Unveiling the hidden nature

Tour 5: Unveiling the hidden nature
Duration: 9 days
In short: Bishkek – Alamedin gorge – Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin – Kochkor – Issyk Kul southern shore – Jeti Oguz – Jyrgalan – Karakol – Issyk Kul northern shore – Bishkek

Day 1: Bishkek
Our guide will meet you at the airport. Then you will get to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek city. Bishkek once was the most-green city in the area. Today you will discover most interesting sights such as Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, oak Park, the National Arts Museum, Kyrgyz National Philharmonic and, certainly the buildings of government with parks and avenues located down them during your travel. Another important landmark of the city tour is the Asian Bazaar. It is a perfect place to have a glimpse at the local life and culture. You will have a chance to practice your bargaining skills, purchase flavorful fresh fruits and vegetables, find inexpensive gifts and souvenirs to take back home, or just wander the maze-like rows to experience the bustling atmosphere. The night is in a hotel. 

Day 2: Bishkek – Alamedin gorge – Bishkek
Today you will discover the Alamedin gorge. It is well known for its’ amazing natural scenery and the hot springs. Deeper inside the gorge you will meet the nomads with their cattle, herds of horses and sheep, and even yurts. A traditional yurt is a portable, round tent with a wooden skeleton covered with felt. The slopes of the gorge are covered with the juniper and birch forests. The main attraction of the gorge is the waterfall situated 5 km away from the main road. You will have a walk along the river till the waterfall and have a picnic in the nature. It is a great place to escape from the civilization. At the end of the day you will arrive to Bishkek. Your transfer will take you to the hotel.

Day 3: Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin
In the morning you will head to Chon Kemin gorge to continue your travelling. On the way we will stop over Burana Tower to have a tour. The tower is the only thing remaining from ancient city Balasagun. Nearby, there is an open air museum of stone figures. You will climb the 25 m tall tower and enjoy the view of the Chui valley.  After arrival to Chon Kemin you will go for a 3 hours of horse riding. Chon Kemin is a unique natural complex, which includes a gorge a valley and a stormy river. The route will take you through the mountain paths and the forest. Overnight in a home stay. 

Day 4: Chon Kemin – Rafting – Kochkor
Today you will have a rafting tour in the streams of lively Chon Kemin river that runs through one of most scenic valleys of Kyrgyzstan, under the guidance of skilled instructors. Then you will drive to Kochkor village. Kochkor is best known for the traditional handmade felt carpets. Today a local family will demonstrate you the process of making different types of felt carpets. You will even have a chance to create a little carpet using the colored wool to create your own patterns. After, you will visit a small handcraft museum with more carpets, horse saddle decorations, fur coats, silver jewelry with traditional ornaments etc. The night is in a home stay.

Day 5: Kochkor – Issyk Kul southern shore – Jeti Oguz
Today you will drive along the southern shores of Issyk Kul lake. Issyk Kul is a pearl of Kyrgyzstan lying between the ranges of Tien Shan mountains. The lake is a rare combination of sea and mountain climates. The water of the lake is believed to have curative properties. You will stop at Bokonbaeva village to meet a local eagle hunter during your travel. He will tell you about the falconry and the eagles. You will have an opportunity to hold a real golden eagle. Then you will continue your tours driving to Jeti Oguz gorge, famous for its’ red rock formations resembling the seven bulls. You will spend a night as a true nomads, sleeping in the yurts.

Day 6: Jeti Oguz – Jyrgalan
After spending a night in yurts, you will get to know the nomadic lifestyle more closer. Since Kyrgyz people are a nomads, the yurt is more than a comfortable dwelling, it is an essential part of their heritage. During the summer, the herders with their families move from one pasture to another. In the afternoon you will move to Jyrgalan valley. The peaks surrounding the valley are offering beautiful views and perfect weather for year-round activities. The cool breeze from the glaciers filters the air during hot summers providing perfect conditions for hiking, horse riding and biking. The gorge is boasting with mountain rivers, natural lakes and waterfalls. You will be surprised by hospitality and openness of local residents.

Day 7: Jyrgalan – Karakol
In the first half of the day you will have free time to explore Jyrgalan. After the lunch time, you will be transferred to Karakol, one of the touristic cities in Kyrgyzstan. Karakol is a small town in the eastern end of Issyk Kul lake. Some of the highlights of the town are Dungan mosque and wooden Orthodox Church. The Dungan mosque is a wooden construction in a Chinese style built without using a single nail. Instead of a minaret the mosque has a wooden pagoda. The Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is another popular attraction. It is one of the most beautifully decorated churches with a rich and interesting story behind. A few miles outside Karakol there is a the museum and memorial of M.V. Prejvalsky. The museum hosts the life story of one of the worlds’ greatest  explorers about which you will learn during your tour. Overnight in a hotel. 

Day 8: Karakol – Issyk Kul northern shore – Bishkek
Today you will explore the northern shores of Issyk Kul lake, which means you will observe the lake from all sides round. On the way you will visit a stone garden, a collection of petroglyphs. The ancient stone inscriptions depict wild and domestic animals, hunting scenes and sacred animals. They were made by shamans more than 2000 years ago, which is visited by many travelers. The place is assumed to be an open air temple, where the sacred rites were held. From the stone garden area you can admire the great view of the lake with the Ala Too mountain ranges behind. In the evening you will arrive to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.

Day 9: Bishkek – Airport
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport.

Transport:
02 pax – Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax – Mercedes Sprinter

Price per person:
02 pax – 950 $
04 pax – 605 $
06 pax – 485 $
08 pax – 435 $
10 pax – 395 $
Single – 170 $

Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 60 $ 

All dinners – 120 $
All lunches and dinners – 240 $ 

English speaking guide – 610 $ per group 

To be 2 in one yurt (now 4 pax) – 15 $ per person 

Service includes:
- Driver with a car
- Hotels and Guest houses:
      Bishkek – “Discovery” 3* or “Garden” 4*
      Chon Kemin – Homestay
      Kochkor – Homestay
      Jeti Oguz – Yurts (4 pax in 1)
      Jergalan – Guesthouse
      Karakol – “Green Yard” Boutique Hotel
- Entrance fees to all museums
- Bottled water during the tour
- Rafting tour in Chon Kemin gorge
- Ride on horses in Chon Kemin gorge 

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- A guide with competence in English language