Here are some more details on our cycling holidays in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan - The Shepherd's Way

Discover little known, rarely visited regions on redspokes unique Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday, riding through a scenic backdrop of grand vistas, deep gorges, high snowy peaks, rural villages and glacial rivers.

Kyrgyzstan is dominated by mountains with over 90% of the land lying above 1000m. On redspokes mountain cycling holiday you will cycle 2 passes above 3000m with the highest at 3364m. Redspokes Shepherd’s Way cycling holiday begins and ends in the vibrant Kyrgyz capital city Bishkek. We will transfer by vehicle to begin cycling from Lake Issyk-Kul (1606m) in north east Kyrgyzstan. Situated in the spectacular Tien-Shan mountain range, this is Kyrgyzstan's largest lake and the world's second largest alpine lake. 

We ride south west on our Kyrgyzstan cycle itinerary, biking through areas cloaked in conifers and carpeted in wild flowers, deep into the heart of Tien Shan Mountains. We continue cycling on winding roads along incredible gorges to reach the first of our high passes Jalpak Bel at 3348m. We enjoy cycling meadow landscapes and enjoy magnificent glacial views. You will have the opportunity to ride a horse along the shores of the Son Kul Lake in true nomad style and visit 2000-year-old petroglyphs carved by shaman. After enjoying a rest day, we cycle from Son Kul Lake to ride over the Kara Keche Pass, the highest point of our Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday. Cycling on with a downhill ride to Kyzyl Oi our Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday continues with a ride through the Red Rocks Gorge and through beautiful Suusamyr valley towards the Too Ashu pass. Too-Ashuu in ancient times was a key pass along the ancient Silk Road. Our cycling itinerary ends as the Too Ashuu ski base, from here we will transfer back to Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan has re-emerged from the days as a Soviet Republic with its heritage and traditions intact. Riding the redspokes Kyrgyzstan cycle holiday route we experience nomadic culture and customs, enjoying local hospitality from shepherd families in their summer yurts amongst sparsely populated green mountains.

The cycling tour route is mainly on unsurfaced tracks and road, where fewer than 4 to 5 vehicles travel each day with some challenging riding over high mountain passes. You will have vehicle support throughout the holiday. Tourism in Kyrgyzstan is still in its infancy and vast areas are largely untouched by development. Beaming smiles, open arms and unrivalled hospitality await you on our Shepherd’s Way itinerary. redspokes Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday is a rare opportunity to explore this undiscovered treasure in the heart of Central Asia.

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Karakoram Highway

redspokes’ Karakoram Highway to Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday is an adventure filled journey through three fascinating Asian countries where you will encounter outstanding, varied natural beauty. The legendary KKH to Kyrgyzstan itinerary offers stunning scenic biking with the chance to experience the contrasting cultures and lifestyles of Pakistan, China and Kyrgyzstan.

We begin with a dramatic flight from Islamabad to Gilgit by turbo prop plane around Nanga Parba at 8,125m; the sharp triangle of K-2, the second highest mountain in the world, is clearly visible on the horizon.  From Gilgit we cycle the Bagrote Valley at the heart of the Karakorum Mountains, and Dubani to the south east. riding narrow road to summer pastures passing beautiful terraced fields and meadows where crops and orchards are irrigated by water channels from the Barchi and Hinarchi glaciers and mountain snow. We visit school and community projects supported by redspokes and our partner charity LVCF, receiving a warm village welcome. We journey onwards to Shimshal, the highest settlement in the Hunza valley, cycling back down the pass on thrilling mountain road. 

You will revel in the striking beauty of Northern Pakistan's snow-capped Karakoram mountain range (with its peaks at 7,000-8,000m) and glacial river valleys characterised by distinctive black rocks and the world's largest non-Polar glaciers.

We leave Pakistan crossing the Khunjerab Pass.  The Khunjerab is known as the highest paved international border crossing in the world at an elevation of 4,693 meters.

In the autonomous region of Xinjian Uyghur in Western China we visit the city of Tashkurgan, named after 1400-year-old stone (tash) fortifications (kurgan) and home to an ethnic Tajik community. We cycle along vast valley basins, passing lakes and ascending mountain passes enjoying views of the stunning north side of the Muztagh Ata Massif (Father of Ice Mountains at 7,546m). We enjoy a rest day in Kashgar with time to sightsee and visit one of the largest outdoor traders’ market in the world.

Last but not least, on our cycling tour is enigmatic Kyrgyzstan a land of distinctive wide plains and grass-clad mountains (90% of the country lies above 1,000 m). We encounter semi-nomadic horsemen and shepherds tending to their flocks on an unparalleled off-road cycling route. You will visit Issyk Kul. the second largest alpine lake in the world, before finally discovering the delights of Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

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Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan

redspokes’ Tajikistan to Kyrgystan, Pamir Highway holiday is an epic, high-altitude cycle ride through spectacular, remote mountains in one of the least visited areas of the world. At the cutting edge of adventure cycling, this journey offers a fascinating insight into ex-Soviet Central Asia.

Our cycle tour starts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's sleepy capital; we transfer by vehicle up the Obkinghou Valley and over the spectacular 3,200m Khaburabot Pass. A precipitous cycling descent takes us into the deep cleft of the Pyanj valley where the massive Pyanj River marks the border with Afghanistan. Cycling through small villages, we follow the river upstream to Khorog, oasis capital of the Pamirs.

From Khorog, we set out riding along the Pamir Highway, cycling the pretty Gunt valley to the summit of the Koi Tezek Pass (4,200m). From the pass we descend onto the empty Pamir plateau, a Tibet-like region of snow-capped peaks and eerie turquoise lakes. Threading our way through the mountains we ride on to reach the small town of Murgab, not far from the Chinese border.

Leaving Murgab our Pamir Highway cycling route continues north. We ride up the 4,655m Ak Baital Pass, the highest point of the cycle tour. On the far side of the pass, cycling through a remote valley we reach the hauntingly beautiful lake at Kara Kul. From here, we ascend the Kyzl Art Pass and enter Kyrgyzstan. A very rough descent from the pass takes us out into the wide grassy Alay valley, studded with the traditional yurts of Kyrgyz nomads. Across the valley are spectacular views of the 7,000m summits of Pik Lenin and Pik Kommunizma.

We transfer from the Alay valley to Osh, Kygygzstan's second city. From here we take a flight to Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where redspokes’ Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday ends. 

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Kyrgyzstan Custom Tour

If our advertised dates don’t suit you, if you’re looking for a shorter/longer tour or simply want the enjoyment of travelling on your own or with friends, why not let us create a customised itinerary for you? We can organise private tours for groups of 2 or more people. This will usually be the same cost as for our advertised tour if there are 6 or more and 20-80% higher for smaller numbers.

We have years of experience working in adventure cycling and providing our clients with customised itineraries. A tour with redspokes will capture the imagination and leave lasting memories of this fascinating country.

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