Trekking in the Barskaon and Jokuu Valleys
An interesting route to the glacial lakes through the high plateau of Arabel
Duration: 10 days – 9 nights
Route and Locations
Bishkek – Tosor – Barskaon Valley – Dongereme Pass – Jokuu Valley – Arabel Plateau – Jashyl Köl Lake – Jokuu Valley – Cholpon Ata – Bishkek
Tour Type: Individual
Group Size: 6 to 10 people
Tour Dates: From June 10 to September 10, 2025
Who is this tour for
This tour is designed for hopeless romantics ready to overcome the challenges of hiking life in exchange for incredibly beautiful views of wild nature, mountain lakes, and snowy peaks.
This tour is designed for hopeless romantics ready to overcome the challenges of hiking life in exchange for incredibly beautiful views of wild nature, mountain lakes, and snowy peaks.
How the tour will proceed
We will lead you along an exciting route in the heart of the Tian Shan, from Barskaon Valley to Jokuu Valley. You will be accompanied by experienced guides who will assist you in any difficult situation. All the heaviest items for the camp and all food will be carried by pack horses. You will only need to carry your backpack with personal belongings. Each day, at the end of the trekking, the guides will set up the camp and prepare delicious and hearty meals for you. At the end of the tour, you will be able to relax in hot mineral springs and unwind by the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Program
- Meeting at Bishkek airport or at the Korday customs checkpoint, transfer to the village of Tosor, accommodation in a yurt camp, dinner, and a group discussion about the trek.
- In the morning, we depart for Barskaon Valley, driving to the Dongereme Pass. We unload from the vehicle, put on our backpacks, and begin our hike. Today, we will leisurely ascend to a glade before the pass. We will set up camp in the glade, rest, and have dinner. Elevation: 3400m, altitude gain: +750m.
- After breakfast, we pack our things and set off for Dongereme Pass, elevation: 3880m. We cross the pass, descend to alpine meadows, set up camp, and rest. Distance: 7 km, altitude gain: +500m, camp elevation: 3400m.
- After breakfast, we hit the trail again. Today we will descend into the Jokuu River valley. We will camp on the banks of a stream near juniper thickets. Distance: 9 km, elevation drop: -550m.
- Today we will pass by Jashyl Köl lakes and ascend to Arabel Plateau. Then we will traverse the plateau to the east and camp near the Ittysh River. Distance: 16 km, elevation gain: +700m – -200m.
- On this day, we will continue east on Arabel Plateau, near the Ittysh River, turning north and moving along the old moraine towards the pass. We will set up camp before the pass and rest. Distance: 12 km, altitude gain: +200m.
- Today we will cross Ittysh Pass, elevation: 3895m, and descend into the forest to a cozy glade. We will set up camp and relax by the fire. Distance: 10 km, altitude gain: +200m – -1100m.
- After breakfast, we descend into Jokuu Valley, going a bit down the valley to where the vehicle will be waiting for us. We will get into the vehicle and drive to a guesthouse in Cholpon Ata. Rest after the hike. On the way, we will stop at hot mineral springs.
- Rest on the beach.
- 8-9 hours before your flight, a vehicle will pick you up and take you to Bishkek airport.
Additional information
Tour Cost for the Group
- 6 people – 840$
- 8 people – 750$
- 10 people – 680$
Cost Includes
- All transportation during the trip
- Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in yurts and a guesthouse for 3 nights
- Rental of tents and sleeping mats during the hike
- Three meals a day during the trek in the mountains
- All necessary kitchen and camping equipment
- Support from pack horses and a horseback guide throughout the hike in the mountains
- One foot guide for groups of up to 8 people
- Visit to hot springs on the 8th day of the trip
Cost Excludes
- Lunches and dinners in cafes
- Travel insurance
- Rental of a personal sleeping bag
- Personal hiking gear (backpack, trekking poles, shoes, clothing)
Booking and payment
To book the tour, you must choose suitable dates and make a 20% prepayment in Kyrgyz som via the Zolotaya Korona service or to the M Bank card or to the Demir Bank card in the name of Ilchishin Petr Georgievich, phone: +996772456819, registered address: Bishkek, Proletarskaya St. 63.
The remaining amount is paid on-site in cash in som, rubles, tenge, or dollars at the current exchange rate on the day of payment.
The remaining amount is paid on-site in cash in som, rubles, tenge, or dollars at the current exchange rate on the day of payment.
- In case of cancellation, a 100% refund of the prepayment is possible no later than 20 days before the start of the tour. After 20 days before the start of the tour, the prepayment is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
Important information
The tour cost includes the rental of tents, sleeping mats, and all necessary camping and kitchen equipment. Personal gear and clothing rental are not included. You should have your own 70-80L backpack, sleeping bag rated to -10 degrees, trekking poles, personal clothing and footwear, personal first aid kit, raincoat, sunglasses, flashlight, water bottle, and other necessary items.
On the first day of the trip, a delicious dinner will await you at the yurt camp, included in the price. From the second to the eighth day, you will have three meals a day at all stages of the route, included in the price. On the ninth and tenth days, only breakfast is included; lunches and dinners will be at your own expense. The approximate cost of lunch or dinner is 1000-1200 som per person.
You will be accompanied by one guide. The guide will lead you along the route, monitor the condition of all participants, determine camping and rest areas, and provide information about the route. Throughout the mountains, you will be accompanied by a horseback guide and pack horses. All heavy loads – tents, rainfly, folding tables, all necessary dishes, pots, kettles, gas, stove, and all food – will be carried by the horses. The horseback guide's task is to carry the load, set up the camp – tent, tables, gas stove, and prepare meals for the entire group.
You will carry your backpack with personal items, your sleeping bag, and your sleeping mat. Equipment for the camp, tents, and food will be carried by pack horses. You will set up and take down your own tents, as well as unroll and pack your sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Everything must be rolled up and packed before moving on.
On the first day we will stay at a yurt camp. The accommodation in the yurts is shared (4 people per yurt). The yurt camp has shared showers, toilets and Wi-Fi. During the tour, we will spend 6 nights in tents at various points along the route. For the last 2 days we will live in a yurt camp on the shore of Lake Issyk Kul
Write to us in the messenger and check the availability of seats in the groups.
About us on social media
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Akhunbayeva str., 119/7
susanintours@gmail.com
susanintours@gmail.com