Penguin Travel

Discover all cultural, historical and natural treasures of Kyrgyzstan

During the trip you will see and experience many aspects of the ancient nomadic lifestyle that is still vital amongst the Kyrgyz people. At the same time you will get familiar with many interesting historical sites and monuments and, for certain, admire magnificent panoramic views of the beautiful Tien Shan Mountains.

Highlights:

♦ Balasagyn - ruins of a Silk Road town
♦ “Seven Bulls” rocks - a geological protected area and nature monument
♦ Ala Archa Natural park - an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains
 

Itinerary:

Day 1. Bishkek - Ala Archa Natural park - Bishkek
Meet and greet at the international airport “Manas” and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest and breakfast in the hotel we drive to Ala Archa National Park, located in a picturesque gorge of Ala Archa. It is a popular place for hiking, skiing and mountaineering including trips to more than 20 glaciers. Here we will do hiking in the gorge – there are two routes (easy and moderate), from which you can choose. Then for lunch you enjoy a picnic with barbeque. In the afternoon we drive back to Bishkek and start our city tour. Dinner with Kyrgyz folklore show and overnight in Bishkek.

Day 2. Bishkek – Son Kul Lake
After breakfast we have an hour drive to Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok city. That minaret was constructed in Balasagun town, one of the capitals of Karakhanid State existed in 11-12 centuries AD. Explore ruins of the important trading point at the Great Silk Road and visit a little local museum telling about that civilization. At the afternoon we step into the nomadic life at the Son Kul Lake. Here the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. We have dinner and spend the night in yurt camp.

Day 3. Son Kul Lake
After breakfast you can have a walk in the area of Son Kul Lake. And if you want, it is possible to organize a demonstration of Yurt setting up. Lunch, dinner and overnight in yurt camp.

Day 4. Son Kul Lake – Kochkor village – Karakol town
Today we depart to Kochkor village where local people make felt, various carpets, embroidering and spinning, and other handicraft stuff. We also visit a handicraft museum and a shop, where you can buy different masterpieces – starting from huge felt-silk blankets, finishing with small Christmas tree decorations. In the afternoon we drive to Karakol town, situated in the east of the lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tien Shan. Dinner and overnight in Karakol.

Day 5. Karakol – Djety Oguz gorge – Juuku Gorge – Karakol town
The day starts with a sightseeing tour in Karakol town. You will visit Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style, but serving as a mosque. Also you will see an old Russian Orthodox Cathedral made of wood without any nails. After the sightseeing tour we drive to Djety Oguz gorge, which in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. After a walk in the gorge we drive to Juuku gorge, divided in two parts. In one part of the valley you can walk, and in another part of the valley you can bathe in hot springs. Overnight in a hotel in Karakol.

Day 6. Karakol town – Grigorievskoe gorge – Cholpon Ata town
After breakfast we drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul to Chon Ak Suu (Grigorievskoe) gorge, where we can walk. On the way we will visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent. At the afternoon we continue our journey around the Issyk Kul Lake - the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Walk in Chon Ak Suu gorge. Dinner and overnight in a hotel on the lake shore.

Day 7. Issyk Kul Lake - Bishkek
Today you will visit so called “Stone garden” or Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the open-air temple of Scythians and Hung suns civilizations dated back 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungei Alatau Ridge with a beautiful view of the whole lake. In the afternoon, we drive back to Bishkek. Lunch in a café en route. We pass through "Boom Gorge", which lies at the eastern end of the Kyrgyz Range and provides the only corridor between two Chui and Issyk Kul regions. Dinner and overnight in Bishkek.

Day 8. Departure
A morning transfer to the the international airport “Manas” for departure.

Included in the price: ►English-speaking guide ►accommodation in double room in 3*** hotel (Day 1, 6 and 7), in a Guesthouse (Day 4 and 5), and in yurt camp (Day 2 and 3) on bed and breakfast basis► bottled water during the trip► transport according to the ► entrance fee ►folklore show in Bishkek on Day 1

Not included: ► flight tickets ► tourist visa for Kyrgizystan (55 Euro/pass) ► meals, not included in the program ► travel insurance ► personal expenses ► tips

Other expences: ► single room supplement 95 Euro ► Half board supplement 75 Euro per person► Full board supplement 150 Euro per person

How to get there? Please contact us if you would like us to help you find suitable flights at the best price. When helping you to find flights we always try to find the best price for you according to the departure and arrival times. Prices vary depending on the airline and current availability. However, remember that the cheap airfares are often difficult or impossible to reschedule or cancel.
Payment of the ticket is with your own credit card directly to the airline or travel agent airline, which also sends out confirmation of booking.
A service charge (non-refundable) will be added if you want us to help you find the appropriate plane ticket.

Visa: entry tourist visa (up to 30 days) can be ontained upon arrival at the airport in Bishkek.
OBS. All visa information is subject to change and sometimes the information has not come to our knowledge.

We recommend trip in the period: June - September

Vacation Extensions:
The Great Silk Road (Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan)

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