7 Days | Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Cholpon-ata, Karakol, Jety-Oguz, Kochkor, Son-Kul

ITINERARY

 

The TIEN SHAN;Cultural program includes visiting the center of modern capital Bishkek, ruins of ancient city Balasagyn, ancient temples in Karakol and petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata. You will enjoy fascinating trips to incredibly beautiful Jety-Oguz, Skazka and Djuuka gorge, where you may swim in healing springs; you will also ride by horse along Tamgin gorge and watch falconry in Bokonbaevo.

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Program day by day.

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Day 1: Bishkek

Arrival to Bishkek, transfer to the hotel. After some rest Sightseeing tour: Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Philarmonic hall, Statue of Manas, Victory Square and Oriental market – Osh bazaar. After lunch transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km). In an hour you will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs, flanked by tall, snow-covered peaks, steep-sided, fir - forested mountain slopes and alpine meadows cowered with flowers. Hiking from the Alpine camp (2200 m) to waterfall “Ak-Sai” – 35 m, on 2700 m above sea level. Transfer to Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel. 

         

Day 2: Bishkek – Issyk-Kul

In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake (260 km). En route visit Burana tower, which marks the original site of the Karakhanid town, Balasagun. Next stop is at an open air museum of petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata, where an excursion in open-air art gallery of stone, said to date from 500 BC – 100 AD, will be provided; they depict wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, horses, snow leopards, sacrifices and some hunting scenes. You can also visit museum of local lore. Dinner and overnight in the hotel on the northern shore of Issyk - Kul. 

 

Day 3: Cholpon-Ata – Karakol – Jety-Oguz

Transfer to Karakol. Upon arrival city tour in Karakol: visiting Prjevalsky museum, Wooden Orthodox Church, Dungan mosque in Chinese style. Transfer to Jety-Oguz gorge (40 km), the picturesque gorge, which is famous not only for coniferous forest, flower clearings and interesting gorges for hiking, but also for red and sandy formations which are called «Seven Bulls» and «Broken Heart». Dinner and overnight stay in the yurt camp.

 

Day 4: Jety-Oguz – Jumgal

Transfer to Jumgal along the Southern Shore of Issyk-Kul lake. On the way visit to Skazka gorge, fantastic gorge with varicolored sandy formations. One of the best views on the Issyk-Kul Lake is guaranteed. On arrival at Jumgal you will visit a felt carpet workshop. It’s a place where you can watch the process of making Kyrgyz national felt carpets. Dinner with Kyrgyz family. Family run accommodation.
 

Day 5: Jumgal – Son-Kul

Transfer to Son-Kul (120 km) in the moring. Son-Kul is one of the highest lakes in Kyrgyzstan    (3016 m above sea level). It is a place where you can experience a nomadic life. You will have a chance to ride a horse, see edelweiss flowers, camels, yaks, golden eagles, and watch how local women make Kyrgyz national drink – Kymyz (mare’s milk). This is a remote mountain lake situated on a treeless, high mountain plateau (3016 m) where shepherds bring the livestock in the summertime, establish a camp for living – setting up their yurts. In this magnificent place, you can see hundreds of herds and a lot of different yurts. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
 

Day 6: Son-Kul – Bishkek

Transfer to Bishkek. Lunch on the way. Afternoon is free. Farewell dinner.

 Overnight at the hotel or guest house.

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Day 7: Bishkek – airport

 Transfer to the airport (30 km). End of the tour.