Kyrgyzstan – the country of Tien-Shan

Tour “Kyrgyzstan – the country of Tien-Shan” gives a great opportunity to get involved in the culture and daily life in Kyrgyzstan. You will see the life of the nomads and feel yourself nomad.

During the tour you will visit two great lakes of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk Kul and Son Kul. 

Issyk Kul is an endorheic lake in the northern Tian Shan mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It is the tenth-largest lake in the world by volume (though not in surface area), and the second-largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. Issyk-Kul means "warm lake" in the Kyrgyz language; although it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes.

Song Kul is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3016 m. It is the second-largest lake after Issyk Kul Lake, and the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan. Its name, meaning "following lake", is popularly considered to refer to this relation. It is surrounded by a broad summer pasture and then mountains. Its beauty is greatly praised, but it is rather inaccessible. There are no facilities on the lake, but local herders will provide supplies and rent yurts. The area is inhabited and safely accessible only from June to September. 

Both valleys had always attracted lots of people living around. There were found ancient cities at the Issyk-Kul Lake. Most of them are submerged. Part of Great Silk Road laid along the Issyk-Kul valley and further over the passes of Terskey Ala-Too and Bedel pass to China. It was a quite important part of the caravan path.

Day 1. 
Airport "Manas" - Bishkek city (35 km)
Meeting at "Manas" airport, transfer to Bishkek. Drop luggauge in the hotel, little rest. Excursion around Bishkek, visiting downtown main Ala Too square, White House, Oak park, Art avenue, oriental Osh market – “bazaar”, museums, souvenir shops. (LD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m.

Day 2. 
Bishkek city - Karakol town (420 km)
Transfer to Karakol along the North shore of Issyk Kul Lake. On the way excursion to museum of rock drawings in Cholpon Ata. Optionally: one-hour boat excursion. Accommodation in a guest house/ hotel. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m, Cholpon Ata—1600m, Karakol – 1800m.

Day 3. 
Around Karakol town
Excursion to memorial complex of N.M.Prjevalsky. Visiting Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan mosque. Tasting local food. Accommodation in a guest house/hotel. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Karakol – 1800m.
 
Day 4. 
Karakol town – Djety Oguz valley - Tamga village (140km)
Transfer from Karakol to Djety Oguz gorge. Visiting famous sandstone cliffs “Seven Bulls” and “Broken heart”. Excursion further to the upper of the gorge to the panoramic view of majestic Oguz Bashy mountain. Transfer to Tamga. Overnight in a guest house. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Djety Oguz gorge – 2200m, Tamga – 1685m.

Day 5. 
Tamga village - Barskoon gorge – Skazka – Tamga (180km)
One-day excursion to Barskoon waterfalls. Lunch in Tamga. Visiting "Skazka" ("Fairy Tale") canyon. Red cliffs remind Mars scenery. Optionally: golden eagle hunting show. Overnight in Tamga. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Tamga – 1685m.

Day 6. 
Tamga village – Kochkor village (200km)
Way to Kochkor village. On the way stop in Bokonbaevo village and visit felt-art workshop, where you may see Kyrgyz traditional fancy-work of making Ala Kiyiz and Shyrdak carpet. Accommodation in a guesthouse. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Tamga – 1685m, Kochkor – 1750m.

Day 7. 
Kochkor village – Son Kul Lake (140km)
After breakfast transfer from Kochkor village to the Son Kul lake. Optionally: horse riding along the Lake. Overnight in yurt camp. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Kochkor – 1750m, Son Kul Lake – 3016m.

Day 8. 
Son Kul Lake
Stay in Son Kul Lake area all day. During the day you may make acquaintance with Nomad's life, to hike the closest hill to watch panorama of the Lake. Overnight in yurt camp. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Son Kul Lake – 3016m.

Day 9. 
Son Kul Lake – Bishkek (400 km)
Transfer to Bishkek. On the way excursion to Burana tower – historical monument of X-XI c, which is UNESCO heritage. To climb up the 23m tower. Farewell dinner. Accommodation in a guest house/ hotel in Bishkek. (BLD)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Son Kul Lake – 3016m, Bishkek-700m.

Day 10. 
Bishkek city - Airport "Manas" (35 km)
Transfer to airport. Flight back home. (B)
Altitudes during the day (above sea level): Bishkek – 700 m.

Service includes:
Double or twin accommodation in guesthouses/ hotels according program;
Transport for transfers during tour;
Cook and full board during tour;
English speaking guide;
Tents, kitchen and camping equipment during tour;
Porters/pack horses during trekking to carry up to 10kg of your private stuff (for each person).
 
Service doesn't include: 
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);
Lip balm;
Sunglasses with UV protection;
At least 25 Liter backpack for personal items;
Sleeping bag; 
Sleeping mat;
Telescopic trekking sticks poles (optional);
Head lamp 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);
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.