DAY 1: AIRPORT MANAS - BISHKEK (40km-40min)

Arrival in Manas international airport, meeting English speaker guide and driver, transfer to Bishkek. 

Check in to the hotel. Some refreshment.

Further, visit Ala-Archa National Park, which is a big draw for tourists visiting Central Asia who want a quick trek outside of big city life. It is located 30 km from Bishkek in an area of 20,000 hectares, where there is everything: mountains, rivers, pine forests growing on the slopes of the mountains. It is these forests gave the name to the reserve. "Ala-Archa" means “variegated juniper” that fully characterizes the diversity of pine and spruce forests of the reserve. Every visitor discovers an amazing world of flora and fauna of Kyrgyzstan.

The reserve is a small valley inside the gorge, its ridges are covered with eternal ice, and the slopes are the finest spruce forests. The streams flow down from the glaciers on the slopes, by flow down streams of melt water, which then are converted into Ala-Archa River. Hiking in the gorge. Return to Bishkek.

Further, city tour with the visiting of main highlights: Kyrgyz State National University, Youth Alley, Kyrgyz National Grand Philharmonic Hall, Statue of Manas and Manaschi, Victory square, Opera and Ballet Theater, Oak Park, Old Square, Ala-Too Main Square, Open air Art gallery. Overnight in the hotel.

Independent dinner at the local café.

Meals: Lunch.

Independent dinner.

DAY 2: BISHKEK – SON KUL (332km/6h)

In the morning, meet a guide and driver and depart to Song-Kul Lake.

Son-Kul is located at an altitude of 3000 meters in a large inter-mountain valley, surrounded from the north by the Sonkul-Too Ridge and the Moldo-Too Ridge from the south. The lake is cold and quite deep – the maximum depth of the lake is 14 meters. Son-Kul freezes approximately in mid-November and melts only by mid-April.
The area around the lake is very picturesque, especially in summer. Hills and snowy peaks of the Central Tien-Shan ridges surround Son-Kul. Due to the high altitude, there are no trees, only low hard grass and edelweiss can grow in these conditions. Son-Kul Lake is a very popular place for tourists and many tourist routes pass here. Thanks to the convenient geographical location of the lake, a journey from one part of the country to another can be combined with a visit to Son-Kul. Son-Kul is very interesting because in the summer it is possible to see the real nomadic way of life and spend a couple of days away from civilization.

Stop in Kochkor village to have lunch. Upon arrival to Song-Kol, overnight stay at a yurt camp.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3: SON KUL – TAMGA (250km/4h)

We drive a few hours to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul where we will stay in yurts on the shores of the

glistening lake – so large its turquoise waters often look like the Mediterranean.

We will explore the interesting rock formations of Skazka Canyon and be treated to a demonstration of eagle hunting at Bokonbaev village by local nomads (upon request for additional fees).

The canyon was named after its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into various sculptures and formations. Some structures have been named for their similarity to the well-known objects and places. For example, one set of ridges in the canyon is called the "The Chinese Wall" due to its similarity to the Great Wall of China. Visitors can also see the statues of the hippopotamus, snakes, dragons, sleeping giants and even entire castles. Stones have not only different forms, but also different colors.

Upon arrival to Tamga accommodation at yurt camp and dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4: TAMGA – BARSKOON VALLEY – JETI OGUZ – KARAKOL (100 km/ 1.5 h)

After the breakfast at yurt camp, drive to North shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Along the way, excursion to Barskoon valley. Rare shrubs and steppe grasses grow at the beginning of the Gorge. Huge Tian-Shan spruce trees rise on both slopes of the Canyon. Along the away, there are unusual monuments passing through the Barskoon gorge, such as the Soviet truck on the platform and the bust of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who after his space flight rested on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. From the gorge you can see the snowy peaks of the surrounding mountains, the highest and most beautiful one is the Peak of Panfilov Heroes (4610 m) and the Peak of the World Peace Council (4310 m). Barskoon Gorge is famous for its cascading waterfalls. The most picturesque have interesting names: Tears of a Bars, Beard of an Old Man, Splashes of Champagne and Cup of Manas.

Afterwards, short stop at Jeti Oguz Valley, a lush valley with some striking red sandstone rock formations including the “Seven Bulls” from which the valley takes its name.

Lunch in Karakol. After lunch short tour around the city: visit beautiful Russian Church made entirely of wood (built without nails), the Dungan Mosque (Dungan’s are minority group of Chinese Muslims living in this region and they originally come from Western China), the museum of Przewalski.

After city tour accommodation at the guest house.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5: KARAKOL – CHON-KEMIN (300km/4.5h)

Depart to Chon-Kemin Valley via the northern shore the of the lake. Visit open air Petroglyphs Museum and Rukh-Odo Cultural Complex in Cholpon-Ata town. Upon arrival to Kalmak-Ashuu village, accommodation at Ashu guest house. Traditional homemade dinner at the guest house terrace on the second floor that has terrific view to surrounding mountains and village. Evening free time for rest and/or easy walking tour around the village.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6: CHON KEMIN -  BISHKEK (135 km/ 2.5 hrs)

Morning excursion towards the Kalmak-Ashuu Gorge. Horseback riding is available upon request.

After lunch depart for Bishkek with en-route stops at Burana Historical Complex, Burana Minaret, ruins of ancient city of Balasagyn, open air museum.

Arrival to Bishkek. 

Afternoon free time. 

Overnight at hotel.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner at local restaurant.

DAY 7 BISHKEK-MANAS AIRPORT (40 km/ 30 min)

After breakfast transfer to Manas airport for departure flight to home country (Check-in by 12:00).

Meals: breakfast.

***END OF SERVICES***

Quotation upon request

Proposed Hotels:

Services included:

1. Accommodation (DBL/TWIN shared)
2. Meals: As per program (6 breakfasts + 6 lunches + 5 dinners)
3. English speaking guide - One guide from arrival to departure
4. Entrance fees & excursions - According to the program
5. Mineral water 1 liter (2 bottles each with 0.5l) per day/per person
6. Transport: 1-2 pax – a/c jeep, 3-10 a/c minibus

Services not included:

1. International air/train fares
2. Alcohol/soft drinks
3. Tips, gratuities and porterages
4. Visa fees
5. Insurance
6. Eagle hunting show at Bokonbaevo - available from 105 USD/per group
7. Horseback riding at Chon-Kemin – available from 20 USD/per person/ per day + horseback riding guide 30 USD/ per 4 person
8. Yurt set up in Chon-Kemin - 230 USD/per group
9. Felt making show in Chon-Kemin - 95 USD/per group
10. Any other personal expenses
11. Any other services not mentioned in the program

           IMPORTANT:

• If a place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During major events, accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category
• Accommodation conditions at yurt camp are very traditional, meaning that person will be able to share toilet outsde of the yurt and be able to experience Kyrgyz rural lifestyle firsthand.
• CBT* - Community Based Tourism Assiciation, family run guest houses.
• Staying in yurts and guest houses is in basic condition, room/yurta will be shared with 3-5 pax and washrom/shower facilities located outside of the room.
• Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to changes without prior notice.
• Hotel accommodation is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation received from client. If mentioned hotels are not available, we will substitute them with other hotels of similar class.

    Visas: ** Kyrgyz visa is not required for the passport holders of more than 60 countries to enter Kyrgyzstan.

Payment:

• Tour payment should be made not less than 15 days prior to tourist group arrival to our bank account as per invoice.

Cancellation fees:

• Cancellation prior 45 days – No charges apply 
• Cancellation prior 20 days – 50% charge of the tour price
• Cancellation prior 10 days – 100% charge of the tour price