The Secret of Kyrgyzstan

Description

The Secret of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan is an amazing and unique in its beauty country. This small oasis in the Heart of Central Asia impresses with huge variety of landscapes. Often Kyrgyzstan is named "Asian Switzerland", however virgin mountains and richest nature of Kyrgyzstan are far excel in the cleanness of the beaten European Alps. Culture and historical heritage of Kyrgyz people are also very interesting. Until now, the country retains all the attributes of nomadic life. Only in Kyrgyzstan in summer period you will see yurts (nomadic portable dwellings decorated with felt carpets), meet nomads, who will welcome you and probably invite to their yurt to try traditional Kyrgyz drink "kymyz". Here we invite you to the breathtaking journey to the Secret of Kyrgyzstan – Kel Suu Lake.

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek city. Bishkek city – Ala Archa National Park – Bishkek city (120 km / 2-3 hours)

Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning. Upon arrival to the International Airport Manas meeting with our tourist guide at arrival gates. Transfer to the city will take 30-40 min. Hotel check-in (early check-in is included into the tour cost)
After a restful morning and breakfast at the hotel drive 40 km out of Bishkek to Ala Archa National Park. It is popular place for picnics, hikes, rock climbing and alpinism. There are 20 glaciers in the territory of the park. You can go for a walk on the paved road along the river or hike up to the mountains to get a spectacular view of the gorge. If you are in a reasonable state of health you can hike up to the waterfall (3.75 km – 2.5-3 hours one way).
Heading back to Bishkek. Lunch at a local cafe.
After lunch head out on a sightseeing tour of Bishkek, which includes: the Monument of Kyrgyz National hero Manas, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin monuments, Oak Park, Opera and Ballet Theater, main governmental buildings including Parliament and the White House.
A sightseeing tour of Bishkek comes to an end at Victory Square dedicated to the WWII.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local cafe, dinner – local restaurant)

Day 2. Bishkek city – Cholpon Ata town (280 km / 4 hours).

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast start adventure around Kygyzstan and go first to see Issyk Kul lake. En routel visit Architectural-Archeological Complex “Burana Tower” (UNESCO)
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 during excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, and become familiar with collection of Balbals, turkic grave marks.

(Excursion takes approx. 1-hour, simple walk, but good shoes required as it’s dusty and stairs to the top of the tower are steep).

Lunch at a local Kazakh family in Tokmok.
After lunch drive to Cholpon Ata town on the north shore of Issyk Kul lake.
Issyk Kul Lake has a tectonic origin. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca 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 the water reaches up to +20-25 Co.
Dinner and overnight in a resort on the shore of the Lake.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – local restaurant/resort)

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

After breakfast at the hotel visit the Open Air Petroglyphs Museum in Cholpon Ata town.
Petroglyphs are dated back to Sak-Wusun period from VIII century BC up to II century AD. The territory where Pethroglyphs are found lying below the Kungey Alatoo Mountains with a beautiful view of the lake.
Further drive to Karakol town. Karakol was founded in 1869 as a Russian garrison, and grew rapidly as explorers passed through the town on their way deeper into the Tian Shan.
Lunch upon arrival.
Afternoon short sightseeing in Karakol. Visit Prjevalskii memorial complex, Dungan mosque and Russian Orthodox church.
Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local cafe, dinner – local family)

Day 4. Karakol town – Kochkor village (260 km / 4 hours).

Today drive to Kochkor village. En route visit Djety Oguz gorge with “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” mountain formations. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces.
Also visit Skazka Canyon which is one of the most stunning places in Kyrgyzstan, a canyon filled with fantastical sandstone shapes that give the spot its name, which means fairytale in Russian. Over millennia of erosion, the red sandstone has taken on forms that some say resemble animals, landmarks, or characters from legends.
Lunch in Bokonbaevo with local family.
Further drive to Kochkor village. Accommodation in a local family guest house.
Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – local family)

Day 5. Kochkor village – Kel Suu lake (280 km / 6 hours).

After breakfast drive to Kel Suu through the most mountainous province in Kyrgyzstan – Naryn.
Stop for lunch in Naryn, a town between cliffs with a long, narrow shape.
Further drive to Kel Suu tent camp along the picturesque landscapes.
Remote even by Kyrgyzstan standards, Kel Suu stretches over 10 km through a sheer mountain gorge very close to the Chinese border. It has one unusual feature, in which honor this name was given to it. Kel Suu is means “coming water” in Kyrgyz. And indeed, sometimes the lake disappears, flowing into underground caves and grottoes.
Dinner and overnight in a tent camp.
(Breakfast – local family, lunch – local family, dinner – tent camp)

Day 6. Kel Suu lake – Naryn town (on foot 8 km / 2-3 hours one way) (drive 150 km / 3,5 hours)

Today you explore the secret of Kyrgyzstan – Kel Suu. From the tents camp to the lake you can walk or drive up as it takes about 2-3 hours on foot. Level of difficulty only prescribed by the altitude (3200-3300 m asl), walking terrain is not challenging, but you need proper hiking boots. Spend time in the area, have lunch boxes on the shore and enjoy your time exploring this treasure.
At the evening we load our stuff into the car and continue the way to Naryn town. Late evening arrival to Naryn and get accommodated at the yurt glamping. Comfortable stay in the VIP yurt camp with all facilities. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast – tent camp, lunch – lunch box, dinner – yurt camp)

Day 7. Naryn town – Bishkek city (350 km / 5 hours).

After breakfast explore the area. walk around to check the nature around Naryn town and drive back to Bishkek city.
En route stop in Kochkor village and visit local women cooperation where ladies produce felt and different items from it.
Optionally: watch felt producing demonstration.
Lunch in Kochkor village.
Arrival to Bishkek, check in into the hotel.
Optionally: You can take a wander around Osh bazaar (closed on Monday)
Farewell dinner and folklore show at a local restaurant.
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 a hotel.
(breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – local family in Kochkor, dinner – restaurant in Bishkek)

Day 8. Bishkek city – airport (30 km / 40 minutes).

Transfer to the airport to pick your flight back home.
(breakfast – hotel)

Prices

Please contact responsible manager for actual prices for 2022 via e-mail: travel@ak-sai.com

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

Map