Exploring South side of Kyrgyzstan

Program Itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek

Meeting from Bishkek (Manas) airport and transfer to hotel Rich ***.
After putting the luggages and change of clothes, depending on the weather
We will start at the very heart of the capital – Ala Too Square. We will walk around and see the Parliament House, Lenin Statue, the White House, the change of the Guard of Honor, and Manas Monument, National Philharmonic.
Overnight at the hotel “Rich or similar” Meals:(1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Bishkek Ala Too square park

Day 2: Bishkek to Chichkan 270kms 4/5h

After breakfast we drive to Suusamyr valley to the Chichkan gorge. Time permitting, spend some time with opportunities to take hikes, ride horses or simply meet the local shepherds who still adhere to age old traditions. We cross Too-Ashuu Pass 3180m, Communicating with local shepherds who still keep customs and the way of life of their ancestors.Overnight Hotel Ak Ilbirs or Oson or similar (single rooms not available)
Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner.

Day 3: Chichkan to Sary – Chelek Nature reserve 240kms 5/6h

After breakfast we drive to Lake Sary-Chelek is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. It is located on the territory of the state biosphere reserve “Sary-Chelek” 500 km from Bishkek.
The reserve is known for its unique scenic and pristine nature, abundance of wild animals and the lake itself. The length of the lake is 7.5 km, the widest place of the lake is 3 km, the maximum depth is 244 m. Overnight at the hotel “Guest House Sary Chelek” Meals:(1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Sary Chelek

Day 4: Sary – Chelek to Arslanbob 230kms 5/6h

After breakfast depart to Arstanbap. The Arstanbap Valley which is near the Dashman Forest Reserve where there is a largest walnut forest in the world. Arstanbap is a unique creation of nature and is situated at 1,600 meters above sea level. The main treasure of the southern forests is the walnut tree. Walnut trees can live up to 1,000 years, can reach enormous sizes, and they produce an abundance of walnuts. Muslims consider the picturesque fruit forests to be sacred. According to legend, in the ancient times there lived an extremely hardworking man called Arstanbap, who served the prophet Muhammad (S.A.S). All those who visit the forest can take away with them a bit of its paradise. Overnight at a local family run guest house
Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Arslanbob Waterfall

Day 5: Arslanbob to Osh 177kms 3/4h

Early in the morning leave from Arslanbob to Osh.
Before arriving in Osh we suggest going on excursion in the ancient minaret and mausoleums in Uzghen town (60 km from Osh). Uzghen was one of the capitals of Karakhanid State, occupied vast areas in Central Asia in 10-12 centuries AD. Islam became state religion in this khanate in Central Asia that is why minaret and mausoleums of governors were situated in the very citadel (center) of the city. We also climb up to Sulaiman-Too and visit Cultural Museum which opened in early 2001 to mark Osh’s 3000-year anniversary in October 2000. It’s strong on local archaeology and ethnography but has little info in English. There are some great weapons, displayed as if caught up in a mad whirlwind
Night in hotel “Sun Rise”/similar
Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Osh city

Osh is ancient – various sources date it back around 2500 years, and legends abound over who founded it, including Alexander the Great and King Solomon. On the edge of the Ferghana Valley it is home to both Uzbek and Kyrgyz people, with its position on the border giving rise to an extremely lively market, one of the most interesting in Central Asia. The rock known as Solomon’s Throne is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and a 15th century mosque on the top has now been reconstructed, with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Osh is also home to the largest mosque in Kyrgyzstan, and is one of the few places in the former Soviet Union still to have a statue of Lenin.

Day 6: Osh to Batken 290kms 6/7h

Today we drive to Batken.
Batken region is located in the South-West of the Kyrgyz Republic. It borders Tajikistan in the South, Uzbekistan in the North and Osh region in the East. The total area of the region is 17.0 thousand square kilometers.Batken and the Batken region itself are known in Kyrgyzstan for their rare red flower named Aigul. There are many legends about this flower. And it blooms on the mountain Aigul-Tash once a year. Also, this part of the country is famous for its juicy, unusually sweet apricots.
Night in hotel “Baykut”/similar
Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7: Batken to Bishkek flight 45min

Today we exploring Aigul-Tash Mountain is located near to the Kara-Bulak village in Batken region. This place is really unique, because only here grows the flower-endemic Aigul and some interesting place. Then we drive to Airport for flight to Bishkek.
Domestic Flight Schedule:
Batken – Bishkek: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Time of departure 13:15
“Air company TEZ Jet”
Meeting at the Airport MANAS and transfer to Hotel Rich.
Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch)Dinner not included

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the International Airport MANAS.
Meals: (1 Breakfast )

Level of difficulty: This tour is suitable for both children and adults.

Conditions: If you have some specific sicknesses you need to bring own first aid kit with necessary medicaments

Inclusions:

• Arrival transfer and departure.
• All accommodation on twin share basis (Hotel 5,Guest houses 2 )
• Meals as listed: 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners.
• Domestic flight Batken-Bishkek
• Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
• All transfers according the program (price includes driver’s per diem, road and parking fees, all necessary permissions fuel and taxes;) Experienced and basic English speaking drivers, type of car: (A/C Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol)
• Mineral water (1/2L per day per person)

Excluded:

• International flights
• English speaking guide service for whole tour 308USD
• Supplement for single room USD 138
• Early checking for first night
• Any airport taxes
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Any personal expenses
• Any services not included in the above itinerary

_ PS

• Important – early arrival is not included.
• Some sightseeing places and excavations might be closed / not possible to visit due to local changes, reconstruction, roads condition, and security reasons. We do not guarantee all advised places will be covered, but we will try to do our best to cover them.
• Pricing is confidential & non commissionable
  

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Roads in Kyrgyzstan :

Road transport in Kyrgyzstan plays an important role, accounting for 99.8% of cars and 95% of the turnover. In the early 2000-ies the total length of roads amounted to 40 thousand kilometers, of which 17 thousand km were paved.Road surfaces vary and their general state demands 4-wheel drive vehicles in good condition. The quality of roads, the weather conditions and the quality of the vehicles are decisive in calculating the time needed between destinations

Visas
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
In the framework of Agreements between the Government of the Republic of Belarus, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the government of the Russian Federation, Government of the Republic of Tajikistan about mutual visa-free trips of citizens, signed on 30 November 2000 in Minsk, against the citizens of the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan visa-free regime.

Under the previously concluded (for applicable international law the principle of “silent consent” on the continued application of international obligations up to the signing of and accession to new international treaties) agreements between the former USSR and foreign States following a visa-free regime: Here to see..

Suggested thing to take:

– dust proof bags
– camera/spare film/memory cards
– warm hat
– sun hat
– high factor sun screen
– lip save
– long sleeve T-shirt, thin fleece, thick fleece
– waterproof clothing
– personal medication/first aid kit
– insect repellent
– day carry sack
– sun glasses

Money you will need USD cash in all countries. A credit card is of very limited (only in capital cities) use and is really only useful as back up but should in no way be relied upon as source of money