Kyrgyzstan Multiactive tour 2

Tour: Multiactive 2, Request

Activities: horse back riding, walk in the mountains and experience the culture of Kyrgyz people.

Places to visit: Bishkek – Ala Archa - Shamsy – Kochkor – Son-Kul – Naryn – Tash-Rabat –Salty lake – Skazka – Tamga – Jety-Oguz – Karakol – Cholpon-Ata – Chon Kemin – Bishkek

Season: the end of June – the end of September

Duration: 14 days

Tour summary:

Day 1: Airport – Bishkek
Arrival to Bishkek, transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing tour: Oak Park , Ala -Too Square, Philarmonic hall, Statue of Manas, Victory Square . Overnight in a guest house.

Day 2: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek
After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km). You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. You will start your walk from the alpine camp (2200 m) to Ak-Sai waterfall–the height is 35 m (2700 m). The path goes through conifer forest and alpine meadows. Picnic. Return back to the alpine camp. Transfer to Bishkek. Overnight at a guest house.

Day 3: Bishkek – Shamsy - Bishkek
In the morning transfer to Shamsy gorge (110 km ). Meet our local guide with horses. The slopes of the gorge are covered with dog roses, barberry, mountain ash, juniper, and fir tree forest. This day you ride up toward to Shamsy pass towards Toru Kaiyn gorge (3-4 hours). Lunch in a local house. After lunch you will have chance to ride note far from the house. Transfer back to Bishkek. Overnight in a guest house.

Day 4: Bishkek– Son Kul
In the morning drive to Son-Kul Lake ( 360 km ). On the way stop to see Burana tower, which is left from ancient city Balasagyn (XI - XIII). Lunch in Kochkor village on the way. Arriving in Son Kul in the evening. This is a remote mountain lake situated on a treeless, high mountain plateau ( 3016 m ) where shepherds bring the livestock in the summertime, establish a camp where they will live – setting up their yurts. Dinner and overnight in yurts.

Day 5: Son-Kul
Free day at the lake. Today you can ride a horse or go for a short walk. In this magnificent place you can see hundreds of herds and a lot of different yurts, where you for sure will be invited to have kymyz, the national drink made of fermented mare's milk with a traditional bread, try other diary products and home made jam. Dinner and overnight in yurts.

Day 6: Son-Kul – Naryn
Transfer to Naryn ( 180 km ). It is a long, thin town that straddles the fast flowing Naryn River and is set between high, steep cliffs. Naryn is located 200 km away from Chinese border and from ancient times travelers used to stop for a night in Naryn. Lunch and dinner in Naryn. Experience folk music during the dinner. Overnight in a guest house.

Day 7: Naryn – Tash-Rabat
In the morning transfer to Tash-Rabat ( 115 km ) towards the Chinese border. Tash Rabat, Caravan Saray 11th century, served as a fortress for travelers along the Great Silk Road. This is a carefully restored stone building. Overnight in yurts (Kyrgyz dwelling).

Day 8: Tash-Rabat – Kochkor
You may have horse back riding in the morning. Transfer to Kochkor ( 265 km ). Lunch in Naryn. On arrival in Kochkor you will be able to watch the process of felt carpets (ala kiyiz). Dinner and overnight in Kyrgyz family.

Day 9: Kochkor – Tamga
Drive along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake to Tamga ( 200 km ). En route visit the Salty Lake which has the same feature like Dead Sea in Israel. The minerals within the water support the weight of a person lying on the surface. Next stop in Skazka valley there sandstone cliffs have been shaped by centuries of wind and melting snow into an ensemble of columns, canyons and crag, ranging in color from deep red to bright orange. Continue driving to Tamga. Overnight in a guest house.

Day 10: Tamga – Jety-Oguz
Transfer from Tamga to the starting point of the trek through Svetlaya Polyana. The trek takes around 2 hours and goes through the conifer forest until you reach nameless pass ( 2725 m ). In cloudless day it is possible to experience excellent view of the lake, snow-covered mountain peaks, flower's valley “Kok-Jaik” in the Jety-Oguz gorge. A descent from the pass to the gorge Jety-Oguz ( 2200 m ). On the way you may visit Jety-Oguz waterfall ( 20 m ). Overnight in yurta.

Day 11: Jety-Oguz - Karakol
In the morning walk through conifer forest along the Jety-Oguz river toward Tilety Pass. Return back to the camp. Lunch. Transfer to Karakol ( 60 km ). City tour of Karakol. Visit the wooden Russian-orthodox church, Dungan Mosque. Overnight in a guest house.

Day 12: Karakol –Chon Kemin
Transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. First stop is right after Karakol to visit Prezhevalsky-Museum. On the way is an excursion in Choplon Ata to the open-air art gallery of stone, said to date from 500 BC – 100 AD, they depict wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, horses, snow leopards, sacrifices and some hunting scenes. Continue driving to Chon Kemin. Dinner and overnight in a guest house.

Day 13: Chon Kemin - Bishkek
In the morning transfer to Bishkek (150 km ). Farewell dinner. Accommodation in a guest house or hotel.

Day 14: Bishkek – Airport
Transfer to the airport ( 30 km ), departure.

Recommended list to take with: warm clothes, a coat, tracking-boots, sleeping bag, mat, rucksack, light, your own First Aid Kit and sunglasses.

 Accommodation:

Standard tour price includes:
1. Twin accommodation;
2. Meals – groups 1-5 people – only breakfast included; groups 6-10 people – full board;
3. Transportation throughout the whole trip.
4. English speaking guide;
5. Sightseeing tour program in all cities according to the program, including entrance fees to sights, museums. Camera/video fees are not included and paid separately;
6. Horse back riding in Shamsy, Son Kul and Tash Rabat;;
7. The process of making felt carpets in Kochkor;
8. Folk music in Naryn;
9. Mineral water;
10. Payment for 1 extra night in Bishkek on the Day 1 in case of early arrival;

Tour price does not include:
1. Hotel charges for additional services;
2. Single supplement;
3. Consular fees paid upon collection of the entrance visa to Kyrgyzstan;
4. Registration in Kyrgyzstan;
5. Visa support;
6. International airfares;
7. Personal insurance and items not mentioned above.