Along the Nomad Land

Along the Nomad Land

Around the Kyrgyzstan in 3 weeks
Duration: 21 days, 20 nights
Season: June – October
Route: Chui, Issyk Kul, Naryn, Djalal Abad, Osh region
Level of difficulty: there is not a lot of physical exertion throughout the journey. But there will be several long transfers about 7 hours a day and travelers will reach an altitude up to 3500 m. And also there will be three-day horse-back or hiking trip (about 3-4 hours, every day) with overnight in tents.

Kyrgyzstan is a small mountainous country, but with very diverse nature and culture. In order to see all the beauties of Kyrgyzstan, you need to find in your schedule three free weeks and go on the road, to the unknown. We suggest you cross the whole country from north to south and get acquainted with the life and culture of nomads in the mountains and settled Sarts (Uzbeks) in the south of Kyrgyzstan.

The trip starts from the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake - this is truly a pearl of our country. We are glad to present you magnificent nature of the Issyk-Kul valley and the mountains that surround the lake as a big wall.

Then we get to the Son-Kul Lake this is the second largest lake after Issyk Kul Lake, and the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is surrounded by a broad summer pasture and then mountains. The area is inhabited and safely accessible only from June to September.

After the Son Kul Lake, we are moving to the Naryn Valley, where we will visit the ancient caravanserai of Tash-Rabat. Tash-Rabat was built in the XV century on the site of an older monastery of the 9th-10th centuries.

Continuing the road to the south of Kyrgyzstan, we will visit the Saimaluu-Tash hole (it is translated from the Kyrgyz as a painted stone) - one of the world's largest petroglyph galleries. Here, travelers will ride on horseback to an open-air museum.

Then we set out to the Ferghana Valley, where we will visit the ancient Osh and the amazing Arslanbob. In Arslanbob village and Arslanbob valley, there are walnut trees up to 30 meters high; whose age can exceed 1000 years.

Now we set off on the way back to the Chui valley through another valley, not less famous and significant for Kyrgyzstan - Suusamyr valley. On the way, we will have the opportunity to visit the incredibly beautiful lake Sary-Chelek, to admire the Toktogul reservoir and the Naryn River, and visit the Chichkan gorge.

Having made this trip, you can be sure that you have seen most of Kyrgyzstan and are imbued with its soul.

Day 1
Airport – Bishkek (35 km)

Meeting at the airport "Manas". Transfer to Bishkek. Excursion around the city. Visiting oriental Osh market ("bazaar"), downtown, walking along Avenue Chuy, passing by old "Russia" cinema, White House, main Ala-Too square, Art Avenue, Oak park towards Opera Theatre, Pobedy square. On the way possible to visit any museums, souvenir shops e.t.c. Dinner in a local restaurant. Accommodation in a guest house/hotel. (LD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m

Day 2
Bishkek – Karakol (420 km)

Transfer to Karakol. Stop in Boom gorge. On the way excursion to the open-air museum of rock drawings "Petroglyphs" in Cholpon Ata. Optionally: one-hour boat trip. Accommodation in a guest house/hotel. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m, Karakol – 1800m

Day 3
Karakol – Djety Oguz Valley (60km)

Half of the day excursion in Karakol visiting Russian Orthodox Saint Trinity Church and old wooden Dungan mosque. After lunch transfer to Jety Oguz valley. Visiting famous rocks "Broken Heart" and "Seven Bulls". Overnight in yurt camp. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Djety Oguz valley – 2200 m

Day 4
Djety Oguz valley – Tamga village (100 km)

Walking up to the valley to the panoramic view to majestic Oguz Bashy mountain. Transfer to Tamga guest house along the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way excursion to waterfall "Cup of Manas" in Barskaun gorge. Overnight in the guest house. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Djety Oguz valley – 2200 m, Tamga – 1685m

Day 5
Tamga – Kochkor village (200km)

Transfer to Kochkor village. On the way excursion to “Fairy tale” canyon of red sandstone cliffs. Upon arrival in Kochkor visiting the felt-art workshop, where you may see Kyrgyz traditional fancy-work, and make your own felt carpet. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Tamga – 1685m, Kochkor – 1750m

Day 6
Kochkor – Son Kul Lake (140km)

After breakfast transfer from Kochkor village to Son Kul lake over Kalmak Ashuu pass. Son Kul is high altitude lake situated on a flat and open valley surrounded by endless green pastures and smooth hills. Optionally: horse riding along the shore. Overnight in yurt camp. (BLD)    
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Kochkor – 1750m, Kalmak Ashuu pass – 3446m, Son Kul Lake – 3016m

Day 7
Son Kul – Naryn (250km)

Transfer to Naryn town over Kurtka pass. Accommodation in a guest house. (BLD)    
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Kurtka pass – 3174m, Naryn – 2500m

Day 8
Naryn – Tash Rabat – Naryn (220km)

Drive to Tash Rabat. Excursion to Caravanserai. According to one of the versions, Tash-Rabat was originally built in the X-XI centuries and served as a monastery. Four centuries later, in the heyday of trade on the Great Silk Road, Tash-Rabat became a caravanserai - an inn for foreign traders leading their caravans along the Silk Road. From here caravans went to Kashgar and the Fergana Valley.Return to Naryn. Accommodation in a guest house. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Naryn – 2500m, Tash Rabat – 3000m

Day 9
Naryn – Kazarman (220km)

Transfer to Kazarman village along the river Naryn. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Naryn – 2500m, Kazarman –1230m

Day 10-12
Kazarman – Saimaluu Tash – Kazarman

Horse riding trip to Saymaluu Tash place. This is the open-air museum, which has gathered the unique collection of ancient stone inscriptions. Overnight in tent camp. This option is available from late July –  August. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Kazarman –1230m, Saimaluu Tash –  3000-3450m

Day 13
Kazarman – Djalal Abad (200km)

Transfer to Djalal Abad city. Moving towards Sary Kyr ridge. From the upper point, there will be a great view to Naryn valley. Driving down the serpentine road to Fergana valley. At one point there could be seen rice fields. Djalal Abad is originally developed as a market town, and as a stop on the Silk Road.  As well there are some healing mineral springs. There is a resort close to the town. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Kazarman – 1230m, Djalal Abad – 763m

Day 14
Djalal Abad – Osh (120km)

Transfer to Osh in the morning. On the way visiting Uzgen city. There is an architectural complex of the XII century Uzgen tower (44 meters high) from the Silk Road time. Also, the city is famous for its brown rice for the national dish “plov”.  Accommodation in a guest house/hotel. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Djalal Abad – 763m, Osh – 1000 m

Day 15
Osh

Osh is one of the oldest city of Kyrgyzstan with 3000 years’ history. Start a sightseeing tour around the city. Visiting sacred mount Suleiman-Too, a history museum in the cave of the mount, Orthodox Church, central square, green gardens of the city and oriental market (bazaar). Accommodation in a guest house. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Osh - 1000m

Day 16
Osh – Arslanbob (210km)

Transfer to Arslanbob village. The Arslanbob is the largest walnut area on the planet. It covers over 600,000 hectares. Up to 1,500 tons of walnuts are harvested every year in the Arslanbob Valley, also 5,000 tons of apples, pistachios, and cherry plums. Arslanbob area is now a forest zone protected by the state. Excursion to the small Arslanbob waterfall, hike through the walnut forest to the panoramic point with a nice view of the village, to the closest mountains. Here are many sacred places for locals. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Osh –1000m, Arslanbob – 1700m

Day 17 
Arslanbob – Arkyt (Sary Chelek Lake) (200km)

Transfer to Arkyt village. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Arslanbob – 1700m, Arkyt – 1700m

Day 18 
Arkyt  – Sary Chelek Lake – Arkyt (25 km)

Drive to the Lake Sary Chelek which means “yellow basket”.  It’s the second deepest Lake in Kyrgyzstan.  The average depth is 98m, maximum of 234m. The length of the Lake is 7,5 km. To reach the Northside of the Lake is possible by boat or hiking horse path, which goes from the West shore side. Sary Chelek Lake is located in the foothills of the Chatkal ridge, in the state reserve, which since 1979 is a member of the international network of biosphere reserves of UNESCO. The territory of Sary Chelek reserve covers 23.8 thousand hectares. In addition to Sary Chelek, there are seven more mountain lakes on it. For Kyrgyz people this Lake is sacred. Also from the Southside there some holy places are situated: two mosques and spring with healing water. Long ago there lived hermit Buddhist community. Back to Arkyt. Family-run accommodation. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Sary Chelek lake – 1873m

Day 19
Arkyt – Chichkan (250 km)

Transfer from Arkit village to Chichkan gorge. On the way passing by some water-power plants on the Naryn River, stop on Toktogul reservoir. It’s the biggest in Central Asia. Overnight in a guest house. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Sary Chelek lake – 1873m, Chichkan gorge – 2000m

Day 20 
Chichkan – Bishkek (280 km)

Drive towards Bishkek over Suusamyr valley over Ala Bel, Too Ashuu pass. On the way down there is a beautiful serpentine road. Farewell dinner. Accommodation in a guest house/hotel. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Too Ashuu pass – 3582m, Ala Bel pass – 3184m, Bishkek – 700m

Day 21 
Bishkek – Airport (35 km)

Transfer to the airport. Flight home. (B)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m

 

Service includes:
Double or twin accommodation in guesthouses/hotels according program;
Accommodation 4-5 people in the yurt;
Transport for transfers during tour;
Cook and full board during tour;
English speaking guide;
Tickets to museums mentioned in the program:
Tents, kitchen and camping equipment during tour;
Porters during trekking to carry up to 10kg of your private stuff (for each person).

Service doesn't include: 
S
ingle supplement;
Accommodation in hotels before and after the program;
Alcohol and soft drinks;
Transfers, excursions or horse riding over the program etc.;
Visa and invitation letter to Kyrgyzstan;
Medical insurance.

Clothing and Equipment:
Sunscreen (at least 20SPF);
Chapstik or equivalent lip balm;
Sunglasses with UV protection;
At least a 25 Liter backpack for personal items;
Sleeping bag; 
Sleeping mat;
Telescopic trekking sticks poles (optional);
Head lamp (eg Petzl) spare bulbs & batteries;
T-Shirts, long-sleeved T-shirt, shorts;
Trekking pants;
Underwear;
Fleece jacket or pullover;
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional); 
Down vest and/or jacket (optional);
Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex) with hood;
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex);
Thick, warm wool hiking socks; 
Thin gloves for trekking and overnight;  
Sun hat or scarf; 
Warm fleece hat or light balaclava; 
Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces;
Footwear for around camp or sandals;