Color stones of the Talas mountain rim

Absolute elevation of the area 2800-3200 m. Hiking portion of the trail goes along a gentle, but fairly elevated terrain. We ask that the participants be in good physical shape. Transfers are conducted by an all- terrain bus. When on trail, hot meals are usually served for breakfast and dinner. Lunch is served out of box. Duration of trips averages 10 to 14 days. Trails are accessible May - September. (preferred period)

Proposed Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Bishkek. Lodging at a guest house. Overview of the program, brief instruction, demonstration of gemstone samples.

Day 2: Transfer from Bishkek to Talas by bus thru an elevated Suusamyr mountain valley. Distance - 280 km, duration: 8-10 hours. Overnight in Talas at a guest house or in tents.

Day 3: Transfer from Talas to Ken Kol river valley (35 km)- 1 hour, followed by a trek gaining elevation from 1850 m to 2900- 3200 m: 4- 10 km, 1.5- 3 hours. Hunt for minerals. Over 300 pegmatite and hydrothermal veins of acid composition, containing quartz (mountain crystal, amethyst, morion) areas of metasomatism with tourmaline and fluorite, topaz, garnet, wolframite and molybdenite, etc. Cavities of 1 m and larger are known to be found here. Metamorphic surrounding rock contains andalusite, quartz, biotite, disthene, sillimanite, tourmaline, garnet, zircon, etc. Return to camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 4: Trek with elevation gain from 1850 m to 2900- 3200 m: 4- 10 km, 1.5- 3 hours. Gather minerals. Return to camp. Transfer to Talas. Overnight at guest house.

Day 5: Transfer from Talas towards western part of the valley. About 60 km, 1 hour. Trek for 3- 4 km gaining elevation from 2200 m to 3050 m, 1.5- 2.5 hours. Gather minerals. Over 12 pegmatite veins with beryl (some crystals up to 30 cm in length), tourmaline-, quartz- mica and rare earth mineralization. Aquamarine can also be spotted here. Return to camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 6: Trek for 3- 4 km gaining altitude from 2200 m to 3050 m, 1.5- 2.5 hours. Collect minerals. Return to camp. Transfer to Talas. Overnight at guest house.

Day 7: Transfer to Kumushtag depository: about 60 km, 1 hour.
Trek for 1-2 km gaining elevation from 2000 m to 2200 m, 0.5-1 hour. Collect minerals. Metasomatic areas containing garnet, vesuvianite, epidote, amphiboles, etc. Pegmatite veins with small crystals of aquamarine and emerald, fluorite, etc. Return to camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 8: Trek for 1- 2 km gaining from 2000 m to 2200 m, 0.5- 1 hour. Collect minerals. Return to camp. Transfer to the city of Talas.

Day 9: Transfer from Talas to Bishkek, Chill or plunder the Bohemian oasis of Bishkek.

Day 10: Explore mineralogical, zoological, and historical museums, run errands in Bishkek.