A unique tour with the opportunity to visit lakes such as Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul and many mountain gorges with waterfalls. You will also visit a gorge with hot springs. At the end of the trip, we will go to see the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, built in the 15-16th centuries and located near the border with China. Also, in the last we will visit the city of Bishkek – the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
10 days, 9 nights
Specific Tour
English, Espanol, German
16 people
Arrival in Kyrgyzstan and meeting with the guide at the airport. Then drive to Issyk-Kul Lake. The lake, which is located at an altitude of 1609 meters above sea level, is considered the second largest lake in the world among high mountain lakes. On the way, an excursion to the Burana tower near the city of Tokmok. This battlement was built in the ancient city of Balasagun; - existed at the peak of the development of the Great Silk Road. One of the capitals of the Karakhanid state, which existed in the X-XII centuries. We will also see the tombstones of Balbala. Lunch with a local family. On the way visit the Konorchek canyons, the amazing landscapes of the canyons resemble the Grand Canyon of the USA, but at the same time, they carry a significant part of the unique nature of Kyrgyzstan. (I think we can take it off, because it is first day and they will be tired + jet-lag). Arrival to Issyk-Kul lake. Accommodation at the hotel on the lake.
Breakfast and departure to the city of Karakol.
On the way, excursion to the so-called "Stone Garden" or petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata, an open-air temple left by the Scythians and Huns, dating from the 9th and 8th centuries BC and the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Departure to the Grigorievskoe gorge (Chon Ak-Suu 1600 m above sea level). Walk along the river, up to 2 km, +150 -150 m. Picturesque places, space and mountains. Arrival in the city of Karakol and accommodation at the hotel.
Breakfast. Departure to the Altyn-Arashan gorge, which in Kyrgyz means "golden spring". We will reach the gorge in Soviet UAZ vehicles. This gorge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan due to its unique nature, hot springs located right in the gorge, vast spruce forests and stunning views. Hot springs are located at a record height of 2600 meters and have a healing effect due to the content of radon and hydrogen sulfide in the water. Return to the city of Karakol and city-tour: Dungan mosque, a unique Chinese-style building without a single nail, but used for worship by Muslims, an old Russian Orthodox church - "Holy Trinity Cathedral" made of wood. If we spend more time in the gorge, then we will have a city tour the next day in the morning. Dinner at the local restaurant, where you will taste delicious national foods.
Breakfast in the hotel. Then transfer to the Jeti Oguz gorge (30 km to the side). Jeti Oguz translated from the Kyrgyz language means "Seven Bulls". This picturesque canyon got its name due to its reddish sandy formations covered with coniferous forests of the Tien Shan. Walking through the gorge to see the most famous rocks "Broken Heart" and "Seven Bulls". Gorge walks. Then departure to the Barskoon Gorge, where Yuri Gagarin was on his visit. We can climb to the waterfall "Bowl of Manas" (250 meters to the waterfall), and we can also climb to the waterfall "leopard's tears" (2.3 km and 800 meters climb). Accommodation and dinner at the glamping camp or yurt camp.
Breakfast. Departure to Son Kul lake. Then we will make a stop at the Skazka canyon for short walks. Can be up to 5km, +150m-150m. The canyon consists of multi-colored petrified clay, which offers a very interesting view of the lake in the background. Direct transfer to Son-Kul without long stops to spend more time in Son-Kul. We will continue our journey to Son-Kul lake (3016 m above sea level) through the Kalmak Ashuu pass (3436 m above sea level). On the way stop in the city of Kochkor. Lunch with a local Kyrgyz family. We can also see the process of making a Kyrgyz felt carpet - "shyrdak". Arrival at Son-Kul lake, accommodation. Walks and light hikes along the shore of the lake, visiting Kyrgyz yurts. Here, the Kyrgyz people still lead a nomadic lifestyle. Dinner and a peaceful night's rest under the starry sky at 3016 m above the sea level.
Breakfast at the yurt camp. Departure through 33 parrot pass where you can make a very easy hike to Naryn waterfall. This pass is considered one of the most picturesque in the country. On the way we will pass through the city of Naryn, where we will see an unusual mosque made in the national style. Next, we will continue our journey to the stunning Caravanserai Tash-Rabat, nestled in a beautiful gorge and dating back to the 13th-14th centuries. This historic site is believed to have served as both a caravanserai and a monastery, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich history and culture. Time to explore the caravanserai and its surroundings, marveling at the intricate architectural details and learning about the history. Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp.
Departure to the city of Bishkek. We will drive about 400 km to the city of Bishkek. There will be a mini-city tour in Bishkek. City tour around the city of Bishkek. Walk along the main square of Ala-Too, visit the monument to Manas, The hero of the Kyrgyz epic, which is considered the largest epic in the world the monument to Lenin, if available in time, you can see the changing of the guard on the Main Square. Mix of Soviet-era architecture and modern buildings, as well as its beautiful parks and open spaces.
Breakfast at the hotel. There we will visit Osh Market – real eastern . A real oriental market where you can find everything: dried fruits, vegetables, clothes, meat, household appliances, etc. (Every Monday is closed) Transfer to the nearest park Ala-Archa in a picturesque gorge house 40 km from the city. You can walk along the river or to the waterfall (depending on your physical fitness). Bishkek - 800 m above sea level m. Ala Archa (2000 m above sea level). Hike to the waterfall (4-5 hours in both directions) +600 mThe waterfall is located at an altitude of 2600 m above sea level. Farewell dinner with folklore show.
Arrival at the airport depending on the time of departure. P.S. The departure will depend on your personal flight schedule, either that day at night or the next day in the morning. (There are flights at 08:20 (utc +6) Pegasus and 10:10(utc +6) Turkish Airlines - Bishkek time). But we have to choose flights.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all!
All hotels and guest houses have a washing machine for washing clothes. But the exception is yurt camps, where there will be no possibility to wash clothes.
There is Wi-Fi in guest houses and hotels, but in mountainous areas there is no mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.
No vaccination requirements or PCR testing are required.