Mountain Bike Mayhem
- Wilderness mountain bike holiday in the Tien Shan of Kazakhstan
- Heli-biking above the Karkara Mountain Base
- Meeting nomadic Kazakh and Kirghiz shepherd communities on bike
- Views of Khan Tengri from the Mingtur Pass
- Experience a real mountain bike adventure holiday
A perennial mountain bike holiday favourite, with superb biking into the wilderness of Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan in Central Asia. The Tien Shan or Celestial Mountains is one of the world's greatest mountain ranges and includes Peak Pobeda (7439m) and the famously beautiful marble pyramid of Khan Tengri (6995m). These impressive peaks provide a spectacular backdrop for this very special mountain biking holiday in Central Asia, which takes place in Kazakhstan and neighbouring Kirghizstan. After a transfer from the former Kazakhstan capital of Almaty to the Turgen River Gorge, we start biking through a stunning landscape of open steppe, inhabited by nomadic herdsmen and their horses. As we bike across high passes and camp beside wild rivers, 5 days of mountain biking through the Zailyisky and Kungey Alatau mountain ranges brings us to the Karkara Valley. Here we enjoy 2 unforgettable days of 'heli-mountain biking' flying high above camp for some heavenly downhill. The climax of the trip is a 4-day bike ride across the Mingtur Pass (3900m) and the Chon Ashy Pass (3820m) into Kirghizstan. This is challenging off-road mountain biking and a genuine adventure travel experience as we bike in an area of incredible cultural interest and stunning high mountain scenery.
If you're unsure if this holiday is for you, or want to learn more about KE world biking, whilst enjoying the best mountain and trail rides in the Lakes - check out our Dirty Weekends in the Lake District.
Is this holiday for you?
FAT TYRE ADVENTURE - This tremendous cycling adventure is on rough rural roads, tracks and trails that vary from hardpack to rocky and loose. Many of these were originally built for forest access and to connect some of the more remote villages in the area. Steep and strenuous climbs, ballistic descents, rough terrain and long days are the norm and you should be prepared for challenging off-road rides. Our off-road specific support vehicle follows us throughout the whole trip and we must stress that aside from the usual kit and food that you would carry on any day ride at home, you will not be required to carry any additional equipment - this is adventure mountain biking at its purest. There are not many bridges en-route and we have to wade across many small rivers. From the spectacularly located mountain base in the Karkara Valley we enjoy 2 days of incredible heli-biking before biking over the Mingtur and Chon Assy passes. This holiday is at the upper end of our INTERMEDIATE grade. Intermediate trips will provide a fun challenge for regular weekend bikers with reasonable off-road skills. 10,000 metres of ascent and descent over 11 days biking means that a good fitness base is essential. The support vehicle can (amazingly) follow the bikes throughout. Average 57 km (35 miles) per day.
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