Ak-Shyirak Canyon
Horse riding along the Great Silk Road
Kyrgyzstan was always a major way station on the Great Silk Road, the sole transport link between East and West. Kyrgyzstan lies in Central Asia. The republic extends 900 km east-west and 410 km north-south. Mountains cover more than 93% of its territory. There are two mountain ranges: the Tien-Shan in the north-east and the Pamir-Alai in the south-west. You will ride on the trail of Marco Polo, the first European to travel the Silk Road’s caravan routes through Kyrgyzstan to China, India and Pakistan. For eight days experience the interesting and diverse length of the Silk Road through the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan to the Chinese border.
Duration: 8 days
Season: July – September
Border zone permit is needed for this trek
Itinerary
Departure and return of the trek in Barskoon village which is situated near Lake Issyk-Kul. Distance from Bishkek to Barskoon: 350 km (5-6 hours by car). Accommodation and excellent traditional Kyrgyz food in a private home/yurta in Barskoon.
Day 1 By car from Barskoon village to Arabel Pass (3800 m) travelling along the Silk Road. Distance: 55 km. Time: 2-3 hours. Get acquainted with the horses. Ride for 2-3 hours to Suek Pass (4028 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 2 From Suek Pass along the Taragai River to Cholok-Tor Valley. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 3 From Cholok-Tor Valley to the Kara-Sai River, then heading towards Yshtyk Pass. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 4 Cross Yshtyk Pass down to the Ak-Shyirak Canyon. Distance: 40 km. Time: 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 5 4 hours riding downstream along the Baralbas River through the beautiful canyon. After lunch travel back to the same camp site.
Day 6 Ride through Ak-Shyirak Canyon crossing the river many times. Lunch with shepherd’s family. Ride up to Kyrtash Valley. Distance: 25-30 km. Time: 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 7 Ride from Kyrtash Valley to the Kara-Sai River, over Ak Bel Pass (3833 m) down to Kumtor Valley. Overnight in tents near Taragai River. Distance: 40 km. Time: 6-7 hours.
Day 8 From the Taragai-River to Maitor Valley to the Kumtor Road. Distance: 15-20 km. Time: 2-3 hours. Drive by car down to Barskoon village. Soak in a hot bath, enjoy supper and night in a private home/yurta.
The trek includes:
Accommodation in a house/yurta upon arrival and before departure in Barskoon village, accommodation in tents during the trek, English speaking tour guide, cook, horseman, 3 meals a day, tents, horses with all equipment, cooking equipment, first aid kit and visa support.
You need to bring:
Down jacket, warm sweater, warm sleeping bag, silk sleeping bag liner, rain gear (waterproof trousers should have an opening on the outside at the bottom of the leg in order to put on and take off without removing your trekking boots), 2-3 pairs of warm socks, waterproof trekking boots, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream with high UV-protection, lip balm with UV-protection, torch, personal medicine, metal water bottle (0.75 L), Therm-A-Rest mat, riding chaps, Micropure (or any other water purification)
Please contact:
Ishembi Obolbekov
P.o. Box 2032
720000 Bishkek
Kyrgyz Republic
Mobile: +996 772 51 83 15
Phone: +996 312 43 45 32
+996 312 66 13 92
E-mail: shepherd@elcat.kg
www.kyrgyztrek.com
Bernard Repond
Buchille 14
1633 Marsens
Switzerland
Mobile: +41 79 304 84 04
E-mail: repondbernard77@gmail.com
Think silk on the rocky road !
Shepherd’s Way Trekking reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary due to weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances. Insurance ! Photos by Jacqueline Ripart, Hermine Dreyfuss and Shepherd’s Way Trekking archives.