The geology of the Kyrgyz Tian-Shan is very diverse. Tian-Shan can be explored all your life. The Tian-Shan is the geological heritage of the Earth, its history goes back to the period from the Precambrian to the Holocene. In the Tian-Shan, you can see a variety of geological landscapes and amazing landforms. Tian-Shan is a mystery and, at the same time, new discoveries for researchers and curious tourists. Tian-Shan is a place where various geological processes causing natural disasters take place, at the same time it is a place of amazing geological landscapes, geological sections and minerals. But, Tien-Shan is not only mountains and geology, it is also the history of civilizations, cultural heritage and hospitality of local residents.
Welcome to the Kyrgyz Tian-Shan!
Duration of the program –15 days
The optimal number of travel participants is from 2 till 25 persons.
The best time to travel – may – September
Dates can be changed for individual groups.
PROGRAM
Day 1. Arrival in Bishkek
Meeting with an expert guide. Briefing, discussion of the travel program, presentation of the route. Hotel accommodation.
Day 2. Bishkek - Ala-Archa National Park
In the morning after breakfast we will visit the Ala-Archa National Park. It is located 45 km south of Bishkek at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level. A visit to Ala-Archi is not only the first acquaintance with Kyrgyzstan, it is also acclimatization to the local climate. Return to Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Bishkek - Suusamyr - Toktogul
During today’s trip, you will see typical natural landscapes of the Tian-Shan. Our route lies through the high-mountainous Tuya-Ashu pass (3000 m) to the Suusamyr alpine valley (2500 m). Further we will get to the Ketmen-Tyubinskaya valley, which today is the water area of the Toktogul reservoir – the largest artificial reservoir in Central Asia. Today’s route crosses the tectonic structures of the Northern Tian-Shan and leads us to the regional tectonic boundary between the Northern and Central Tian-Shan. On the way we will visit the Saz-Kol lake. Its genesis is associated with a large mountain collapse. We see the marble quarry and the beautiful mountain Chychkan gorge. In one day we will see how rapidly mountainous landscapes are changing. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4. Toktogul - Tash-Kumyr - Mailuu-Suu
After breakfast, we will give a short lecture on the largest hydroelectric power plants on the Naryn River. Then we will get to the Kyzyl-Dzhar savanna, where we will see the Mesozoic complex of rocks. In 1958, the remains of the largest dinosaur in Central Asia, the Sauropod, were found here. We will see interesting geomorphological forms and paleontological finds.
The further way to the Mailuu-Suu city is the former secret city of the USSR. After the Second World War, uranium was mined here. On one of the limestone plateaus, we will get acquainted with the footprints of dinosaurs. It is possible that they belonged to Sauropod. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Mailuu-Suu - Arslanbob
Today’s trip is connected not only with the geological heritage, but also with the unique relict walnut forests, which occupy a huge area in the foothills of the Fergana ridge. These are the only forests in the world, covering an area of about 700,000 km 2. Walnut from this area were transported to different parts of the world during the heyday of the Great Silk Road. The life span of walnut trees can exceed thousands of years. Here we will get to know the local culture and the magnificent nature. We will take a tour in retro cars through the walnut forest and to the waterfalls. Accommodation in national guest houses.
Day 6. Arslanbob - Uzgen - Osh
Today’s route runs along the eastern end of the Fergana Valley. You will mainly see agricultural landscapes. Local farmers grow almost everything here: watermelons, melons, mulberry trees, cotton, tobacco, corn, wheat and other types of products. On the way, you will visit a historical and architectural complex that arose during the Karakhanid state in the 9th century. Accommodation in a hotel in Osh city.
Day 7. Osh city
One of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road with a 3000-year history. Today we will conduct an excursion, get acquainted with the culture and way of life of farmers, visit museums and a Muslim shrine – Mount Sulaiman-Too (UNESCO cultural heritage). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8. Osh - Batken - Madygen Geopark
Your journey continues to the most fantastic places in the southwestern Tian-Shan. A visit to the Geopark is the culmination of our geological journey. These vast areas are occupied by Mesozoic rock complexes. Under the influence of natural forces, the local mountains have turned into a color palette. You are in a famous place called Madygen. You are surrounded by colorful stone landscapes, magnificent panoramas, amazing relief forms.
It is as if you are on the planet “Mars”. This peneplain hides many minerals. We will visit a grandiose canyon, which contains evidence of tectonic processes. In the evening, we will stop at a cozy field camp in the only beautiful oasis here. Overnight in tents.
Day 9. Madygen - Khaidarkan
On the way, we will visit a fantastic and aesthetic place for photography, called Madygen. Here, you will see ancient furnaces in which precious metals were extracted from the ore in the 9th-20th centuries. Further, our route continues to Khaidarkan, where the development of deposits of mercury, antimony and fluorite is underway. You will visit a factory where metals and minerals are extracted. You will visit a quarry where mercury minerals were mined. On the way, we will take an excursion to the Ak-Turpak cave, which was formed in the gypsum layers of the Paleogene. Overnight at a hotel in the Kadamjai town.
Day 10. Kadamjay - Osh - Jalal-Abad
On the way, we will also visit the Tuya-Muyun karst region, where the first Soviet radium was mined. We will visit Baritovaya cave, where we will see a magnificent combination of mineral formations. Accommodation in a hotel in the Jalal-Abad city.
Day 11. Jalal-Abad - Kazarman - Naryn
On this day we will leave the Hercynides of the southern Tian-Shan. Today’s path will be rich in geological diversity. We will cross the Fergana Range and find ourselves in the inner Tian-Shan with completely different natural conditions and different geology. You will see magnificent panoramas of the badlands from the Kara-Koo pass and the valley of Naryn river . Overnight at the hotel in Naryn.
Day 12. Naryn - Son-Kul lake - Kochkor
The path from the high-mountainous Naryn to the Son-Kul lake passes along a mountain road. You will see grandiose canyons, magnificent panoramas, and contact of limestone and granite
mountain ranges. Son-Kul Lake is located at an altitude of 3016 m. This epic lake is surrounded by mountains and alpine meadows. We will cross the regional fault, which is the tectonic boundary between the northern and middle Tian-Shan. Further, we will get to the Kochkor village. Here you will visit a women’s home felt factory. As well as a gift shop where you can buy felt products. Accommodation in a guest house.
Day 13. Kochkor - Bokonbaeva
On the way, you will see a rocky desert, which later turns into the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. It is the second largest alpine lake in the world. The absolute height of the lake is 1610 m. Its depth is about 690 m, length is 189 km, width is about 60 km. As a result of tectonic activity in the Holocene, flooded ancient cities appeared under the water surface. Excursion to the valley “Skazka” – stone forms formed as a result of denudation processes. Accommodation in a yurt camp on the shore of the lake.
Day 14. Bokonbaeva - Karakol - Cholpon-Ata
Today you will take a tour around the lake and see the most interesting geological places. Visiting the Barskoon gorge – a classic gorge for the northern Tian-Shan, visiting the thermal mineral springs Ak-Suu Excursion around the Karakol city. Karakol is a city of intersection of different cultures, where there is a Christian church, a Buddhist temple and a Muslim mosque. You will visit the memorial of the great Russian traveler, one of the discoverers of the Tian-Shan – N.M. Przhevalsky. Further journey to the city of Cholpon-Ata. Hotel accommodation.
Day 15. Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek
On the way, you will visit a UNESCO monument – ancient petroglyphs. More than 5,000 petroglyphs on stones date from the 2nd millennium BC – VIII century AD. However, most of it belongs to the period of the 7th-3rd centuries BC.
Then you will visit the Kok-Moinok canyons – the bottom of the ancient Issyk-Kul lake. Further, through the Boom Gorge, you will descend into the Chui Valley 1000 m lower than the Issyk-Kul Lake. Banquet of national dishes in Bishkek. Hotel accommodation.
Day 16. Bishkek - Airport
Transfer to Airport
- Meeting and seeing off at the airport
- Accommodation in hotels 3 * according to the program (double occupancy)
- Tents for accommodation
- Large tent for the kitchen and dining room
- Three meals a day for the whole program,
- Transport according to the program,
- Guide-expert,
- Cook,
- Entrance fees to reserves and museums
- Rent equipment - - Bottled water
- - International airfare to Bishkek and back
- Equipment rental
- Surcharge for single occupancy
- Cost of visa and consular services
- Personal expenses in a hotel: bar, international calls, etc.
- Insurance
- Any changes to the program
Price on request
According to the request and interest, we can negotiate the optimal price for your budget.
Price depends on the number of participants
The optimal group is from 3 to 25 persones
Our email: info@geoexplorersclub.com