Issyk Kul Six-Day Challenge

STAGE 1, MAY 20, 2024 Start 8:00, Baktuu-Dolonotu, 1,630 m above sea level Finish Frunze, 1,660 m above sea level; closes at 20:00 Distance 90 km, total gain & loss of 950 m Features Start at the hippodrome built for the World Nomad Games. The route runs partly along the very edge of the Issyk Kul shore. There are no accommodation options at the place of the finish, so consider camping or buying the All-Inclusive Package --- STAGE 2, MAY 21, 2024 Start 8:00, Frunze, 1,660 m above sea level Finish Seven Bulls Rock Viewpoint, 2,050 m above sea level; closes at 20:00 Distance 74 km, total gain & loss of 1.5 km Features The most difficult stage of the race in terms of elevation gain; however, finishing at the point with one of the most inspiring views in all of Issyk Kul makes it worth it. There are limited accommodation options near the finish; please note that the start of the next stage is 15 km away --- STAGE 3, MAY 22, 2024 Start 8:00, Highway A363, turn to Jeti Oguz, 1,680 m above sea level Finish Fairy Tale Canyon, 1,740 m above sea level; closes at 20:00 Distance 87 km, total gain & loss of 1.3 km Features The stage finishes at an amazing place, more reminiscent of Mars than anything terrestrial. There are glampings and yurt camps not far from the finish line, but with very limited capacity, so consider camping or buying the All-Inclusive Package --- STAGE 4, MAY 23, 2024 Start 8:00, Highway A363, turn to Fairy Tale Canyon, 1,610 m above sea level Finish Ak Bulun peninsula, 1,600 m above sea level; closes at 20:00 Distance 85 km, total gain & loss of 1.3 km Features During the stage, participants will again rise to a height of 2,000 m and finish in the world-recognized Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. There are no accommodation options at the place of the finish, so consider camping or buying the All-Inclusive Package --- STAGE 5, MAY 24, 2024 Start 8:00, Ak Bulun peninsula, 1,600 m above sea level Finish Raduga West Resort, 1,620 m above sea level; closes at 20:00 Distance 79 km, total gain & loss of 700 m Features The last long leg of the race circles the western tip of Issyk Kul and passes through Balykchy, the main transport hub of the region today and part of the ancient Great Silk Road. There are plenty of accommodation options at the place of the finish --- STAGE 6, MAY 25, 2024 Start 8:00, Raduga West Resort, 1,620 m above sea level Finish Baktuu-Dolonotu, 1,630 m above sea level; closes at 15:00 Distance 45 km, total gain & loss of 550 m Features The race ends in the heart of the “Issyk Kul Riviera”, with various accommodation options available. Participants will be able to recover in the famous Ak Bermet hot spring, visit restaurants and have a good rest in anticipation of the awards ceremony the next day.