Issyk-Kul and Tian Shan treasures

Description

Tour includes visiting the highlights of Issyk Kul region

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek city.

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)

Prices

Price 2022-2023 p/pax in US$:

Additional Info

 Clothes and equipment:

You can take all necessary things. Please take into consideration that in spring and autumn the temperature in Bishkek city reaches up to +30 oC and in the mountains the temperature decreases to 0 oC in case of the bad weather. Be prepared for significant temperature changes.

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, diarrhea, 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 dollars /euro/ to KGS , we recommend to take the notes of 50, 100 USD without stamps, inscriptions and other any damage, because damaged banknotes are not accepted by banks and exchange offices.

Photos

Map