KYRGYZSTAN EXPLORER 12 days

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1 12 days

2 Countries visited Kyrgyzstan Tour Highlights Sublime beauty of Issy Kul Lake Prehistoric art of Cholpan Ata Remarkable rock formations at Jety-Oguz gorge Eagle Hunting of okonbaevo Yurt-making in Kyzyl Tuu Ancient caravansarai of Tash-Rabat Traditional felt workshop of Kochkor Natural tranquillity of Chon Kemin valley ID P a g e 1

3 Places visited Issy Kul Lake Cholpan Ata Reina Kench Farm Karakol Skazka canyon Naryn Kyzil Tuu TashRabat Kochkor Chon-Kemin valley Ashu Ala Archa Gorge What's included Arrival & departure transfers Ground transport with driver Accommodation (refer to itinerary for meal plan) English-speaking guides Entrance fees to sites & parks What's not included not mentioned in itinerary Drinks Visa fees Tipping Camera / video camera fees Personal items (laundry, telephone, etc.) Medical expenses Any services not mentioned in itinerary All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking. ID P a g e 2

4 Your Itinerary Explained Date Place visited : The first part of the text in each day is the itinerary schedule and will explain what you will reakfast normally see/do during this day of your itinerary. --L: The part of the day s text in italics (and comes after the three dashes --- ) is background Lunch information on the places or sites on that day of your itinerary. It is not part of your D: itinerary and may mention places that will not be visited on your itinerary. If you have any Dinner questions please ask us. Travel times where noted are only meant as a guideline. Tour Itinerary Day 1 On arrival in you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. After resting, take a tour of. Highlights will include an excursion to Ala Archa Gorge and visits to Osh azaar and the Eternal Fire. The national museum (currently closed) can be added once it reopens. Overnight in. --The National Museum in gives visitors an overview of Kyrgyz history, from the Stone Age to the present. It is home to a range of exhibitions, including ethnological collections, Soviet memorabilia and excavation finds. N/A The Eternal Fire monument, also known as 'Victory Square' and 'Victory monument', was constructed in The statue depicts a woman who is standing over the eternal flame, waiting for the return of her son or husband to return home from the Great Patriotic War (as they call their participation in World War II, from 1941 to 1945). Osh azaar is one of the largest markets in. It is popular with locals and visitors alike, who can barter and buy an array of regional food, musical instruments and Kyrgyz national clothes. Day 2 - Cholpan Ata Drive along the north coast of Issy Kul lake, stopping to see the petrogylphs in Cholpan Ata as well as its ethnographic museum. It is possible to do a yacht ride on Lake Issy Kul here too. Overnight in Cholpan Ata. --- Issy Kul Lake ID P a g e 3

5 The saline Issy Kul Lake, located in the northern Tian Shan mountains, is the second highest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Its name means 'warm lake' in Kyrgyz and despite the surrounding snow-capped mountains, the lake itself never actually freezes. The circumference of the lake is around 440km and its depth reaches around 700m at its deepest point. Ancient Ussuni settlements, that are thought to date back 2,500 years, remain submerged beneath the water of this giant lake. The summer resort town of Cholpan Ata lies on the northern shore of the Issy Kul Lake. It boasts a scenic backdrop of the Tian Shan Mountains and is famed for its many preserved petroglyphs. This prehistoric form of art, where shapes and patterns are carved into rocks, dates back to between 800 C and 1200 AD. Along with its ethnographic museum, the openair petroglyph site provides a real insight into the rich heritage of Cholpan Ata. Day 3 Issy Kul Lake Cholpan Ata - Reina Kench Visit the Nikolai Przhevalskii museum, then continue to Reina Kench farm. Visit the farm and enjoy its ample grounds. Overnight at Reina Kench. --The Nikolai Przhevalskii museum was opened in 1957 in Karakol to commemorate the Russian explorer-scientist, Nikolai Prezhevalskii. During his lifetime, he undertook 4 expeditions to Mongolia, China and Tibet. He researched the geography, flora and fauna of these Central Asian countries, discovering over 200 plant species, as well as doing a little spying for the government, most probably. The museum displays his extensive research alongside a zoological collection that is comprised of various plant, bird, fish and animal samples. Reina Kench is a traditional Kyrgz farm north of Lake Issy Kul, that specialises in fruit farming, horse training and has also worked on introducing non-native animals to the region. The farm allows visitors to experience an authentic rural way of life - encouraging participation in activities that include cookery classes, fishing and horse-riding. Day 4 Reina Kench - Jety Oguz - Karakol Go on a city tour of Karakol and visit the Orthodox Cathedral and Dungan mosque. In the afternoon visit Jety Oguz and take a walk in the picturesque Valley of the Flowers. Overnight in Karakol. --Karakol, the administrative centre for Issyk-Kul province, was established as a Russian military post in the 19th century and was largely populated by Cossacks from western Jety-Oguz gorge Siberia. Its population swelled in the 1880s, when many Dungans (Chinese Muslims) fled to Karakol to escape persecution in their home country. The town contains many fine examples of 19th-century Russian architecture. Today, Karakol is an important base for travellers who enjoy hiking, trekking and exploring the surrounding mountainous region. The scenic Jety-Oguz gorge is located just outside of the city of Karakol. 'Jety-Oguz' translates to 'seven bulls'. It is named after the seven dramatic cliffs that span a length of 35km and are thought to resemble seven bulls. The surrounding hot springs, mountain lakes, forests and grasslands boast a rich biodiversity. It makes for a beautiful walking area. ID P a g e 4

6 The Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Karakol was built in The original stone cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake and later rebuilt in wood. During the turbulent history of the region, the church has been used as an educational centre, a theatre and even a dance hall after the revolution of Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and independence of Kyrgyzstan in 1991, the building was restored as a church. Dungan Mosque was built between 1904 and It and its outbuildings were constructed by eijing architect Chou Seu with the help of local craftsmen, who used a unique design that meant no nails were required to hold the wooden structure together. The mosque is decorated with intricate paintings of grapes, pomegranates, pears and peaches. It functioned as a storehouse under Soviet rule, but today operates once more as a mosque. Day 5 Karakol - Altyn Arashan - Karakol Go on an excursion to Altyn Arashan gorge by track or UAZ off-road vehicle. Return to Karakol for overnight. Karakol Day 6 Karakol - Tamga Visit Skazka canyon and Tamga gorge. Overnight in Tamga in local guesthouse. --Situated between the Tian Shan mountain range is Tamga, a village 1700 metres above sea level. It is a remote but wonderful destination. Nearby, the "Fairytale canyon" or Skazka Canyon is celebrated for its impressive rock formations created by the wind. Karakol Skazka canyon is a valley off the Southern coast of Issy Kul lake near the village of Tosor. It has some beautiful rock landscapes carved out by erosion, featuring a multitude of colours and shapes. ID P a g e 5

7 Day 7 Naryn Tamga - Kochkor - Naryn Drive to okonbaevo to meet an eagle trainer and his eagle. Continue on to Kyzil Tuu, where you will learn about how yurts are made, before driving to Naryn. Overnight in Naryn. --Naryn, on the banks of the Naryn River, was established as a Russian garrison in the mid-1800s, although a vast majority of the town was built following World War II. Evidence of this history can be seen in the dominant Soviet-style housing known as Khrushchevki. The road running south from Naryn provides a main access point into China and passes through an area of outstanding natural beauty. The village of Kyzil Tuu, situated in the Naryn province, specialises in making yurts by hand, the traditional Kyrgyz way. It lies at an altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level, providing scenic views across the rolling valleys. Eagle Hunting is a traditional form of falconry that is practiced by the Kyrgyz people of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Archaeologists have traced the Central Asian art of eagle hunting back to the 1st or 2nd millennium C. Visitors to the country can watch demonstrations of this form of nomadic culture, which is still prevalent today. Typically eagles are taken from their nests soon after birth and develop a very close bond with their trainer, the pair often said to be closer than husband and wife. Day 8 Tash-Rabat Naryn - Tash Rabat - Naryn Day trip to visit Tash-Rabat. Return to Naryn for overnight. Option to stay in a yurt at TashRabat instead is available. --Tash-Rabat is a caravanserai set in the hillside of the Karakoyun valley at an altitude of over 3,500 metres. Although its origins are not clear, the well-preserved limestone building was most likely constructed in the 15th century. It was once an important inn for merchants of the Silk Road who were travelling from the Chui and Fergana valleys to Kashgar. Some believe it was built as a Nestorian church. ID P a g e 6

8 Day 9 Chon-Kemin valley Naryn - Kochkor - Chon-Kemin - Ashu Drive to Chon Kemin Valley visiting Kochkor en route. Rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Overnight in Ashu Village. --The village of Kochkor lies at an altitude of 1,800 metres in the northern Naryn region of Kyrgyzstan. Kochkor is believed to have been the site of the first settlement in the picturesque Kochkor Valley. Today, although many residents have settled down, they still live a life based on agriculture and herding. Many still keep traditional yurts and roam between spring, summer and autumnal pastures. Chon-Kemin is a beautiful natural valley where the Chon-Kemin River flows between the Kungei Ala-Too and Iliysky Ala-Too mountain ranges. The valley is a combination of both wild and pastoral landscapes, dense conifer forests and sparse mountains. Its Tien Shan fir forests are famed for their medicinal herbs, mushrooms and edible berries. The area offers excellent hiking, rafting, horse riding and fishing opportunities. Day 10 Day 11 Chon Kemin - Drive to, stopping at urana Tower en route. Overnight in. --urana Tower is a minaret in the Chuy Valley that marks the 9th-century Karakhanid town of alasagun. The town is believed to have been once considered the centre of the world, but was lost in the mists of time until quite recently. The minaret was originally 45m tall, though only 25m remains due to earthquakes. Nearby a wide variety of statues known as bulbuls dot the landscape. These intriguing statues often hold a cup in one hand and a weapon in their other, to represent their hospitality, and the repercussions for those who might not accept it! - Ala Archa Gorge Go on an excursion to Ala Archa Gorge, rest of the day free. Overnight in. --The Ala Archa Gorge lies in the Kyrgyz Ridge of the Tien Shan Mountains. It is home to some of the highest mountain peaks of the region, including the Dvurogoya, Korona and Semenov Tien Shanskiy Peaks. Visitors to the Ala Archa Gorge can enjoy trekking past waterfalls to its glaciers and snow-capped mountain ridges. ID P a g e 7

9 Day 12 Departure At an appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home or onward destination. ID P a g e 8 Powered by TCPDF (