This cultural tour in the spring has an active character. You will learn about the nomadic way of life and whilst staying some of the time with locals in remote villages. Luxury is not to be expected in these locations but you will be treated as their guest and enjoy the hospitality of the mountain dwellers.
Shortly after arrival on May 9 the Kyrgyz celebrate the end of the “Great War” with music, open air performances and a parade. You are invited to join.
You will travel around lake Issyk-Kul, a beautiful mountain lake at an altitude of 1600m. The tour starts on the south shore. On your way to Kochkor, the first place you stay, you will visit the Burana Tower, a remnant of the silk road. In Kochkor, a centre for felt making, you can visit some cooperative companies which sell the felt products made by women in the surrounding villages. On your way to Temir-Kanat at an altitude of 2300m, you will stop in Kyzyl-Tuu, a village famous for making yurt frames, to see how yurts are made.In Ak-Say at the lake you will stay close to the waterfront and have a chance to hike in the “ “badlands”: bare mountains formed by erosion. For 2 nights you will stay in Karakol, the biggest town on lake Issyk-Kul. Here you can visit the mosque built as a lama temple and the Russian-orthodox church, built completely out of wood without the use of any nails. You take a day trip to the Flower valley Jeti Ögus where you can hike or take a warm bath in the spa built in Sovjet time.
On the north side of the lake you will visit the archaeological open air museum in Cholpon Ata where you can see drawings that the Scyts made on stone between the 3rd and 1st age B.C. A day tour to Ala Archa national Park is also part of the program. In Bishkek you will have a chance to visit the museum, theatre or concert.
An interpreter will be available during the whole tour. The maximum number of participants is 8. Transportation is by minibus, in Bishkek you will stay in Hotel Umai, (www.umai-hotel-kg.com) during the trip in guesthouses or hotels
Everything is included in the price, except flight, visa and bottled drinks. A visa can be obtained upon arriving at the Airport. Prices of flights depend on the airline company, place of departure and date of booking. Up to and including January 2011 it is possible to buy cheap flight tickets. (Amsterdam-Bishkek) for around 590 Euro.
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Program
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| Day 1 |
Departure. |
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| Day 2 |
Arrival, after lunch sightseeing Bishkek. Overnight in guesthouse. |
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| Day 3 |
Victory Day. |
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| Day 4 |
To Kochkor by minibus. Stop at the Burana tower. |
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| Day 5 |
From Kochkor to Kyzyl-Tuu to see yurtmaking. Next to Temir-Kanat, altitude 2300m. |
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| Day 6 |
Day in Temir-Kanat, overnight stay with local family. Hiking or horse riding into the Mountains. |
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| Day 7 |
From Temir-Kanat to Ak-Say at the lake. |
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| Day 8 |
Day in Ak-Say. Stay with local family. |
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| Day 9 |
From Ak-Say along the south shore to Karakol, de biggest town on lake Issyk-Kul. Stop at Skazka to hike in a landscape of beautiful carved and coloured rocks. |
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| Day 10 |
Day trip to the flower valley Jeti Ögus. Optional visit to spa. |
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| Day 11 |
From Karakol to Kemin, valley on the border with Kazakhstan. Drive along the northern shore of the lake with visit the archaeological open air museum to see petroglyphes in Cholpon Ata Visit. |
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Day 12
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From Kemin to Bishkek. |
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| Day 13 |
Day trip to Ala Archa National Park, 40 km from Bishkek. |
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| Day 14 |
Day without program, possibility for shopping, visiting museum etc. (lunch not included). |
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| Day 15 |
Departure. |
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Because of unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program. We ask for your understanding.
If you book with 4 persons or more, we offer 5% discount.
In the case that there are less then 4 participants for this tour, you will be requested to pay an additional 100 euro p.p. to make this tour individually or with a small group.
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique...
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This journey suits people who are interested in the nomadic way of life
and the culture of the Kyrgyz people.
We expect you to be a little adventurous, to have an average physical condition
and not necessarily to demand luxury.
