Cultural tour Issyk Kul-Naryn

Description

Day 1: Bishkek

Arrival in Bishkek. Meet with driver and guide at the hall of Manas Airport. Transfer to the city center, check-in to the hotel. Some rest. Visit Osh Bazaar. Bishkek is the oldest city of Kyrgyzstan and so Osh Bazaar is oldest Bazaar of Kyrgyzstan and entire Central Asia region. It is one of the largest Bazaars in Bishkek as well. You think of anything like food products, any household items, clothes, souvenirs, musical instruments or any other item and you will get all of them here at Osh Bazaar. Optionally, visit Historical Museum. City tour with visiting of Philharmonia Hall , Manas Statue, Ala Too square, Monument of Independence, Old square, ZUM. Today you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonia – concert hall, government building) but also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence). The city is famous being one of the greenest in Central Asia, due to its countless parks and alleys, which make the town a nice place to live also in the heart of the summer. Dinner in local traditional restaurant. Optionally Folklore show during the dinner. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek - Chon Kemin (180 km, 3-4 hours of driving)

Breakfast. Transfer to Kegety Gorge, do hike to Kel-Tor Lake. Kel-Tor Lake, which is considered one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Northern Tien Shan, is situated in a valley, bordering Kegety gorge at the altitude of about 2700 m. View of the lake is just fabulous, turquoise water surface is surrounded by majestic mountain chains. On the western shore of Kel-Tor Lake are spruce forests, the eastern shore is occupied by tall grasses. An unusual peak over 4200 m high, called "Sugarloaf" is located by the lake. The hike is about 10 km, 4 hours. Picnic for lunch. After drive to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. On the way, visit Burana Complex (XI c), that is a place on the Great Silk Road. After arrival accommodation in the mountain’s family guesthouse. Explore the village. Before dinner, optionally it is possible to arrange Bread baking cooking class. Dinner and overnight in the family guesthouse

Day 3: Chon Kemin – Kyzyl-Tuu – Jaichy (170 km, about 3-4 hours of driving)

After breakfast, there are different possibility to spend time for extra payment:

1) Do horse riding to the panorama view point, 3 hours of riding.

2) Experience rafting, minimum 5 pax in a group, takes about 2 hours, safe and security instructions are provided and suits are given;

3) You can show local horse games at the stadium. Learn more about nomadic games with horses.

In the afternoon transfer to southern shore of Issyk- Kul. On the way, visit Kyzyl – Tuu village, one of local craftsman who produce wooden parts of yurt, nomad dwelling house. See the presentation. Later transfer to Jaichy Gorge. Upon arrival check-in the yurt camp. Explore the area. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.

Day 4: Jaichy – Tamga (120 km, about 3 hours of driving)

Breakfast in the yurt camp. Drive to visit Zkazka Canyon. Turning after Tosor village towards Terskey Ala-Too mountains and after passing about 4 km, we will notice how mountains part, and immediately, as if by the wave of a magic stick we will find ourselves in this valley of fairytales. In Russian, the word Skazka means “Fairy Tale” and the place is certainly a magical place, full of mystery and mysticism, sufficuent to stimulate the imagination of those with the inclination to stand, and stare, and wonder.

Legends have it that, at one time, the Issyk Kul basin wasn’t filled with a lake, but was home to a number of rich and powerful cities. The wind has been polishing natural and fabulous sculptures here for years. The rocks resemble castles, towers, monsters, giants, people and animals. And all this is created by nature, not by the hands of people. Hike takes about 1,5 -2 hours. Optionally, for extra payment it is possible to arrange Eagle Hunting show. Hunter will talk about the process of breeding and training of wild Eagles. After visit canyons of Ak-Sai. They are located 16 kilometers from the regional center Bokonbaevo.

Locals call the canyons "Valley of Forgotten Rivers", because at the entrance you can observe traces of dried up rivers that flowed many years ago in these places. After driving or walking to the end of the winding roads, you find yourself on the beautiful shore of Issyk-Kul. And after climbing the horse / hiking trails to the top of the sandstones, you will see a beautiful panorama of the lake and an interesting landscape of the mountainous area. Hike about 1,5-2 hours.

Lunch as a picnic. Continue drive to Tamga. Upon arrival check-in to the Yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in the yurt Camp.

Day 5: Tamga – Svetlaya – Polyana – Jety-Oguz (100km, about 3 hours of driving)

Breakfast. Transfer to the start point of trek in Svetlaya Polyana Gorge (1 hour). Soft one day trekking from Svetlaya Polyana via Kok-Jaiyk Pass to Jety-Oguz. Duration of trek 4-5 hours. Picnic for lunch. We will come to the Jety-Oguz gorge, the gorge famous for its red rock formations. People tell many legends about Jety – Oguz. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp in Kok-Jaiik Valley.

Day 6: Jety – Oguz – Karakol (50 km, about 1,5 hour of driving)

Breakfast in the yurt camp. Drive to Karakol. City tour of Karakol. Visit Russian Church and Dungan Mosque. The Holy Trinity Cathedral, a church dating back to 1869 that marks the center of the city, is located at the corner between Gagarin and Lenin street, and although it has been rebuilt and restored multiple times its wooden structure and traditional onion dome are still impressive examples of Russian architecture.

A 15-minute walk from the Cathedral stands the Dungan Mosque on Bektenova Street. The Dungans of Karakol invited Beijing architect Chou Seu and 20 Chinese wood carvers to construct the mosque in 1910. The structure is built entirely without nails and painted in bright colors. Check-in to the hotel. Free time. Optionally in the evening visit hot spring pools near Karakol. Dinner in Uighur family. Overnight in the family guesthouse.

Day 7: Karakol

Breakfast. There different optional activities to experience during the day:

1) Trip to Altyn- Arashan Gorge

We will change our car to the military 4 wd truck and drive to Altyn-Arashan gorge (2600 meters). The road takes about 2-3 hours one way. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka (5260 m). Clients can enjoy the hot springs. Hiking around.

2) Cooking class with Dungan or Uighur families, you will learn how to cook one of traditional dish and know more about locals.

3) Visit of craftsman in Karakol that produce horse saddles and other staff from leather, wood and felt. Learn about the process.

4) Drive to Jyrgalan Gorge and experience hike to Turnaluu Kol lake on foot or rent a horse and do riding. Takes about 4 hours, 10 km. You can actually see a crane on the lake in the spring. Therefore, Turnaluu Kol means «lake of cranes» in Kyrgyz.

Retun back to Karakol. Dinner in Dastorkon restaurant. Overnight in family guesthouse.

Day 8: Karakol – Kochkor (320 km, about 5-6 hours of driving)

Breakfast. Transfer to Kochkor village along the northern shore of Issyk- Kul. Stops on the way. Upon arrival to Kochkor check-in to the family guesthouse. Optionally, visit local cooperative of women who will show you the process of felt carpet production. You can make a felt carpet. Dinner and overnight in family guesthouse.

Day 9: Kochkor – Son- Kul (150 km, about 3-4 hours of driving)

After breakfast, we start our ascent towards mountain lake Song Kul. The lake is not very far from Kochkor, but due to bad road conditions, it will still be a quite long and bumpy ride to the lake. Lake Song Kul is a mountainous lake on the altitude of 3016 meters above the sea level. The nomads pass their summer on the “jailoo” (summer pasture) with their animals. We will arrive in time for lunch, which will be served in the yurt camp. Free time in the afternoon to go on a walk to the shore or rent a horse do horse ride and observe nomadic life. The yurt camp is located about 3 kilometers from the shore of the lake. Overnight in a yurt (4 people in a yurt, shared western toilets outside, simple shower)

Day 10: Son- Kul – Kyz-Art village (250 km, about 4-5 hours of driving)

Breakfast in the yurt camp. Start hiking to Kyr-Art village. Trek starts from the yurt camp via Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400m) to Kilemche pasture and further to the village.

Enjoy wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo and Son-Kul Lake in a distance. Lunch as a picnic. It takes about 5-6 hours of hiking. Dinner and overnight in the family guesthouse.

Day 11: Kyz-Art village – Bishkek (290 km, about 5 hours of driving)

Breakfast. After transfer to Bishkek. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Free time for shopping or rest. Dinner in traditional restaurant. Overnight in Rich Hotel or similar.

Day 12: Bishkek – Airport

Early breakfast. Transfer to airport to catch flight back home.

• Transportation during whole tour

• Hotel accommodation in Karakol city

• Hotel accommodation in Bishkek

• 3 times fresh food during the tour

• Lunch boxes to eat during the trek

• Hot spring bath

• Accommodation in yurt camps according to the program

• English speaking guide

• Entrance fees to museums

• Flights to and from country

• Visa cost (for countries not offered free visas)

• Riding horses

Included.

Not included.