Preliminary daily schedule for the Summer School in Kyrgyzstan 2026 (SSK26)
KS-1 = key sites: main scientific stops and field seminars.
Obs1 = observation sites: short stops to admire and discover landscapes, plants, and geological materials with brief commentary.
Cs1 = campsites: places for overnight stays.
DAY 1
Arrival at Bishkek’s airport
Arrival at Bishkek’s airport
Travel {110 km} to the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city)
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU)
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU)
Welcome speech from the administration of Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Introductory lecture ‘General info about Kyrgyzstan, description of the route, instructions’ Introductory lecture ‘Relief features and geological structure of Tian-Shan mountain system’
Visiting the most long-term field experiment on fertilization, crop rotation and irrigation in Central Asia
[Cs1] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
DAY 2
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Introductory lecture ‘Altitudinal vegetation belts of the Tian-Shan Mountains’
Introductory lecture ‘Altitudinal zonality of slope processes of the Tian-Shan mountains’
local farm specializing in vegetable cultivation
[Cs1] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Introductory lecture ‘Altitudinal vegetation belts of the Tian-Shan Mountains’
Introductory lecture ‘Altitudinal zonality of slope processes of the Tian-Shan mountains’
local farm specializing in vegetable cultivation
[Cs1] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
DAY 3
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Introductory lecture ‘Water management & irrigation peculiarities in Kyrgyzstan’
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Introductory lecture ‘Water management & irrigation peculiarities in Kyrgyzstan’
Introductory lecture ‘Degradation of pastures and forest management in Kyrgyzstan’
Visiting DAAD, discussion of financial support of WSHT students in Kyrgyzstan
Visiting DAAD, discussion of financial support of WSHT students in Kyrgyzstan
Some social events and cultural program with students of KNAU
[Cs1] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
DAY 4
Travel to Sosnovka village
[KS-1] Northern Tian-Shan; foothills composed of a massive thickness of loess
deposits; zone of the junction of the Kyrgyz Mountain Range and the Chui Valley;
vegetation, grazing load on the vegetation, and soils; N 42.6702, E 73.9422, alt. 1235
m
[Cs1] Overnight stay near Sosnovka village; N 42.6587, E 73.8976, alt. 1120 m
DAY 5
Travel {75 km} to the [KS-2]; on the way:
[Obs1] Too Ashuu Pass of 3400 m; view of the Suusamyr Valley; high-altitude intermountain Suusamyr depression and modern seismicity of the Northern Tian-Shan; N 42.3188, E 73.8147, alt. 3070 m
[Obs2] Ferula sp. – typical plant of high mountainous landscapes; N 42.2952, E 73.8316, alt. 2600 m
[KS-2] Steppe belt: vegetation and soils; N 42.2738, E 73.8604, alt. 2300 m Travel {105 km} to the [Cs2]; on the way:
[Obs3] Manas monuments at the intersection of the main roads to the south and west; N 42.2077, E 73.2512, alt. 2640 m
[Obs2] Ferula sp. – typical plant of high mountainous landscapes; N 42.2952, E 73.8316, alt. 2600 m
[KS-2] Steppe belt: vegetation and soils; N 42.2738, E 73.8604, alt. 2300 m Travel {105 km} to the [Cs2]; on the way:
[Obs3] Manas monuments at the intersection of the main roads to the south and west; N 42.2077, E 73.2512, alt. 2640 m
Optionally: [Obs3+] Hanging peat bog on a slope and soils, N 42.2038, E 73.2344, alt. 2680 m Dinner
[Cs2] Overnight stay on the Chychkan riverside; N 42.1542, E 72.8367, alt. 1840 m
DAY 6
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
[KS-3] Mountain forest belt: juniper-spruce forest and soils; N 42.1541, E 72.8315, alt.
1920 m
Short stop in the town of Toktogul
[Obs4] Badlands, forming tectonic terraces; deserted vegetation; ‘Kyrgyz Sea’ -
Toktogul reservoir in the Ketmen-Tubinsk intermountain depression, the largest
artificial reservoir in Central Asia; N 41.7597, E 73.0980, alt. 975 m
[Cs3] Overnight stay on the shore of Toktogul artificial lake; N 41.7808, E 72.9742,
alt. 880 m
DAY 7
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
[KS-4] Stages of relief formation; Paleozoic rocks; weathering crust. Vegetation of xerophytic shrubs. Soils formed on diluvial loams - result of displacement of overlying loess-like loams; N 41.6986, E 72.9355, alt. 1335 m
[Obs5] or [Obs5+] Trout farm; N 41.4723, E 72.2930, alt. 635 m
[Obs6] Natural pistachio sparse woodland; expressions of fold tectonics in Paleozoic complexes; canyon formed by natural and anthropogenic processes; N 41.4541, E 72.2928, alt.
Optionally: Talk about social problems in Kyrgyzstan with a local journalist
[Cs4] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside (Uncle Zhenya’s camp); N 41.4240, E 72.2537, alt. 640 m
[Obs6] Natural pistachio sparse woodland; expressions of fold tectonics in Paleozoic complexes; canyon formed by natural and anthropogenic processes; N 41.4541, E 72.2928, alt.
Optionally: Talk about social problems in Kyrgyzstan with a local journalist
[Cs4] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside (Uncle Zhenya’s camp); N 41.4240, E 72.2537, alt. 640 m
DAY 8
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel {75 km} to the village of Kochkor-Ata; on the way:
[Obs7] Tash-Kumyr hydropower plant on the Naryn River; N 41.4053, E 72.2339, alt. 670 m
Optionally: [Obs8] Irrigated tomato plantation on a small farm, meeting with a local farmer; N 41.0888, E 72.1932, alt. 510 m
Travel {20 km} to the [KS-5] and back to Kochkor-Ata by gravel (dirt) road
[KS-5] Almond and pistachio plantation and soils; N 41.1863, E 72.4344, alt. 1120 m
Travel {75 km} to the village of Arslanbob
Optionally: Open-air market in the town of Massy
[Cs5] Overnight stay in the village of Arslanbob (in Uzbek) / Arstanbap (in Kyrgyz); N 41.3377, E 72.9045, alt. 1550 m
Travel {75 km} to the village of Kochkor-Ata; on the way:
[Obs7] Tash-Kumyr hydropower plant on the Naryn River; N 41.4053, E 72.2339, alt. 670 m
Optionally: [Obs8] Irrigated tomato plantation on a small farm, meeting with a local farmer; N 41.0888, E 72.1932, alt. 510 m
Travel {20 km} to the [KS-5] and back to Kochkor-Ata by gravel (dirt) road
[KS-5] Almond and pistachio plantation and soils; N 41.1863, E 72.4344, alt. 1120 m
Travel {75 km} to the village of Arslanbob
Optionally: Open-air market in the town of Massy
[Cs5] Overnight stay in the village of Arslanbob (in Uzbek) / Arstanbap (in Kyrgyz); N 41.3377, E 72.9045, alt. 1550 m
DAY 9
[KS-6] Walnut forest: private walnut garden; vegetation and soils; N 41.3512, E 72.9573, alt. 1770 m
Trekking to the ‘Long narrow waterfall’; the path to the waterfall follows the bottom of an ancient sea along modern slopes composed of reefogenic limestones
[Cs5] Overnight stay in the village of Arslanbob (in Uzbek) / Arstanbap (in Kyrgyz); N 41.3377, E 72.9045, alt. 1550 m
Trekking to the ‘Long narrow waterfall’; the path to the waterfall follows the bottom of an ancient sea along modern slopes composed of reefogenic limestones
[Cs5] Overnight stay in the village of Arslanbob (in Uzbek) / Arstanbap (in Kyrgyz); N 41.3377, E 72.9045, alt. 1550 m
DAY 10
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel {120 km} to the city of Uzgen and {10 km} more
[Obs9] Private cherry farm; N 40.7298, E 73.2945, alt. 1170 m
Lunch at the cherry farm
[KS-7] Rice fields and paddy soils; rice processing (fermentation etc.); N 40.7691, E.73.3249, alt. 1040 m
[Obs10] Tobacco fields
[Cs6] Overnight stay on the territory of the historical archeological complex of the Uzgen city; N 40.7679, E 73.2982, alt. 1025 m
Travel {120 km} to the city of Uzgen and {10 km} more
[Obs9] Private cherry farm; N 40.7298, E 73.2945, alt. 1170 m
Lunch at the cherry farm
[KS-7] Rice fields and paddy soils; rice processing (fermentation etc.); N 40.7691, E.73.3249, alt. 1040 m
[Obs10] Tobacco fields
[Cs6] Overnight stay on the territory of the historical archeological complex of the Uzgen city; N 40.7679, E 73.2982, alt. 1025 m
DAY 11
Visiting the Institute of Education and Technology; N 40.7691, E.73.3249, alt. 1040 m
Talk ‘Famous Uzgen rice: varieties, cultivation and processing’
Optionally: Open-air market in the city of Uzgen
Travel {110 km} to the next campsite partly by paved road partly by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs11] View on the completely dewatered Kugart River (near Yntymak village); N 40.9986, E 73.0037, alt. 850 m
[Obs12] Specific plant community – savanoids; N 41.1832, E 73.3845, alt. 1630 m
[Obs13] Slope asymmetry, with maple and hawthorn woodlands on the northern slopes and steppes on the southern slopes; N 41.1900, E 73.3902, alt. 1610 m
[Cs7] Overnight stay near or on the territory of an abandoned pioneer camp (behind the village of Arkhangelskoye); N 41.2038, E 73.4022, alt. 1610 m
Talk ‘Famous Uzgen rice: varieties, cultivation and processing’
Optionally: Open-air market in the city of Uzgen
Travel {110 km} to the next campsite partly by paved road partly by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs11] View on the completely dewatered Kugart River (near Yntymak village); N 40.9986, E 73.0037, alt. 850 m
[Obs12] Specific plant community – savanoids; N 41.1832, E 73.3845, alt. 1630 m
[Obs13] Slope asymmetry, with maple and hawthorn woodlands on the northern slopes and steppes on the southern slopes; N 41.1900, E 73.3902, alt. 1610 m
[Cs7] Overnight stay near or on the territory of an abandoned pioneer camp (behind the village of Arkhangelskoye); N 41.2038, E 73.4022, alt. 1610 m
DAY 12
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel {110 km} to the next campsite by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs14] Upper part of the forest belt: maple and hawthorn sparse woodland with presence of Eremurus robustus; N 41.2544, E 73.5497, alt. 1820 m
[Obs15] Dangerous processes in the mountains - snow and ice slides, destructive mudflows, landslides and rockslides; N 41.2600, E 73.5970, alt. 1975 m
Buffet lunch
[Obs16] Urum-Bash Pass of 3120 m through Fergana ridge, toron (Polygonum sp.)
meadow and tipchak (Festuca valesiaca) steppe on the pass; N 41.2905, E 73.6274, alt. 3000 m
Dinner
[Cs8] Overnight stay on the Koek-Art riverside (a tributary of Naryn River) near the village of Kazarman; N 41.4097, E 73.9451, alt. 1310 m
Travel {110 km} to the next campsite by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs14] Upper part of the forest belt: maple and hawthorn sparse woodland with presence of Eremurus robustus; N 41.2544, E 73.5497, alt. 1820 m
[Obs15] Dangerous processes in the mountains - snow and ice slides, destructive mudflows, landslides and rockslides; N 41.2600, E 73.5970, alt. 1975 m
Buffet lunch
[Obs16] Urum-Bash Pass of 3120 m through Fergana ridge, toron (Polygonum sp.)
meadow and tipchak (Festuca valesiaca) steppe on the pass; N 41.2905, E 73.6274, alt. 3000 m
Dinner
[Cs8] Overnight stay on the Koek-Art riverside (a tributary of Naryn River) near the village of Kazarman; N 41.4097, E 73.9451, alt. 1310 m
DAY 13
[KS-8] Terrace complex, origin of mountain river terraces; steppe plant communities on mountain river terraces; N 41.4074, E 73.9448, alt. 1315 m
Departure from the campsite
Travel {90 km} to the next campsite by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs17] Gypsiferous lagoonal-continental terrigenous sediments of Paleogene-Neogene (Tertiary) age; N 41.3893, E 74.2385, alt. 1450 m
[Obs18] Coral limestone of Paleozoic age; N 41.3900, E 74.2399, alt. 1470 m
[Obs19] Arable farming at an altitude of above 2100 m (near the village of Kosh-Bulak); meadow steppe with Dipsacus dipsacoides; N 41.4607, E 74.3774, alt. 2110 m
Buffet lunch
[Obs20] Feather-grass (Stipa sp.) steppe with dominant species Stipa Kirgizorum; N 41.4861, E 74.5425, alt. 1930 m
[Obs21] Modern erosion processes (gullies) of intra-mountain valleys; landscape valley complexes; true steppe and pioneer vegetation in galleys; N 41.4853, E 74.5959, alt. 1770 m
Dinner
[Cs9] Overnight stay at the Chon-Kudur creek in the river valley; N 41.4881, E 74.5931, alt. 1765 m
Departure from the campsite
Travel {90 km} to the next campsite by gravel road; on the way:
[Obs17] Gypsiferous lagoonal-continental terrigenous sediments of Paleogene-Neogene (Tertiary) age; N 41.3893, E 74.2385, alt. 1450 m
[Obs18] Coral limestone of Paleozoic age; N 41.3900, E 74.2399, alt. 1470 m
[Obs19] Arable farming at an altitude of above 2100 m (near the village of Kosh-Bulak); meadow steppe with Dipsacus dipsacoides; N 41.4607, E 74.3774, alt. 2110 m
Buffet lunch
[Obs20] Feather-grass (Stipa sp.) steppe with dominant species Stipa Kirgizorum; N 41.4861, E 74.5425, alt. 1930 m
[Obs21] Modern erosion processes (gullies) of intra-mountain valleys; landscape valley complexes; true steppe and pioneer vegetation in galleys; N 41.4853, E 74.5959, alt. 1770 m
Dinner
[Cs9] Overnight stay at the Chon-Kudur creek in the river valley; N 41.4881, E 74.5931, alt. 1765 m
DAY 14
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel {120 km} to the next campsite near the city of Naryn partly by gravel road and partly by paved road; on the way:
[Obs22] Kara Koo Ashuu Pass of 2775 m. View of the adyrys - Cenozoic anticlinal folds of the foothills (shaft-shaped bends of the aligned Paleozoic folded basement), seismic generating structures of the Tian Shan; N 41.5102, E 74.7223, alt. 2625 m
Optionally [Obs23+] Salsola’s desert; N 41.4241, E 74.8679, alt. 1590 m
[KS-9] Halophytic (salt-tolerant) vegetation, saltwort small-bush desert, saline soils; N 41.4280, E 74.9422, alt. 1615 m
Dinner
[Cs10] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside near Naryn city; N 41.4599, E 75.8388, alt. 1950 m
Travel {120 km} to the next campsite near the city of Naryn partly by gravel road and partly by paved road; on the way:
[Obs22] Kara Koo Ashuu Pass of 2775 m. View of the adyrys - Cenozoic anticlinal folds of the foothills (shaft-shaped bends of the aligned Paleozoic folded basement), seismic generating structures of the Tian Shan; N 41.5102, E 74.7223, alt. 2625 m
Optionally [Obs23+] Salsola’s desert; N 41.4241, E 74.8679, alt. 1590 m
[KS-9] Halophytic (salt-tolerant) vegetation, saltwort small-bush desert, saline soils; N 41.4280, E 74.9422, alt. 1615 m
Dinner
[Cs10] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside near Naryn city; N 41.4599, E 75.8388, alt. 1950 m
DAY 15
[KS-10] Phenomenon of unconformity: unconformity of layers as an illustration of the geologic history of the area; mountain river valleys of Tian-Shan: formation, relief peculiarities and intrazonal vegetation, ecological classification of plants; N 41.4607, E 75.8397, alt. 1950 m
Visiting the open-air market and the city center of Naryn Optionally: mini-concert of folk Kyrgyz music
[Cs10] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside near Naryn city; N 41.4599, E 75.8388, alt. 1950 m
Visiting the open-air market and the city center of Naryn Optionally: mini-concert of folk Kyrgyz music
[Cs10] Overnight stay on the Naryn riverside near Naryn city; N 41.4599, E 75.8388, alt. 1950 m
DAY 16
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel {185 km} to the [KS-10]; on the way:
[Obs24] Contrasting plant communities on slopes of different exposures: (1) spruce forest, and (2) dry meadows, N 41.7906, E 75.7480, alt. 2630 m
[KS-11] Stony desert (analogue of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia): vegetation and soils; N 42.3080, E 76.2304, alt. 1665 m
Travel {25 km} to the campsite [Cs11]
[Cs11] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake near the village of Kara- Talaa; N 42.3052, E 76.4831, alt. 1607 m
Travel {185 km} to the [KS-10]; on the way:
[Obs24] Contrasting plant communities on slopes of different exposures: (1) spruce forest, and (2) dry meadows, N 41.7906, E 75.7480, alt. 2630 m
[KS-11] Stony desert (analogue of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia): vegetation and soils; N 42.3080, E 76.2304, alt. 1665 m
Travel {25 km} to the campsite [Cs11]
[Cs11] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake near the village of Kara- Talaa; N 42.3052, E 76.4831, alt. 1607 m
DAY 17
Travel {15 km} to Kyzyl-Suu village
Travel {25 km} to Chong-Kyzyl-Suu river valley; on the way:
[KS-12] Red beds (red-coloured sediments): vegetation and soils; N 42.2886, E 78.1118, alt. 2065 m
[KS-13] Lower part of the forest mountain belt: spruce forest vegetation and soils, N 42.2377, E 78.1421, alt. 2225 m
Optionally: Visit to a natural hot spring (bathing)
[Cs12] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake between Chichkan and Darkhan villages; N 42.3166, E 77.8186, alt. 1607 m
Travel {25 km} to Chong-Kyzyl-Suu river valley; on the way:
[KS-12] Red beds (red-coloured sediments): vegetation and soils; N 42.2886, E 78.1118, alt. 2065 m
[KS-13] Lower part of the forest mountain belt: spruce forest vegetation and soils, N 42.2377, E 78.1421, alt. 2225 m
Optionally: Visit to a natural hot spring (bathing)
[Cs12] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake between Chichkan and Darkhan villages; N 42.3166, E 77.8186, alt. 1607 m
DAY 18
Travel {55 km} to Ak-Sai and Jindi-Chap canyons; N 42.1756, E 77.3490, alt. 1620 m;
on the way:
[KS-14] Red beds: complex of terrigenous deposits of foothill plains and intermountain
depressions, proluvial plume from "Neogene" mountains (reflect the type of
lithogenesis in paleo-conditions of the dry climate of the Neogene). Specificity of the
composition of plant communities of semi-desert type under the influence of edaphic
factors. Landscape-forming and recreational significance of red-coloured rocks: semi-
desert landscapes among steppe landscapes; N 42.1555, E 77.3499, alt. 1775 m
[Cs12] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake between Chichkan and
Darkhan villages; N 42.3166, E 77.8186, alt. 1607 m
DAY 19
Departure from the campsite right after breakfast
Travel to and through the Barskoon gorge
[Obs26] Glaciers and mountain-glacial alpine relief of the Inner Tian-Shan ridges; alpine vegetation; N 41.8840, E 77.7074, alt. 3780 m
[Obs27] Cryogenic processes: permafrost peat bog, frost heaving; N 41.8857, E 77.7065, alt. 3780 m
[KS-15] ‘Syrty’ type of relief (areas with relatively gentle, flat terrain on the upper- mountainous elevations) often used for summer pastures (jailoo [ʤɑilɔ:] in Kyrgyz) - analogue of the Tibet plateau. Vegetation, cryogenic processes, soils; N 41.8347, E 77.7145, alt. 3820 m
Optionally: [KS-16] Permafrost-affected soil with mineral upper horizon (Haplic Cryosol); N 41.8208, E 77.6877, alt. 3845 m [Obs29] Terminal and lateral moraines, tongue of the glacier near Suyek Pass; N 41.8030, E 77.7504, alt. 3880 m
[Obs30] Suyek Pass of 4028 m, the highest inner pass in Kyrgyzstan, the ancient Silk Road route connecting Issyk-Kul Lake and Kashgar in China's Xinjiang-Uygur province; N 41.7810, E 77.7608, alt. 4035 m
[Cs13] Overnight stay in the highland nearby Arabel Pass (at about 3800 m); N 41.8062, E 77.6718, alt. 3800 m
A part of the group may return to the campsite [Cs12] at the shore of the Issyk-Kul lake
DAY 20
Spare day in the highlands; hiking to one of the nearest glaciers, only in groups and only in good weather
Travel {80 km} to the campsite [Cs12]
[Cs12] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake between Chichkan and Darkhan villages; N 42.3166, E 77.8186, alt. 1607 m
DAY 20
Consultations with lecturers on the test preparation
Preparation for the tests
Tests (Pruefung) passing
[KS-17] Cultivation of apricots, apples, pears and other fruit crops and their plantation management
[Cs12] Overnight stay on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake between Chichkan and Darkhan villages; N 42.3166, E 77.8186, alt. 1607 m
DAY 22
Departure from the campsite right after breakfastTravel to Bishkek city
[Cs14] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
[Cs14] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
DAY 23
Travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Final discussion, suggestions and conclusions on the development of the summer school, presentation of ‘Certificate of participation’ to HSWT students by the administration of Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Bishkek city – the capital of Kyrgyzstan, arrangement, landscaping and greening of the city center, Visiting Osh bazar – the largest food open-air market in Bishkek with a wide variety of spices and other edible herbs
Visiting NABU and the National Historian Museum of Kyrgyzstan
[Cs14] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
Transfer to the Bishkek airport, N 43.0531, E 74.4695, alt. 640 m
Final discussion, suggestions and conclusions on the development of the summer school, presentation of ‘Certificate of participation’ to HSWT students by the administration of Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Bishkek city – the capital of Kyrgyzstan, arrangement, landscaping and greening of the city center, Visiting Osh bazar – the largest food open-air market in Bishkek with a wide variety of spices and other edible herbs
Visiting NABU and the National Historian Museum of Kyrgyzstan
[Cs14] Overnight stay at the tourist camp near the village of Arashan (in the vicinity of Bishkek city); N 42.6874, E 74.6637, alt. 1375 m
Transfer to the Bishkek airport, N 43.0531, E 74.4695, alt. 640 m