Biking in the Tien Shan Mountains

A tough mountainbike tour through the high mountains of Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan.
In 2010 four grouptours are planned, while in addition you can book this tour individually. In that case please ask us for prices. In all cases the tour leaders will be Swiss.

The program starts in Almaty. On the first day we'll acclimatise and on the second day we'll make a ride (as a test) into the mountains just south of Almaty. Then, on the third day, the real adventure starts, which will first bring you in gorges and on a plateau in Kazakhstan, where in summer on the pastures the semi-nomads live in yurts with their families, grazing their herds.

In the Karkara Valley you'll cross the border with Kyrgystan, reaching the highest point of the tour, the Ming-Tur Pass (over 3,800 m). Then you'll descend to the great valley that holds Issyk Kul Lake. From here a bus will transfer you back to Almaty.

In total you'll bike 640 km, meeting few people in these wonderful and empty lands. As a rule precipitation is little here and in summer in daytime you'll encounter temperatures of approx. 25 degrees Celcius, except at the high and windy mountain passes.

This tour is offered in cooperation with the Swiss Travel Agency Alpine Travel.
Pictures courtesy to Alpine Travel.