The Tian Shan – the “Celestial Mountains” – run through the whole of Kyrgyzstan, and in the east of the country they rise above 7,000 m. For travellers this means real alpine scenery close to the cities: from Bishkek the glaciers of Ala-Archa National Park are about an hour away, and Karakol at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul is the gateway to some of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Central Asia.
Our mountain tours include day hikes with a guide, multi-day treks with tent or guesthouse nights, and winter trips to the ski slopes above Karakol. Every tour description states the difficulty, the altitude and what you need to bring, so you can choose a route that matches your experience.
The main hiking season is from late June to mid-September; lower trails in Ala-Archa are often accessible from May to October. Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so our guides may adjust a route on the day for safety reasons.
Ala-Archa National Park and the Karakol valleys (Ala-Kul, Altyn-Arashan)
A compact but demanding mountain trip: acclimatisation in Ala-Archa, then the classic trek over the Ala-Kul pass to the Altyn-Arashan hot springs.
Ala-Archa National Park, Chuy region (about 40 km from Bishkek)
A guided day in the mountains just an hour from Bishkek: spruce forests, a glacier river and the Ak-Sai waterfall trail, with lunch in the park.
Chuy valley: Burana Tower near Tokmok and the Konorchek canyons near the Boom Gorge
Silk Road history and red-rock scenery in one day: the 11th-century Burana Tower with its balbal stones, then a hike through the Konorchek canyons.
Kochkor district and Son-Kul lake, Naryn region
Ride from the village of Kyzart over a high pass to Son-Kul lake, sleep in yurts with herding families and return to Bishkek on day three.
Karakol and the Karakol ski resort, eastern Issyk-Kul
Two days on the slopes of the Karakol ski resort, a soak in hot springs and the winter shores of Issyk-Kul – transport, guide and guesthouse included.
Almaty region, south-east Kazakhstan
Six days of the best nature in south-east Kazakhstan: Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, the sunken forest of Kaindy and the Kolsai lakes.
Japanese Alps: Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa
Seven days through the mountainous heart of Japan: a samurai castle, alpine valleys, old merchant towns, a night in a thatched farmhouse and the gardens of Kanazawa.
Gobi Desert, southern Mongolia
Eight days by 4x4 through the South Gobi: the White Stupa cliffs, the ice gorge of Yolyn Am, the singing dunes of Khongoryn Els and the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag.
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