Tour to Issyk Kul and Karkara valley

Description

Bishkek – Chon Kemin – Cholpon Ata – Karkara – Karakol – Bishkek

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek city. 120 km / 2,5 hours

Morning meeting at the airport. Transfer to the city. Early check-in.
After rest we drive to the natural park Ala Archa for light walk, relaxing and meeting Kyrgyzstan nature.

Afternoon short half day city tour. Visit Ala Too Square, Kurmanzhan Datka Monument, main governmental buildings, Old Square with Parliament House and Lenin’s Monument and local Osh market (closed on Monday).
Welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in a hotel. B hotel 3* / Ambassador 4* / Orion 5*. Rest.

Meals:BD

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

After breakfast around 10AM, one-hour drive to Burana Tower (UNESCO site) near Tokmok town.

Optionally: horseback riding games near Burana Tower.

Lunch is not included.
After lunch, drive to Chon Kemin valley.
Upon arrival, get accommodated in the guest house Ashuu Tor.
Options to do this day:
1) Walking around the village Kalmak Ashuu.
2) Renting horses and ride up to the closes mountains (extra cost).
3) Horseback riding games nearby (extra cost).
4) Setting yurt (nomadic house) (extra cost).
5) Swimming in the pool (extra cost).
Dinner and overnight in the guest house Ashuu Tor GH.

Meals: BD

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 is not included.
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.
Overnight at Hotel Karven 4*.

Meals: B

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. Up to you and your preferences.
Lunch and dinner in Karkara Yurt camp.

Meals: BLD

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 very deep impression for all life. (only july-august)

Transfer to Karakol town. En route visit Tepke horse farm. Lunch and excursion around the farm.
Here we see local racing horse, 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 – Karagat / Green yard 3* or similar
Dinner in a local Dungan family.
Optionally: cooking master class.
Optionally: Dungan dance show (kids perform, short time).

Meals: BLD

Day 6. Karakol town – Djety Oguz, Barskaun and Skazka gorges – KadjiSay village. 200 km / 5-6 hours

After breakfast, 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.
Then we drive to Barskaun gorge for excursion to famous waterfalls. Lunch picnic.
After excursion drive to Skazka gorge to see beautiful panorama of Issyk kul from the gorge.
Evening arrival to KadjiSay village.
Dinner and rest in a hotel Al Khayat

Meals: BLD

Day 7. KadjiSay village – Bishkek city. 300 km / 6 hours

In the morning we drive to Bokonbaevo village to visit local women cooperation and see products they sell. Souvenirs shop-museum is one of the most popular in our country.
After excursion will be eagle hunting demonstration near Bokonbaevo village.
Lunch en route is not included.
Arrival to Bishkek. Check in to hotel B hotel 3* / Ambassador 4* / Orion 5. Free time till dinner.

Farewell dinner in a local restaurant with National folklore show.

Meals: BD

Day 8. Bishkek city – airport. 30 km / 40 min

Transfer to the airport. Flight back home.

Meals: B

Prices

Price 2024 p/pax in US$:

Price from 825 USD p/p in a twin room (for a group of 13 people).

Additional Info

Suggested accommodation:

Photos

Map