|
Horse riding tour In lost valleys of
Chatkal
 This
trekking is designed for the fans of horse riding who are keen to
visit picturesque, intact corners of nature. The trek takes place
in the mountains of Western Tien Shan and comprises a vast area, including
the Kirghiz natural sanctuary Sarichelek. We start from the garden-clad
Fergana valley, a pearl of Central Asia, through which the Great Silk
Road passed. The mountainous area of Western Tien Shan is regarded
as very attractive in the region, owing to its immense valleys and
peaks exceeding 5000 metres. We make our way in picturesque valleys,
cross several passes that lead to great canyons, cloudless alpine
lakes and foamy mountain rivers. We-ll visit the large valley of the
Chatkal river with a pristine nature. Twice we-ll cross the Chatkal
ridge by simple passes in the vicinity of the highest peak with the
same name v Chatkal (4503 m). Also during the trek we shall be meeting
with warm v hearted locals, so that we can learn of their simple nomadic
life and taste their local round bread and yogurt with aroma tea.
The best time to travel is from June to September.
| Day 1 |
Arrive Tashkent. Meeting at
the airport. Transfer to hotel, where you get acquainted with
other group members. In your free time you can stroll along
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, a city with 2000 years
of history. |
| Day 2 |
Transfer Tashkent v Kamchik pass v Fergana valley v Aflatun
village (height 1300 m). (440 km, 8 hrs). This long travel day
allows enjoy a multitude of landscapes. We pass through mining
town Angren, and then the road goes up to the Kamchik pass (2670
m) that connects the Fergana valley with the rest of Uzbekistan.
The valley is reminding a giant garden in bloom. |
| Day 3 |
Preparation for the trek. Acquaintance with horses and trial
breaking-in upstream the Aflatun till the confluence with Uyalma,
where we set up our first camp at the height of 1800 meters.
(16 km is the distance left behind; the total route time is
5 hours; +500 meters is the height difference between the start
and the end of the day). The first day is always difficult for
the novelty of sensations. A good tarmac road takes us to the
canyon of the Aflatun river richly covered with Tien Shan firs.
The green of the grassland is in contrast with a stern beauty
of the mountains. The camp is on a large forest glade. |
| Day 4 |
We go upstream Ashuutor, cross the Ashuutor pass (3368 m)
and descend to the valley of Yuzhni Aflatun. Camp (3000 m) (12
km, 7 h, +600 m, -400 m).
A continuous ascension will reward us with immense views that
we gain from the saddle. By a good path we quickly go down to
the upper alpine zone of the North Aflatun river, where on a
cozy grass meadow we make a camp. |
| Day 5 |
We go down the valley of North Aflatun to the valley of the
Chatkal river. Camp (2500 m) (18 km; 500 m; 5 hrs). The valley
is very large in front of the canyon of the North Aflatun river.
From here we make a short incursion to the Aflatun lake. The
canyon astounds everybody with the sheer size of its vertical
walls. A good path leads us to a wide valley of the Chatkal
river, where we camp on grassy hills. |
| Day 6 |
During this short trek from the Tereksai to Karatokoy rivers
we can watch the majesty of nature and an amazing beauty of
the Chatkal canyon. Camp (2700 m). (8 km, +200 m, -200 m, 3
hrs).
Day 7. An easy ride upstream Karatokoy river to the Karatokoy
lake. In the afternoon not a difficult crossing of the Kokuibel
(3037 m) and further down to the valley of the Aksu river. Camp
(2600 m). (14 km, +400 m, -500 m, 5 hrs). |
| Day 7 |
We go up the Aksu river and then upstream Karakuldja. Our
way lies in the direct vicinity of the Talas ridge with the
neighbouring peaks of 4000 meters. Camp (3000 m). (12 km, +400
m, 4-5 hrs) |
| Day 8 |
We cross the Karakuldja pass (3161 m) and descend to the valley
of the river North Karakuldja. Camp (2000 m) (16 km, +1500 m,
-1100 m, 6 hrs). A good path takes us quickly to the pass, which
lies at the junction of the ridges Chatkal and Talas. The mountain
panorama will leave nobody indifferent. |
| Day 9 |
Going upstream Okun across an easy pass with the same name
(2650 m) and descent to the valley of Karasu. Camp (1900 m)
(16 km, +700 m, -700 m, 6hrs). From the path leading to the
saddle the view of the awesome Talas ridge with its sharp peaks
and vertical walls becomes more and more apparent. |
| Day 11 |
A day of rest with an excursion to the Karasu lake and a waterfall.
Camp. |
| Day 12 |
A day intense in impressions. We ascend upstream Karasu and
crossing Makmal pass (2654 m) go down to the valley of Sarichelek
to the lake, and camp on its shore (1900 m). (18 km, +750 m,
-750 m, 7 hrs). This long demanding and the most beautiful day
ends at the Sarichelek Lake which beauty is untellable. |
| Day 13 |
We leave the amazing Sarichelek lake and after a short ascent
we are on the Ashu pass (2650 m). Then descent to the valley
Kechkyol (Arkitsai). Camp near Arkit village (1300 m). (12 km,
+750 m, -1100 m, 6 hrs). A simple pass connects Sarichelek and
Arkit. We can see from the saddle the emerald blue water of
the lake and the shores covered with Tian Shan firs. |
| Day 14 |
Day of rest. Excursion to the Irikel lake. A trip on a motorboat
is possible. Camp (1300 m). Farewell party. Visit to a national
house. |
| Day 15 |
Transfer Arkit v Tashkent (420 km, 8 hrs). Hotel. |
| Day 16 |
Transfer to the airport. Departure. |
|
|
|
