Holy Lake & Pilgrims’ Trail from Arslanbob — 3 Days
About this tour
Above Arslanbob lie high summer pastures and gorges with trees 20–25 m tall, home to ibex and snow leopards. The Big Holy Lake at the heart of this trip is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims from across Central Asia — on the way you will meet pilgrims walking the same path.
Three days on horseback take you over the Char-Archa pass to the alpine pastures of Tulga-Tash, down the Tash-Koroo canyon to the lake and back via the Dubana shrine (mazar). Several variations are possible.
Highlights
- The Holy Lake (3,000 m), a Central Asian pilgrimage site
- Yak herds on the Chakmak-Tash pastures
- The great Tash-Koroo canyon
- Dubana shrine and conifer forests
- About 100 km on horseback
Group departures
Join a group on one of these dates, or propose your own. A departure is guaranteed once 2 travellers have joined, and the price per person drops as the group grows.
Join a group: choose your date
Publish your dates and other travellers can join you. They go live as soon as you confirm your email.
- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Arslanbob – Char-Archa – Sere jailoo
Start at 9:00, heading west past the Kyzyl-Alma fields and the Kara-At pasture to see seasonal nomad life, then over the Char-Archa pass (2,800 m) to the alpine pastures of Tulga-Tash. Lunch and rest, on to Chakmak-Tash with its many yaks, and camp on the Sere pasture. About 8 hours, 30 km. Night in tents.
02
Day
Tash-Koroo canyon – Holy Lake
Ride down to the great Tash-Koroo canyon. On the way to the Holy Lake you will meet pilgrims from all over Central Asia. Rides and walks around the sacred lake, dinner below Tash-Koroo. About 8 hours, 35 km. Night in tents.
03
Day
Dubana shrine – Arslanbob
Ride through conifer forest to the Dubana shrine, lunch on the Sere pasture and descend over the Char-Archa pass to Arslanbob. About 8 hours, 35 km.
What's included
Included
English-speaking guide
2 nights camping: tents, camp kitchen and a cook
Breakfast and dinner every day
Lunch every day
A horse for each traveller and your guide, with local horsemen
Pack horses with a horseman for the luggage and camping gear
Entrance tickets and park fees
Not included
International flights
Visa fees (if you need a visa)
Travel insurance
Sleeping bag and mat (ask us if you need to rent one)
Drinks and snacks
Tips for your guide, driver and horsemen
Personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
- Confident riders — you will ride 5–7 hours every day
- Travellers looking for remote country far from roads
- Travellers interested in sacred places and local traditions
Difficulty & safety
The highest point of the route is about 3,200 m. Drink plenty of water, go slowly on the first days and tell your guide about any headache or dizziness. Riding days are about 8 hours at a walking pace with an experienced horseman; mountain weather changes fast, so keep a warm layer and rain jacket at hand.
What to bring
Warm clothes — nights in the mountains are cold
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
Rain jacket
Sunscreen and sun hat
Sleeping bag
Pricing by group size
FAQ
Is the Holy Lake open to visitors?
Yes. It is a place of pilgrimage, so please dress modestly and be respectful near the lake and shrines.
