TIAN SHAN: KYRGYZSTAN BIKEPACKING EXPEDITION
Explore the extraordinary Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan over a week’s bikepacking. Big mountains. Big landscapes. Scale like nothing else…
Tour Difficulty Rating
Location
Tian Shan Mountains
# Nights
8
Distance
350KM
GROUP SIZE
8-14
Join
£1530 (€1795)
Big mountain passes? Vast valleys? Never-ending gravel tracks? Nomadic cultures? Stunning yurt camps? Join us in the extraordinary world of Kyrgyzstan on the third-running of this Pannier Expedition – bucket-list bikepacking in the world’s wilds.
The Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan are considered the most stunning, wild and remote range in the world – home to several 5000M+ peaks and nomadic peoples. Following a day and evening in the capital city – Bishkek – we’ll transfer up to a yurt camp on the shores of remote Alpine Lake to start our journey. This expedition takes us through arguably the best bikepacking terrain going – a combination of jeep tracks, trails, and gravel ways, never below 2000M+.
Challenge aside, you will be rewarded with the fantastic emptiness yet warm hospitality amongst Kyrgyzstan’s huge landscapes. For more on Kyrgyzstan and bikepacking here, have a read of:
/ Julian’s #1 Kyrgyzstan Expedition Journal (2022)
/ Stef’s SILK ROAD MOUNTAIN RACE Journal (2019)
Third Edition:
30 June – 8 July 2024
Meet:
Central Bishkek
…for our Pannier Expeditions to ride, we need to reach the minimum group size, at least sixty days before the start date. Post booking, we’ll keep you informed as to numbers until we can confirm the expedition can go ahead. Please don’t book travel until then.
Nelson Trees (Kyrgyzstan)
Stef Amato (Pannier)
Pannier Expeditions always mean bikepacking with the best local guides in each destination – we’re huge advocates for local, inside knowledge and ways. For the Kyrgyzstan Expedition, our host is Nelson Trees – founder and race director of the Silk Road Mountain Race. He lives in Bishkek with his family, in between riding and racing his bike, and will be working with a small team of Kyrgyz People.
MEET
Arrive in Bishkek. Sort kit and bikes, explore Bishkek. Evening and pre-exped dinner in the capital city.
Accommodation: Bishkek Hotel
Morning in Bishkek (option to arrive early this morning). Transfer to Son-Kul – a stunning alpine lake at 3000M, for acclimatisation afternoon and evening.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Food: Breakfast / Dinner
35KM
350M+
Wake on the shores of Son-Kul and enjoy a yurt camp breakfast before starting our ride east around the magical shores of the lake.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Food: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
60KM
750M+
Ride out from Son Kul, descending 33 Parrots Pass and heading east…
Accommodation: Wild Camp
Food: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
60KM
1300M+
A hearty mix of tarmac and gravel. Pass through SRMR ‘Intersection Cafe’.
Accommodation: Wild Camp
110KM
1600M+
We’ll continue our journey east, and camp at the foot of the major pass of the trip. Depending on flood repair from storms and swollen rivers in 2022, this camp will be at Jiluu Suu Hot Spring.
Accommodation: Camp
Food: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
80KM (+1KM Hike-A-Bike)
1200M+
Summit Day. An early start to ride Tosor Pass, whose snow-capped col sits at 3900M+, before descending to the warm shores of Issyk-Kul for a relax and wind-down evening social.
Accommodation: Lakeside Yurt Camp
Food: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
A day along the shores of Issyk-Kul. Ride bikes, lounge at the beach. You decide 🙂
Accommodation: Lakeside Yurt Camp
Food: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
A morning unwind and recoop on the shores of the lake before transferring back to Bishkek. End of expedition social meal in the city, for those that fancy.
Accommodation: Optional Hotel Night (see extras)
Food: Breakfast / Lunch
FIN
>> Bikepacking Bags
>> Cold-Weather Camp Kit (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, liner)Unfortunately, bike hire is not available on this Expedition as standard, but it is possible to hire basic mountain bikes in Bishkek if you want/need. We hired two last year. Please contact Stef if this is something you are interested in.
>> 9 x hosted days in Kyrgyzstan
>> 6 x hosted and guided days bikepacking in Kyrgyzstan
>> All accommodation and camps
>> All food and drink on trip as listed, minus out-of-pocket expenses like alcohol
>> All transfers
>> Pannier.cc tourer pack
>> #coffeeoutside and #teaoutside throughout
>> Travel to/from Bishkek
>> Any required visas or vaccinations
>> Travel insurance – mandatory & required up to 4000M+
>> Bikepacking Bike
>> Bags / Camping Kit Hire
>> Fancy / Alcoholic drinks at bars/cafes
*Please see Trip FAQ/Field Notes for more info, and note about booking travel before a tour is guaranteed*
>> FLY
Nearest Airports: Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). Due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the best/only options are to travel via Istanbul or Dubai.With our Pannier Expedition one week-long, you could look to extend your stay in Kyrgyzstan? The capital city of Bishkek – a hotpot of Kyrgyz, Russian, Mongol, China and Western worlds – is well worth an extra day and night either side; not necessarily more. Or, opt to stay on the southern shores of Issyk-Kul lake for a break, once the riding is over…
Join Us
FAQ / Field Notes
Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan Expedition
Joining instructions >>
This tour starts and ends in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. There is no set arrival time but we recommend all tourers aim to be there for lunchtime to meet the Pannier team and group. A joining itinerary will be sent out to all tourers at least 4 weeks before the tour start date.
There are several carriers offering routes to Bishkek – we recommend checking on Skyscanner (or similar for available route options from your local centre. Please factor in travel days at the start of the tour to allow plenty of time to meet the group, and ensure your bike arrives with you. Make sure to sort and book bike-box luggage properly with your carrier 🙂
Some flight routes require an overnight stay between connecting flights. If you need to leave the airport you may need a short stay Visa in some countries.
You will need to pay to get your bike and kit there and back. Please note: bicycle delivery and flight charges are not included in the Pannier bike hire costs. We will work with you on this, if you decide you want to hire a bike 🙂
Please do not book non refundable travel before a tour has been guaranteed to go ahead [see our general FAQs]
Food & Drink >>
All sorts. We’ll say it now – nobody comes to Kyrgyzstan for the food, but that said, dishes like plov and lagman are hearty and decent – come see for yourself! The expedition will feature a mix of classic Kyrgyzstan food, as best we can find and cook, mixed with some classic western bikepacking dishes up Stef’s sleeve. Vegetarian and vegan options available, of course.
Accommodation >>
A mix of Yurt Camps and Wild Camps
What to bring >>
(We’ll go into this in more detail post-booking!)
Adventure bike (see bike details)
Bikepacking bags
Tent (suitable for Kyrgyz Mountains)
Sleeping bag (rated down to -10degs)
Sleeping mat (rated down to -10degs)
A basic personal bike tool kit – inc. patches, tyre lever and tubes / tubeless repair kit
Cycling kit, shoes, helmet, pedals
Spare Derailleur Hanger for your bike is essential
Off the bike clothes – warm layers for mornings and evenings + clothes for travel days
Warm and Waterproof jackets
GLOVES
Head torch
Sketchbook
U̶k̶e̶l̶e̶l̶e̶
Bike details >>
The ideal bike for this tour is a big-volume tyre gravel bike, or XC/hardtail mountain bike. The most important thing to consider is the range of gears on your bike. There are some long and tough ascents and having a low range of gears will help you keep riding…
Pannier hosts/guides will be carrying spare parts including chains, gear and break cables, inner tubes and pumps etc. Pannier hosts/guides are experienced mechanics and will be on hand to help build, fix and dismantle bikes if needed. We recommend you bring basic spares that are specific to your bike with you on this tour as once out of Bishkek there are very few bike shops. If you have wheels with strange spokes, specific tools needed or a belt drive bike for example, we’ll need to be able to fix it.
Unfortunately we are only able to offer bike hire to tourers coming from the UK/EU. If hiring a bike we will send you one of our adventure bikes one week prior to the tour departure date. It is then your responsibility to take the bike out to Kyrgyzstan with you.
Bike boxes and extra equipment can be left in Bishkek for the duration of the tour.
General information >>
Visas
Visas are not essential for the majority of nationalities at the time of writing. Please check your status. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you submit your application for a visa.
Vaccinations:
Please check with your relevant government travel pages. A couple of vaccinations are advised for Kyrgyzstan.
Passport:
You will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the start date of your tour. You will also need a minimum of two blank pages for arrival/departure stamps.
Weather:
A whole mix. Above 2000M+ expect anything from 35-degree sun to minus-degree snowstorms.
Money:
Kyrgyzstani SOM, but US Dollars accepted in some places. Always carry some cash.
Local Time:
Kyrgyzstan is CET+4
Health and Fitness:
Whilst our daily distances aren’t crazy, this tour is physically demanding and requires a base level of fitness to complete. Please read through the itinerary and make sure you are capable of completing the outlined distances and elevation before signing up.
Please make us aware of any medical conditions or ongoing injuries before traveling with us. This information will be requested before departure as it is vital we know of anything before heading to remote areas.
Allergies and Dietary Requirements:
Please make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements before traveling with us. This information will be requested before departure as it is vital we know of anything before heading to remote areas.