To Mertzbacher Lake. Variant II
15 Breakfasts,
15 Lunches,
15 Dinners Season July-August Route Bishkek-Karakol-Ala-Kul-Merzbacher Lake-Karakol- Bishkek
| Day 1 - | Arrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. |
Meeting at the airport. Then you will be transferred to the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul near Karakol, 400 km from Bishkek (via Boom gorge with its intricate rock canyons, 11th century Burana Tower and petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata). Accommodation in yurt in Turkestan Yurt Camp in the centre of Karakol.
| Day 2 - | Karakol and about. |
Begin your day with a morning sightseeing tour of Karakol, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the Orthodox Church, Oriental Bazaar, Chinese Mosque, Museum Of Arts and the Przhevalsky Memorial. Afternoon at leisure in preparation for your tour. Accommodation in yurt in Turkestan Yurt Camp.
| Day 3 - | Karakol - Sirota place. |
Today you will begin your trek from Karakol, ascending up the Karakol valley along the raging Karakol river. The mountains begin as low hills but by afternoon will have become high, rocky sky scrapers. You continue your climb to Sirota forest (meaning "orphan" thanks to its location in the middle of a barren, rocky valley) at 2,900m. Here you will find a little log hut built by a group of mountaineering enthusiasts several years ago. This is a place of spectacular beauty with an unforgettable landscape and panoramic views. Overnight camping on the banks of a little stream running down from Lake Ala-Kul high above you. Surrounded by forest, your first campsite is a peaceful place for quiet enjoyment of the mountains, with their silence, clean air and crystal-clear water.
| Day 4 - | Ala-Kul Lake. |
After breakfast you will continue your climb to the pearl of Karakol canyon - Lake Ala-Kul. This lake is famous for its eerie, ever-changing colour and for being situated at an altitude of 3500m above sea level. Such a high altitude means that Ala-Kul is relatively barren and unable to support many species of wildlife. Everybody finds the spectacle of this miracle of nature absolutely unforgettable. If you just here for the first time, we guarantee that you will fall in love with Ala-Kul and its surroundings. The color of the lake surface changes from greeny-blue to violet every hour depending on weather conditions. Lucky visitors experience good weather and see the sun set over the lake -a truly wonderful experience. Camp tonight is pitched on the lake shore.
| Day 5 - | Altyn-Arashan resort. |
Today you will cross the 3860m Ala-Kul pass, having allowed plenty of time for acclimatization. The short, flat summit makes a good vantage point for picking out Terskey Ala-Too's highest peaks: Karakol (5273m), Djigit and Oguz-Bashi Peaks. The ridge that these peaks creates runs across the horizon from west to east. After this, you will descend to the valley of Altyn-Arashan. The resort at Altyn-Arashan is famous for its Hot Sulphur Springs. Your evening is at leisure for taking a bath in this lovely spot. Overnight camping or optional guesthouse stay.
| Day 6 - | Altyn-Arashan - Echkilitash. |
Your morning is at leisure, providing ample opportunity to explore Altyn-Arashan or to bathe again in the hot springs. The afternoon brings an easy descent along the river Arashan to the village of Ak-Suu. En route you will cross one more pass at less than 2500m (almost unnoticeable by this point). This pass forms a border between the Arashan and Ak-Suu valleys. Ak-Suu also boasts hot spring baths, but since it is less remote you may find yourself competing with day-trippers for a soak. From here we carry on to Echkilitash, where borderguards will check your documents.
| Day 7 - | Tyuz valley. |
From Echkilitash you will trek towards the Central Tien-Shan's major ridges via the Tyuz Valley. The river here simply bursts with tasty fish and there will be plenty of fish dishes on the campsite menu tonight. From here, Nansen Peak, glowing pink in the sunset is easily visible and makes a spectacular evening cabaret.
| Day 8 - | Under Tyuz pass. |
Today you will reach the north foot of Tyuz Pass. Tyuz is famous for being an ideal place to encounter wild animals, including ibex and Marco Polo sheep. Tents tonight will be pitched under enormous, ancient, overhanging rocks, forming a natural roof.
| Day 9 - | Chon-Tash. |
This morning you will break camp and head for Chon-Tash (big stone) just under Inylchek Glacier. The huge rock forms a natural monument to those mountain climbers who perished whilst capturing the Central Tien-Shan's highest peaks. En route you will cross Tyuz pass at 4010m, savouring its breathtaking views of the Southern Inylchek Glacier. Camping tonight is at an altitude of 2900m.
| Day 10 - | Inylchek Glacier. |
After breakfast you will embark upon a particularly interesting trek along the Inylchek Glacier to your camp on its right moraine. From this point onwards, the Valley of Merzbacher Lake is clearly visible. The smaller Putevodny Glacier, branching away from the main glacier will be passed en route. Tonight you will strike camp on sandy, flat meadows next to a source of fresh, crystal clear water. Overnight altitude is at 3000m.
| Day 11 - | Merzbacher meadow. |
Another chance to explore Inylchek Glacier en route to grass-covered Merzbacher Meadow, just opposite Merzbacher Lake. Camping tonight is at 3400m, surrounded by glaciers, ice-falls, and grassy meadows. Fall asleep to the sound of avalanches rumbling in the distance.
| Day 12 - | Merzbacher Lake. |
After breakfast, we will traverse 7km-wide Inylchek Glacier to iceberg-filled Merzbacher Lake. Lunch on the lake's indented coastline. Afternoon hike back to the campsite with the rest of the day at leisure for relaxation.
| Day 13 - | Merzbacher meadow - Panorama peak. |
Today, visitors can choose activities from a variety of options. At 4,500m, Panorama Summit is tempting for climbers and for those who wish to experience the best possible views of the valley. For hikers there are plenty of possibilities to explore the neighbouring branch of Inylchek glacier - Shokalsky glacier.
| Day 14 - | Merzbacher Lake - Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks - Inylchek Base. |
This morning you will be met by helicopter and taken on a spectacular flightseeing tour over Inylchek Glacier and along the wild Kokshaal-Too and Tengri-Tag ridges. Views from the helicopter of Khan-Tengri (6995m) and Pobeda (7439m) peaks are absolutely unforgettable. Return to Karkara helipad . Transfer Karkara valley - Karakol. Accommodation in Yurt Camp Turkestan. Dinner.
| Day 15 - | Karakol - Issyk-Kul lake - Bishkek. |
Today you will be driven along Issyk-Kul's southern shores to Bishkek, completing your circumnavigation of the second largest alpine lake in the world. On the lake shore you will make a stop to swim in the emerald water, to lie on the sunny beach, to relax. Then you will be transferred to the Hotel Issyk-Kul for your last night in Kyrgyzstan. This evening is at leisure for your own exploration of Bishkek's nightlife.
| Day 16 - | Bishkek - Depart for home. |
Today you fly home, taking with you many happy memories of your adventures in the Tien-Shan's Lakes and Valleys.
| Group of: | Price per person: |
| 2 | Please ask |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 8 | |
| 10 |
This itinerary can be recosted to suit your specific requirements.
Additional group sizes available.
Tour includes
• meeting at the airport
• transfer Bishkek -Burana tower - petroglyphs -Karakol
• entrance fees to Burana tower and petroglyphs
• accommodation in Yurt Camp Turkestan (3 nights)
• city tour in Karakol + entrance fees
• transfer Karakol town - Karakol valley (by army-jeep 6WD)
• entrance fees to national park Karakol
• guide (days 3-14)
• interpreter (days 1-16)
• cook (days 3-14)
• porters (days 3-14), every porter carries 15 kg of useful luggage
• Rent of tents and sleeping mats
• Rent of gas cylinders
• Rent of gas stove
• Rent of kitchen utensils
• Transfer Ak-Suu village- Echkilitash (by army-jeep 6WD)
• border zone permit
• helicopter flight around (2 hours)
• transfer Karakol town - Bishkek
• Accommodation in hotel Issyk-Kul, B&B (1 night)
• transfer to airport
Food:
• Day 1- lunch, dinner
• Days 2-15 - Full Board
• Day 16- breakfast in hotel
Not included
• Visa support
• OVIR registration
• Rent of sleeping bags
• International flights to and from Bishkek
Our highlights
• Bishkek city
• Burana Tower (11th c)
• Boom gorge
• Issyk-Kul Lake
• Karakol town
• Karakol valley
• Sirota place
• Ala-Kul Lake
• Karakol Peak
• Djigit Peak
• Ala-Kul Pass
• Altyn-Arashan resort
• Ak-Suu valley
• Hot sulphur springs
• Inylchek Glacier
• Chon-Tash
• Merzbacher Meadow
• Merzbacher Lake
• Khan-Tengri Peak (6995m)
• Pobedy Peak (7439m)
