Kyrgyzstan from Lakes to Yurts tour

Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the city will take 30-40 min. Hotel check in (early check-in is NOT included).

Time to rest.

Start city tour after late breakfast. Sightseeing tour includes the Monument of Kyrgyz National hero Manas, Changing of Guards of Honor, State Historical Museum, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin statues, main Ala Too Square, governmental buildings, Oak park and Fine Art gallery.

The sightseeing tour of Bishkek comes to the end at the Victory Square. 

(Breakfast – hotel)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we have interesting day as we leave the city and head to the countryside. At first, we stop to learn more about the Great Silk Road and visit 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 the 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. 

Then, we continue our trip to the Issyk Kul Lake. 

Issyk Kul Lake has a tectonic origin. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca, which is 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 temperature of its water reaches up to 20-23 C°.

On the way you may admire beautiful landscape and change of scenery.

Arrival at the Cholpon Ata town and visit local famous petroglyphs site. After excursion continue driving to Karkaol town. Short stop on the lake shore for swimming. Evening arrival to Karakol. Check-in to hotel.

Overnight. 

(Breakfast – hotel)

In the morning we start city tour in Karakol town.

Visit Memorial Museum of N.M. Przhevalski a great Russian explorer and researcher of Asian continent, which 12 km far from Karakol. 

Later Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now.

Also, you will visit Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church built of wood without a single nail used. In the miraculous iconostasis of the church there is the famous Tikhvinian icon of Divine Mother, painted in 1897.

After city tour drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul lake. 

First stop at Djety Oguz canyon for a little hike. 

Djety Oguz from Kyrgyz language is translated as Seven Bulls. Unlike Fairy Tale Canyon 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 the Soviet times, 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. 

After Djety Oguz continue drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake till we reach Kajy Sai district where stop for a walk at the Skazka canyon. 

Arrival to Bokonbaev village.  

Accommodation and dinner at the guest house. 

(Breakfast – hotel, dinner – guest house)

Today we start way to Kara Koyun gorge – Tash Rabat Caravan Saray via Naryn town.

Optionally: Meet Eagle hunter to see demonstration of hunting and training of birds of prey near Bokonbaev village (in the morning).

Naryn is a town of long and narrow form, situated along the famous Naryn River also named Syr Darya, which is one of the biggest rivers in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Naryn is the only town in Kyrgyzstan, where 90 % of the population is Kyrgyz.

Here we briefly visit the Central Blue Mosque and the small Central Square.

Later drive further south in a direction of China. Turn to Kara Koun canyon and reach yurt camp.  Accommodation.

Tash Rabat caravanserai is situated at the elevation of 3200 m asl. not far from Chinese border (Torugart). Its origin is a complete mystery; however, there is a hypothesis that it was built in 10th century. Researchers consider it to be a Nestorian monastery, others suppose it to be a victualing-house for the trade caravans, and third ones insist on its defensive function. It is obviously clear that during the various epochs Tash Rabat caravanserai had different functions.

Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp. 

(Breakfast – guest house, dinner – yurt camp)

In the morning we start as usual and head to the Tash Rabat caravanserai for excursion (close to the camp).

After interesting historical excurse we drive back to Naryn town and further to the Son Kul lake via Moldo Ashuu pass.

In the afternoon reach Son Kul lake.

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”. 

Accommodation in a local comfortable yurt camp.

Here you can feel like a real nomad and get acquainted with the culture of Kyrgyz people.

Yurt – is a traditional dwelling of nomadic people of Central Asia. The foundation of yurt consists of wooden carcass and several felt layers. The construction of such dwelling doesn’t require a lot of time that makes it practical and useful for locals. The interior of a yurt is decorated with felt carpets and traditional embroidery. 

Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp.

(Breakfast – yurt camp, dinner – yurt camp)

After breakfast proceed to Bishkek city. Long drive via Kalmak Ashuu pass, Kochkor village, around Orto Tokoi reservoir, over Kuvaky pass and Boom canyon to Chui valley.

Upon arrival to Bishkek still have some time to deal with unfinished business, purchase souvenirs or gifts back to your relatives and friends.

Overnight at the hotel. 

(Breakfast – yurt camp)

Group or individual transfers to the airport for flight back home.

(Breakfast – hotel)