Bishkek – Ala-Archa Park — Burana Tower — Chong-Kemin Valley – Karakol Town – Altyn-Arashan Valley — Bishkek
Bishkek – Ala-Archa Park — Burana Tower — Chong-Kemin Valley – Karakol Town – Altyn-Arashan Valley — Bishkek
Tour Type: cultural tour with soft adventure
Total Duration: 8 days
Best Season: May – September
Level of Difficulty: easy
Maximum Altitude on the Trip: 2 400 meters ASL
Start and End Point: Bishkek
Accommodation: *** hotel in Karakol, guesthouses and yurts outside Bishkek
Transport: minibus / bus
Best group size: 4 — 40 persons
The crown jewel of the Tien Shan, Lake Issyk-Kul is 6232 sq m of sparkling blue paradise. The second largest saline lake in the world, its name in Kyrgyz means «hot lake»— though surrounded by spectacular snow capped peaks, the water never freezes. Silk Road traders stopped here to recover from the grueling trek over the passes of the Tian Shan, and it is still the most popular destination in Kyrgyzstan to relax for both tourists and locals.
Karakol is the regional center. On Sundays see a tradition which is reminiscent of Silk Road times, the famous animal bazaar. Shepherds from surrounding regions travel long hours to bring their livestock— on foot, by cart, by tractor, by car— even by motorcycle. Other cities in the region include Cholpon-Ata and Balykchi.
The mountains in Issyk-Kul rise over 7000 m, with Khan Tengri and Pobeda Peak being popular destinations for intrepid mountaineers. Trek to the massive Enilchek Glacier and the “dissappearing” Lake Merzbacher.
Night/Early morning arrival at Manas airport. Meet and transfer to Bishkek. Accommodation in a hotel ***. Lunch at hotel/restaurant. After lunch city tour in Bishkek with visiting: Victory Square, Tsum Center, Opera and Ballet Building, Museum of Fine Arts, Oak Park, Mikhail Frunze Museum, Erkindik Boulevard, Open Air Art Gallery, Central Square Ala-Too, monument to Chingiz Aitmatov, Old Square, monument to Lenin, , Panfilov Park, White House, Monument to Revolution, Philharmonic Hall Building, Monument to Manas, Osh bazaar. Dinner at hotel restaurant. Hotel accommodation.
Morning transfer to Ala-Archa National Park, 45 km from Bishkek. The park was created in 1976 and occupies about 2 280 hectares just 45km from the capital. Ala-Archa is translated from Kyrgyz language as “motley (or bright) juniper. Walk in the gorge. Picnic lunch en route. Drive to Ata Beyit Memorial Complex dedicated to the victims of Revolt against Tsarist Empire in 1916, victims of Stalin’s Repressions 1934-1938, and victims of 2010 Revolution. Return to Bishkek. Hotel accommodation ***. Dinner at café/restaurant.
This day drive to Chong-Kemin Valley. Visit the Burana Tower architectural complex (10th-11th century, an important point on the Great Silk Road) on the way (15 km from the main road, 1 hour). Lunch near Burana at Kyrgyz Family. Arrive in Chong-Kemin. Accommodation in a local guesthouse. Dinner.
Leave for Karakol Town via southern Issyk-Kul lake. On the way visit Kyzyl-Tuu village, The Village of Yurt makers. Visit a Kyrgyz family where all family members make a Boz Ui (Yurt) – a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling tent. Lunch in the village. Continue to Jaichy Valley. Experience hunting with an eagle demonstration. Tea and coffee time. Further drive to Bokonbaevo or Kadji-Sai Village, accommodation in a local guesthouse or yurt camp (upon your choice).
Further transfer to Karakol Town. On the way visit Skazka Canyon (Fairtale Canyon) and Jeti-Oguz Gorge (Seven Bulls Rock). Lunch in a Kyrgyz Family in Chyrak or Jeti-Oguz Village. Arrival in Karakol, check-in in the local guesthouse. Dinner.
After breakfast visit the Dungan Mosque. Further drive to Altyn-Arashan Valley (Golden Spa Valley) (about 40 km from Karakol, 16 km ascent drive by Russian Military 4WD truck in the gorge, around 3 hours). Arrival in Altyn-Arashan, lunch. Optional: bathing in the local hot springs. Drive down by 4 WD truck. Transfer to Karakol. Dinner with Dungan family. Accommodation in the guesthouse.
After breakfast drive to Cholpon-Ata. Visit Przhevalski Museum (the famous Russian explorer of Central Asia and Tibet). En route visit the biggest private agro farm in Tepke Village. Excursion in the farm. Lunch. On the way, visit the orphan house. Tea time at the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Arrival to Cholpon-Ata/Kara-Oi/Sary-Oi, accommodation at resort hotel ***.
After breakfast check out of hotel. Visit Rukh-Ordo Cultural Complex and we make a stop in Cholpon-Ata to visit the open-air petroglyph gallery (5km from the main road). Leave for Bishkek, 5 hours. Lunch en route at café. Arrival in Bishkek, overnight in a hotel ***. Farewell dinner at restaurant.
Night/morning transfer to the airport. Departure.
| Trip date | Availability | Trip Status | Price |
| Anytime | Available | Upon request | From $ 600 |
INCLUSIONS
