Bishkek — Issyk Kul

Airport — Bishkek — Ala Archa Nature Park (45km) – Bishkek

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan. Arrival to Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick up you and drive you to hotel situated in the capital. You can have a rest in cozy and comfortable rooms after the flight. After breakfast in Bishkek, we go to the National Park of Ala-Archa situated at 30 km from the capital. One hour later, you get a picturesque valley with a mountain river Ala-Archa. Here the Uzbek local people will show how to cook the delicious national uzbek dish, plov. We will prepare plov on the open fire, which is considered as the tastiest one. While the dish is preparing, you will have the opportunity to walk in the gorge and enjoy the beautiful alpine views. The park has everything that you might expect of an alpine zone — snow peaks, fast-flowing streams, alpine meadows and pine forest, that’s all creates a perfect place to have a rest and relax. In the evening, we go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious shashlyks, the traditional barbecue.

Bishkek – Burana — National Park Chon-Kemin 80 km 2-3 hours

After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards the National Park Chon Kemin. Our journey begins with a visit of the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower an ancient minaret founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century and located about 80 km from the capital Bishkek, close to the city of Tokmok. In Chon Kemin, you will discover one of the most important Kyrgyz traditions, lamb butchering. Since ancient times, Kyrgyz people attach great importance to the meat preparation. This tradition is related to their culture of relationships between seniors and juniors, women and men, relatives and friends. For dinner, you can taste the traditional Kyrgyz dishes kurudak and besh barmak cooked of this lamb.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Chon Kemin – Cholpon Ata – Karakol 310 km 5-6 hours

After breakfast we go to one of the most beautiful regions of the country, the Issyk Kul lake. We will go along the northern shore of Issyk Kul, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. For lunch, we will stop at Cholpon Ata, where you can taste delicious fish dishes. After lunch we will continue our journey, new direction is the city of Karakol, a crossroads of different cultures and cuisines. Here we will visit the Doungan family, will stay with them for a dinner and taste the most famous dish of this town, ashlan-fu. You can make your own ashlan-fu under the strict guidance of the mistress of the house.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Karakol – Jety Oguz- Tamga 180 km 4-6 hours

After breakfast, we go Jety Oguz valley. Its name means “Seven bulls”. The name is symbolic, because there are seven huge red-brown rocks resembling ranked furious bulls standing together. Especially romantic look has the rock «Broken Heart» located at the entrance to the gorge. Then we arrive to Tamga village where the nice Russian family will teach you to make delicious homemade jams of different berries.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Tamga – Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kochkor 180 km 4-6 hours

In the morning, we go towards the town of Kochkor by the south shore of the lake; we visit the Skazka canyons, which signify Fairytale. Here you can find objects of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. In Bokonbaevo, you will see the eagle hunt’s demonstration. In Kochkor, you will prepare dinner with Kyrgyz family including manty, the local dumplings made usually with meat stuffing and boorsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread. We dare that you appreciate this scrumptious dinner.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Kochkor – Son Kul 100 km 4-5 hours

The goal of the day is to reach Son-Kul Lake, so we should overcome a mountain pass called Kalmak Ashuu. From the pass, Son-Kul Lake seems very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake. When we arrive in the yurts camp, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle and their customs. You can watch how the nomads prepare kymyz, a traditional dairy beverage made from mare’s milk and kurut, a local cheese. You will ride the Kyrgyz horses on the large meadows with an unforgettable view of the lake. The horses are very calm so you can enjoy the wonderful landscapes around you. Note: yurt capacity 6 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Son Kul– Bishkek 320 km 5-6 hours

The road to Bishkek passes through Boom gorge. In Bishkek, we will have time to visit the local markets and buy some presents. You will not live the bazar unsatisfied; you will surely find something that you were looking for and reminding you Kyrgyzstan and your unforgettable trip here. In the evening, we will a farewell dinner at restaurant in Bishkek.