoy a good swim in the lake and a good night in a peace & quiet environment before continuing your trip in Kyrgyzstan. Trekking time: 6 hours. Driving time: 1.30 hours.