Kyrgyzstan Kel-Suu Tour

Arrival in Bishkek. Upon arrival at the International Airport Manas you will be met by our tourist guide at arrival gates. Transfer to the city will take 30-40 min. Hotel check in at 14 pm (Early check in is not included). 

We start a sightseeing tour of Bishkek, which includes: 

The Monument of Kyrgyz National hero Manas, Kurmanjan Datka Monument, Oak Park, Opera and Ballet Theatre.

A sightseeing tour of Bishkek comes to an end at Victory Square. After excursion we will go to ZUM (Central department store) to buy souvenirs.

     (No meals)

After breakfast, we drive to Chon Kemin valley. En route visit Architectural Archeological Complex “Burana Tower” (UNESCO).

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.

Optionally: horseback riding games near Burana Tower at the village Don Aryk.

Continue drive to Chon Kemin. Upon arrival, get accommodated in the guest house “Ashu”.

Options to do:

1) Walking around the village or to panoramic view.

2) Renting horses and ride up to the closest mountains (extra cost). 

3) Swimming in the pool (extra cost).

Dinner and overnight at the guest house. 

(Breakfast – hotel, dinner – guest house)

oday we take the direction to Karakol city along the north shore of beautiful Issyk Kul lake. 

Issyk Kul Lake has a tectonic origin. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca located in South America. Its length reaches 182 km, and width is 58 km, maximum depth is up to 668 m. During the summer period the water reaches up to 20-25 Co 

En route, visit an Open-air Petroglyphs Museum. 

Petroglyphs are dated back Sak-Usun period from 9-8 century up to 3-5 century AD. The territory where Petroglyphs are found lying below the Kungey Alatoo Mountains with a beautiful view of the lake.

Further drive to Karakol town. Karakol was founded in 1869 as a Russian garrison, and grew rapidly as explorers passed through the town on their way deeper into the Tian Shan.

Upon arrival there are 3 visits: 1) Dungan mosque, 2) Russian Orthodox church 3) Prjevalski Memorial complex.

Overnight at a hotel.

(Breakfast – guest house)

Today we drive along the south shore of Issyk Kule. En route visit Djety Oguz gorge with “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart” mountain formations. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces.
After the walk, we take the direction to the village of Svetlaya Polyana for visit to a «Komuz» maker. 

Komuz is an ancient Kyrgyz three-stringed instrument, resembling a small guitar. It is a significant part of any Kyrgyz folk music group. The instrument is usually fully made from apricot or juniper. The master will tell you and show the process of making a musical instrument. We will also taste herbal tea with honey from our home apiary.

Lunch here!

Further drive to Bokonbaev village. En route another stop at the Fairytale canyon.

After breakfast visit Skazka Canyon which is one of the 

most stunning places in Kyrgyzstan, a canyon filled with fantastical sandstone shapes that give the spot its name, which means fairytale in Russian. Over millennia of erosion, the red sandstone has taken on forms that some say resemble animals, landmarks, or characters from legends.

Arrival to Bokonbaevo and accommodation at a guest house.

Dinner and overnight. 

(Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – guest house)

After breakfast drive to the village Kyzyl Tuu. Here we meet craftsmen who produce yurt fram and demonstrate tradition of installation.

Then we drive to Son Kul lake via Kalmak Ashuu pass (3447 m). 

Alpine Son Kul Lake is located on Tien Shan range at the elevation of 3016 m. The territory around Son Kul is a pasture for the cattle driven from Kochkor village, Naryn and Jumgal regions. During the summer Son Kul pasture is considered to be the best Kyrgyz jailoo. The road to the lake goes through the windy mountain passes and vanishes in the sky. As a result, Son Kul Lake from Kyrgyz language translates as “Last Lake”. 

Optionally: horse riding.

Optionally: horseback riding games

Accommodation in a local comfortable yurt camp.

Here you can feel like a real nomads and get acquainted with the culture 

(Breakfast – guest house, dinner – yurt camp)

Today we drive to the most mountainous province in Kyrgyzstan – Naryn province via the Moldo Ashuu pass (3200 m). Naryn is known for some of the best meat and traditional Kyrgyz dishes in the country. 

Arrival and do some extra visits: 

1) Naryn Blue Mosque 

2) Fine Art gallery 

3) City square with Usubaliev statue

4) History museum.

Overnight in the hotel.

(Breakfast – yurt camp)

After breakfast, start driving towards to the next secret of Kyrgyzstan – Kel Suu lake. 

The distance is relatively short, but the conditions of the road delay the arrival.

Arrival to Kel Suu in the late afternoon. Accommodation at a yurt camp. Lunch. 

Some free time in the evening to explore the area.

Remote even by Kyrgyzstan standards, the magnificent Kel Suu lake stretches over 10 km through a sheer mountain gorge that reaches nearly to the Chinese border. Kel Suu means “incoming water” in Kyrgyz, and indeed, sometimes the lake disappears, flowing into underground caves and grottoes, so please be aware that not everybody has the chance to see the lake.

Dinner and overnight in tents/yurt camp.

(Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – lunch box, dinner – yurt camp) 

Today you explore the secret of Kyrgyzstan – Kel Suu. From the camp to the lake you can walk or drive up as it takes about 2-3 hours on foot (special vehicle could be provided). Level of difficulty only prescribed by the altitude (3200-3300 m asl), walking terrain is not challenging, but you need proper hiking boots. Spend time in the area, have lunch boxes on the shore and enjoy your time exploring this treasure.

In the late afternoon we load our stuff into the car and continue the way back to Naryn town. Late evening arrival to Naryn and get accommodated at the hotel. Overnight.

(Breakfast – tent camp, lunch – lunch box)

After breakfast explore the area. walk around to check the nature around Naryn town and drive back to Bishkek city.

En route stop in Kochkor village and visit local women cooperation where ladies produce felt and different items from it.

Optionally: watch felt producing demonstration.

Arrival to Bishkek, check in into the hotel.

Optionally: folklore show during dinner

Overnight at a hotel.

(Breakfast – hotel)

Transfer to airport to pick your flight. 

(breakfast – hotel)