To Merzbacher Lake. Variant I
14 Breakfasts,
13 Lunches,
13 Dinners Season July-August Route Bishkek - Karakol - Merzbacher Lake - Karakol - Bishkek
| Day 1 - | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. |
Today you begin your tour in BISHKEK, the bustling capital of Kyrgyzstan, (optional Almaty [KAZ], Tashkent [UZ]). After lunch you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE and the MUSEUM OF ARTS. Accomodation at the Hotel Issyk-Kul, 9km from the city centre.
| Day 2 - | Issyk-Kul. |
Today 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 and 11th century BURANA TOWER). Your second night will be spent on the lake shore in a chalet 1600m above sea level.
| Day 3 - | Inylchek (Maydaadyr) Base - At-Jailoo. |
Today you will drive by comfortable 6wd ex-Soviet Army truck through one of the most spectacular valleys in the Issyk-Kul region - TURGEN-AKSU. As you cross over CHON-ASHU pass (3800m) at one end of the valley, you will feel as though you are alone in the mountains. Only the bumpy road reminds visitors of civilization in this remote area. Following your descent to INYLCHEK base, 200km from Karakol, your truck will take you 20 km further on to the new At-Jailoo base camp. Overnight camping at 2500m.
| Day 4 - | At-Jailoo. |
A day at leisure in preparation for your trek. Today you view the awesome Valley of the INYLCHEK river - the daughter of INYLCHEK GLACIER, largest one in Tien-Shan. Today also you may wish to choose from a variety of optional acclimatization hiking around. At-Jailoo valley is interesting for walking and looking on the beginning of highest peaks in Central Tien-Shan. Overnight in the Base camp of At-Jailoo.
| Day 5 - | Chon-Tash. |
This morning you leave the lovely spot of the camp for the place called CHON-TASH (Big stone) just under INYLCHEK GLACIER near the big rock, natural monument for mountain climbers, who was perished capturing high peaks of Central Tien-Shan. You cross At-Jailoo river en-route. Camping on the altitude 2900m.
| Day 6 - | Inylchek Glacier. |
Today you have an interesting glacier trekking to your camp on the right moraine of Inylchek Glacier. From this point you can already see the valley of Merzbacher Lake far ahead. The glacier Putevodny will be passed by you on the right side. It's like a branch of long body of main glacier. The camp is on the sandy flat meadow with fresh clear water source. Altitude is 3000m above sea level.
| Day 7 - | Merzbacher meadow. |
Explore again the INYLCHEK GLACIER enroute to grass-covered MERZBACHER MEADOW just opposite the MERZBACHER LAKE. Camping on the 3400m surrounded with long glacier, ice-falls, avalanches and green grass (!).
| Day 8 - | Merzbacher Lake. |
Day for your walking across the 7km wide INYLCHEK GLACIER to the iceberg filled MERZBACHER LAKE. Lunch on the lake's indented coastline. Afternoon back to the camping. Rest part of day for your relaxation.
| Day 9 - | Merzbacher meadow - Panorama peak. |
Today you can choose your activity from variety of ways for that. Panorama Summit of 4500m is best for climbing and having of fantastic view over whole valley. For hikers it's good possibility to explore the neighbour branch of Inylchek glacier - Shokalsky glacier. Camping on the Merzbacher meadow.
| Day 10 - | Merzbacher Lake - Khan-Tengri and Pobeda peaks - Inylchek Base. |
This morning you will have thrilling helicopter flightseeing tour through over whole INYLCHEK GLACIER and along the wild KOKSHAAL-TOO and TENGRI-TAG ridges. View of Khan-Tengri (7010m) and Pobedy (7439m) peaks is unforgettable. Back to Inylchek Base. Camping.
| Day 11 - | Issyk-Kul. |
Bid farewell to Inylchek valley and go to Issyk-Kul Lake for having two days of swimming, fishing, boating or just relaxation on the shore of this "PEARL OF TIEN-SHAN". Camp is in the tents or in chalet accomodation.
| Day 12 - | Bishkek. |
Today you will go back to Bishkek by south side of Issyk-Kul lake and on the whole you'll drive around of this large nature water reservoir. Upon arrival to Bishkek you are transferred to hotel for your last overnight in Kyrgyzstan. Evening is for your own walking around your hotel. Night Bishkek is wonderful.
| Day 13 - | Bishkek - Depart for home. |
Today you fly home from airport with many pleasant memories of your vacation to Tien-Shan's Lakes and Valleys.
| Group of: | Price per person: |
| 2 | Please ask |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 8 | |
| 10 | |
| 12 |
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 in Yurt Camp Turkestan (1 night)
• city tour in Bishkek + entrance fees
• transfer Karakol town - At-Djailoo valley (by army-jeep 6WD)
• guide (days 3-12)
• interpreter (days 1-14)
• cook (days 3-12)
• porters (days 3-10), 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 Maida-Adyr - Karakol town (by army-jeep 6WD)
• Flight around by helicopter (2 hours) with stop on the glacier for 15-30 min
• border zone permit
• ransfer Karakol town - Bishkek
• Accommodation in hotel Issyk-Kul, B&B (3 nights)
• transfer to airport
Food:
• Days 1-13 - Full Board
• Day 14 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
• Turgen-Aksu Gorge
• Chon-Ashu Pass (3800m)
• Inylchek Glacier
• Chon-Tash
• Merzbacher Meadow
• Merzbacher Lake
• Khan-Tengri Peak (7010m)
• Pobedy Peak (7439m)
• Panorama Peak (4500m)
