Kyrgyzstan tour: Tour 5
Destination: Kyrgyzstan
Activity: Cultural tour
Duration: 13 days
Places to visit: Bishkek - Chong Kemin - Son Kul Lake - At Bashi - Tash Rabat Caravanserai - Kochkor valley - Tamga village - Karakol - Altin Arashan - Karakol - Cholpon Ata - Bishkek
There is suchlike saying among the experienced tourists: «If you have not seen Central Asia, you have not seen the world!". It is difficult to imagine how many places you are going to visit and see! This tour offers you the visits of the ancient Burana Tower, the second largest alpine lake in the world - Issyk-Kul, prehistoric stone carvings, also it includes the visiting of the medieval Tash Rabat - Caravanserai (Stone Castle), churches, mosques and many other sights. Kyrgyz Republic is the place of deep traditions and untouched nature. You will uncover for yourself the nomadic way of lifestyle and it will be possible to taste national drinks and dishes.
Tour summary:
Day 1: Bishkek city
You will be collected by your guide from Manas International Airport and accompanied to Bishkek (the Kyrgyz capital city) (30 minutes drive). On arrival in Bishkek you will start the day with a breakfast. The whole day is devoted to a guided Bishkek city tour. The sightsee includes the visiting of many others places of interest , such as: the central Ala-Too Square, (Duboviy Park) Oak Park, Pobeda Square (Victory Square), the Historical Museum of Kyrgyzstan, National Concert Hall, Oriental Bazaar, The Kyrgyz Museum of Fine Arts. Lunch. At 7 p.m. traditional dinner will be served. You will spend the night in the hotel****.
Day 2: Bishkek - Chon Kemin Valley
At 8 o'clock the day starts with a breakfast. After breakfast you will be transferred (120km) to the Valley of Chon Kemin by vehicle. En route, we will stop top visit Burana Tower, which is the minaret of 11 century, and the open air Balbans (stone warriors) museum. After having a lunch you will have a short outing in the gorge of Issyk-Ata that is famous for its thermal mineral springs. At 7 p.m. we will arrive in the Kalmak Ashuu Guesthouse, and after having checked in, your dinner will be served.
Day 3: Chong Kemin - Son Kul Lake
We start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan Son Kul Lake after breakfast. Son Kul Lake is situated at the altitude of 3013 meters above sea level and surrounded by the mountains. In Kyrgyzstan, it is the highest alpine lake. The Kyrgyz nomads began to come to this magnificent region with their families for relax and repose. Naryn region herders come to the lake with their flocks of cattle to use it as grassland. Lunch will be taken on the way. You will be free to walk around and like the lake's virgin nature and its surroundings upon our arrival. Dinner. Near the lake you will see numerous yurt camps of the nomads. Yurt is collapsible dwelling that is made of a wooden frame, covered with felt. Yurts are built without nails. Overnight is in the yurt.
Day 4: Son - Kul Lake
Your breakfast is at 9 a.m. After breakfast you have a free time, where you will have the opportunity to explore Son - Kul Lake nature on your own. You can ride on a horse along the lake, or just relaxing in the ambiance of the wild and tranquil nature. At 2 pm. lunch will be served. After that you will see also the ritual stones of shamans and ancient petroglyphs. There, on the Son - Kul Lake you will have a great chance to familiarize with nomadic culture and its traditions. You will spend this night in yurts as the nomads do. In original nomadic houses - yurts, traditional dinner will be served.
Day 5: Son Kul Lake - At Bashi
We leave the Guesthouse at 8 o'clock by car after fortifying breakfast. Transfer (200km.) from Son - Kul Lake to At Bashi Valley. On the way the amazing sceneries of the surrounding mountains and untouched nature will stun your imagination. You will spend the night in yurts in the Valley of At - Bashi. At 7 p.m. your dinner will be served.
Day 6: At Bashi - Tash Rabat Caravanserai (Stone castle)
You will be served breakfast at 8 o'clock after packing your luggage. Then you will be transferred to the Tash Rabat (Stone Castle from the 14th century) - Caravanserai on the Great Silk Way. Tash Rabat is located at the very heart of Tian - Shan Mountains, at a height 3200 m. above sea level. The building is an exceptional one and it has no analogue in the whole world. It was made of layered rock and what's more it was built inside a mountain. Totally, there are 31 rooms in the mountain, where are also underground prisons for medieval culprits. The thickness of walls is about 1 meter. At 7 p.m. traditional dinner will be served. You will spend the night near by the Tash Rabat caravanserai in yurts.
Day 7: Tash Rabat - Kochkor valley
You will be transferred to Kochkor village (185 km.) after strengthening breakfast. In the Kochkor Village, there is family that shows you the way of national felt carpets (ala kiyiz) are produced. You even can participate in the process of its production or create your own carpet. With a local family, you will have a traditional dinner. This dinner will be accompanied with a particular national music performance. Overnight stay is in the Guesthouse of Kochkor.
Day 8: Kochkor valley - Tamga village
At 8 o'clock you will be served with your breakfast. After breakfast you will be transferred (200 km) to the celestial Issyk - Kul Lake that the second largest alpine lake in the world, which is situated at the altitude of 1608m.above sea level. The Lake is also known as "The Treasure of Central Asia". We will drive through the stunning valley and you will pass near the Orto Tokoi Reservoir with its turquoise waters. Upon arrival in Tamga village you will take a break on the lake's southern beach where you can go in swimming in the lake or just lie on the warm sand. Owing to the fact that the water in the lake is salty, Issyk - Kul possesses healing qualities. At 7 p.m. in Tamga Guesthouse your dinner will be served. There, you will also spend the night.
Day 9: Tamga - Karakol
At 8 o'clock this day starts with a nice breakfast. After breakfast till 12 p.m. you have free time to swim in the lake. Then, you will start your trip (50km) to Karakol city by car. You will have a guided Karakol City Tour, including lunch. This sightseeing tour includes the visit of the Prjevalsky Museum. N. Prjevalsky was one of the world's greatest explorers, whose biggest success was the crossing of the great Taklamakan Desert and the discovery of more than 4000 species of animals, including the Horse that was later named in honor of the great explorer . Later, you will visit an old wooden Orthodox Church. This will be followed by the visit of the Dungan - Chinese Mosque. One of its highlights is the fact that it is built in Chinese style without a single metal nail. At 8 p.m. national dinner will be served. Overnight is in the guesthouse.
Day 10: Karakol - Altyn Arashan - Karakol
After having strengthening breakfast you will be transferred to the Gorge of Altyn Arashan by the heavy Russian military 4WD vehicle. Altyn Arashan ("Golden Spa") Gorge is one of the most renowned canyons near Karakol due to the Tian - Shan fur trees, juniper, diverse kinds of herbs and flowers that grow there. You will take lunch in the gorge of incredible beauty after taking a bath in the thermal waters (there are some special little cabins). After lunch you will have one hour hike in the gorge and after that you will be transferred to Karakol. At 7 p.m. dinner will be served. Overnight is in the guesthouse.
Day 11: Karakol - Cholpon Ata
At 8 o'clock breakfast is served. After having breakfast, it will be transfer (120km) to Cholpon Ata that is the most popular resort town on the northern shore of the lake. We will go along the sparkling pearl of Central Asia - Issyk-Kul Lake northern shore. At 1 pm, on the way, we will make a short break, where you can enjoy lunch in a tranquil atmosphere. After lunch, we will go on excursion to the ancient carvings on the boulders that are dated back to 800 B.C. we will also visit Issyk - Kul museum in Cholpon - Ata. You will be able to enjoy the full beauty of the lake during one more break, where you go on a one hour cruise on a steam boat. In the Hotel, at 7 p.m. your dinner will be served. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 12: Cholpon Ata - Bishkek
At 8 o'clock you will have your breakfast. There will be free time on the beach till 11 a.m. After having rest you will be transferred to Bishkek city (280km) by vehicle via stunning Boom Gorge. The farewell dinner is served at 7 p.m. Overnight is in the Hotel****.
Day 13: Bishkek - Europe
At the pick up time arranged previously according to your flight details your guide will meet you in your Hotel and accompany you to the International Airport of Manas.