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Kyrgyzstan Explorer

Duration

15 Days

Ride Grade

3

Ride / Rest day

12 / 3

Sealed / Dirt

70% / 30%

Distance

2,500 km / 1,560 mi


Kyrgyzstan: Be one of a handful of bikers to explore this rugged Central Asian country in the shadows of the Tien Shan Mountains on the ancient Silk Road

A landscape of towering mountains, lush alpine valleys, glaciers and lakes, Kyrgyzstan is the ultimate bikers destination. Kyrgyzstan is a nation of incredible untouched natural beauty and is home to the world’s second largest freshwater lake and some of the finest remote mountain riding in the world. We stay in Gers atop lonely remote Jailoo’s (summer pastures) or scenically located high altitude lakes. Often described as some of the finest riding on earth, Kyrgyzstan offers a new and very unique riding destination. Join us on this ride of Silk Road legends and legendary landscapes.

Images courtesy of Ian Emmett.

No info kit available

Dates and Pricing

27th Jun 2023 to 12th Jul 2023

Tour code: KE/270623

from US$6900

FULLY BOOKED

Rider / Yamaha XT600

US$6900

FULL

Rider / BMW F700 GS

US$6900

FULL

Rider / BMW F800 GS

US$7130

FULL

Pillion / Support Vehicle

US$6015

FULL

27th Jun 2024 to 12th Jul 2024

Tour code: KE/270624

from US$7590

View Bikes

Rider / Yamaha XT600

US$7590

AVAILABLE

Rider / BMW F700 GS

US$7590

AVAILABLE

Rider / BMW F800 GS

US$7840

AVAILABLEAVAILABLE

Pillion / Support Vehicle

US$6610

Tour Highlights


Itinerary



 

Day 1: Your Bishkek airport transfer will take you directly to our joining hotel, ready for an early start tomorrow. Today you will meet your crew for your tour briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2: A short introductory ride today to the stunning Ala Archa National Park before returning to Bishkek.
Day 3: Leaving the big city lights behind we ride south again and into the mountains where we cross the 3,586 m Too Ashuu Pass. Tonight we stay at the amazing Chychkan Canyon at a basic hotel amazingly located over a raging glacial river.
Day 4 The ride today will see us reach the biggest Walnut grove on earth at Arslanbob, an elevated village beautifully located between the Ferghana and Chatkal Ranges.
Day 5: Today will see us descend from the mountains and into the broad Ferghana Valley arriving into one of Central Asia most historic cities of Osh late afternoon.
Day 6: Today's ride will see us ride south over the 2,389 m Chyyrchyk Pass on the road that takes travellers into Tajikistan and circling back to Osh. It's an amazing day of impossibly rugged scenery.
Day 7: Leaving Osh we ascend from the fertile Ferghana Valley and hit the dirt for some extraordinary dirt tracks that climb to a dizzying 3000 m at Kaldama Pass. We overnight at a homestay in the mining village of Kazarman.
Day 8: We spend the day at around 1900 m ascending and descending via an amazing series of twisties. Todays’ riding is absolutely stunning and is rounded off at the best hotel in Naryn, the Khan Tengri.
Day 9: Leaving Naryn we quickly climb to 2000 m and are awestruck by an icy snow covered At Bashy Range that borders China. We overnight in a wonderful traditional Yurt Camp spectacularly located under the “Dragons Teeth”.
Day 10: Today's riding is challenging as we cross rivers, most of them dry, and ascend and descend mountain passes via amazing switch backs and pass lofty “Jailoos” (summer pastures), but it will all be worth it when we cross the 3rd and final pass and get our first glimpses of Song Kol (lake) ringed by a wall of snow capped peaks. We overnight in our second, and final, yurt camp set beside Song Kol.
Days 11,12, 13 & 14: Leaving Song Kol we briefly ascend to 3460 m before “descending” to the second highest alpine lake in the world of Issyk Kol. We ride the southern shores of this massive lake before arriving at Karakol our base for the next 4 nights allowing us to explore this incredibly beautiful region full of stunning alpine valleys that tumble down from the Tien Shan Mountains. No visit to this region is complete without an overnight stay at the staggeringly beautiful Altyn Arashan, a postcard perfect Alpine Valley at 3000 m.
Day 15: For a completely different perspective we ride the northern shores of Issyk Kul, running along the border with Kazakhstan, on our way to Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek for our final night together.
Departure day: Spend some time in Bishkek or fly home, the choice is yours.

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Included


    Not Included


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      Upgrades


      All accommodation is twin or double share, if you would like a single room there will be a single supplement: US $900
      (Please note, you may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip).

      Our motorcycles are insured and have a damage excess of US$ 2500, you can reduce the excess by taking advantage of our Excess Reduction Policy: US$ 15 per day

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      Ride Details book now JOIN THE WAITLIST


      Ride Profile

      77% of this ride is on paved roads; this pavement varies from superb smooth dual lane through mountain passes to incredibly rough potholed single lane. Generally the roads are empty except for the main roads into Bishkek and around Issyk Kol. Driving standards will NOT be what you are used to and donkeys, cows etc frequently wander along the road verge and the drivers are maniacal.
      23% of this ride is off road; these off road trails generally consist of loose gravel and generally are wide and well formed. Many passes we cross will be on gravel with a lot of switchbacks. Some tracks will have deep washouts, gravel heaps, wheel ruts & have huge drop offs, generally these tracks are very rarely traveled, however are used by normal 2 wheel drive cars and trucks.
       

      Tour Start/End

      Tour Start: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
      Tour End: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
       

      Climate

      It will be HOT in the Ferghana Valley, around the mid 40 degrees Celsius, but hopefully no rain. At Tash Rabat and Song Kol it will be near zero degrees Celsius overnight and mid teens to early 20 degrees Celsius and sunny during the day, it is after all at 3,000 metres.  

      Important Information

      • All riders must have a valid motorcycle license and at least two years riding experience.
      • It is a requirement that all clients have appropriate insurance for this type of expedition.
       
       
      Ride Grade
      3
       

      Ride Distance
      2,500 km / 1,560 mi

       

      Sealed / Dirt
      70% / 30%

      Accommodation


      • 15 nights of accommodation: 11 nights in 3 to 4 star hotels, 2 nights in traditional yurts, 2 nights in home-stays
      • A flexible attitude is needed, as services in these extremely remote regions of Central Asia will NOT be what you are accustomed to.
      • All accommodation is on a twin share basis. If you are traveling alone we will pair you up with another solo traveler. However, if you prefer single accommodation a single supplement is available: US$ 900.00 (please note that you may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip)
       
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      Dining


      • On every day of the tour we include breakfast: 15 Breakfasts
      • On mentioned ride days we provide a picnic lunch that we prepare ourselves from our mobile kitchen: 9 Lunches
      • We include mentioned dinners in reliable restaurants we have used many times before: 11 Dinners

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      Bikes




      BMW F800GS
      • 800cc Parallel twin cylinder engine
      • Seat height 88cm (34In) Approx.
      • Inner Leg Curve 193cm (76in) Approx
      • Heated Hand Grips
      • BMW style accessory power socket
      • Top Box
      • Engine protection bars
      • Bash plate
      • Dual purpose tyres 

      BMW F700GS
      • 800cc (de-tuned) Parallel twin cylinder engine
      • Seat height 82cm (32In) Approx.
      • Inner Leg Curve 181cm (71in) Approx
      • Heated Hand Grips
      • BMW style accessory power socket
      • Top Box
      • Engine protection bars
      • Bash plate
      • Duel purpose tyres
      • Low seat option available (79cm / 31 in)
       
      Yamaha XT600 E
      • 600cc Single Cylinder Engine
      • Seat height 86cm (33.8") Approx.
      • 21" Front, 17" Rear Wheel
      • Electric Start
      • Five Speed Gearbox
      • Hand Guards
      • Bash plate
      • Dual purpose tyres
       
      Yamaha XT660 Z Tenere
      • 660cc Single Cylinder Engine
      • Seat height 86.5cm (34") Approx.
      • 21" Front, 17" Rear Wheel
      • Electric Start
      • Five Speed Gearbox
      • Hand Guards
      • Bash plate
      • Dual purpose tyres
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      Insurance


      Accidents happen, luggage is lost and tour or flight cancellations can occur, so it is our policy that all participants of Compass Expeditions tours have an appropriate level of travel insurance to cover the unforeseen. This is not only compulsory when joining our tours, but it makes sense.

      If choosing your own insurance – for motorcycle tours it is crucial the insurance policy you choose will offer a policy for riding a motorcycle OVER 250cc (including our bikes). This is a critical point to ensure when purchasing a policy.

      Our experienced In-house travel team are happy to help with getting you the right insurance for your tour and for any other travel you might be doing before or after. Contact our in-house travel team.

      So you’ve read all the info and think you’re ready?...

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