Program of the International Scientific and Applied Summer School on Geology and Geoheritage
“Geoheritage of the Silk Road”
According to the program of the trip, participants will visit various climatic zones: from nival, glacial in the north of Kyrgyzstan, to semi-deserts and savannah in the south. The topics of the field trip reflect a comprehensive geoscientific approach to the study of geodiversity. During the excursions, geoobjects that reflect the general geological understanding of the region, regional geology, paleontology, stratigraphy, georisks, tectonics and structural geology, geomorphology and Quaternary geology will be presented and studied. Participants of the summer school will get an idea of the geological history of the Tien Shan and its regional tectonic structure. Tectonic zoning of the Tien Shan is associated with the main epochs of tectogenesis, which form the areas of the Caledonian and Hercynian folding. These areas divide the Tien Shan into the Northern, Middle and Southern tectonic regions, with their inherent features of geological structure, formations and geodiversity. The geological and tectonic boundaries between the regions of the Northern, Middle and Southern Tien Shan correspond to subduction zones, which are associated with interesting geological phenomena, structures and mineral deposits. In this regard, the geodiversity of the Northern and Southern regions of Kyrgyzstan differs in its appearance, structure, origin and diversity. During the trip, you will also learn about the water resources of Central Asia, and the long biography of water. We will touch on the ecological features of the region and learn about its natural potential, including for the creation of geoparks.
The topics of this trip are interesting for both experienced geologists, students and young professionals.
- – Dates: 12 – 25 August 2025
- – Location: Western Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia
- – Mileage | vehicle mileage – 2570 km
- – Major cities on the program: Bishkek, Cholpon-Ata, Karakol, Naryn, Osh
- – Arrival airport: Bishkek,
- – Departure airport: Osh, Bishkek,
– Arrival and Departure comments: Participants who wish to depart earlier may complete the trip on Days 10 and 13 of the program and fly from Osh Airport to Bishkek or from Osh Airport on a direct flight. All participants will be provided with airport transfers.
FIELD TRIP ROUTE
Day 1. 12.08. Arrival in Bishkek – trip to Cholpon-Ata
Meeting at the airport. Short rest, coffee, shower, trip to Cholpon-Ata, a city on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 2. 13.08. Scientific and practical seminar training in Cholpon-Ata
Venue: Hotel (name) on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul
Scientific and practical seminar – training on geoheritage and geoparks. Participants of the seminar will be shown the basic concepts, classifications, skills, tools, methods of assessment and research of geoheritage. International experts will demonstrate scientifically based approaches, new methods of assessment, according to the principle – from geodiversity to geoheritage.
Briefing and presentation of the field trip program
PROGRAM OF THE SEMINAR – TRAINING
Day 3. 14.08. Cholpon-Ata – Karakol – Tamga
Trip to the Karakol City and Tamga on the southern shore of the lake. Lunch in Karakol, visit to historical monuments. Trip along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul to the Teskey Geopark. Along the way, study of erosion-tectonic landscapes as a result of the tectonic activity of the Tien Shan Mountains. Tectonic origin of the high-mountain lake Issyk-Kul. Geological objects reflecting the geological history of the lake. Causes of the flooding of the ancient Chinese settlements of Chigu – tectonics or climate change? Lake terraces as a reflection of the lake’s fluctuations. Accommodation in a guest house.
Day 4. 15.08. Tamga – Arabel – Kadji-Sai (Teskey geopark)
A trip to the high-mountain valley of Arabel. Here are the sources of the Syr Darya River, which carries the Tien Shan moisture to the Aral Sea. Locals call this landscape Syrts, which means a landscape representing high-mountain tundra with many glacial lakes and sparse vegetation. The high-mountain valley of Arabel is a representative of the newest geological structure. Before the tectonic uplift, the area was part of a peneplained surface. Arabel clearly shows geological sections that reflect the paleotectonic history of the Northern Tien Shan, as a response to the global tectonics of lithospheric plates during the Alpine orogeny. Arabel syrts are a complex of predominantly Paleozoic metamorphosed deposits subjected to Mesozoic denudation (Triassic-Cretaceous) and raised to a height of 4 thousand meters or more above sea level as a result of the Alpine orogeny. Some ancient, well-preserved peneplained surfaces in the form of powerful tectonic sublatitudinal thrust sheets were subjected to powerful erosion in the fault zones, where terraced river valleys were formed, superimposed on the peneplain surface. On the way to Arabel, an excursion to the Barskoon gorge, with spectacular waterfalls and a classic mountain landscape of the Caledonians of the Northern Tien Shan. In good weather, you can see the eponymous Suek glacier from the Suek pass. The glacier is representative, on which glaciological observations have been conducted for more than 60 years. Return descent to Kadji-Sai, a city on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Accommodation at the hotel. In the evening, discussion and exchange of impressions.
Day 5. 16.08. Kadji-Sai – Naryn
On the way, an excursion to the Teskey Geopark, the Skazka erosion valley, lake terraces that reflect the history of Lake Issyk-Kul, geological sections. The rocky Ak-Olon desert and volcanic traps (trap magmatism). Remnants of a pluton with crystals of giant-grained syenites of the Permian-Triassic age (P2-T1). The Karatal-Dzhapryk Nature Reserve, where elements of structural geology are clearly presented as a result of the dynamics of the regional fault dividing the Northern and Middle Tien Shan. This is the Terskey-Karatau tectonic fault, which was named by geologist V. A. Nikolaev, “The most important structural line of the Tien Shan” or “Nikolaev Line” (it has now been established that it is the structure of the Saki paleo-oceanic basin). This is a classic subduction zone with clearly defined tectonic structures and clear geological sections. Therefore, this area is represented by characteristic geolandscapes. Accommodation in the hotel.
Day 6. 17.08. Naryn – Kazarman
Along the way, magnificent panoramas, ethnography, and geodiversity. Participants will see the diversity of geological heritage, spectacular landscapes, and features of the relief forms of the Middle Tien Shan. Several stops to study structural geology. Weathering and erosion processes in the Jumgal River valley. Diverse forms of mountain relief. Badlands in the Naryn River valley composed of Mesozoic-Cenozoic deposits. Accommodation in a guest house.
Day 7. 18.08. Kazarman – Osh
In the morning we will climb the Sary-Kyr Pass (3062 m) and cross the Fergana Range. Along the way, the results of suffusion processes. Crossing the Fergana Mountain Range, we get from the Caledonides-Hercynides of the Middle Tien Shan to the Hercynian region of the Southern Tien Shan. The Fergana Range is located submeridionally in relation to the other mountain ranges of the Tien Shan. The range is confined to the Talas-Fergana regional tectonic fault. The southwestern slopes of the range are in the thickets of relict walnut forest. This relict forest is the result of the orographic location of the range. Passing the mountain pass, we will descend into the Fergana Valley and find ourselves in the Southern Tien Shan – the region of Hercynian folding. As a result, you will feel how in one day of travel, the geology, landscapes and geodiversity change dramatically. Along the way, magnificent panoramas and enticing horizons. The geology of the Southern Tien Shan is becoming more and more diverse, the geodiversity is noticeably different from the elements of the geodiversity of the Northern Tien Shan. By evening we will arrive in Osh – an ancient city on the Great Silk Road. Accommodation at the hotel.
In the evening, field training on the topics: – Geomorphosites and geosites, recognition and valorization; – Geodiversity of mountainous areas: from global to local aspects
Day 8. 19.08. Osh – Batken
Trip to the Madygen Geopark. On the way, an excursion to the Tuya-Muyun karst region and a visit to the Baritovaya cave with various mineral combinations. The caves and canyons of the Tuya-Muyun mountain range are the result of hydrothermokarst processes that occurred as a result of global geological and tectonic transformations in the Southern Tien Shan. Along the way, various mountain-valley landscapes of the Fergana Valley. Accommodation at the hotel. In the evening, a discussion and discussion of impressions of the trip
Day 9. 20.08. Batken – Madygen Geopark
Excursion to the objects of international geological heritage in the Madygen Geopark. On specially equipped observation platforms, a lecture on the geological history of the Southern Tien Shan. In Madygen, the geological history of the Earth is clearly presented for 400 million years, from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic. Visiting and studying the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic geological sections. Here, the objects of geoheritage, phenomenal landscapes, elements of structural geology, stratigraphy, and paleontology are clearly presented. The special pride of the Madygen Geopark is the stratotype of the Madygen suite, a unique location of fossil animals and plants of the Middle Triassic (T2), as well as other stratotypes. Madygen is one of the very few places in the world where you can go through each period from the Cambrian to the Quaternary in one day. Excursion to the ancient cave mine Kani-Gut. For 1,500 years, lead and silver ores were mined in the underground cavities of the cave. The mine has undergone a long history of existence, from Chinese miners to modern ore miners. Return to the hotel.
Day 10. 21.08. Batken – Osh
On the way, a stop to take photos of the “rice roads”. At this time, local farmers harvest rice and dry it right on the asphalt of the roads. This phenomenon can only be seen in early autumn. Study of the Tegermech thrust-fault S-D. The Tegermech thrust-fault is a clear example of the structural and geological structure of the world’s largest antimony deposit, confined to the South Fergana mercury-antimony belt. Return to Osh.
Official presentation of certificates to participants of the international scientific and applied summer school -2025. Gala dinner in an ethno teahouse restaurant
On this day, 21.08., those who wish can complete the trip and fly out of the Osh airport on 21.08.. A transfer to the airport will be organized for those departing
Day 11. 22.08. Osh – Sary-Mogol (Alai Valley)
A trip to the Alai Valley along the famous Pamir Highway. This route is very attractive, it clearly reflects the idea of the geology of the Southern Tien Shan. The Alai Valley is a tectonic and geographical boundary between two Great Mountain Systems – Pamir and Tien Shan. The Pamir Highway is not just a strategic road, it is an open-air exhibition of landscapes and geoheritage objects. The Pamir Highway crosses the Alai Range, which is a monumental basis of the geological heritage of the region. Thanks to the Alai Range, the modern appearance of the relief arose, the hydrological network, habitat, culture, ethnography and way of life of the local population were formed. The Alai Range is a key object for understanding the development of the orogenesis of the Southern Tien Shan. Therefore, the geological history of the Alai Range is of particular interest to geosciences. This is one of the youngest ranges of the Tien Shan, located at the junction of the Pamir and Tien Shan. The range defines climatic zones and controls the local climate. Geological sections of the Alai Range describe a significant period in the history of the Earth, reflect climate change and determine various geological processes and phenomena. Accommodation in a guest house (2800 m).
In the evening, field training on the topic: – Geohazards in mountainous continental collision zones and prospects for their geoheritage from a global point of view.
Day 12. 23.08. Sary-Mogol – Achik-Tash, Northern Pamir
Excursion on Lukovaya Polyana (3650 m), where you will observe glaciers and the glacial landscape under the majestic walls of Lenin Peak (7134 m). Lunch in the climbers’ field camp. Excursion to the lakes of the ancient moraine. This giant ancient moraine reflects the last glaciation in the geological history of the Earth. Many lakes are of glacial origin and look very impressive against the background of the rock giants of the Pamirs. Return to Sary-Mogol. In the evening, discussion and exchange of impressions.
Day 13. 24.08. Sary-Mogol – Osh
The return journey along the Pamir Highway is a completely different perspective of the landscapes and the surrounding world. A stop at the giant river terraces that reflect the tectonic history of the Southern Tien Shan. Study of red-colored Mesozoic-Cenozoic formations. Excursion to the Kurmanjan-Datka Museum in Gulcha. Acquaintance with a giant landslide. Accommodation at the hotel.
On this day – August 24, those who wish can complete the trip and fly out of Osh airport on August 25.
Other participants can continue the trip and go to Bishkek on our minibus within two days. Along the way, the most interesting
If you have an air ticket from Bishkek and want to get to Bishkek earlier, you can fly from Osh to Bishkek on August 25. For this, a transfer and meeting at the Bishkek airport will be organized.
Day 14. 25.08. Osh – Bishkek or departure from Osh airport
For those who plan to return to Bishkek by car and continue their journey through the Tien Shan Mountains, the Osh-Bishkek route is considered one of the beautiful journeys from the south to the north of the country. From the hot Fergana Valley, you will find yourself in a mountainous zone with alpine meadows and magnificent geodiversity. Along the way, you will find amazing places such as: savannah with ephemeral vegetation, pistachio trees and, of course, the geological heritage that formed in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic formations. In 2024, German paleontologists discovered a new species of theropod here – Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus, in the Middle Jurassic deposits. The path along the Naryn River is filled with many geological structures. Night at a hotel on the shore of the Toktogul Reservoir. The Toktogul Reservoir is one of the largest in Central Asia, with a volume of about 19 billion m3 of water. The reservoir is located among majestic mountains. The hydroelectric dam is a masterpiece of engineering. It is built in a tectonically active area, in the zone of influence of the regional Talas-Fergana tectonic fault. Along the road there are various geological structures and relief forms. In Bishkek, accommodation at a hotel. Dinner at an ethno teahouse restaurant.
Those wishing to participate in the events can contact via WhatsApp/Telegram +996 553 991663
Or write to the secretariat: info@geotianshan.org
Field Trip Route Map
