Exploring the nomads land - Kyrgyzstan - Roundtrips and Cultural Tours

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. And last but not least you will experience the warm hospitality of the local people.

Highlights:

♦ Son Kul Lake - ‘The Final Lake’ at 3010 m a.s.l., considered Kyrgyzistan's geographical heat.
♦ “Seven Bulls” rocks - a geological protected area and nature monument
♦ Tash Rabat - a stone castle inside the Tian Shan mountains

Itinerary:

Day 1. Bishkek
Arrival to Bishkek and transfer to the hotel (about 30 min). City tour - Pobeda (Victory) Square, Duboviy (Oak) Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Fine Arts Museum, the Asian bazaar. Overnight in Bishkek.

Day 2. Bishkek - Suusamir - Son Kul Lake
After breakfast we start driving to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, Son Kul Lake. Lunch en route. Son Kul Lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3010 meters above sea level. Since ancient times Kyrgyz nomads have come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. We will cross Tue Ashu Pass (3586 m a. s. l.). Dinner and overnight will be spent in a yurt camp. Yurts are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings, built without nails.

Day 3. Son Kul Lake - Tash Rabat
Today we head to Tash Rabat caravanserai on the Great Silk Road. This unique stone castle is built in 14th c.inside Tian Shan Mountains at 3200 m a.s.l. and has 31 rooms with 1 m thick walls. We will enjoy a traditional dinner at the yurt camp near Tash Rabat, where we will also overnight.

Day 4. Tash Rabat - Kochkor village
Today we drive to Kochkor village. The road goes along an amazing gorge and over Dolon pass - 3030 m a.s.l. In Kochkor you will meet local people, who make national felt carpets. We will 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. Overnight is a home stay

Day 5. Kochkor - Tamga
Our journey continues to the celestial Issyk Kul lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world. The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. We will have a break in Bokonbaeva village, where we will visit a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (traditional way of nomads hunting). Then we will drive to Tamga village. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.

Day 6: Tamga - Jeti Oguz - Karakol
Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz Gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations called the Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. We will also see there the Broken Heart Mountain. We will have the possibility to climb up to the top of a mountain (20 minutes) to enjoy a panorama view of the gorge! Then we continue our way to the town of Karakol. You will visit the Dungan mosque, built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight at a guesthouse.

Day 7. Karakol - Issyk Kul Lake - Bishkek
We will drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake with a short break in order to visit the ancient stone inscriptions (800 B.C.). These petroglyphs were made more than 2 000 years ago by shamans. You can see a panorama view of the Issyk Kul Lake from this place – people were thinking that it was the middle of the world. We continue to Bishkek, where we will overnight at a hotel.

Day 8. Departure
In the morning transfer to the international airport “Manas” to catch your flight back home.

Visa: entry tourist visa (up to 30 days) can be ontained upon arrival at the airport in Bishkek. Many EU-nationals do not need a visa (as per 12/11 2012). Holders of other passports should contact the respective embassy well in time before departure.
OBS. All visa information is subject to change and sometimes the information has not come to our knowledge.

Practical information: ►The facilities in the yurts camps are very basic. Bring your own towels. ►The driver speaks some very basic phrases and word in English. ►Bring warm clothes, even in the summer the weather can be cool in the mountains. ►Local currency is called soms (KGS), USD is widely used for exchange and for shopping at some places. Credit cards can be used only in the major cities, where also ATMs are available. ► Tick-repellant and suitable protective clothing are highly recommended if walking and camping especially during June/July, in long grass at around 2000m.

Recommended travel period of the year: June - September

Price Includes:
Accommodation in a shared double room at 3*** hotel in Bishkek with private facilities (day 1 + day 7); in a guesthouse in Karakol (day 6) with private facilities; home stay in Kochkor and Tamga (day 4 + day 5) with shared facilities and in yurt camps with basic outside facilities at Son Kul Lake and Tash Rabat (day 2 and 3 - up to 4 pers/tent)
halfboard (7 breakfasts + 7 dinners)
bottled mineral water (1l per day) during the trip
transport according to the program with a local very basic English speaking driver
entrance fees (acc. to program)

Not Included:
Flight tickets
tourist visa for Kyrgizystan (if necessary)
drinks and meals not included in the program
travel insurance
personal expenses
tips
additional optional tours/activities
early check in if necessary upon arrival
local guide

Additional Services:
Early check-in on day 1 if arriving early in the morning: 45 EUR pp in a double room; 70 EUR single room
supplement 7 lunches: 110 EUR per person
Upgrade in 4* hotel : price on request

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