Horseback riding to Sary Chelek

Horseback riding to Sary Chelek

Description: Sary-Chelek (“Yellow Jar” in Kyrgyz) is a gorgeous alpine lake in western Jalalabad oblast surrounded by walnut and fruit forests. The park and area comprise river valleys and settlements which flow along a winding course through almost all the territory of the reserve, in places between steep banks, strewn with boulders forming rapid cascades and waterfalls up to 3 meters high. Glaciers and permanent ice fields and high mountain lakes lie on the north facing slopes.

DAY 1: TO KARA SUU VILLAGE
Arrival in Karasuu village. Overnight and dinner in CBT homestay.

DAY 2: KARA SUU LAKE
Breakfast, followed by a briefing and choosing horses. Setting off northwards to Kara-Suu Gorge, crossing the river by wooden bridges. The gorge becomes rather narrow and the slopes are covered with a beautiful silver fir forest. Further on the track passes below a waterfall and then climbs over a pass to Kara-Suu Lake (1,800 m, 17 km, 4 hours). Have lunch and experience the real way of life on the jailoo (mountain pasture). Enjoy supper by an open fire.

DAY 3. KOTORMO PASS - SARY CHELEK LAKE
Breakfast, then continue the trek to Kotormo Pass at 2446 meter. On the descent from the Pass, stop for a picnic lunch in a field (7km, 3 hours). After lunch, continue the trek and see the 5 lakes of Sary Chelek. Overnight and dinner in tents (10km, 3 hours).

DAY 4: IRI KOL LAKE - ARKYT VILLAGE
Breakfast and relax near Iri Kol Lake, followed by lunch at 12.00 pm. After lunch continue trekking among the nut forests and get a panoramic view of Sary-Chelek. Descend from the Pass to Arkyt village for dinner in a guesthouse (20 km, 4 hours). Overnight and dinner in a homestay.

DAY 5: TO BISHKEK CITY
Breakfast. Morning departure