Bike to Khan Tengri Peak!

This expedition rides off-road through the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, tracing a route from Almaty via the Turgen River, Assy Plateau, Zhenishke and Kensu Rivers to the Karkara Valley. The ride passes beneath the marble pyramid of Khan Tengri (7,010m) and nearby Pobeda Peak (7,439m), through pastures, plateaus and wildflower valleys, with only occasional horsemen and nomadic Kazakh herders for company.

Riders camp each night on the trail, with a heli-biking day flown to Dzhalanach Pass (3,510m) for sweeping Tien Shan views before a 45km off-road descent. The return leg crosses into Kazakhstan for Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles, before finishing with two nights in an Almaty hotel and a cable-car excursion to Shymbulak and the Bogdanovich Glacier.

A tough off-road expedition, combining demanding cycling, high altitude and extreme weather for those wanting genuine adventure.

Highlights:

• Off-road riding across the Assy Plateau and Tien Shan foothills
• Heli-biking descent from Dzhalanach Pass (3,510m) with Khan Tengri and Pobeda Peak views
• Crossing into Kyrgyzstan via the Karkara Valley
• Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles on the return leg
• Nomadic herders, yurts and remote villages en route
• Cable car excursion to Shymbulak and Bogdanovich Glacier in Almaty

Surface and terrain:
Almost entirely off-road (256km of 270km total), across river valleys, plateaus, rocky shelves and mountain passes. Route breaks down as 10km ascent, 100km downhill (including 45km heli-biking) and 160km medium terrain. Highest point 3,510m.

Likely weather:
Extreme weather conditions at high altitude. Season runs July-August, so expect warm days with cold, changeable mountain conditions at altitude.

Suitable for:
Experienced, fit off-road mountain bikers wanting a tough, high-altitude adventure rather than a leisure tour. Rated "moderately hard" by them.