The Pearls of Kyrgyzstan
Highlights
- Visit the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff, statue of Lenin and Freedom Monument, Philharmonic Hall, monument to Manas
- Admire Przhevalski museum, a wooden Orthodox Russian church and impressive wooden Dungan mosque, built without metal nails by the Dungan people.
- Explore Son-Kul lake along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake
- Experience Suleyman Mountain and Museum, local bazaar and more other fascinating attractions
Overview
The Pearls of Kyrgyzstan are hidden high in the Pamir and Tien Shan Mountains and guarded from curious eyes by powerful snow-covered walls.
We invite you to have a look at high-altitude Lake Issyk-Kul and its surroundings. From the space the pearl resembles a human eye clearly outlined by the Kungey Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too Ranges. The lake proper situated at an elevation of 1,610 m boasts brackish crystal clear water that never freezes throughout winter, while the lake area with affordable prices and mild climate similar to that at a seaside has long since won the title of Kyrgyzstan’s best resort. Karakol and Cholpon-Ata, two main resort cities in Issyk-Kul Region, feature a highly developed tourist infrastructure, unique places of interest and hospitable people.
The mountain chains running around the lake conceal a great number of places of inimitable beauty. One of them is Jety-Oguz, a gorge with extraterrestrial red rocks.
Come and enjoy the precious pearl of Kyrgyzstan infringed with snow-clad mountains and natural and man-made monuments!
- Day 1 - Arrival in Bishkek
Arrival in Bishkek. Meeting at Bishkek airport at any time of arrival mentioned by tourist. Transfer to the hotel and check in after 14:00.
Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
- Day 2 - Bishkek - Issyk-Kul Lake (250 km, 4-5 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 - meeting at the hall and check out from the hotel.
09:30 - sightseeing in Bishkek: visit the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff (and changing of the guard), statue of Lenin and Freedom Monument, Philharmonic Hall, monument to Manas.
On the way visit Burana Tower - an architectural and archaeological monument (X-XI centuries).
Transfer to Cholpon-Ata along the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul - the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel.
- Day 3 - Issyk-Kul Lake - Karakol - Jety-Oguz Gorge - Karakol (150 km, 4-5 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 - transfer to the city of Karakol (transfer along the Eastern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake).
Sightseeing in Karakol: visit Przhevalski museum, a wooden Orthodox Russian church and impressive wooden Dungan mosque, built without metal nails by the Dungan people.
After lunch transfer to Jety-Oguz Gorge (25 km) with its famous red rocks, The Broken Heart and The Seven Bulls. Drive back to Karakol. Overnight at the hotel.
- Day 4 - Karakol - Son Kul(390 km, 7-8 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 - transfer to Son-Kul lake along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Son-Kul lake (3016 m) is the one of the most beautiful mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan. Son-Kul lake well known for its traditional summer pastures (Jailoo) and alpine meadows. Tourists can be acquainted here with the nomadic lifestyle of the native people of Kyrgyzstan. Accommodation in a yurt camp. Dinner. Overnight in yurts.
- Day 5 - Son Kul - Kazarman(180 km, 5-6 hours)
Breakfast at the yurt camp.
09:00 - transfer to Kazarman village via Kurtka and Kara Koo highways (2625 m). Lunch en route. Upon arrival in Kazarman accommodation in local houses. Dinner. Overnight in a local house.
- Day 6 - Kazarman - Osh (260 km, 6-7 hours).
Breakfast in a local house.
08:00 - transfer to Osh - the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan via Sarykyr highway (3080 м).
Further drive to the small town of Uzgen. Sightseeing in Uzgen: Uzgen minaret (XII c) and mausoleum of Karakhanids (X-XII c). Continue driving to Osh. Accommodation at the hotel upon arrival. Overnight in Osh.
- Day 7 - Osh (city tour).
Osh - Base Camp of Lenin Peak (290 km, 5-6 hrs).
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 - sightseeing in Osh: visit Suleyman Mountain and Museum, local bazaar.
Further transfer to Mountain Camp (Base Camp) located on Edelweiss Meadow under the Lenin Peak (altitude of the Base Camp location is 3,600 m). Lunch en route (lunch-boxes).
Arrival in the Base Camp and accommodation in camp. After some rest hike up to Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3800 m). Dinner at the Base Camp. Overnight in camp.
- Day 8 - Base Camp under Lenin Peak.
Breakfast at the Base Camp.
09:00 - hiking program to the lakes and the Achik-Tash river valley. Further walking to the yurts of local people, time to get to know the daily life and traditions of the Kyrgyz nomads. Lunch and tasting of the koumiss. Return to the Base Camp. Participation in culinary master class on the preparation of national dishes in the evening. Dinner at the Base Camp. Overnight in camp.
- Day 9 - ВС - Osh (290 km, 5-6 hrs).
Breakfast at the Base Camp.
10:00 - Transfer to Osh.
Accommodation at the hotel on arrival. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
- Day 10 - Osh (departure)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Checkout until 12:00. Free time without transport services and excursions. Recommended visiting bazaars and walking in the city center.
Transfer to the airport. Departure from Osh.
- Accommodation
- English speaking guide
- Meals: breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners according to the program;
- Entrance fees to the monuments and museums, listed in the program;
- International Flight Tickets
- Travel Insurance
- Tips