Trek the wild Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

Most international airlines arrive into Bishkek early in the morning. Upon landing, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in - early-check ins with breakfast are included. You have the morning to rest after your travel.At 12pm, you will meet your guide and embark on a walking tour of Bishkek. The capital of Kyrgyzstan, also known as the ‘White City’ – so called because many of the government buildings in Soviet times were built from the beautiful, locally mined white marble - is a fascinating city with vast plazas and dramatic monuments from the Soviet Era. Our local tour guide will give us a welcome introduction to both the city and the history of the country, followed by dinner in one of the most well-known tea houses in the city, complete with traditional live music and dancing.Accommodation: 3* Bugu Boutique Hotel or similar

Our 5-6hr drive through the striking landscapes with stunning views of Yssyk-Kol ('Kol' means Lake in Kyrgyz) is pleasantly broken by a visit to the ancient minaret Burana Tower, built by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th Century where we can climb to the top of this once important marker of the Great Silk Road, as well as visit the nearby museum and open air Balbals (stone figures). We continue our journey, stopping for lunch in Cholpon-Ata.Tonight we stay in Karakol, a city surrounded by apple orchards, for which the area is famous, set against a backdrop of snow capped Terskey Alatau mountains. It is well worth a little explore and we recommend visiting the small mosque, looking more like a Chinese temple than anything else, and made of wood, with no nails whatsoever. This evening you will meet your hiking guides for the next six days. Led by Maks, his trusty crew have many years of experience leading groups in the Tian Shan under their belts.

This morning, from Karakol, we drive with Maks, for around 2 hours to a traditional Kyrgyz village from where we will embark on our first hike (9.2km, 600m ascent, taking 4-5hrs) to our campsite. This lies alongside the Jurgalan River, which swells to an impressive size in the summer, from snowmelt and the glacier located further up the valley. There is no escaping the fact that we are immediately heading off the beaten track here.

After a delicious camp breakfast we will head up to the 3500m Jurgalan pass, headed for the Tyrgon Valley (13.8km, 630m ascent, 5-7 hrs walk &/ ride). This area is absolutely perfect for horse riding and we welcome beginners to have a go as the horses are well trained and a handler can assist you where necessary. The Tyrgon Valley is a vast, grassy expanse, so more experienced riders can canter and gallop to their hearts content, until we cross the Tyrgon River by bridge. From here we can see the snow-capped mountains on the horizon with herds of horses left to roam free, whilst their shepherds camp in traditional yurts.

We are immersed in the depths of this wild mountain region; entirely self-sufficient with our trusty team of guides, horsemen and pack animals. We walk for around 5-7 hours today (10km, 700m ascent), where the views from the Tyrgon Pass (3500m) are simply breathtaking! At night the stars come out in their full splendour as there is no light pollution.

From the top of Bosuchuk Pass (3400m) a completely new set of mountains, in the majestic Tian Shan range, open up to us. From this high point we will walk down to the bottom of Ailanysh Pass (8km, 530m ascent, 5-7hrs walking) where we will make a sheltered camp. One of the best things about this adventure is the complete escapism into the wilderness and the silence of the mountains – we will really be getting into our stride by this point and becoming more accustomed to the nomadic way of life.

Our 6-7 hour hike (13km with approx 500m ascent) &/or ride, takes us up to the beautiful remote freshwater lake where we can stop for lunch, depending on our timing. The water is so fresh it is possible to drink it and we will take on supplies. After no-doubt a few Kodak moments, we will continue on up to cross the Ailanysh Pass at 3671m, to take in more stunning views, before descending to the bottom of Ortok pass where we will make camp.

Crossing our final pass (Ortok, 3609m) with views of a glacier, we descend into the well-known Altyn-Arashan Valley [‘Golden Spring’ in Kyrgyz] where will stay in a traditional nomad’s yurt. After hiking for 6-7 hours (14km, 840m ascent) we can wallow in the natural hot springs and buy beer to celebrate our journey through the Wilds of Kyrgyzstan! It is fun to get back into the mountain community – especially knowing that you will have been somewhere very few people (even locals!) have set foot.

We are collected from the valley in Ex- Soviet 4X4 transportation and driven back on rough mountain tracks alongside a raging torrent of a mountain river. After picking up any gear you may have left behind in Karakol town, we bid goodbye and thank you to Maks and will be sped back to the capital for dinner and drinks for our final celebratory night in the capital exploring a bar or two.

Leaving the stunning landscapes of Kyrgyzstan is going to feel all wrong but ‘normal life’ awaits you. Time to plan your next escape!