The first multi-day summer bike tour with an escort car in the best places of Kyrgyzstan along Lake Issyk-Kul! It has an oriental flavor, big mountains, radial routes with scenic paths, gorges, waterfalls and hot springs! Kyrgyzstan is a junction of centuries-old Asian culture, Soviet monumentality and modern Western civilization.
We are responsible for the transfer and escort car for all equipment, full and delicious food and lifestyle, accommodation, timely medical care and repair of your bike, your good mood and the solution of any questions.
The route has been specially designed taking into account the beginning of the season: there will be high passes and difficult trails, but more beautiful than high and difficult — everyone can handle it;)
We also made warm and comfortable overnight stops, added a flavor of national cuisine and mountain bike riding workshops from our instructors.
What awaits you
Photos and videos for your social networks. We know and will show you the best places.
Photo
Route
At 10 a.m. we leave for the pearl of Kyrgyzstan — Lake Issyk-Kul. The transfer from Bishkek to the start of the active part is about 240 km. Along the way, the first acquaintance with the national cuisine awaits us in the Boomsky gorge, and the food in Kyrgyzstan is a cult!
Then we move to the southern side of Lake Issyk-Kul and stop at one of the boarding houses in the village of Barbulak. We pack our bikes and go for a ride along the beautiful local paths along the lake. On the first day, you should definitely take a master class on MTB management from our instructor. We will learn how to enter the ascents correctly, safely and quickly exit the descents. This knowledge and skills will be required later on the route.
In the evening at the boarding house, each participant necessarily undergoes a course of rehabilitation in the baths of a unique hot spring.
Bike — 15 km.
Today we have a good «rolling in» day. There will be 30 km of dirt road along Issyk-Kul for warm-up. On the way, we will visit the salt lake, and on a sunny, warm day, swimming in it is an excellent wellness treatment. In terms of salt concentration, it is not inferior to the Dead Sea, but otherwise it is much better. Then we move along the shore of Issyk-Kul again and roll out along the picturesque gorges onto the asphalt of the main highway in the area of the village. Bokonbayevo.
We check into a guest house with a national flavor.
Bike — 59 km. The climb is 520 m.
From Bokonbayevo we begin the first serious test, climbing the pass to Shatyly (2550) and visiting the steepest observation point of the Southern shore of Issyk-Kul. A few more «swings» and we fly from the long descent into the Tosor gorge. After descending to Issyk-Kul, we take a bike photo session to the colorful mountains of the «Fairy Tale» tract. After a fabulous photo shoot, we drive to the guest house in the village. Tosor.
Bike — 62 km. The climb is 1300 m.
We drive along the asphalt to the village. The place where we turn and twist up into the gorge of the same name. We stay overnight in glamping near the monument to Yuri Gagarin. Radial access to waterfalls.
Bike — 20 km, climb 800 m.
Walking distance — 5 km, set 800 m.
Today, there is an opportunity to upgrade yourself in uphill climbing skills by going to the Barskoon pass (3816 m). An alternative option is to rush to the pass in our escort vehicle.
There are two possible routes from the pass:
- Drive further along the plateau and descend to the lake through the Juku Valley. It's not easy, with a 95% chance you will have to get completely soaked in mud, and suffer on the upper marshes and rocky descent.
- It will roll down to the lake by the main road, and roll along the asphalt to the overnight place on the shore of Issyk-Kul.
Bike — 70 (with auto-drop) /105/127 km.
We cross dirt trails through the wild Aksu pass (2,810 m) into the Jeti-ogyz valley. Check-in of the guest house and the yurt.
We continue the mountainous part of the route. Immediately from the boarding house we go up the dirt roads to the pass from the Jeti-Oguz valley to the neighboring gorge. After the dirt trails, we get out onto the asphalt, drive through Karakol, the largest city in Issyk-Kul, and stop at a guest house. In Karakol, we will get acquainted with Dungan cuisine.
Bike — 40 km, set 1300 m.
Radial departure through the surroundings of Karakol.
The main direction is the valley of the Karakol river, where you can get to the alpine camp of the same name.
Trails, uphills and downhill slopes are all within walking distance from the city.
Bike — 60 km, set 1800 m.
A small beautiful sunset along the shore of Issyk-Kul.
Loading bicycles into transport, transfer to Bishkek.
On the way, we stop at the Keremet-Suu hot springs.
Bike — 50 km, set 150 m.
Arrival and departure day
Route map
Information
- Transfer of participants with equipment from the starting point (Bishkek);
- full meals on the route;
- group equipment;
- recreational fees;
- payment for accommodation along the route;
- escort car;
- the work of a cook guide and a mechanic instructor.
- Flight to Bishkek and back;
- Bike and helmet rental;
- Accommodation in Bishkek before and after the end of the tour;
- Meals in cafes and restaurants along the route.
FAQ
How can I guarantee a tour booking?
You need to submit a request on our website. After that, one of our managers will contact you to help you sign a contract and make an advance payment. The advance payment amount can be from 50% to 100%, with the remaining funds due 30 days prior to the start of the tour. The reservation will only be confirmed after the advance payment has been received.
What are we going to eat?
In cycling tours, we don't have a strict nutrition plan like «three candies — two cookies» for each person. We provide food so that everyone can enjoy a well-balanced meal. If you need more sweets or other treats, feel free to take them! Our menu includes:
- Breakfast options: Muesli with milk, hot porridge, sandwiches, tea or coffee, sweets, and fruits.
- Lunch — A «lunchbox» is provided, along with a snack stop featuring cheese, sausage, cured meats, canned goods, sandwiches, and more sweets and fruits. For more challenging routes, we offer energy bars and gels as part of the diet.
- Dinner — Soup, salad, or a main course with meat, fish, or grilled dishes. Desserts, tea, and coffee are also available.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time. Vegetarians, vegans, and people who prefer raw food are all welcome!
We don't prepare hot meals for lunch on our tours, as there isn't usually enough time for it during active trips, and lunch is often eaten away from the main camp. Instead, we plan meals in advance and provide «lunchboxes» in the morning for participants who don't want to rely on a vehicle to bring them food.
Whenever possible, we also try to introduce our guests to local cuisine from the area we are visiting.
What are the requirements for an MTB bike and the list of equipment?
To get the most out of the ride, you need a reliable mountain bike. A hardtail with attachments at least the Shimano Deore level is perfect.
It is very important to prepare the bike: complete maintenance, check the condition of the brakes, switches, cables, shock absorbers, tires. We ride in wild places, and there is no way to service the bike in a stationary workshop during the route.
If you don't have your own bike, we can rent it to you. In addition, you can rent an electric bike from us.
After completing the application, we will send you a complete list of equipment.
How to pack and transport a bike on a plane?
Each airline has its own rules for carrying sports equipment. Most often, when buying a ticket with luggage, sports equipment is included in the price. We recommend that you study this information on their official websites.
There are three main packaging options: soft case, hard case, cardboard box (we recommend it).
Preparing the bike for packing includes:
- removing accessories;
- removing wheels (with reduced tire pressure) and pedals;
- rear derailleur with cock;
- twisting the steering wheel and pressing it along the fork.
- It is recommended to place a soft material between all touching parts for additional protection. If your bike is equipped with hydraulic brakes, it is important to install caps for calipers. Then the frame should be placed in the box, and the wheels should be positioned on both sides of the frame.
You can read more about this in the blog article from our head Ivan Kryukov: Transportation of a bicycle on an airplane, packaging, and tips.
Reviews
Maybe my review will seem a little sentimental, especially considering the words of the guide, but if anyone ever asks me if I've ever been to a fairytale, I would say YES!!! And this fairytale was created for me by the RA team! Together with them, I immersed myself in an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, fabulous snow, and very cheerful, positive people. Of course, everyone is different, but all of them are interesting and exciting, because without realizing it, we all enter a fairytale and forget about our problems and worries. In fairytales, as we know, good always triumphs over evil! I always feel very happy when I have the opportunity to book a trip with you, and then comes the wait for the holiday. The journey there and back is always enjoyable and positive, because along the way to the fluffy slopes of Sheregesh, we play games and get to know each other better. Oh, those slopes... How many positive emotions we get from our time in the mountains! Even after a long day of skiing, we can't stop smiling when we return to the hotel. Everything is just beginning and we have an exciting evening planned by Ivan and Svetlana. We'll play mafia games, charades, and tell funny stories around the campfire. After our trip with RA, we have only pleasant memories and new friends. Russian Altai is a special place that I love very much. I wish it prosperity and lots of new ideas. Thank you for inviting us to come here.
Mongolia Bike Tour. Last year, I had a dream of visiting this country by bicycle. Mongolia is a country with a thousand destinations and millions of roads, pristine nature, friendly people, changing weather, endless grades, challenging passes, and thrilling descents. When you arrive, you forget all your worries and disappear from the internet and mobile networks. You can also forget the Russian language and simply enjoy the changing landscapes: snow-capped mountains, vast steppes, cool lakes, and swift mountain rivers. There are only lonely tents, herds of sheep, cattle, horses, camels, and yaks, as well as golden eagles soaring above you. This is a bike tour for those with strong minds and iron wills. The 678 kilometers and 10 kilometers of climbing already say a lot. If you're seeking adventure, you will definitely find it here. Thanks to RA and Ivan for providing a complete immersion, it was an unforgettable experience. I'm not saying goodbye; I'm saying «see you later.» Dreams do come true!
If you are looking for a bike tour in Barnaul, you have come to the right place. I have ridden with several organizers and can tell you that bike tours are the best. On a bike tour, you pedal, enjoy the scenery, and eat and sleep as you go. No one forces you to do anything you don't want. You don't have to worry about cooking your own dinner after you finish the tour, like with some other organizers. Here, you can relax! The routes are beautiful, and the support along the way is excellent.
I can't even count how many times I have used the company's services. It is always an adventure! Professional guides know all the routes and trails in the Altai Mountains, Mongolia, and other countries that they take clients to. They always try to vary their routes, and I am especially impressed by their friendliness and responsiveness. If you go on a tour with them, you will make real friends! This summer, some friends are coming to visit me and asked for an adventure — I suggested we go with Russian Altai. Thank you, Ivan and Svetlana!