Roundtrip in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Explore three countries which have as many differences as similarities.
Former Soviet republics. It sounds interesting and still a little scary. But what do we know about them? They are not the same and their appearance is defined not by the greyish Soviet architecture. Among the three countries we offer you to explore the stress is on Kyrgyzstan, often called the Asian Switzerland. But actually the Kyrgyz mountains are higher, more beautiful and more severe. And in the green meadows yurts and horse studs add their exotic hint to this untouched nature. We make our way to Kyrgyzstan via the Asian giant of the old Soviet Union – Kazakhstan, and the starting point to this unique journey is Azerbaijan – the pre-Caucasus country which owes its flourishing prosperity to the oil deposits in the Caspian Sea.
Cultures marked by authentic nomad traditions, Islamic rule and the still alive socialist relations – strange mixture which can be felt only there!
Highlights:
♦ Gobustan mud volcanoes and petroglyphs in Azerbaijan
♦ Fire temple near Baku, Azerbaijan
♦ Almaty - the largest city in Kazakhstan and former capital of the country
♦ Issyk Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
♦ Osh with its lively and colourful bazaar, Kyrgyzstan
Itinerary:
Day 1. Departure from your home country.
Day 2. Baku.
Arrival in Baku in the night. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel for rest. Sightseeing in Baku.
Day 3. Baku - Gobustan - Sheki
Drive to Gobustan, visit to mud volcanoes and petrogliphs. Continue to Sheki via Ganja (stop en route for lunch).
Day 4. Sheki - Baku
Visit the Khans palace and the Albanian church in Kish. Drive back to Baku visiting Fire Temple en route.
Day 5. Baku
Sightseeing of Absheron peninsula, boat tour in the harbour.
Day 6. Baku - Almaty
Transfer to the airport, departure to Alma Aty. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time for exploring the former capital of Kazakhstan.
Day 7 - 8. Almaty
Free time in Almaty. Oportunity for optional tours out of the city.
Day 9. Almaty - Bishkek - Issyk Kul lake - Tamchy village
In the morning, transfer to the bus station and transport by public minibus to Bishkek. Arrival and meeting at the bus station. Transport to Cholpon Ata town on the shore of Issyk Kul Lake. On the way visit to Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok city. Accommodation at local family in Tamchy village.
Day 10. Tamchy village – Cholpon Ata – Karakol
Drive to Karakol via Cholpon Ata where we see the local petroglyphs site. On the way also visit to the museum of N. M. Przhevalski. Arrival in Karakol in the afternoon and accommodation in guesthouse. Free time.
Day 11. Karakol – Altyn ArashanValley - Karakol
Visit to the health resort at Altyn-Arashan, 2200 m.a.s.l, where you can swim in the natural hot mineral springs. Picnic lunch amidst alpine meadows in Altyn Arashan gorge is possible (optional). Drive back to Karakol.
Day 12. Karakol – Djety Oguz gorge - Kochkor village
In the morning drive to Kochkor village. On the way visit to the picturesque Djety Oguz gorge famous for its red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. Get acquainted with nomadic way of life of the Kyrgyz people and enjoy beautiful views of the gorge. Accommodation at local family.
Day 13. Kochkor village - Son Kul Lake
Transfer to Son Kul lake via the beautiful canyons and gorges of Central Tien Shan Mountains. Step into the nomadic life at the Son Kul Lake where people still live in traditional simplicity. A chance to enjoy horseback riding or just hiking, spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families. Accommodation at local family.
Day 14. Son Kul Lake - Chychkan gorge
In the morning, drive through abundant pasturelands of Suusamyr Valley dotted with numerous yurts of the local nomads. Later along Kekemeren River through its narrow gorge and into a wide bowl surrounded by red colored mountains. Arrival to Chychkan Natural Reserve area and accommodation. Free time.
Day 15. Chychkan gorge - Osh
Leave Chychkan Natural Reserve to Fergana Valley. Your way goes via the largest water reservoir in Kyrgyzstan – Toktogul Lake, after passing a cascade of reservoirs on Naryn River you arrive to Chichkan gorge. On the way visit to the ancient minaret and mausoleums in Uzgen town (54 km from Osh). Accommodation at hotel in Osh.
Day 16. Osh - Bishkek
Sightseeing in Osh. Visit to Osh Bazaar and Sulaiman Mount with the historical museum. Climb up to the top of the hill to see the little mosque of Babur. Afternoon flight to Bishkek. Arrival to Bishkek and accommodation at the hotel. Sightseeing including Manas Monument, State History Museum, Ala Too Square, Old Square with Parliament House and Victory Square.
Day 17. Departure
Group transfer to the airport for departure.
Included in the price: ►5 overnights in 3*** hotels with breakfast in Azerbaijan (Baku/Sheki) ►group airport transfers in Baku ►English-speaking driver in Azerbaijan ►letter of invitation for Azeri visa ►flight ticket Baku-Almaty ►3 overnights in 3*** hotel in Almaty with breakfast ►transfer airport-hotel and hotel-train station in Almaty ►bus tickets Almaty-Bishkek ►8 overnights with breakfast in Kyrgyzstan: 3*** hotel in Bishkek (1), 2** hotel in Bishkek and Osh (1), guesthouses in Karakol and Chichkan (3), homestays (2), yurt camp (1) ►English-speaking escort guide in Kyrgyzstan according to itinerary ►transport in Kyrgyzstan according to itinerary ► entrance fees for Kyrgyz part.
Not included: ►entrance fees for visited sites in Azerbaijan ►fees for local guides in Azerbaijan for museums, churhes, etc. (to be paid on spot) ►visas for the three countries ►tips ►beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) ► insurance.
Other expenses: ► Single room supplement: 297EUR
Visas: Visas for the three countries are required for most nationals. Please, check in the closest embassies to your country whether they are necessary for you. We will assist you with visa invitation for Azerbaijan (included) and visa for Kyrgyzstan (60 EUR). According to the Kazakh visa regulations for your nationality, we can send you the necessary documents for applying which may impose a small fee.
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