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.
HIghlights of this trip :
- Two days going in and out of Altyn Arashan to enjoy walking and why Kyrgyzstan is also well-known as Switzerland of Central Asia
- Horse-ride towards Song Kul and learning more about the nomadic lifestyle
- Discover the local culture with 2 cooking demonstrations, enjoy local food & hospitality during our homestays and experience the bustling bazaar scene.
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 9 nights out of total 13 nights.
B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner
Day 1 Airport/Plane: Assemble in KLIA by 7:00AM SUN 30 Jun 2024 for Emirates morning flight EK345 departing 10:15AM. Fly 7hr before arriving in Dubai 1:10PM. Long transit for 9.5hr. Reconnect on Emirates/Flydubai flight 4hr EK2418 leaving Dubai 10:45PM arriving Bishkek 4:40AM next morning
Day 2 Bishkek: Arrive early morning 4:40AM. Meet our local guide at airport. We have walking tour around Bishkek to visit some of the places of interests around this capital city with about 1million inhabitants. O/N Bishkek hotel with own meals today
Day 3 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 4 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 5 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. Picnic lunch provided. After arriving at Altyn Arashan camp, members can enjoy walking around valley and soak in thermal waters in the evening. Members have option to walk the last section of the trail towards our overnight stay. O/N in yurt camp or mountain hut with basic shared toilets.
Day 6 Trek down & Karakol (B/L/D): After breakfast, trek 4-5hr back downhill to Ak-Suu village to meet our transport with picnic lunch included. 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 7 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, where members can enjoy swim and dip inside the lake. Dinner accompanied by folklore concert included. O/N yurt camp with shared toilets & showers available.
Day 8 Kyzart Village (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 Kyzart Village. O/N homestay with shared toilets, dinner provided. Tonight members need to repack your personal belongings for full day horse-riding tomorrow. Big luggage will be transported to Song-kul and members only carry daypack with necessary provisions.
Day 9 Horse-riding to Song Kul (B/L/D): After breakfast, we get on our horses for uphill journey via Tuz-Ashuu pass towards second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Song Kul. Picnic lunch included. Expect to arrive at Song Kul located at 3,013m above sea level by late afternoon. 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. Dinner at yurt camp.
Day 10 Song Kul (B/L/D: Today is our chill out day to experience the shepherd lifestyle. 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/N Yurt Camp with outdoor shared toilets & showers with lunch & dinner provided.
