Mountain Biking Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

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Price from
US$ 3,150
Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
Distance
581 km
Difficulty
Tour Code
KAZ-KAZ
Next departure
30-Jun-2019
Number of Cycling Days11
Average Distance Per Day: 48
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 926
0
2,250 m
Total Cycling Distance581 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 260
Single SupplementUS$ 200

All About this Tour

On this mountain bike tour in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan we take you off the grid and into the heart of the Tien Shan mountains that include the marble pyramid of Khan Tengri (6,995 m) and Pobedy Peak (7,439 m). Snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop for our mountain biking trip through Kazakhstan's valleys with lush pastures and up to passes and plateaus that are teeming with grasslands and wildflowers. The only traffic will be the occasional horseman and we'll meet nomadic Kazakhs that have moved their flocks of sheep to high pastures.

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Itinerary

Day 1

We'll pick you up from the airport and transfer you the hotel in Almaty. In the late afternoon, we'll assemble the bikes and gather for a welcome dinner.

Day 2

We transfer to the Turgen River Gorge to start our ride that follows the river, climbing the Assy Pass to our campsite.

Day 3

We have a short but tough climb to reach the lofty summit of Zhambas Pass at 3150 m. Once we've reached the top, it's a long and exhilarating descent for 23 km along the Zheniska River. All the riding is off-road.

Day 4

Today starts with a climb up, but the switchbacks make the gradient easy. We traverse across the Kungey Alatau Mountains, then a tough and rocky road leads us through a steep hillside that will test even the strongest of cyclists.

Day 5

We hit some tarmac as we follow the asphalt road from Saty to Zhalanash village (1700 m). The riding will be mostly flat with a few undulations. We camp near the Kegen River.

Day 6

We enter Kyrgyzstan riding through rolling grasslands on a good road to reach the beautiful Karkara Valley. This section was once part of the Silk Road. We spend the next three nights at Base Camp Karkara (2,200 m).

Day 7

We'll be using the same helicopters the climbers use for our next two days of heli-biking! With our bikes on-board, we fly up to 3,500 m and make an unforgettable 1,300 m descent on grasslands.

Day 8

We take the easy way up again, via our helicopter! We dropped onto a high plateau with stunning views of the Tien Shan Mountains. Afternoon is free to sweat it out at the traditional sauna at base camp.

Day 9

We say good bye to base camp and head up and over and down into Koshkar Valley. There are numerous river crossings, so don't be afraid to get your feet wet. Our camp is at 3,000 m, the highest of the trip.

Day 10

Another day cycling off road through grasslands with snow-capped peaks as your backdrop. A long descent takes us down to Krygztan and the Saary Zhaz River where we'll camp.

Day 11

Our route today on dirt roads takes us back towards Kazakhstan. There will be climbs up and over many hills, but soon we'll have a fast downhill that leads us to camp.

Day 12

Our cycling ends after we reach the border. We get transport back to Almaty and stop for lunch at Charyn Canyon. Once in Almaty we check into our hotel and meet for a celebratory dinner.

Day 13

A last look around Almaty, time to box up bikes before we transfer you to the airport for the flight home.

Elevation Profiles

Day 1 - Arrive in Almaty Ride 4km. +370m.
Day 1 - Arrive in Almaty Ride 4km. +370m.

Reviews

Tough off-road cycling, but quite rewarding!

Robert KieckheferJuly 2018

The Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan was a true adventure! The Tien Shan Mountains are spectacular, the countryside is beautiful and untouched. Heli-biking was one of the many highlights, along with lunch with a local family in the yurt and fantastic mountain biking.

Valorie Louise ThompsonJuly 2018

Go! Before it´s to late. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are SO beautiful and still unspoiled landscapes.

Anette LundJuly 2018

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Mountain Biking Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Tour CodeKAZ-KAZ
13Days
12Nights
DestinationsKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
Tour MeetsAlmaty
Tour EndsAlmaty
Fly in toAlmaty International Airport (ALA)
Fly out ofAlmaty International Airport (ALA)
Group Size6-16 riders
Minimum Age18 (on scheduled departures)

Activity Profile

11Cycling days
581kmTotal cycling distance
48kmAvg distance / day
926mAvg climbing / day

Pricing

PriceUS$ 3,150
Bike Hire (Mountain Bike)US$ 260
Single SupplementUS$ 200

What's Included

  • SpiceRoads jersey
  • Water bottle
  • Support vehicle
  • Guide(s)
  • Meals (as indicated)
  • Airport pick up
  • Airport drop off
  • Accommodation
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Entrance fees

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Alcohol
  • Tips

Departures

30 June - 12 July 2019

Trip Profile

We will cycle 549 km in 11 and a half days of riding. This is a tough trip due to the altitude and the terrain. We gain elevation slowly to ease acclimation and never sleep higher than 3,000 m. Due to the remoteness of the terrain, we’ll be camping for 10 nights. It is the combination of conditions – altitude, weather, topography, and overall environment – that makes this a challenging tour and a test of sustained riding.

Vehicle support, which allows cyclists the option to get into the truck as needed, is available on all cycling days except for the heli-biking days. The helicopter lifts are dependent on weather conditions.

Suitability: This trip is designed for the experienced cyclist with a high level of fitness. The lack of oxygen at the high altitudes we’ll be cycling at, as well as the climbs we’ll be doing, means that this is a tough trip, and you'll enjoy it much more if you have a good level of stamina and fitness. The distances and gradient each day are not extreme, but getting into the best shape possible for the trip will ensure you get the most from your holiday.

Biking Conditions: The road surfaces are a mix of paved and dirt roads and a few sections of single track. The paths will be very rocky in sections, and so good technical skills on a mountain bike are necessary.

Day 1 Arrive in Almaty

We'll pick you up from the airport and transfer you to our centrally located hotel in Almaty. Once the capital of this vast country, it remains the nation's largest city, with a population of 1.5 million. In the late afternoon, we'll meet up to assemble the bikes and gather for a welcome dinner.

Kazzhol Hotel
Dinner
Ride 4km
+370m

Day 2 Turgen and Assy Rivers

We have a three-hour drive to the Turgen River Gorge and the start of our ride. We cycle on a rough jeep track that follows the Turgen River to the end of the valley. Here we start to climb to the top of Assy Pass (2,650 m). The sky is big, the grass is a vibrant green, and the panorama is endless. We also have views here of snow-capped peaks in the distance. We descend for 30 km, following the Assy River down to our campsite nestled in amongst pine trees.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 49km
+765m
-1103m

Day 3 Sary Bulak River

We have a long day ahead of us as we have another pass to conquer today. We have a short but tough climb to reach the lofty summit of Zhambas Pass at 3,150 m. Once we've reached the top, the riding is undulating as we cross the Ashyk Dala Plateau where we'll likely not see another person unless they are on horseback. It's a long and exhilarating descent for 23 km along the Zheniska River to reach our camp beside the Sary Bulak River (1,600 m). All the riding is off-road.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 26km
+1123m
-201m

Day 4 Chilik River

Today starts with a climb up, but the switchbacks make the gradient easy. We traverse across the Kungey Alatau Mountains and ride through grasslands and fields of wildflowers, including edelweiss. A tough and rocky road leads us through a steep hillside that will test even the strongest of cyclists. We gradually make our way down to the Chilik River where we share our camp with horses and cows grazing nearby.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 71km
+1288m
-1954m

Day 5 Kegen River

Today, we hit some tarmac as we follow the asphalt road from Saty village for 28 km to Zhalanash village (1,700 m). We ride through quaint villages with white and blue picket fences and have time to pop into a local store where abacuses are still used. The riding will be mostly flat today with a few undulations, and though we are on roads, they will be in poor condition, and we will see very little traffic. We camp near to the Kegen River.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 75km
+1057m
-592m

Day 6 Base Camp Karkara

We enter Kyrgyzstan riding through rolling grasslands on a good road to reach the beautiful Karkara Valley. This section was once part of the Silk Road, traversed by Kazakh, Kirgyz, and Chinese traders. We spend the next three nights at Base Camp Karkara (2,200 m) staying in "walk-in" tents and having use of hot showers, a traditional sauna, and the bar!

Base Camp Karkara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 44km
+101m
-1270m

Day 7 Base Camp Karkara Heli-biking

Base Camp Karkara is literally the jumping off point for expeditions to summit Pobedy Peak (7,439 m) and Khan Tengri (7,010 m). We'll be using the same helicopters the climbers use for our next two days of heli-biking! With our bikes on-board, we fly up to 3,500 m and then make an unforgettable 1,300 m descent on grasslands, switchback trails, and forest dirt roads back to our base at Karkara. We may be able to stop on the way to meet the nomads who brought their flocks up to this fertile valley. Stopping inside a yurt, we'll see how they live and have a taste of their local tea. The route back to camp takes us along a roaring river fed by the mountains above.

Base Camp Karkara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 39km
+1488m
-317m

Day 8 Base Camp Karkara Heli-biking

We take the easy way up again, via our helicopter! We are dropped off on a high plateau with stunning views of the peaks of the Tien Shan mountains surrounding us. Again, the riding is pure adrenalin as we downhill it to base camp. Stop with a chance to chat with horsemen and try a hand at milking a horse! Afternoon is free to sweat it out at the traditional sauna at base camp.

Base Camp Karkara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 29km
+494m
-479m

Day 9 Kokzhar River

We say good bye to base camp and head up and over and down into the Koshkar Valley. For the first section, we'll be backtracking part of our descent of the last two days, then we turn left where the climbing begins in earnest before we descend into a wide valley formed by the glacier-fed Kokzhar River. We have numerous river crossings today, so don't be afraid to get your feet wet. Our camp today is at 3,000 m, the highest of the trip.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 53km
+1163m
-326m

Day 10 Saary Zhaz River

Another day cycling off road through grasslands with snow-capped peak as your backdrop – it doesn't get much better than this! We follow the Kokzhar River to a junction of three valleys, then take the right-hand valley to the Mingtur Pass (3,900 m). The views back across to the spectacular Tien Shan and the black pyramid of Khan Tengri will be worth trying capture on camera. A long descent takes us down to Kyrgyzstan and the Saary Zhaz River where we'll camp.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 29km
+739m
-772m

Day 11 Chon Ashu Pass

We follow the Sary Zhaz River on an undulating road until we see the switchbacks of our climb up to the top of Chon Ashu Pass (3,820 m). Our legs are strong now, so we'll have no problem with this climb. Once we reach the top, we take a well-earned break to admire the view before we have a long and fast descent. We freewheel down to our riverside camp in the upper part of the valley that feeds Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world. Camp near Ak Bulak village on the river cost.

Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 104km
+1557m
-2606m

Day 12 Back to Almaty

Our route today on dirt roads will take us back to Kazakhstan. We ride through quiet villages and past grazing sheep and horses, perhaps seeing a yurt or two in the distance. There will be climbs up and over many hills, but soon we'll come to Kyrghyzstan\Kazakhstan border check point which we crossed on Day 6. Here our cycling ends. We’ll cross the border, pack our bikes, and take a bus for six hours to Almaty. We stop for lunch at Charyn Canyon. This stunning gorge has the look of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We have our farewell dinner in Almaty.

Kazzhol Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 58km
+965m
-706m

Day 13 Departure

After a last look around Almaty, it’s time to box up bikes before we transfer the group to the airport for the flight home. There will be one group transfer.

Breakfast

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are brand name mountain bikes with disc brakes, front suspension, and 24-to 27-speed gearing. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, and that it is in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and Visas

Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour and that you have at least two blank visa pages available. For 40 nationalities a visa is not required for visitors staying up to 30 days when you travel to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Visa-free visits are available to the citizens of Australia, Canada, EU countries, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. For a full list of visa-free countries, look here. If you are staying longer in Kazakhstan or for nationalities that do require a visa we will provide you with instructions on how to apply for the visas as you will need a supporting letter.

Health

The only compulsory vaccination is for yellow fever and proof of vaccination will only be required if you’ve visited a country in the yellow-fever zone within six days prior to entering Kazakhstan. However, we strongly recommend that you are vaccinated against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Please speak to your doctor/physician for the most recent information.

Weather

Kazakhstan has hot summers and very cold winters. Temperatures and climate also vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies (max. 25°C/77°F to min. 10°C/50°F), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for cold evenings, rain, hail and possibly even snow. Early morning starts and descents at altitude will be more comfortable with proper gear on.

Altitude

Travellers to the Tien Shan mountain range may suffer breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. It is important to take things lightly at first and to drink plenty of water. When climbing high passes, you may experience headaches, mild nausea or lack of appetite until your body adjusts to the elevation. These symptoms generally disappear after a few days.

Accommodation

In Almaty we will stay in the comfortable Kazzhol Hotel. We camp for 10 nights. Ground pads and tents are provided, however, a sleeping bag is not provided. You may rent a sleeping bag for US$70 but we highly recommend you bring your own. A 3-season sleeping bag would be best. A mess tent, toilet tent and shower tents are also provided. Three of the nights will be at Base Camp Karkara and hot showers and a sauna are available. All accommodation described in the itinerary are included in the tour cost.

Food

Meals are included in the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, and D = dinner. While camping meals will be prepared by the cooking team on the support staff and feature Russian and Western-style cuisine. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water and energy-restoring drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer and alcohol are available in Kazakhstan.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars a day for incidentals. Included entrance fees are those for the listed sites and national parks that are part of the itinerary. Any other site fees are not included.

Money

The currency in Kazakhstan is the tenge (KZT). The currency in Kyrgyzstan is the som (KGS).There are ATMs in Almaty that take international cards. There will be no other places to access ATMs, but then there will be very little opportunity to make purchases along the way. We recommend that you not rely on ATMs as your sole source of cash and suggest carrying cash or travellers cheques as backup in case the ATM is out of order, or you lose or break your plastic.

General booking info

Booking

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place: Read our Booking Conditions

From the tour page click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office. For the next steps you'll need to know the names of the people traveling and have either a Visa or a MasterCard. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height, or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). However, if you wish to get a children's discount, please do fill out the date of birth of the riders. If you are having any problems, please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 2 381 7490) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

Deposit

For Long Tours (7 days or more) to guarantee your place we require a 30% or 500 USD deposit, whichever is the greater. For Short Tours (6 days or less) we require full payment to guarantee your place. We also require that you take out travel insurance when you book your holiday. Besides covering you during your holiday it will also enable you to claim for any money that you have paid to us, including your deposit, should you have to cancel your trip.

Balance

Full payment must be paid 45 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights. Our confirmation will include personal details you provided us (including your flight information), visa application advice, a packing suggestion list and a detailed tour itinerary. It will also include a checklist to ensure you get everything ready for your holiday.

Cancellation Policy

On the rare occasions when we, SpiceRoads, must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be 100% refunded, which constitutes full settlement. There will be absolutely no deductions. If you, the client, must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to when you cancel. For full details, please read our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts can not be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

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The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary

Contact Us

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Sukhumvit Soi 71 Klongtan Nua, Wattana
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: +66 (0) 2 381 7490
Email: info@spiceroads.com
Website: www.spiceroads.com