PEARLS OF KYRGYZSTAN- LAKES AND MOUNTS.

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Bishkek

Day 1: Bishkek - Son Kol

Day-1: Good morning, we will begin our off-road trip with breakfast. Our journey will start by getting into our jeeps and driving from Bishkek to Kochkor. In Kochkor, we will witness the "Shyrdak Street" show and visit the "Salt Cave." During the Kochkor shyrdak show, you will have the opportunity to try your hand at making your own felt carpet. Additionally, the village houses a small handicraft museum. We will have lunch in Kochkor and then proceed to our next destination, Son Kol. We will arrive in Son Kol in the afternoon, having traveled through the Kalmak Ashuu pass (3400m). This remote mountain lake is located on a treeless, high mountain plateau (3016m) where shepherds set up camp and yurts for their livestock during the summer months. This stunning place is filled with various kinds of herbs, and you can experience the fresh air, taste our traditional drink Kymyz (made of fermented mare's milk), try local bread Boorsok, dairy products, and homemade jam. We will have dinner with local families and spend the night in yurts.

Day 2: Son Kol

On the morning of the second day, we will have breakfast at Son Kol, the second-largest lake after Issyk Kul lake. During our stay there, we will have the opportunity to meet with local shepherds and spend the whole day with them to learn about their nomadic lifestyle. The day's activities will include horse riding, lunch with a local family, and horse shows. In the evening, we will enjoy a dinner of traditional Kyrgyz hospitality in the midst of wild nature and mountainous surroundings, followed by spending the night in yurts under the clear and visible Milky Way. The following morning, we will have breakfast and continue our journey.

Day 3: Son Kol - Kel Suu

Day 4: Kel Suu-Tamga

After breakfast, our plan is to explore the beautiful Lake Kel Suu by horseback from our tent camp. The horseback ride to the lake will take approximately one hour, and upon arrival, we will have the opportunity to stroll around the area and observe the daily life of local nomads, including sheep feeding, cow milking, horse riding, and more. We'll take in the sights around the lake before returning to our tent camp. Following lunch, we'll journey north to Naryn, a town situated between high, steep cliffs and traversed by the longest river in Kyrgyzstan, the Naryn (which spans 535km). We'll take a coffee break in Naryn's city center before driving a long distance through Tosor Pass (one of Kyrgyzstan's highest passes, reaching 4020m) to reach Tamga Village, located on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake.We'llenjoy dinner and spend the night in a guesthouse.

Day 5: Tamga - Karakol

After having breakfast, we will embark on a hiking trip to Skazka Canyon, located on the southern shore of Issyk Kol lake. Skazka Canyon is also known as Fairy Tale Canyon due to the surreal shapes that have been sculpted into the red sandstone by wind and water over many centuries. You can spot various fantastical forms like dragons, snakes, and castles, depending on your imagination. After exploring the canyon, we will drive to Jety Oguz Gorge, situated 28 km southwest of Karakol. The name "Jety Oguz" translates to "Seven Bulls" in Kyrgyz, symbolizing the seven huge reddish-brown cliffs standing together. The entrance to the gorge features a rock formation called "Broken Heart," which has a romantic appearance. Jety Oguz is also renowned for its hot springs that produce radon and hydrogen sulfide-enriched hot water, believed to have therapeutic properties for gastric and nervous disorders. There are resorts at an altitude of 2200m where you can experience these hot springs. Our next stop will be the city of Karakol, where we will enjoy lunch at a local cafe. We will also visit the museum of M.V. Prejevasky, one of the most celebrated explorers who discovered over 4000 animals and crossed the great Taklamakan desert. Our sightseeing tour will include a visit to the Dungan Mosque, built-in Chinese style without using any metal nails, and an old Orthodox Church. We will then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Karakol - Cholpon Ata

Our next destination after breakfast is Cholpon Ata City. We plan to drive approximately 120km along the northern shore of Issyk Kul lake to reach there. Upon arrival, we will take a one-hour coffee break before going on an excursion to the Petroglyphs. This open-air museum displays various depictions of animals such as wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, snow leopards, as well as scenes of sacrifices and hunting, which date back to 500 BC-100 AD. After the excursion, we will head to our hotel, located on the beach, where we will have lunch. Later, we will visit the unique cultural center and museum called "Ruh Ordo," which means "Spiritual Center" in Kyrgyz. This center, built in 2002, aims to enhance guests' spiritual growth while providing knowledge about various cultural and religious aspects of the region. After the visit, you will have some free time to spend as you please. Finally, we will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 7:Cholpon Ata - Bishkek

After breakfast, we will head to the "Kurmanjan Datka" Center of Nomadic Civilization Museum. There, we will take a coffee break and watch a Nomadic life show and folk show. Then, we will continue our journey to Bishkek, our last stop, which is 280km away. Along the way, we will pass through the stunning Boom gorge and stop at Tokmok to visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret, and the open-air museum of Balbans, also known as stone warriors. Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will have lunch and meet at the hotel. Next, we will visit the Ala Archa national park, which is 40km away, and take a one-hour sightseeing tour while walking around the park. Afterward, we will return for 10km and turn onto the mountain road to Chunkurchak Gorge. Driving over the mountain hill, we will enjoy the panoramic view of the Chuy valley. In Chunkurchak, we will have a luxurious late lunch at an ethno restaurant on the mountains. Later, we will return to Bishkek city, where you will have free time for shopping. In the evening, we will have dinner at a restaurant, followed by a transfer to the airport. This marks the end of our trip to Kyrgyzstan. We hope to see you again soon.

Ending Point

At your hotel in Bishkek