Classical Kyrgyzstan

Description

“Classical Kyrgyzstan”

 Don’t miss the chance to visit Kyrgyzstan in a quiet season, when serenity take place at every spot and you rest with your heart and soul.

Duration: 8 days, 8 nights

Minimum group size: 4 pax

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Bishkek city. 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 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.
Overnight in a hotel.
(Breakfast – hotel, lunch,dinner – restaurant)

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.
After excursion, drive to Chon Kemin valley. Upon arrival, get accommodated in the guest house “Ashuu”. Lunch.
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 – guest house, dinner – guest house)

Day 3. Chon Kemin valley – Cholpon Ata town (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) 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 – 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 hills to see panoramic view 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 – Karakol town (120 km / 3 hours).

Transfer to Karakol town. En route visit Tepke horse farm. Lunch and excursion around the farm.
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.
(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 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 – 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. 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 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 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

Prices

The trip cost for 2022-23 per person in USD:

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)

!Please note! Booking for this tour will be closed 3 weeks before departure as there must be special border permission obtained.