| Duration: | 9 Day(s) - 8 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Adventure Tours |
Day 1: Bishkek
Arrival in Bishkek city, transfer to the hotel, Bishkek city tour: Osh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, Victory Park, History Museum, Philharmonic Hall.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel Alpinist in Bishkek, Meal: BLD
Day 2: Ala Archa National Park, Burana Tower, Dungan Family, Chon Kemin
Breakfast at the hotel in Bishkek. Visit Ala Archa National Park, then transfer to Burana Tower. Visit Burana Tower, the Balbal stone garden, and the nearby archaeology museum. Hear the legend about Burana Tower and discover the ruins of the Karakhanid Empire. Then we will drive to Tokmok city to have lunch with a Dungan family. After lunch, we will drive to Chon Kemin Nature Park for accommodation.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Chon Kemin Nature Park, Meal: BLD
Day 3: Cholpon Ata, Cruise Ship
Breakfast in Chon Kemin, transfer to Cholpon Ata, visit the Petroglyphs Open-Air Museum, visit the Rukh Ordo Cultural Center, free time at the beach, and cruising on Issyk Kul Lake.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Cholpon Ata, Meal: BLD
Day 4: Altyn Arashan, Karakol, Folklore Show
Breakfast at the guesthouse, transfer to Karakol. Today, we will have an adventurous day on a Soviet-era UAZ track vehicle. We will go to the Altyn Arashan mineral hot springs by Soviet UAZ vehicle. In Altyn Arashan Gorge, we will have lunch at a yurt camp, hike to the natural mineral hot springs, and take a bath there.
According to many comments, after bathing in these mineral hot springs, you will sleep like a baby because of their relaxing effect on the body and nervous system. In the evening, we will return to Karakol city, have dinner with a local Uyghur family, and enjoy a folklore show by the local musical band Kylym.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel Muras in Karakol, Meal: BLD
Day 5: Karakol, Jeti Oguz
After breakfast, we will visit the Dungan Mosque, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Bugu Bazaar. Then we will drive to Jeti Oguz for lunch at a yurt camp. After lunch, we will explore Jeti Oguz Valley. We will visit Maiden’s Braid Waterfall, see the Broken Heart rock formation, and see the Jeti Oguz rocks, translated as the “Seven Bulls” rocks.
Accommodation: Golden Yurt Camp in Jeti Oguz, Meal: BLD
Day 6: Barskoon Waterfall, Skazka Canyon, Kaji Sai Beach
After breakfast in Karakol, we will move to Kaji Sai Beach on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Today we will visit Barskoon Gorge, where we will see one of the four waterfalls and the stone monument of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. We will have an outdoor picnic in Barskoon Gorge.
Then we will drive to Skazka Canyon and explore the canyon, translated as “Fairy Tale Canyon.” Later, we will move to Kaji Sai village for accommodation at a guesthouse. Free time will be provided, and we can spend time at Kaji Sai Beach.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kaji Sai or Bokonbaevo, Meal: BLD
Day 7: Yurt Assembly in Kyzyl Tuu Village, Son Kul Lake
After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Kyzyl Tuu Village, where we will help a local family assemble a yurt. Kyzyl Tuu Village is famous for its felt art and is considered the homeland of the yurt camp. Every family here produces yurts for export abroad and for local use within the country.
We will also have lunch with the family. Then we will move to Son Kul Lake through Kalmak Ashu Pass. At Kalmak Ashu Pass, we will have the opportunity to see yaks. Upon arrival at Son Kul Lake, dinner will be served at the yurt camp.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp at Son Kul Lake (4-person accommodation), Meal: BLD
Day 8: Son Kul, Felt Factory in Kochkor, Bishkek City
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Bishkek city. On the way, we will stop in Kochkor village and visit a felt factory. We will see the traditional process of making felt carpets. Upon arrival in Bishkek city, we will visit Osh Bazaar or other souvenir shops to buy gifts for our loved ones. In the evening, dinner will be served at a national restaurant.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Bishkek, Meal: BLD
Day 9: End of Tour
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Price Includes:
Double accommodation at hotels and guesthouses
4-person accommodation at yurt camps (shared bathroom outside)
1 English-speaking guide
Transport
Full-board meals as mentioned each day
Entrance fees (History Museum)
Yurt assembly show
Cruising on Issyk Kul Lake
Price Does Not Include:
Personal expenses
Insurance
Flight tickets
Single accommodation
Fuel for jeep tours if self-driving
Optional eagle hunting show at Issyk Kul Lake for an extra charge (70 USD per group)
Folklore show
Felt carpet show
