Kyrgyzstan trekking 05

Kyrgyzstan is a unique country lying in the heart of the Tian-Shan Mountains. Our company will help you to explore this land of contrasts offering multitude of spectacular landscapes: wide steppes, green fields, sandy deserts, turquoise lakes, snowy mountains, fast rivers, an abundance of wild life with many rare and endangered species, historical and archeological places related to the Great Silk Road and people preserving the traditions of their nomadic ancestors. All this makes Kyrgyzstan "A second Switzerland of Central Asia".

In the morning we start our way to Karakol town. On our way, we will visit the Burana Tower (minaret from the 11th century) and an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). Then you will be brought to the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608m.above sea level) - incredible Issyk-Kul Lake. You are going to really enjoy the amazing view of the Tien Shan Mountains that surround the whole lake.  The Lake is also called "the pearl of Central Asia". Due to the saline water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. En route, we will make a short break to give you the opportunity to visit ancient stone carvings (dating back to 800 B.C.). They were depicted by local tribes of the Saks and the Usuns who considered Issyk Kul Lake as the center of the world. During the drive to Karakol that took place on the eastern part of  the celestial Issyk-Kul Lake you will drive along the whole northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Overnight in a guesthouse "Elita" in Karakol town.  

 

In the morning we visit the Dungan - Chinese mosque. One of its highlights is the fact that it is built in Chinese style without a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Orthodox Church was made of wood more than 100 years ago and even nowadays attracts a lot of tourists. Next transfer to Karakol gorge, which is an amazing place that is situated at the heart of the Terskey Mountains. Turkestan spruce trees will be seen here. It is widespread only in Kyrgyzstan. The height of the tree reaches 18 meters and the girth of its trunk - 1.5 m. We will have 7 hours hiking to the foot of the glade named « Mokraya Polyana ». Overnight is in tents on the altitude of 2790 m. above sea level.

 

In the morning we start our 7 hours hiking to the eastern Irdik Lake (3200 m.). We will hike over the pass Bokovoi (3300 m), during the hike we see constant changing of the landscapes. We will see high rocks, steep cliffs and precipices, green mountains; we move further through the juniper forest where a sick person starts to feel better. We could see there a wonderful and unforgettable sunset over the most gorgeous peaks of Kungey Ala-Too mountainous range: Fuchika (4010m), Morozov (3960m), 800 years of Moscow (3872m). Overnight is in tents.

 

This day on the way we will see a lot of edelweiss fields (the flowers of love) and pastures that are used by Kyrgyz nomads. Today we will hike for about 7 hours. While hiking at these places you are going to forget about busy civilization and you can really relax enjoying the amazing views of our Mother Nature. We will encounter many marmots at the altitude of 3650 m. And further we will hike over Severnyi pass that is 3380 m. above sea level. Camping at the altitude of 3300 m. above sea level. Overnight in tents. 

 

After breakfast we start our hiking with 5 hours descent to Diychin valley where many Dungan people live. The Dungans are Chinese Muslims who had been prosecuted by the Chinese in the 19th century and fled to Kyrgyzstan. This day we will visit a Dungan family and try traditional lagman soup. While hiking to the village it is possible sometimes to meet real nomadic families on the way. Every year they go up to the mountain meadows with their cattle and live in yurts. Yurts are nomadic dwellings that are collapsible, made without a single nail! Afterwards (10 km - 25 min) transfer to Karakol town (1650 m). Overnight in "Elita" guesthouse. 

 

In the morning after a good sleep we move to Kochkor. We will visit a local bazaar In Karakol and try such national dishes as ashlyamfu and shashlyk made of beef or lamb. Then we will start our way to Kochkor village. On the way we will visit very popular place - Djeti Oguz Mountains that are well known because of their beauty and of course you will see the Broken Heart Mountain, which you will be told a beautiful legend about by your guide. Then while driving along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake we will stop at the private factory for yurts production. Your lunch will be in Bokonbaevo village in Talgat's House who is a famous berkutchi - hunter with golden eagles. Hunting with golden eagle is very popular in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Talgat will tell us about this kind of hunting activity and in the afternoon we can do some photos of the birds.  Talgat will also tell us the way he trains his birds of prey. After arrival in Kochkor village you will witness the process of making traditional Kyrgyz carpets and even take a part in it! You will also learn about national traditions and customs. After it traditional dinner in a yurt is, we will listen to a folk music concert.  You will spend this night in a home stay with a local family.

 

In the morning after having traditional breakfast together with hosts we drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek city. After arriving you will have some time to take a break in your guesthouse. Then it will be the last dinner in national restaurant with traditional music. Last night in Bishkek you will spend in «Asia Mountains» guesthouse.