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Day 1
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Arrive Almaty.
Transfer to hotel. Drive by bus for 3 hours to the gorge of
Turgen River and the Batan village (1800 m). Camp. We prepare
our bikes for the next day. |
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Day 2
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Biking alongside the Kishi Turgen River to the Assy Pass (2650
m). A 30 km undulating descent by the side of the Assy River.
Camp near the river. Total biking: 45 km. |
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Day 3
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Climb of 7 km takes us up to the Zhambas Pass
(3150 m). Descent from the pass - 15 km, then continuation (carrying
our bikes at times) for 8 km up the steep road to the Bakaly
Ridge (2100m ). Descent for 23 km along the Zheniska River.
Camp by the Sary Bulak River. Total biking : 65 km. |
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Day 4
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Start the 30 km climb through the Kungey Alatau
mountains . We pick up an improbable jeep road which cuts through
the steep hillside, leading gradually down to the Chilik River
where we camp. Total biking: 50 km - mostly off- road. |
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Day 5
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We follow the asphalt road from the Saty village
for 28 km to Zhalanash Village (1700m). Our camp is in the green
glades, near to the Kegen River and the famous Canyon of Charyn
River. Total biking: 40 km. |
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Day 6
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Biking through the beautiful Karkara
Valley ( a part of the Silk Road, traversed by Kazakh, Kirgyz
and Chinese traders). We follow a relatively good road which
leads to the mountain Base Camp Karkara
(2200 m). accommodation in "walk-in"tents; it makes a pleasant
change to be able to use the hot showers, sauna , restaurant
and the bar! We are now more than half way across the Tien Shan
part of the trip. Total biking: 80 km. |
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Day 7-8
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Two days of "heli-biking"
from the Karkara mountain. Day 8 - Helicopter flight to the
glacier base camps of Khan Tengri Peak
(7010 m) and Pobedy Peak (7439 m),
on the way back we will be dropped off on a top of a mountain
hill (4500 m) for some single track and forest track "downhill
riding" back to Karkara. |
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Day 9
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After breakfast we cycle for 15 km along the wonderful
gorge of Karkara to the confluence with the Kokzhar River. We
cross over to the left side of the river to our camp, after
a total approximately 60 km from the Karkara mountain Base Camp.
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Day 10
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Today is one of the best days of the trip. Riding
through idyllic countryside, we continue to follow the river
to a junction of three valleys, than take the right hand valley
to the Mingtur Pass (3900 m). The views back across to the spectacular
Tien Shan and the black pyramid of Khan Tengri are among the
best of the trip. A long descent, then cut down to the main
Saary Zhaz River. Camp. |
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Day 11
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Cycling for 20 km to the frontier post at Echkilitash.
Descent , following the Sary Zhaz River. After 30 km we arrive
at the intersection with Ottyk River (2680 m). The final 70
km of riding goes through beautiful scenery. We descent into
the upper valley of Issyk Kul Lake.
Camp. |
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Day 12
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The last ride of the trip, we cycle to Ak Bulak
Village (2000m) or a little further towards the lake. We meet
our transport back to Almaty and check in our hotel. |
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Day 13
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A last look around Almaty, time to box up bikes
before an evening check in for the flight home. Visit to the
Sheberaul ("The Artisan Village"). Dinner at the National Restaurant. |
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Day 14
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Fly home. |
