Cultural tour 6

Kyrgyzstan tour: Tour 6

Destination: Kyrgyzstan

Activity: Cultural tour

Duration: 8 days

Places to visit: Bishkek - Son Kul Lake - Tash Rabat Caravanserai - Kochkor valley - Tamga village - Karakol - Karakol - Bishkek

During this tour you will see our gloriousmountains and two the most marvelous lake in Kyrgyzstan. First of all you will see the largest lake Issyk Kul that overflows between two mountain ranges. Afterwards you will visit our magnificent Son Kul Lake that is situated on the altitude of 3016 m. a. s. l. You will explore yurts and nomadic traditions preserved for many years and it is a great chance to find out more about Kyrgyz life!

Tour summary:

Day 1: Bishkek city

Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to Bishkek City (30 min. drive), where you will start the day with a breakfast. The entire day is dedicated to a guided city tour including lunch. The program includes visiting of the central Ala-Too Square, Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Pobeda Square (Victory Square), the History Museum, Oriental Bazaar, Art Gallery etc. You will be given a separate program, with all places visited including a brief descriptiont. Traditional dinner will be served at 7 p.m. you will spend the night in a Hotel****.

Day 2: Bishkek - Son Kul Lake

After breakfast we departure to the Son Kul Lake highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan. Lunch will be taken on the way. Son Kul Lake situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level is surrounded by mountains and pasturelands . Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake for summer. You will be able to explore and touch the calm and peaceful nature of the lake and its surroundings. Traditional dinner and overnight is in yurts. It is nomadic collapsible dwellings made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings. Traditionally yurts are built without nails.

Day 3: Son Kul Lake - Tash Rabat Caravanserai (Stone castle)

After packing your backpacks, you will be served breakfast at 8 o'clock Then you will go to the Tash Rabat- Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road (Stone Castle from the 14th century). The stout building is a unique one there no other building like Tash Rabat in the whole world. It located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains at a height 3200 m above sea level. And it was built inside a mountain. The thickness of walls is 1 m. There are also gloomy underground prison cells for ancient thieves. Traditional dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend the night in yurts near by the Tash Rabat caravanserai.

Day 4: Tash Rabat - Kochkor valley

strengthening breakfast will be followed by transfer to Kochkor village (185 km). At the Kochkorka village you meet a family that produces national woolen felt carpets. You will be able to create your own carpet. A traditional dinner with a local family will be accompanied by a special national music show. Overnight in the Kochkor Guesthouse.

Day 5: Kochkor valley - Tamga village

You will be served breakfast at 8 o'clock. After that you transfer (200 km) to the divine Issyk-Kul Lake1608m.above sea level). The Lake is also known as "the pearl of Central Asia". On the way you will drive through the gorgeous valley and you will pass the sparkling Orto Tokoi reservoir. In Tamga village you will have a rest on the southern beach of the lake . Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities because of the salty water. Your dinner will be served at 7 p.m. in Tamga Guesthouse, where you will also spend the night.

Day 6: Tamga - Karakol

The day starts with a breakfast at 8 o'clock. Then you swim in the lake and enjoy the beach till 12 pm. Afterwards, you will start your trip to Karakol city by car (50km). You will take lunch in the Karakol. Then you will have a guided Karakol City Tour. There you will visit the museum of M.V. Prejvalsky, one of the world's greatest explores and the Dungan mosque. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. National dinner will be at 8 p.m. Night in a Guesthouse.

Day 7: Karakol - Bishkek

Breakfast is served at 8 o'clock. After the breakfast you will be transferred to Bishkek city via Cholpon Ata city along the northern shore of the magnificent pearl of Central Asia - Issyk-Kul Lake(120km). On the way, we will make a short break at 1 pm, where you can enjoy lunch in a relaxed atmosphere . Afterwards we will give you the opportunity to visit ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.), including the local museum. After that you will be transferred to Bishkek city by car through a stunning Boom Gorge. At 7 pm a farewell dinner is served. Night in a Hotel****.

Day 8: Bishkek - Europe
At the time arranged previously according to your flight details, your guide will meet you in your Hotel and accompany you to Manas International Airport.