“Summer of Dreams. Silk Road legend”

Description

“Summer of Dreams. Silk Road legend”

Dreaming of the unique and unforgettable travel experience?  Check our new summer vacation program of your dream around Issyk Kul lake. We want to take you along the trails of the Great Silk Road, show the real nomadic lifestyle, impress with Tien Shan mountains and its diversity and dip you into the legacy of the Medieval times and Soviet Union.

Enjoy tours in Kyrgyzstan in small or big groups with us!

Dates:
17/07 -24/07
07/08 -14/08
04/09 -11/09

Minimum group size:  2 pax

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek city – Ala Archa canyon – Bishkek city (120 km / 2,5 hours).

Meeting at the airport with local team and transfer to the city. Early check-in is not included.
Little rest at the breakfast area and start tour in Bishkek and surroundings.
Firstly, we drive to the natural park Ala Archa for light walk, relaxing and meeting Kyrgyzstan nature. After walk transfer back to Bishkek and have a light half day city tour.
Visit Ala Too Square, Kurmanzhan Datka Monument, main governmental buildings, Old Square with Parliament House and Lenin’s Monument. Finish at the Victory Square dedicated to the WWII.
Overnight in a hotel.
(No meal included today)

Day 2. Bishkek city – Chon Kemin Valley (170 km / 3 hours).

After breakfast, one-hour drive to Burana Tower (UNESCO site) near Tokmok town.
Optionally: horseback riding games near Burana Tower.
Lunch in a local Kazakh family in Tokmok town.
After lunch, drive to Chon Kemin valley.
Upon arrival, get accommodated in the guest house “Kemin”.
Options to do:
1) Walking around the village.
2) Renting horses and ride up to the closest mountains (extra cost).
3) Horseback riding games nearby (extra cost).
4) Setting up yurt (nomadic house) (extra cost).
Dinner and overnight at the guest house.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local Kyrgyz family, dinner – guest house)

Day 3. Chon Kemin valley – Issyk Kul Lake (180 km / 3 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Issyk Kul Lake via Boom gorge and to the Northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
Lunch in a local café of Cholpon Ata town.
Here we have several visits:
1) Open air Petroglyphs site.
2) Ethnographical Museum.
After excursions, drive to the hotel and get accommodation in the resort area with spa, pool, sport complex and shore of Issyk Kul lake itself. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – guest house, lunch – cafe, dinner – resort)

Day 4. Issyk Kul Lake – Karkara valley (200 km / 3-4 hours).

Continue drive along the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
Today we reach beautiful area at the border with Kazakhstan – Karkara. Here we stop at the luxury yurt camp with private facilities.
Here we have time to explore the area walking along the canyon up and down, climb up closest hill to see panoramic view, ride horse or mountain bike or just sit by the river with a nice book. Up to you and your preferences.
Lunch and dinner in Karkara camp. Overnight.
(Breakfast – resort, lunch – yurt camp, dinner – yurt camp)

Day 5. Karkara valley – Karakol town (120 km / 3 hours).

Optionally: early morning helicopter excursion to the south Inylchek glacier. The best highlight of Kyrgyzstan and a very deep impression for entire life.
Transfer to Karakol town. En route visit Tepke horse farm. Lunch and excursion here.
Here we see local racing horses, admire views, bone fire place and gardens.
Continue drive after excursion to Karakol town.
Visit Museum of N. M. Przhevalski on the way to Karakol, then Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now and Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church built of wood inside Karakol town.
Accommodation in a hotel of Karakol. Dinner in a local Dungan family.
Optionally: cooking master class.
Optionally: Dungan dance show (kids perform, short time)
(Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – cafe, dinner – dungan family)

Day 6. Karakol town – Djety Oguz gorge – Bokonbaev village – Kochkor village (250 km / 5 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Djety Oguz gorge to admire the landscapes and to take some pictures.
At the beginning of the gorge you will face with a famous “Broken Heart Rock”. Walking up further to panorama to see those famous Seven Bulls rocks in front of you.
Drive to Bokonbaev village. Arrival and lunch in a local family house. Here we meet eagle hunter to see demonstration of hunting with birds of prey (for the group of 4 people and more).
After demonstration continue drive to Kochkor village. Arrival and accommodation in a hotel. Dinner and rest.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – guest house)

Day 7. Kochkor village – Bishkek city (250 km / 5 hours).

In the morning we visit local women cooperation and see products they sell. Souvenirs shop-museum is one of the most popular in our country. Optionally: shyrdak show.
Drive back to Bishkek city via Kuvaky pass and spectacular view to the Orto Tokoi water reservoir.
Lunch en route.
Arrival to Bishkek. Visit ZUM Department store for the last shopping (if necessary), accommodation in a hotel and ready for the last dinner.
Dinner in a local restaurant with folklore show (for the group of 4 people and more).
(Breakfast – guest house, lunch – cafe, dinner – restaurant)

Day 8. Bishkek city – airport. (35 km / 40-45 min)

Early breakfast.  Today in Bishkek your trip concludes.
(Breakfast – hotel)

Map

Additional Info

Clothes and equipment:

You can take all necessary things. Please take into consideration that in summer time the temperature in Bishkek city reaches up to 40 oC and in the mountains the temperature decreases to -5 oC. Be prepared for unexpected changes of the weather.

Recommended:

• Rain-coat
• Sweater/fleece
• Wind-stopper
• Enough t-shirts and other underwear (think of taking smth with long sleeves to avoid sunburns)
• Hat (remember – the sun can be violent)
• Sun-screen cream (30 or higher)
• Insect repellent (skin + clothes)
• Good trekking boots for easy hikes in the mountains.
• Walking shoes (don’t need heavy ones) for the city walks
• Personal first aid kit (most likely problems: blisters, sunburns, allergy, diarrhoea, sore muscles after hikes. Take painkillers, anti-histaminic, antibiotics of general action, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions).
• Personal hygiene kit (disinfection gel is highly recommended) + some toilet paper.
• A small towel
• Swimming suit (for Issyk-Kul)
• Sunglasses
• Photo camera
• Notepad and a pen to make notes as you travel
• A smaller backpack, except for your normal suitcase.
• Flash light (torch)
• Walking poles if needed

Money exchange - if you plan to exchange USD / Euro to KGS , we recommend to take the notes of 50, 100 USD without stamps, inscriptions and other type of damage, because damaged banknotes are not accepted by banks and exchange offices.

Photos

Prices

The trip cost for 2021 per person in USD:
Cost per person on double/twin base – 990 US dollars
Cost per person on single base only in hotels – 1070 US dollars

The single supplement does not include individual accommodation in yurts and in a local family houses.
Extra payment per person for SGL accommodation in yurt per night -  25 USD (if yurts are available)