A Central Asian country located along the Great Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan is a melting pot of cultures with 40 ethnic groups – with many still practising their nomadic lifestyles. Having 95% of the country covered by mountains, the country also offers travellers plenty of beautiful landscape that includes snow-capped mountains, lakes and rivers. Come and experience the untouched country as it slowly emerges from its past Soviet governance as part of USSR. July is wonderful month to visit as it is the start of summer and welcomes visitors with variety of wild flowers and seasonal fruits.
Please take note that we have several nights staying in homestays with shared toilets and yurts - traditional homes by the nomadic people with outdoor shared toilets and showers facilities where available. Shared toilets 10nights out of total 15 nights.
B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner
Day 0 Airport: Assemble in KLIA by 1130PM FRI 30 Jun 2023 for Emirates early morning flight next day.
Day 1 PLANE-Bishkek: Fly Emirates flight EK343 departing 2:40AM, arriving Dubai 5:30AM. Short transit 2.5hr. Reconnect on Emirates/Flydubai EK2377 leaving Dubai 8:00AM arriving Bishkek 13:50PM. Meet our local guide at airport and check in to our Bishkek hotel. We have walking tour around Bishkek to visit some of the places of interests around this capital city (if timings are too tight, we shall organise Bishkek city tour for tomorrow morning). O/N Bishkek hotel
Day 2 Chon Kemin (B/L/D): After breakfast, our chartered transport then brings us east towards national nature reserve of Chon Kemin valley. Along journey, visit Burana Tower (minaret of 11th century). Arrive Chon Kemin for lunch. Free time afternoon to explore around this quiet valley. O/N in homestay shared toilets with dinner provided
Day 3 Karakol (B/D): After breakfast, our chartered transport drives us eastwards towards Karakol 140km away.. Along the way, we stop at Cholpon-Ata to view an open air petro-glyphs (rock painting) gallery. Our journey towards Karakol brings us pass the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. It is the 2nd largest alpine lake in the world, after Lake Titicaca in South America.. Own lunch in cafe enroute included. When we arrive at Karakol, we proceed to visit the Dungan mosque - built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail and a wooden Orthodox Church. Dinner with Dungan family, who are Chinese Muslim. O/N in local guesthouse.
Day 4 Altyn Arashan (B/L/D): Morning transfer to Altyn Arashan gorge by Russian military 4WD vehicle. Altyn Arashan ("Golden Spa") gorge is one of the most famous gorges in Karakol. Here one will see wonderful fir tree forests and thermal springs along the whole gorge. Upon arriving to Altyn Arashan, we will have time for our lunch, hike and soak in thermal waters. O/N in yurt camp or mountain hut with basic shared toilets. Walking distance = 15km one way. Elevation gain about 700m
Day 5 Karakol (B/L/D): After breakfast, trek 3-4hr back to Ak-Suu village to meet our transport. Enjoy the panoramic mountainscape around us. O/N guesthouse with dinner provided. Walking distance = 15km one way. Elevation drop 700m
Hiking inside Altyn Arashan / Russian 4WD military ride into Altyn Arashan
Day 6 Bokonbaevo (B/L/D): After breakfast, we drive to Jeti-Oguz Gorge. Its name in Kyrgyz language means “Seven bulls”. The name is symbolic, because there is a 35 km long wall of seven huge red-brown cliffs resembling furious bulls standing together. We also visit Kök-Jaik area (Valley of Flowers). Lunch included with local Krygyz family. Another stop at Skazka canyons (Fairy Tale canyons), before our transport takes us towards Bokonbaevo for our overnight yurt stay. Bokonbaevo town is located along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Dinner accompanied by folklore concert included. O/N yurt camp with shared toilets, showers available.
Day 7 Kochkor (B/L/D): Afternoon, transfer westwards towards Kochkor. Along the way, we have a stop to watch eagle-hunting, one of the ancient traditions of Kyrgyz people. Drive further towards Kyzyl-Tuu village famed for their yurt-making residents. Experience how the Kyrgyz members set up yurts and lunch provided here. Afternoon, we continue on towards Kochkor. O/N homestay with shared toilets, dinner provided.
Day 8 Song Kul (B/L/D): After breakfast, we drive 3hr southwest towards the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Song Kul Lake. Upon arrival at Song Kul lake located at 3,013m above sea level, we will have free time to relax from the long drive. Song Kul is the best place to experience the nomadic lifestyle of the Krygyz people who bring their herds here during summer time. This is also wonderful place to gaze at the stars because of minimal light pollution. O/N Yurt Camp with outdoor shared toilets & showers for next 2 nights. Lunch & dinner at yurt camp.
Day 9 Song Kul (B/L/D: Today is our active day to experience the shepherd lifestyle. We trek towards the Jalgyz-Karagai Pass 3,440m high one way up about 6km. Optional for horse-riding on this section at USD15/pax. If opportunity arise, we can watch and participate in the everyday life of the shepherds which include milking mares, making traditional Krygyz milk products such as kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) or airan (a sour, dense milk product). O/NYurt Camp with outdoor shared toilets & showers with lunch & dinner provided. Walking/horse-riding distance 6km up & 6km down = total 12km. Elevation difference about 370m.
