Kyrgyzstan Itinerary - 15 Days of Pure Adventure!
Europe
Day 1 : SAT
Get ready for the Kyrgyz adventure. Take off at your nearest airport to Istanbul.
During the stopover you may meet some other members of this group. If you book with different airlines you should be aware that they might not arrive at the same airport in Istanbul as the subsequent departing flight for Bishkek.
Bishkek Day 2 : SUN – Hotel*** L / D
After an early morning arrival at the Manas airport we take you straight to the hotel followed by a general orientation and a check on the clothing and other important items for the next 2 weeks. We start the day by strolling through the Soviet era town centre. Visiting the Ala-Too square, Dubovy Park, statue of Kuranjan Datka, Panfilov Park, Victory Monument with the eternal flame and walk along Erkindik Prospektesi. On the way we change some money and get a meal in a Kyrgyz restaurant.
Bishkek – Chong Kemin
Day 3 : MON – Guest House B / L / D
After breakfast we leave the hot city for Chong Kemin nature park about 130 km from Bishkek. On the way we stop at the Burana Tower, one of the few remnants in Kyrgyzstan of the ancient silk road when merchants and travellers passed by in search of new opportunities and knowledge.
After lunch you are free to discover the neighbourhood by foot or by horse.
In the evening we gather at the bonfire with our guide narrating some stories about life in Kyrgyzstan.
Chong Kemin – Cholpon Ata
Day 4 : TUE – Guest House – B, L, D
After breakfast we take a hike of about 3 hours to the Panorama Place, located on top of a nearby hill to grasp the beauty of this valley and its surrounding mountains.
In the early afternoon we depart from this lovely place to Cholpon Ata located at the lake Issyk Kul at an altitude of 1600 m. It is almost double the altitude of Bishkek, but what is more important, the temperature is about 10 ⁰C less than in Bishkek which makes it the ideal place to holiday and relax.
Cholpon Ata
Day 5 – WED – Guest house – B, L, D
Cholpon Ata, the major summer holiday resort town at the northern coast of Issyk Kul lake is not only a magnet for the locals but also for Kazakhs and Russians. Get an impression how this time of the year is spent by inhabitants from this part of the world.
By the way this lake is the second largest mountain lake in the world with a length of 178 km, width up to 60 km and depth of 668 m. And it never freezes!
Our program starts with a visit of the regional well-presented historical Manas museum and ‘Rukh Ordo’ a museum of a different kind, some also call it historical complex. After my first visit I was not sure what to think of it. It is a real curiosity in an unusually attractive setting.
After lunch we walk down to the lakeside where you will experience the distinct beach atmosphere prevalent in this region. You may just jump into the slightly salty cool water, have a beer at a beach bar or have a coffee/tea and a cake at the AZAN restaurant located slightly elevated with a superb view over the nearby lake and the mountains in the background.
Weather permitting we will also visit the petroglyphs where some of the stones feature 3500 years old drawings of everyday’s life and hunting scenes.
Cholpon Ata – Karakol
Day 6 – THU – Guest house – B, L, D
A few kilometres outside Cholpon Ata we stop at the newly extended horse games stadium. The venue of the famous NOMAD GAMES. With UlakTartush / KokBoru / Goat Polo as its main event.
Add another 2 hours on our Marshrutka (Minibus) and we reach Karakol. This easternmost town is a major centre for winter sport activities and starting point for day-long trekking and mountain expeditions to the nearby Tian Shan mountain range with mountains rising up to a height of 7000m.
In the afternoon we embark on a city tour with its highlights the Russian Orthodox Church and the unique Dungan mosque which with its roof and the wooden exterior pillars reminds the traveller of a Mongolian temple.
Late afternoon we board a ship for a Sun-Set-Cruise on Issyk Kul lake with dinner served on board.
Karakol – Altyn Arashan – National Park
Day 7 – FRI – Yurt camp– B, L, D
Today we are going to explore this picturesque Altyn Arashan valley.
We leave our main luggage behind and bring along just what we need for one night stay (in a small rucksack). Due to the horrible road conditions it will take us more than 2 hours for this 22 km long stretch on a military truck up to the yurt camp in 2500m.
In the afternoon you are free to explore the surrounding area, watch the locals doing their daily chores or take a bath in the hot springs.
Altyn Arashan – Karakol
Day 8 – SAT – Guest house – B, L, D
Before returning to Karakol, we make a hike along the river deeper into the valley with even more opportunities for some exciting photos. We will be back in about 3 hours.
After lunch we return to our guest house in Karakol.
In the evening we are going to prepare our own dinner joining a cooking MASTER CLASS. Under the supervision of local experts you are invited to actively contribute to what you are going to eat this evening.
Karakol – Jety Orguz
Day 9 – SUN – Yurt camp – B, L, D
Visit of the Jeti Orguz (Sven Bulls) canyon with its bizarre red sand stone formations of which the Seven Bulls Rock is one of Kyrgyzstans most photographed natural landmarks. Its scenic forests and rivers attract many hikers. We follow the road deep inside the gorge where we engage ourselves in another about 3 hours hike or optionally you may decide to take a horse ride through the alpine meadows.
Overnight in Yurt.
Jety Orguz – Bokonbayevo
Day 10 – MON – Yurt camp – B,L,D
We stop at the Barskoon waterfall with its impressive 24 m cascade. To get closer to it we hike about half an hour upwards for some stunning views. At the road side a monument was erected for Juri Gagarin (who does not know him?) who visited this place some decades ago. After lunch we visit the Fairy Tale Valley also know as Skazka canyon. It got its name from the fantasy-like shapes carved into the red sandstone from centuries of wind and water.
Yet before setting for the night at the Beltam lakeside yurt camp we stop at a Kyrgyz house where the owner still performs the art of eagle hunting. An ancient Kyrgyz tradition. After the show we sit down for a dinner in his yurt entertained by a local traditional folklore band.
The night we spend at the shore of the lake Issyk Kul with the opportunity to go swimming in its cool yet refreshing water, right after arrival or next morning.
Bakonbaevo – Kochkor
Day 11 – TUE – Guest house – B, L, D
On the way to Kochkor we visit a small village named Kyzyl-Too where the craftsmanship of yurt making is still very much alive. That village is the centre of Yurt making in Kyrgyzstan based on small scale family oriented production. We will get some insight into the production of its wooden parts and watch the setting up of a Yurt.
Before arriving to Kochkor we stop at a local museum/sales outlet of handmade products produced by members of the local cottage industry.
Rest of the day free and easy.
Kochkor – Song Kol
Day 12 – WED – Yurt camp – B, L, D
Right after breakfast we depart for Song Kul. Via Kalmak Anshoo pass It takes about 3 hours uphill on an unpaved road up to 3500 m from where we descend to the yurt camp at 3016 m. Song Kol is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan with a surface of 270 sq km and a depth of only 22 m.
This summer pasture which is inhabited just from June till mid September has no permanent structures. In the afternoon you are free to wander around or take a horse ride to the Saimaluu Tash panorama point. It is a highlight of this tour. Weather conditions permitting it is an arena for grandiose sun sets and sun rises with crystal-clear night sky heavy with countless stars.
Beware! Weather conditions are unpredictable. Temperatures may drop below 10⁰C even in July/August.
Song Kol – Bishkek
Day 13 – THU – Hotel*** – B, L, D
In the morning free and easy – to roam around in this unique environment.
After lunch we prepare to return to Bishkek. On the way back, at a certain stretch we will have to negotiate 33 bends down a steep slope at which end we stop for a short hike to visit the breath taking gushing Kajerty waterfall . The next 1 ½ hours we pass picturesque landscape formations with amazing colours.
Our arrival in Bishkek will be late, approximately at about 9 pm.
Bishkek
Day 14 – FRI – Hotel*** – B,D
In the morning we visit the traditional OSH Bazaar. An unforgettable picture of a Central Asian market place, with an array of local food, herbs, spices, cakes, fruits, nuts and much more. It still reflects somehow the times when traders and caravans travelled this road. Vibrant, colourful and fragrant, it is a photographers delight.
Rest of the day Free and Easy. By now you may be able to discover more of the city centre by yourself despite the somehow unfamiliar shop descriptions in Russian. Though you will frequently encounter people, particularly the younger generation, who also speak some English.
It is the last chance to buy some souvenirs. We are going to conclude our journey with a farewell dinner at a popular Chaykhana (local restaurant).
Bishkek
Day 15 – SAT – B
Departure to the airport, back to Europe, with pleasant memories of a rather different world.
PLEASE NOTE
With the exception of hotels and guest houses, toilets are very basic mainly consisting of the squatting type. We recommend to bring along some toilet paper/ wet wipes and a small bottle of liquid soap!
At the yurt camp of Song Kol no shower is available. Instead, for the brave ones a swim in the lake is recommended.
Standard size of the tour group: 12 – 14 pax
As most of our travels are outdoors and subject to adverse weather conditions and/or unforeseeable circumstances, some planned activities may be cancelled or changed in order to keep up with the flow of the journey.
Some guests might want to bring along their spouses or friends who may be unable to trek for the required time and length, or are too afraid to ride a horse. Do not worry, we will find a way to accommodate them. Though a basic fitness to walk 3-4 km is still necessary!!
- Power: 220 V, with European style sockets
- Food & Drinks: with the abundance of sheep and horses meat has been a major part of the local diet. The meals are generally non spicy consisting of popular dishes like Plov (rice with mutton and vegetables), Shashlyk (kebab), Lagman (stew with noodles) and Manty (mutton/beef filled dumplings). Chai (tea) is the common drink though beer and other alcoholic beverages are widely available.
- Meals: All major meals (see description) are included, except lunch – day 14 in Bishkek.
- Health: Be aware that basic health and fitness is required. Bring along any necessary medication for that period. If you have doubts consult your physician. Outside Bishkek medical facilities are poor.
- Accommodation:
- 3 x Hotel
- 4 x Yurt camp
- 6 x Guest house
- Bedding –
- Hotels and Guest houses twin or double with attached bathroom,
- Yurts – it may happen – just mattresses on the floor, shared bathroom
- Important items to bring along
- Shoes – for the hikes we strongly recommend light hiking shoes and one pair of sport shoes for easy terrain, as well as temporary replacement of wet hiking shoes.
- Luggage is limited to:
- 1 large backpack (60 l) or suitcase
- 1 small backpack (30 l) for day trips or overnight stay
- Windbreaker
- Sunblock, moisture cream
- Plastic poncho – in case of rain for you and your bag
- Quite a few T-shirts or similar – for dressing in layers
- Hat, swimming trunk, small towel
- Visa: For most of the European countries Kyrgyzstan is Visa-Free with a minimum validity of the passport of 6 months
Please check: https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg/get_information.php?lng=en - Flights: From Europe – the best connections provide Turkish Airlines and Pegasus (cheap airline), both of them have very convenient flight schedules
Included
- All transport
- English-speaking tour guide
- Accommodation as indicated
- Based on double occupancy
- Meals as indicated
- Museum fees
- National park fees
- Folklore show, eagle show
- Yurt master class
- Cooking master class
- Sunset cruise
Excluded
- Alcoholic drinks
- Flight tickets
- Travel insurance
- Horse riding
- Single accommodation – surcharge
- Tips
For further inquiries please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to assist you.
Tino Schellander
Reg. No: NS 0118251-U
556, Jalan Anggerik 4,
Bandar Sunggala
71050 Port Dickson,
Malaysia
Tel/Whatsapp: +60 176205405
Email: tino.kirgis@gmail.com