Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning. Upon arrival at the International Airport Manas you will be met by our tourist guide at arrival gates. Transfer to the city will take 30-40 min. Hotel check in (early check-in is included).

Time to rest.

Start city tour after late breakfast. Sightseeing tour includes the Monument of Kyrgyz National hero Manas, Changing of Guards of Honor, State Historical Museum, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin statues, main Ala Too Square, governmental buildings, Oak park and Fine Art gallery.

The sightseeing tour of Bishkek comes to the end at the Victory Square.

Welcoming dinner in a local restaurant.

(Breakfast – hotel, dinner – local restaurant)

Day 2. Bishkek city – Cholpon Ata town (280 km / 5 hours).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we have interesting day as we leave the city and head to the countryside.

At first we stop to learn more about the Great Silk Road and visit the Burana Tower Historical complex.

Burana Tower (ancient minaret) is located in 12 km far from Tokmok town. The territory where the tower is located was called Balasagyn town. This town had the strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found at excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, and become familiar with collection of Balbals, turkic grave marks.

Lunch at a local family in Tokmok.

Then, we continue our trip to the Issyk Kul Lake.

Issyk Kul Lake has a tectonic origin. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca, which is located in South America. Its length reaches 182 km, and width is 58 km, maximum depth is up to 668 m. During the summer period temperature of its water reaches up to 20-23 C°.

On the way you may admire beautiful landscape and change of scenery.

Arrival at the Cholpon Ata town and visit local famous petroglyphs site.

After excursion get accommodated at the resort on the lake shore. Dinner in a local restaurant.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – resort)

Day 3. Cholpon Ata town – Karakol town. (150 km / 3 hours).

In the morning we continue our tour and head further along the north shore of the Issyk Kul lake. In a few hours reach Karakol town.

Karakol – is a small but very interesting town with its  traditional Russian architecture. It was established in the middle of 19th century and became an important garrison settlement in the territory of Issyk Kul region.

City tour here upon arrival. Visit Memorial Museum of N.M. Przhevalski a great Russian explorer and researcher of Asian continent, which 12 km far from Karakol.

Later Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now.

Also you will visit Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church built of wood without a single nail used. In the miraculous iconostasis of the church there is the famous Tikhvinian icon of Divine Mother, painted in 1897.

Lunch and dinner at a local café in Karakol town.

Accommodation at a hotel. Rest.

(Breakfast – resort, lunch and dinner – café in Karakol)

Day 4. Karakol town – Djety Oguz canyon – Skazka canyon – Bokonbaev village (180 km / 3 hours).

In the morning we start drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul lake. First stop at Djety Oguz canyon for a little hike.

Djety Oguz from Kyrgyz language is translated as Seven Bulls. Unlike Fairy Tale Canyon this picturesque gorge differs in the mountains covered with Tien Shan fir tree. At the beginning of the gorge you will face a famous Broken Heart Rock. Walking up further to panorama you will see those famous Seven Bulls rocks. The tourist guide will tell you the legend about the origin of the gorge name. In the Soviet times, there was a sanatorium built in the gorge. Many people used to come here for treatment with the help of radon water. Cosmonauts used to come here for rehabilitation, even Yuri Gagarin.

After Djety Oguz continue drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake till we reach Kajy Sai district where stop for a walk at the Skazka canyon.

Arrival in Bokonbaev village. Accommodation at the yurt camp or guest house. Dinner in place of accommodation. Rest.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – en route, dinner – yurt camp / guest house)

Day 5. Bokonbaev village – Tash Rabat caravanserai (360 km / 5-6 hours).

Continue the way to the Kochkor village where tasty lunch is waiting for us. Here we will learn more about traditional carpet producing procedure – shyrdak show. Local ladies will share with their knoleadges and experience of felt and carpet producing.

After lovely time in Kochkor village head to Tash Rabat caravanserai via Naryn town.

Naryn is a town of long and narrow form, situated along the famous Naryn River also named Syr Darya, which is one of the biggest rivers in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Naryn is the only town in Kyrgyzstan, where 90 % of the population is Kyrgyz.

Here we briefly visit the Central Blue Mosque and the Central Square.

Later drive further south in a direction of China. Turn to Kara Koun canyon and reach yurt camp.  Accommodation.

Tash Rabat caravanserai is situated at the elevation of 3200 m asl. not far from Chinese border (Torugart). Its origin is a complete mystery; however, there is a hypothesis that it was built in 10th century. Researchers consider it to be a Nestorian monastery, others suppose it to be a victualing-house for the trade caravans, and third ones insist on its defensive function. It is obviously clear that during the various epochs Tash Rabat caravanserai had different functions.

Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp.

(Breakfast – yurt camp / guest house, lunch – family, dinner – yurt camp)

Day 6. Tash Rabat caravanserai – Son Kul lake. (260 km / 5 hours).

In the morning we start as usual and head to the Tash Rabat caravanserai for excursion (close to the camp).

After interesting historical excurse we drive back to Naryn town and further to the Son Kul lake via Moldo Ashuu pass.

Lunch en route.

In the afternoon reach Son Kul lake.

Alpine Son Kul Lake is located on Tien Shan range at the elevation of 3016 m. The territory around Son Kul is a pasture for the cattle driven from Kochkor village, Naryn and Jumgal regions. During the summer Son Kul pasture is considered to be the best Kyrgyz jailoo. The road to the lake goes through the windy mountain passes and vanishes in the sky. As a result, Son Kul Lake from Kyrgyz language translates as “Last Lake”.

Accommodation in a local comfortable yurt camp.

Here you can feel like a real nomads and get acquainted with the culture of Kyrgyz people.

Dinner and overnight.

(Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – en route, dinner – yurt camp)

Day 7. Son Kul lake – Bishkek city (360 km / 6-7 hours).

After breakfast proceed to Bishkek city. Long drive via Kalmak Ashuu pass, Kochkor village, around Orto Tokoi reservoir, over Kuvaky pass and Boom canyon to Chui valley.

Lunch en route.

Upon arrival to Bishkek still have some time to deal with unfinished business, purchase souvenirs or gifts back to your relatives and friends.

Farewell dinner and folklore show at a local restaurant is waiting for us today.

Especially for you musicians will play national melodies of Kyrgyz people and show you musical instruments. You will listen to a singing and enjoy the charming melodies of our ancestors.

Overnight at the hotel.

(Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – en route, dinner – local restaurant).

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

Today in Bishkek your trip concludes.

(Breakfast – hotel)

Upon arrival to the International Airport “Manas”  – meet your guide and driver.

Short transfer to the city of Bishkek. Accommodation in a local hotel (early check-in is included).

Rest, breakfast at the hotel and start sightseeing tour in Bishkek.

Visit Manas, Lenin and Kurmanjan Datka Monuments, main Ala-Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of Guards of Honor, main governmental buildings, Oak park, Fine art gallery, Old Square with Parliament House. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there.

Overnight at the hotel. Free time at the evening.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch,dinner – restaurant)

Day 2. Bishkek – Ala Archa National park – Bishkek

After breakfast, drive to Ala Archa National Park.

It is a popular place for hiking, skiing and mountaineering including trips to more than 20 glaciers. It covers the area of 200 km² – mostly forested valleys, waterfalls and rivers rich in trout. The altitude of ranges varies from 1500m to the highest point 4895m (Peak Semenov Tien Shanskii). Several rare species of fauna and especially traditionally revered juniper trees are under protection in the Natural Park. It has very diverse fauna: mountain meadows are the habitat for wild goats, deer and marmots. Ala Archa National Park is one of the few places of the habitat of the rare snow leopard.

After transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – lunch box, dinner – cafe)

Day 3. Bishkek – Tepke (450 km / 7-8 hrs)

After breakfast drive to Tepke via Cholpon Ata.

En route visit Cholpon Ata open air museum “Petroglyphs”

Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site is a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 42 hectares and contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall, Balbals) and Petroglyphs (dating from the II millennium BC thru the Middle Ages and up to the VI century AD).  The stones have plaques giving some information (a short description and a date), and there are several routes marked with arrows around the “stone garden.”  The shortest route in the Stone Garden takes 20-30 minutes. But there is a longer route to the upper side of the museum, which enables visitors to explore a collection of stone Balbals, stone inscriptions, stone circles and a spectacular panorama of the Cholpon-Ata bay of Lake Issyk Kul.

Upon arrival Tepke village you can see the farm horses, cows and sheep and walk around.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – cafe, dinner – GH)

Day 4. Tepke – Karakol (30 km / 1 hour).

After breakfast easy hiking tour in the morning through Tepke. After we drive to Karakol. On the way you visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent. Upon arrival at Karakol, sightseeing tour in the town, visit Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style, but serving as a mosque. Also, you will see an old Russian orthodox Church – Holy Trinity cathedral made of wood without any nails.

Overnight in a guesthouse.

(Breakfast – GH, lunch, dinner – cafe)

Day 5. Karakol –Djety Oguz – Karakol (70 km / 2 hours).

After breakfast drive to Djety Oguz valley

Djety Oguz from Kyrgyz language is translated as Seven Bulls. This picturesque gorge differs in the mountains covered with Tien Shan fir tree. At the beginning of the gorge you will face a famous Broken Heart Rock. Walking up further to panorama you will see those famous Seven Bulls rocks. The tourist guide will tell you the legend about the origin of the gorge name. In Soviets, there was a sanatorium built in the gorge. Many people used to come here for treatment with the help of radon water. Cosmonauts used to come here for rehabilitation, even Yuri Gagarin.

You will hiking in the beautiful Djety Oguz valley. You will see real nomad life.

We hike up the main gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river. Hiking till the Djety Oguz waterfall and back. After hiking in this valley afternoon transfer back to Karakol town.

(Breakfast – GH, lunch – lunch box, dinner – dungan family)

Day 6. Karakol – Chon Kemin (350 km / 6-7 hours).

After breakfast drive to Chon Kemin valley.

Chon-Kemin State Nature National Park, which protects a total of 5000 hectares. This park was created in 1997 to protect the unique species of flora and fauna in the area, including the Tolai hare, pheasant, and fir trees. National Park and beautiful area to have a walk in the forest or horseback riding in the mountains.

En route visit Skazka canyon. The canyon was named due to its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into fabulous sculptures and formations. Some formations in “Skazka” have been named for their similarity to well-known objects. For example, one set of ridges in the canyon is named “The Chinese Wall” due to its similarity to the Great Wall of China. You can also find what appear to be statues of a hippopotamus, snake, dragon, sleeping giant and even whole castles. Because the different rocks have amazing colors, the rocky statues not only have unusual shapes, but also magical colors.

The canyon looks scenic with the dark blue Issyk Kul Lake on the background.

Easy hiking in the gorge.

Continue drive to Chon Kemin.

Upon arrival you will get accommodated at a guest house.

(Breakfast – GH, lunch – local family, dinner – guest house)

Day 7. Chon Kemin – Bishkek (170 km / 3 hours).

After breakfast drive to Bishkek.

En route we go to Tokmok town and have excursion at the Burana tower historical complex.

Burana Tower (ancient minaret) is located in 12 km far from Tokmok town. The territory where the tower is located was called Balasagyn town. This town had the strategic meaning for Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found at excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, and become familiar with collection of Balbals, turkic grave marks.

Upon arrival in Bishkek, optionally: dinner in a local restaurant with folklore show. Specially for you musicians will play national melodies of Kyrgyz people and show you musical instruments. You will listen to a singing and enjoy the charming melodies of our ancestors.

Accommodation in a hotel.

(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)

Upon arrival to the International Airport “Manas”  – meet your guide and driver.

Short transfer to the city of Bishkek. Accommodation in a local hotel (early check-in is included).

Rest, breakfast at the hotel and start sightseeing tour in Bishkek.

Visit Manas, Lenin and Kurmanjan Datka Monuments, main Ala-Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of Guards of Honor, main governmental buildings, Oak park, Fine art gallery, Old Square with Parliament House. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there.

Overnight at the hotel. Free time at the evening.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch,dinner – restaurant)

Day 2. Bishkek – Ala Archa National park – Bishkek

After breakfast, drive to Ala Archa National Park.

It is a popular place for hiking, skiing and mountaineering including trips to more than 20 glaciers. It covers the area of 200 km² – mostly forested valleys, waterfalls and rivers rich in trout. The altitude of ranges varies from 1500m to the highest point 4895m (Peak Semenov Tien Shanskii). Several rare species of fauna and especially traditionally revered juniper trees are under protection in the Natural Park. It has very diverse fauna: mountain meadows are the habitat for wild goats, deer and marmots. Ala Archa National Park is one of the few places of the habitat of the rare snow leopard.

After transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – lunch box, dinner – cafe)

Day 3. Bishkek – Cholpon Ata town (280 km / 5-6 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Issyk Kul Lake via Boom gorge and to the Northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake.

On the way visit Burana tower.

Lunch at local family in Tokmok.

Arrival in Cholpon Ata. Here we have several visits:

1) Open air Petroglyphs site.

2) Local historical museum or Rukh Ordo complex.

After excursions, drive to the hotel and get accommodation in the resort area on the shore of Issyk Kul lake.

Dinner and overnight.

(Breakfast – guest house, lunch – family, 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 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.

(Breakfast – resort, lunch – yurt camp, dinner – yurt camp)

Day 5. Karkara valley – Tepke village  (120 km / 3 hours).

AM free time for walking.

After lunch drive to Tepke village.  Upon arrival  excursion around the farm.

Here we see local racing horses, admire views, bone fire place and gardens.

Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.

(Breakfast,lunch – yurt camp, dinner – guesthouse)

Day 6. Tepke village – Karakol –  Djety Oguz gorge – Bokonbaev village – Kochkor village (270 km / 6 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Karakol town.

Short sightseeing in Karakol.

After sightseeing drive to Djety Oguz gorge to admire the landscapes and to make some photos.

At the beginning of the gorge you will face a famous “Broken Heart Rock”. Walking up further to panorama you will see those famous Seven Bulls rocks.

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 – GH, 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.

Drive back to Bishkek city via Kuvaky pass and spectacular view to the Ort o 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

(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)