Kyrgyzstan Trekking - The last lake 'Son Kol'

Kyrgyzstan Trekking - The last lake 'Son Kol'


Altitude 3,608m Grade: T3

Enjoy the changing colours of Son-Kul with six days of supported trekking, including staying in a Yurt (Ger in Kyrgyzstan)

Kyrgyzstan Trekking is a journey off the beaten track to a country many people have never even heard of! Kyrgyzstan is however a delightful, clean and friendly place to ‘discover’ before the crowds arrive.

Situated at just over 3000m on a treeless open plateau, freshwater lake, Son-Kul, is one of the loveliest spots in Central Kyrgyzstan. The lake is frozen over in the winter, but in the summer the verdant meadows that surround the lake are the seasonal home to shepherds who tend their livestock, living in their 'gers' (yurts) and brewing gallons of fermented mare's milk (Kumyz).

We trek for six days through spectacular and varied landscapes, crossing a series of high passes (up to 3608m) before arriving at the lake where we stay in a ‘ger camp’ for two nights, allowing plenty of time to explore the area, meet the shepherds (and sample their homebrew) and enjoy the ever changing colours of the lake.

Dates & Prices

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All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

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There are currently no available dates for this trip. Please contact us if you are interested in this trip.

What's Included

  • International flights (flight inclusive package) 
  • Accommodation - 3 nights hotel, 4 nights camping, 3 nights ger / guesthouse
  • Meals - 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 evening meals
  • All road transfers in country (unless indicated in 'exclusions')
  • Park fees as appropriate
  • UK leader (subject to minimum numbers)
  • Local guides
  • Local trekking staff to assist
  • Horses to carry 10kg personal luggage per person
  • All camping equipment (excl. personal kit)
  • Adventure Peaks kitbag. A logoed top will be substituted for returning customers and non-UK clients
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff
  • 15% off the RRP on clothing and equipment purchases from the Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals if not indicated in 'inclusions'
  • Personal equipment
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Visas (if required)

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart UK.

Day 2 Most flights arrive into Bishkek in the early hours. Transfer to the hotel for either a very late check-n or an early breakfast! When you have recovered from the flight you may choose to join a sightseeing tour of the city visiting (some of) the Philharmonic Society, Ala-Too square, Victory square, handicraft shops, Osh bazaar, the Fine Arts Museum and the  State History Museum.

Day 3 After breakfast we transfer to Naryn. As we drive out of Bishkek you will appreciate the huge number of mountains that form the southern skyline and the richness of the plains.  In the late afternoon we make the final preparations for trekking before dinner. 6 hours driving.

Day 4 We travel about 100km along rough roads, via Terskey Torpok pass (3132m), to the valley of Son Kul River using a rugged 4 (or even 6!) wheel drive vehicle to reach the start point of the trek. After setting up camp and getting ourselves organised we will make an acclimatisation excursion to visit a waterfall. 3 hours driving, 4 hours walking.

Day 5 We trek to the valley of Djina River via the Kokjerty Gorge, setting up our next camp below ‘nameless’ pass. 5 hours walking.

Day 6 Today we cross the nameless pass (3000m) and drop down to trek along the Archaly-Tor River before crossing a second pass, the Kyzyl-Beles pass (3242m). During the day we will have to wade through the river on at least two occasions so sandals will need to be carried.  7 hours walking.

Day 7 Today we can relax at the delightful campsite beside the river or choose to go on a day walk around Ak-Chii Mountain before crossing the high pass to the lake tomorrow. Walking optional.

Day 8 We continue trekking up the Terme River, climbing to cross the Kichi Kumbel pass (3608m) from where we finally see the ‘Last Lake’, Son Kul. This is the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgystan – a vast stretch of clear water with an impressive backdrop of mountains. On clear evenings, the colour changes of the lake, mountains and sky can be spectacular. We descend to the seasonal yurt village beside the lake.  7 hours walking.

Day 9 We travel by vehicle to go and see the petroglyphs, allowing us time to appreciate the vastness and remoteness of our surroundings. We can walk back to the yurts alongside the lake, watching the local people go about their daily routine – a final chance to appreciate the wonders of simple living before we head back to civilisation.

Day 10 A full day’s drive, partly on rough roads, takes us back to Bishkek, our hotel, a proper shower and a final dinner.  7 hours driving.

Day 11 After a short night’s sleep we transfer to the airport for the early flight back to the UK.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/adventurepeaks/

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

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