2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

NEW

Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in the Celestial Mountains ALPINE LAKES, NOMADS, AND A SILK ROAD HERITAGE

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike and camp in the alpine splendor of the Tien Shan—the Celestial Mountains • Witness an amazing Kyrygz horseback game (the precursor to polo) • Boat on luminous Lake Issyk-Kul, visit the famous Karakol livestock market • Meet a traditional eagle hunter, dine in family homes, learn about nomadic culture DETAILS • 14-day trip begins and ends in Bishkek • 7 nights hotels and guesthouses, 6 nights tents or yurt camps • All meals included

Hike in Central Asia’s Celestial Mountains, watch a breathtaking horseback game, meet an eagle hunter, and experience the genuine hospitality of the Kyrgyz people. PHOTO: BRUNO MORANDI

DATES Jun 2-15, 2020 Jun 18-Jul 1*

The snow-capped Celestial Mountains on the roof of Central Asia dominate the spectacular landscape of Kyrgyzstan. Our beloved Trip Leader Hashmat Singh has fallen in love with this alpine nation and its people, and we’ll join him to hike the pristine trails, meet nomads in their summer settlements, explore azure lakes, including remote Song Kol, famous for its star gazing, and spend nights in cozy yurt camps, our special tented camp, and welcoming hotels and guesthouses. Our cultural adventures among the nomads are unforgettable, including a stunning demonstration of eagle falconry and a breathtaking ulak tarysh —a full-gallop, polo-like horseback game played here since the Silk Road era. Expect a genuine welcome among the people of this thriving culture! Days 1-2 Bishkek’s Bazaar / Ala Archa After exploring Bishkek and its famous Osh Bazaar, one of the best markets in all Central Asia, we stretch our legs on a hike in the forested gorge of Ala Archa Canyon. Days 3-6 Lake Issyk-Kul / Horseback Games / Karakol Market We explore azure-blue Lake Issyk-Kul, over 100 miles long and surrounded by mountains, visit a massive lakeside petroglyph site, and hike below the red-rock towers of the

Aug 18-31 Sep 3-16* Jun 1-14, 2021 Jun 17-30* Aug 31-Sep 13 Sep 16-29* * Reverse Itinerary

SANOOKTIEW

Jeti-Oguz. We’ll be welcomed by a nomad family for a delightful lunch in their ornately decorated yurt, and at a local village, we’ll sip tea from a samovar as we watch the skills of Kyrgyz horsemen at a wildly photogenic ulak tartsha event—a thrilling sight! Karakol has a traditional livestock market, and here we walk among traders of horses, sheep, and cattle. One evening, we dine with a Chinese-Dungan family—and join them to make traditional “hand-pulled” noodles. we enjoy our special camp by a crystal-clear stream, perfect for hikes among summer jailoos (yurts) and grazing horses. Heading to our yurt camp above the wild southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, we’ll sample a lunch of traditional Kyrgyz dishes and meet a member of a family of eagle hunters to see him work with his golden eagles—we can even hold one of the birds! At remote Lake Song Kol, at nearly 10,000 feet, our hike brings us up to airy Jalgyz Karagai Pass (11,276') for panoramic views to the highest peaks in the Celestial Mountains. Depart on Day 14 from Bishkek. Days 7-14 Yurt Camping / Eagle Hunter / Lake Song Kol In the beautiful Kyzyl Suu Valley,

TRIP COST $6195 (9-12 members) $6695 (5-8 members) Single supplement: $480

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 Varied hikes of 2-6 hours; maximum altitude of 11,276 feet

BURT JOHNSON

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 94