Kyrgyzstan has a very rich flora, here you can find a greater variety of plants than in the whole of Europe. Several specimens can only be found in this country. Ecotour organizes in the eastern part of the country a 16 day botanical tour. Anne van Beusekom, a Dutch botanist, will be your guide. Up until now little research has be done on the Kyrgyzs flora. Therefore this tour will also have the character of a voyage of discovery.
You will visit different landscapes with a great variety of vegetation. The first day you will visit Ala-Archa National Park, about 40 km west of Bishkek. From Bishkek you will go to Kemin valley with the Chon-Kemin river. In this valley, which borders on Kazakhstan, you find both forests and open alpine meadows.
Tuura-Suu situated at 2200 m. is the next place to stay, it is located in a treeless alpine meadow. The yurt camp Ak-Say (1600m) is situated in a dry arid area at the end of a canyon on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul, not far from the waterfront. In Temir-Kanat (2450m) also above the tree line it is possible to hike into the high mountains. At the end of the tour you will stay in Son-Kul yurt camp at 3200m. Back in Bishkek you will have the chance to visit the botanical garden.
On this journey you will experience a great variety of biotopes, and their flora and fauna. Kyrgyzstan is a photogenic country. A photographers paradise. On the tour you will be accompanied by a Dutch botanist. An interpreter, in English or German, will be ready to help you at all times. Accommodation is in guesthouses, yurts and with local families. Transportation is by minibus.
If you are not only interested in plants but also in different cultures, if you like discovering a new, unknown world and if you are not looking for luxury, good memories of this trip will stay with you for a long time.
Everything is included in the tour price with the exception of the flight, visa and bottled beverages. A visa can be obtained easily upon arrival at the airport in Bishkek. The price of the flight depends on the company you are flying with and the date of booking (from 530 euro up).
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Program
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| Day 1 |
Departure |
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| Day 2 |
Arrival in Bishkek. After lunch visit of Osh bazaar or museum. |
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| Day 3 |
Day trip to the forests in the mountains of the Ala-Archa National Park, 40 km south of Bishkek. Accommodation in a guesthouse in Bishkek. |
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| Day 4 |
From Bishkek to the Kemin Valley, a National Park, on the border with Kazakhstan, about 3 hours driving. |
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| Day 5 |
Stay in Kemin. |
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| Day 6 |
From Kemin to yurt camp Tuura-Suu on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 2 hours driving. |
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| Day 7 |
Stay in Tuura-Suu. |
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| Day 8 |
From Tuura-Suu to yurt camp Ak-Say at the lake, about 2 hours driving. |
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| Day 9 |
Stay in Ak-Say. |
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| Day 10 |
From Ak-Say to yurt camp Temir-Kanat at 2450 m. The last 150m up has to be done on foot or on horseback, the car cannot reach this yurt camp. About 1 ½ hours driving and 45 min walking. |
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| Day 11 |
Stay in Temir-Kanat. |
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| Day 12 |
From Temir-Kanat to yurt camp Son-Kul. Yurt camp at 3200 m surrounded by mountains, a beautiful but cold place with interesting flora. |
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| Day 13 |
Stay in Son-Kul yurt camp. Warm clothes needed! |
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Day_14
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Return to Bishkek. Accommodation in a guesthouse. |
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| Day_15 |
Visit of the botanical garden in Bishkek, shopping. |
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| Day_16 |
Transfer to Manas Airport. Goodbye to Kyrgyzstan. |
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If you book for 4 persons or more, we offer you 5% discount.
Because of unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program. We ask for your understanding.
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique... click the link below
There are still many different kinds of wild tulips
growing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
In early spring they can be found on the mountain slopes.
