Over the Talas Range Towards Lake Sary-Chelek
Description
Sary-Chelek reserve
The village of Kara-Suu is 600km from Bishkek on the upper reaches of the Kara-Suu River, 1,300m ASL. The village is 70km from Kerben and 260 km from Jalalabat. A distinguishing feature of the area is the variety and multitude of flora and fauna. The Kara-Suu River flows from the southern part of the At-Oinok mountain range and joins the river Naryn at the town of Tash-Kömür. Because the Kara-Suu is the Sary-Chelek National Park’s buffer zone, flora and fauna of many kinds are found there. Sary-Chelek (“Yellow Jar” in Kyrgyz) is a gorgeous alpine lake in western
Jalalabad oblast, surrounded by walnut and fruit forests and protected, at least nominally, as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The park and area comprises 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.
It is possible to view all this while driving to the shore of the fascinating Sary-Chelek Lake. It is right at the foot of the Chatkal mountain range. The beauty of this lake can be compared with the best in the world; its waters often appear a greenish shade of blue and make excellent photographs.
Trip highlightes
Itinerary
Category: Horseback /Trekking
Duration: 6 days horseback or 8 days trekking
Level of difficulty: Difficult (two passes over 3000 m – crossing on foot)
Destinations: the town of Talas, Sary-Chelek Reserve, Kara-Suu village.
Best season: end of June to mid-September
Requirements: trekking boots, weatherproof warm clothes, hat, sunscreen, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pads, some horse riding skills, free
Itinerary: town Talas - Chiim-Tash pass – Kara-Kuldzha pass – Kotormo or Kashka-Suu pass – Kara-Suu lake - Kotormo pass - Sary-Chelek Reserve – Kara-Suu village
Day 1: Leave Bishkek. Arrive in Talas. Dinner. Accommodation in a CBT home stay.
Day 2: Breakfast. Transfer to Madaniyat village. Meet guide and support team. Tour and horseback riding introduction. Tour starts alongside a stream towards the Urmaral gorge. Short picnic lunch. Supper and overnight camp near two rivers junction. Horse riding – 6/7 hours.
Day 3: Breakfast. Tour crosses Talas Range over the Chiyim-Tash pass (3600 m). Cross steep and stony pass on foot. Pass by shepherd’s yurts and animals. Short picnic lunch. Supper and overnight in a camp in the mountains. Horse riding – 6/7 hours.
Day 4: Breakfast. Ride alongside mountain river towards the Kara-Kuldzha pass (3161 m). View griffins and marmots. Short picnic lunch during the day. Horse riding – 6/7 hours.
Day 5: Breakfast. This day is quite tough. Ascent to Kashka-Suu pass challenging but rewarding. Short picnic lunch during the day. Supper and overnight in a camp, on the shore of Lake Kara-Suu. Horse riding –6/7 hours.
Day 6: Breakfast. Cross Kotormo pass (2446 m) into Sary-Chelek National Reserve. Observe stunning panoramas, trees and wild animals. Short picnic lunch. Horse riding – 6/7 hours.
Day 7: Breakfast. Cross Kotormo pass (2446 m) into Sary-Chelek National Reserve. Observe stunning panoramas, trees and wild animals. Short picnic lunch. Horse riding – 6/7 hours.
Day 8: Breakfast. Leave Kara-Suu or Arkyt.
Attention: above description is given for 6-days riding tour!
Tour map

Date & Prices
DATE
AVAILABILITY
TRIP STATUS
PRICE
*Price include: prices are set per person and include guide and cook services, meals during tour, horse rent, accommodation B&B and supper in Talas town and Kara-Suu village, local transfer from Talas to Madaniyat village, entrance fee to Sary-Chelek state reserve.
* Price does NOT include: overnights in Bishkek; transport from Bishkek to Talas, or the return journey from Kara-Suu to Bishkek and meals underway;