Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO BISHKEK
Your private driver and local guide will give you a warm welcome when you arrive in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. This city lies at the foot of snow-capped mountains and you will go on a guided sightseeing tour, visiting the main sights of the city. See the main square called Ala Too (formerly known as Lenin Square) where you can watch the guard changing ceremony before moving onto the State History Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and Frunze House Museum. Frunze was the famous Bolshevik general after whom the city was named until Kygyz independence in 1991. You will also walk around the open-air art gallery in Oak Park and visit Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar.
DAY 2 - WALKS IN ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
Ala-Archa National park is situated south of Bishkek at an altitude of between 1600-4800m and as you can imagine, the scenery is stunning. Today, take a full day excursion into this area of great scenic beauty with green valleys, fir forests and high glaciers. Your guide will take you on walks along pristine trails by streams and waterfalls with magnificent views over Ala Archa Canyon. Return to Bishkek where you stay overnight.
DAY 3 - SCENIC DRIVE TO SON KUL LAKE
Today drive through remote villages surrounded by fantastic mountain views to Son Kul Lake, pausing to see Burana Tower a 11th century minaret in the Chuy Valley. Break up the drive with a stop in Kochkorka village and visit a workshop that makes traditional felt carpets. On arrival in Son Kul Lake you will be allocated a yurt, the symbol of a Kyrgyz home. Spend the night in a basic yurt camp near the lake shore in a yurt, just like the nomads do, and watch Kyrgyz herding their cattle and making national dishes.
DAY 4 - ALPINE LAKES, MOUNTAINS & TRADITIONAL LIFE
Son Kul Lake is a mountain lake in the Central Tian Shan Range and is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, lying at an altitude of 3016m above sea level with a total area of an incredible 275 sq km. After breakfast ride a horse or trek around the local area. There is plenty to see aside from the spectacular scenery, there are yurts in the summer pastures and you will have an opportunity to witness traditional Kyrgyz life. Meet a local family in their yurt and you may even help with the milking or making a batch of Kykyz which is a dairy product similar to Kefir. In the afternoon relax or continue exploring before finishing the day by an open fire beneath the stars.
DAY 5 - MEET THE EAGLE HUNTER & DRIVE TO JETY-OGUZ
Today, your journey will take you to Bokonbaevo village to see an eagle hunting show, where hunters demonstrate the art of using these raptors to catch hares and other small animals. Then continue on to Jety-Oguz Canyon. Locals can tell you many legends about the famous, red rocks known as the “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart”. After lunch saddle up for a ride through the canyons, soaking up the scenery of the Teskei Ala-Too mountains. Spend the night in a basic yurt camp.
DAY 6 - VISIT KARAKOL & LAKE ISSY KUL
After breakfast drive to Karakol, a town founded by Russian pioneers. Here you can visit one to the oldest Orthodox Churches in Kyrgyzstan, a Chinese-style Muslim mosque and visit Karakol’s colourful bazaar. Continue your journey along Lake Issy Kul’s north shore, to Cholpon Ata and stay overnight in a hotel on the beach.
DAY 7 - RELAX ON THE LAKE & JOURNEY TO BISHKEK
Spend the morning at leisure by Lake Issy Kul and enjoy a swim or water sports or alternatively go white water rafting on the Chu River (Optional). Continue your journey to Bishkek in time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 - DEPART KYRGYZSTAN
This morning we will ensure you are taken to the airport in good time for your onward flight.
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DETAILS:
This itinerary costs from £1590 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.
You can get flights from as little as £570 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
What's included?
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £1590 per person
- 7 nights accommodation on B&B basis
- Accompanied by an English speaking guide throughout.
- Private vehicle and transfers
- All entrance fees for excursions
- Lunch on Days 2, 3, 4 & 5
- Dinner on Days 3, 4, & 5
- Local taxes
- Meals for guides and drivers
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are financially protected
