Kyrgyzstan Tour 2023 – Explore Majestic Kyrgyzstan

Day 1: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek 

Our guide and driver will pick you up at your stayed accommodation we will drive to the Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek.

Overnight at the hotel “Plaza Hotel Bishkek 4*     –     Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 Day 2:  Bishkek to Cholpon Ata visit Burana Tower 285kms   

After breakfast transfer to Cholpon-Ata is the main resort town of Issyk-Kul region. The town’s population is quite small: about 11 thousand people, but the presence of a large number of tourist sites distance here tens of thousands of tourists every year, especially in summer months.The city is located on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul is famous for its amazing beaches of white fine sand and incredibly clear water.

On route you will visit Burana Tower.

Overnight at the “Raduga Resort’’     –      Meals: (1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

BURANA TOWER – THE RUINS OF ANCIENT BALASAGYN

75 km east from the city is a 25m-high tower, which dates from the 11th century and is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagyn. The name “Burana” most probably comes from wrongly pronounced word “Monara” which means Minaret. Minaret is an obligated part of any mosque, it is a tower from which the Muslims were called up for the next praying. Some centuries ago the tower was 44 metres high, but after an earthquake in early 1900, the upper part fell down.

We will stop to explore Burana tower en route.The tower and a mosque were located in the city centre of Balasagyn town – one of the centres of Karahanid state. The large area around the town was enclosed with 2 rows of fence, that still visible from the top of the tower. Nowadays there is a small museum of Burana, represented with the tower, the remains of three tombmausoleums, and other exhibits, such us: stone sculpture – Balbals, petrogliphes, coins and other things founded during scientific explorations.Balasagyn city originaly was covering the territory of 25 sq. kilomiters and was an important trade of the Great Silk Road. It was a birth place of Yusuf Balasaguni- a famous turkic philosophist of XI century.Karahanids (Qarakhanids) who built this city were the ones who brought Islam to the region along with new technologies. They had a strong statehood until Chingiz Khans troops destroyed their capitals in XIII century.

Day 3: Cholpon Ata to Karakol 150 kms  

After breakfast transfer to Karakol. Sightseeing tour on arrival at Karakol: visit to Russian Orthodox Church, the Dungan mosque which is built without using a single metal nail, and the museum of M.V. Prejvalsky, Museum of petroglyphs – Karakol  Town. Kyrgyzstan is multiethnic country and today you will have a chance to taste Uigur food and get acquainted with their culture and traditions.

Overnight at the Hotel Green Yard or similar     –     Meals: 1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 1 Dinner.

 Day 4: Karakol Town – Jety Oguz gorge – Tamga Village 92 kms

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rock formations that are called the Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see Broken Heart Mountain. We will take as many photos there as you’d like and if you want it is possible to walk to the top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panoramic view of the gorge! There are yurts in the gorge and people can offer you Kumis to drink. It is a national drink that is made from fermented mare’s milk, and it is mildly alcoholic.Then continue our journey to Tamga.

Overnight at the Hotel,      –      Meals: 1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 1 Dinner.

 Day 5: Tamga Village – Tamga-Tash stones – Skazka Canyon – Naryn via Kochkor 287kms

Today in the morning we drive to Naryn on the road visiting Tamga-Tash stones and Skazka Canyon.

Two kilometers south of the village of Tamga, the gorge of the same name is located. The name of the landmark comes from the Turkic word “tamga”, which means “seal”, “brand”.  The famous Tamga-tash stones with carved Tibetan inscriptions make this area famous throughout the world. The inscriptions are Buddhist prayers dating from the VIII-IX centuries AD. They can be seen when traveling along the river. Three of them – two on the left bank and one on the right – supposed to be the main ones. We explore the Fairy Tale Canyon, also known as the “Skazka Canyon,” is located 30km east of Bokonbaevo along the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. It is a natural setting of orange and reddish hills that have been eroded into various spectacular shapes by the wind and rain. Most impressive is a castle-like hill that visitors can scale along a natural corridor. But be sure to wear good shoes. It can be quite slippery.

Naryn is one of the cities of Kyrgyzstan. It is located 186 km from the border with China, at the intersection of Bishkek-Torugart highways. Naryn is the administrative center of the Naryn region.

Overnight at the Hotel Khan Tengri      –      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner).

 Day 6: Naryn to Tash Rabat to back Naryn 240kms

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road (Stone Castle from the 14th century). The building is unique. Tash Rabat is located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains.  Tash Rabat was built of stone blocks inside a mountain at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level. In total there are 31 rooms in the mountain. The walls are 1 m thick. There are also underground prison cells formerly used to incarcerate thieves in ancient times. There will be a traditional dinner and the night will be spent in yurts near Tash Rabat Caravanserai. Then back to Naryn.

Overnight at the Hotel Khan Tengri,       –       Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner).

 Day 7: Naryn to Song-Kul Lake 160kms  

After breakfast transfer to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake.It is situated at the height of 3013 meters above sea level and surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is a great place where you can experience a nomadic life style and relax from busy city life. On arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. You will have dinner and overnight at Kyrgyz yurts, which are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings. Yurts are built without nails.

Overnight at the yurt Stay,     –        Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner).

 Day 8: Song kol Lake – Kochkor Valley – Bishkek 320kms 

After breakfast, we drive to Bishkek. We pass through “Boom Gorge”, which lies at the eastern end of the Kyrgyz Range and provides the only corridor between two Chui and Issyk Kul regions. Converging together through this narrow canyon are a highway, a railway (rising high above the road apparently it was built by German prisoners of war, the first train to travel along the 189km track to Balykchi was in 1948)., and the Chu River (so bellowed by white-water rafters). The name “Boom” means “evil spirit” – and the gorge acquired this name in recognition of the trials and tribulations it presented to anyone who tried to pass through.

Overnight at the hotel “Plaza Hotel Bishkek 4*”      –       Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

 Day 9: Bishkek – City Tour

Tour of Bishkek in the morning, 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.

Shoping and Send to  Airport  Check in Time

Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch )

 Inclusions:

• Arrival transfer and departure.
• All accommodation on twin share basis (Hotels 6, Guest House 1. Yurt stay 1,)
• Meals as listed: 8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners.
• English speaking guide service for whole tour
• 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 (2L per day per person)

Excluded:

• International flights
• Domestic flight
• Supplement for single room USD 242
• 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