Kashgar to Bishkek Linking Sections Trip Notes

This morning there will be a quick pre-departure meeting in order to explain the next 6 days and collect the next part of your kitty.

We then set off on a stunning journey along the Karakoram highway towards Lake Karakol. This stunning lake and its surrounding mountains are a highlight on this short trip. We camp overnight if conditions allow.

The morning is spent at Lake Karakol. Optional activities include horse riding around the lake or short hikes in the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon we will drive back to Kashgar arriving in the early evening in order to prepare for the border crossing tomorrow. Accommodation is in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

We overland approx 625 km along the Silk Route through the Tian Shan Mountains and over the 3752 m Torugart Pass crossing into China. We will set up a bush camp tonight near the border.

The Silk Route had many different physical barriers to overcome, none more difficult that the vast Tian Shan mountains that separate the kingdoms of the Kyrgs, now Kyrgyzstan, and the land of the Turkic speaking Uyghurs, Chinese Turkestan. The main route through these mountains was and still is through the 3752 m Torugart Pass. This journey is not for the fainthearted
as roads are poor but passable. The route is through stunning mountains and is one of the most exciting overland routes in the area. Be prepared for high altitude and cold as en route we will cross the Tuz-Bell Pass at 3574 m and then over the Torugart Pass at 3752 m.

Bush camp (no facilities) (1 nt)

Today we will drive approximately 235 km to Kochkor. Here we will stay for the night with a traditional Kyrgyz family, living with them and finding out about their daily life, food and family patterns. Accommodation is in home stays, accommodating up to 8 guests in each home.

This morning we will drive approximately 80 km to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. We will arrive in time for the 10:00am pre departure meeting for the next section of this trip, Bishkek to Tashkent. Accommodation tonight is in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

Bishkek is the relaxed capital of Kyrgyzstan with a pleasant laid-back atmosphere. The city centres around Ala-too Square, previously known as Lenin's Square under the previous Soviet regime. Lenin used to stand in his concrete overcoat in the middle of the square, proudly gesturing towards the mountains. For those interested in their Soviet memorabilia, a larger than life Frunze can also be found still sitting on a bronze horse facing the train station, though his name plaque has been removed - and you can still visit the museum built over Frunze's birthplace. A pleasant place to watch the world go by is Dubovy (Oak) Park, where you'll find a few open air cafes, perfect spot to sit and have a drink and soak up the atmosphere. The century old oaks here and all along Freedom Avenue make Bishkek one of the greenest cities in Central Asia.