Around Issyk-Kul Lake and Kok-Ukok Lake

Trip Essentials

Tour Type: auto/trekking

Total Duration: 7 days

Best Season: mid-June – end of September

Level of Difficulty: medium

Maximum Altitude on the Trip: 3 000 meters ASL

Start and End Point: Bishkek

Transport: jeep/minivan/minibus depending on the size of the group

Best group size: 2- 12 persons

 

Trip Highlights

Burana Tower – Balasagun was a city in the Chuy region during the Karakhanid Khanate.  Excavations have revealed that the double walls of the settlement enclosed 30 sq km, including a fortress, many workshops, bazaars, a bathhouse, and a plot of arable land.  Water brought by a large pipe from a neighboring canyon.  As the Karakhanid rule was shaken by Mongol invasions, Balasagun began a slow decline, eventually becoming a ghost town in the 15th century.

Burana Tower is the most visible remnant of the old city.  Built in the 11th century, the tower is thought to have been a minaret.  It was originally double it’s current height of 24.6 meters. Historian’s believe the top half to have been destroyed in a 15th century earthquake.

 

Chong-Kemin Valley – In the Chuy region this small 500 hectare park covers an incredible range of terrain, from semi desert to glacier.  Trek the gorge and check out the extreme landscapes, and unique animal and plant life including the Tolai Hare, pheasant, and fir-needle ephedra.

 

Issyk-Kul Lake – the crown jewel of the Tian Shan, Lake Issyk-Kul is 6232 sq m of sparkling blue paradise.  The second largest saline lake in the world, its name in Kyrgyz means “hot lake”– though surrounded by spectacular snow capped peaks, the water never freezes.  Silk Road traders stopped here to recover from the grueling trek over the passes of the Tian Shan, and it is still the most popular destination in Kyrgyzstan to relax for both tourists and locals.

 

Services Included

Price includes:

Accommodation according the program (home stays, guest houses and yurt camps)

Meals during tour (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners), except alcoholic drinks

Transport services,

English speaking touring guide

Visiting cultural/historical places and entrance fees

Cultural events and show according to the program

2 days trek to Altyn-Arashan hot springs

2 days trek to Kol-Ukok lake

Price doesn’t include: 

Accommodation in Bishkek

meals at cafes

single supplement;

personal expenses;

activities out of program;

travel insurance;

tips;

international air fare;

horse riding;

boat trip and rafting

visa fee and visa support

 

Trip Itinerary

Bishkek-Burana tower-Chong-Kemin valley-Karakol-Altyn-Arashan-Jety-Oguz gorge-Bokonbaevo village-Bishkek

Day 1

Morning transfer to Chong-Kemin valley, on the way make a stop to visit Burana tower, architectural complex of 10-11 century, important point on the Great Silk Road. Continue your way to Chong-Kemin valley to Karool-Dobo village. Upon arrival to home stay, have a lunch and free time. Optional, you can do short trek or horse riding. Dinner and B&B at home stay.

 

Day 2

Morning transfer to Karakol by northern lake shore of Issyk-Kul lake, on the way make a stop to visit open-air museum in Cholpon-Ata. Upon arrival to Karakol, visit Dungan Mosque and Russian Ortodox Church. Dinner will be at café, overnight at guest house.

Day 3

Morning after breakfast transfer from Karakol town to Ak-Suu. Meet your guide team and start trekking up to the river Ak-Suu. Ascent the hot spring first day. At the Altyn-Arashan resort is possible to take a thermal water bath. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka (Tent) 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. Overnight in hut.

Day 4

Spend time till lunch in Altyn-Arashan gorge. At the Altyn-Arashan resort is possible to take a thermal water bath. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka (Tent) 5260 m or “Swallow’s Nest Pool”, nestling beneath the open sky. Afternoon walk from Altyn Arashan resort down by Arashan Gorge (4 hours). Drive to Karakol (30 minutes). Dinner at café. B&B at guest house.

Day 5

Morning transfer to Bokonbaevo village, on the way we will make 2 stops, 1st stop will be at Jety-Oguz gorge (Seven bulls gorge). Then you will have a lunch at Kyrgyz family. 2nd stop will be at Skazka Canyons (Fairy Tale canyons). Dinner and B&B will be at Bel-Tam yurt camp/home stay at Bokonbaevo village.

 

Day 6

After late breakfast you will continue your way to Kochkor village (Naryn district), on the way you will make a stop at Jaychi yurt camp, where you will experience Hunting with an Eagle. The eagle hunter will tell us about this old tradition. How important it was in the past when people didn’t have rifles yet. We also will learn how he trains eagles and of course will see hunting demonstration. It will be interesting to talk with family and see their farm. You will have a lunch at yurt camp, then transfer to visit Kyzyl-Tuu village. This village famous with a yurt makers, Visit a Kyrgyz family where all family members make a Boz Ui (Yurt) – a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling tent. Lunch in the village. Then continue your way to Kochkor, upon arrival to home stay, have a dinner and B&B at home stay.

Day 7

Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village, 30 minutes. Go on foot to the Ters-Tor jailoo, famous for its pure air and lots of crystal clear water. Arrival in the shepherd’s yurt at Ters-Tor. Lunch. After lunch continue to the Kol-Ukok Lake. After visiting the lake trek back to the Ters-Tor jailoo. Dinner and B&B in a yurt.

 

Day 8

Sleep out and enjoy the late breakfast.  After breakfast trek back to the tour starting point. Transfer to Bishkek. Upon arrival to Bishkek, hotel accommodation, dinner at café.