Celestial mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

 

The name of tour: Celestial mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Tour's destinations: Bishkek, Ala Archa, Burana, Chon Kemin, Issyk Kul, Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Kochkor, Son Kul, Osh, Khujand, Iskanderkul Lake, Dushanbe. 

Quantity of the days: 11 days 

Day 1: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek
This day you will land at Manas International Airport and meet the guide and escort you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. This day you will have a city tour. The first part of the day you will visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. In the afternoon we will visit Ala Archa gorge. The attractive gorge offers you a beautiful view of the mountain gorge. Located a 45 - minute drive from the city, it attracts a huge number of visitors. The Ala-Archa gorge is a favorite place for tourists who go to nature just to relax or practice rock climbing. You will have an exciting trip where you can see a panoramic view of the gorge, this place is also rich in its flora and fauna. You will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin
After breakfast you will experience Asian Bazaar. Today you will see amazing rows with goods, real life of the city, where residents come to this attraction and buy a grocery to their home. Then you will drive to Chon Kemin gorge. You will also discover Burana minaret of the X-XI centuries of the Karakhanid Empire in the Chui valley in the North of Kyrgyzstan. You can also see the balbal Museum of stone sculptures. And climb to the top to see an unsurpassed view of the Chui valley. After that you will transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. In the second part of the tour you will have amazing horse riding about 3 hours. The route tour will take you to fascinating top of the mountains and discover a mountain forest. From the top you will observe enchanting view of the gorge. The overnight is in the home stay. 

Day 3: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore - Karakol
Today you will travel to amazing Issyk Kul Lake. "The pearl of Kyrgyzstan"  this is how Kyrgyz people call it. It is located in the North-Eastern part of the Republic between the ridges of the Northern Tien Shan: Kungei Ala-Too (facing the sun) and Terskey Ala-Too (facing away from the sun) at an altitude of 1608 m above sea level. Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. This day you will drive along northern shore and arrive to Karakol town. You can observe and admire the amazing views of the lake. En route you will explore stone patterns - petroglyphs. When you will arrive to Karakol you will visit the Dungan mosque and also discover an old wooden Orthodox Church. The night is in the guesthouse. 

Day 4: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Kochkor
This day you will transfer to Jeti Oguz gorge. Jeti Oguz is translated from Kyrgyz as "Seven Bulls". Unsurpassed gorge was so named because of the red sand rock formations covered with spruce forests. You will also see the famous "Broken Heart" and take photos. Also, if you can, go up to the top and enjoy the beautiful view of the gorge. After you will direct to Bokonbaevo village, where you will get acquainted with a local eagle-hunter. This is an ancient art of hunting with eagles, which has been practiced until our time. Eagles hunt foxes, lynxes, and rabbits. The overnight is in the hotel.

Day 5: Kochkor - Son Kul
Today your journey will lead you to fascinating Lake Son Kul. Located at an altitude of 3000m located in a valley between two mountain ranges on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The lake bed is 29 km long and 18 km wide. The largest recorded depth is 14 m, with a total area of 278 sq. km. Since the lake is fresh, it freezes in November and thaws in April. It is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk Kul. People come here to relax, have fun, take a break from civilization and take photos. Local residents drive cattle to the pasture. On the lake you can have a great time, walk along the beach and explore the lake. The night will be in the yurt. Dinner and overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. This is a mobile prefabricated dwelling made of wood, koshma, felt, reeds, tanned skins, decorated with ornaments made of metal (silver).

Day 6: Son Kul - 33 parrots Pass - Kochkor - Bishkek
Today you will meet local residents and direct to Bishkek. You will lead through 33 parrots pass (3 133 m). From a height of more than 3000 meters, you can enjoy a Royal view of the gorge, and from the top you can see almost all 33 turns of the steep serpentine. You will be mesmerized by the beautiful nature and will be able to take photos. After arrival to Kochkor village you will learn how to make a national felt carpet, the pride of Kyrgyzstan. This is all you will see a local family who will meet you.  Then you will visit a small handicraft museum there. There are located  many examples of silver decorations, coats made of wolves, horse saddle decorations, carpets and more. Further you will continue tour with driving to Bishkek city. You will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek - Osh
After the breakfast you will direct to the airport for a flight to the ancient city Osh. When you will arrive to Osh you will be offered to stroll along the streets and overlook the attractions of the south capital of Kyrgyzstan. Today you will visit pilgrimage place - Suleiman Mountain. On Sulaiman-Too Mountain, tourists can see ancient mosques, mausoleums, a medieval bathhouse and unique caves. Sulaiman-Too is a mountain in the very center of Osh.it was called Bara - Kuh until the XVI century. The Sulaiman-Too mountain range is 1,140 meters long and 560 meters wide. In the tour you will also explore Asian Bazaar. Toda you will see amazing goods, buy fresh vegetables or fruits. The night is in the hotel.

Day 8: Osh - Guliston border - Khujand  
After breakfast you will transfer to Tajik border and then to Khujand city. You will be picked up by Tajik guide on the border and accompany to Khujand city. The population is 149 thousand inhabitants. One of the oldest cities in Central Asia. The second largest city in Tajikistan, an important transport hub, political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. In course of the tour you will Cultural Palace of Khujand. The first President of the Republic was elected in this place. Today you will visit Central Mosque that is located in the center of the city. The overnight is in the hotel.

Day 9: Khujand - Iskanderkul Lake
This day you will have a travelling to high Mountain lake - Iskanderkul (2 255 m. a. s. l.). Iskanderkul lake - a real gem of the Fang Mountains is located at an altitude of 2.1 thousand meters above sea level. Iskander - Alexander, "Kul" - "lake". This place is one of the most fascinating places in Central Asia.  You will explore the beaches of the lake and take photos. Today you will be offered to visit a waterfall. Tajikistan is a country that is rich in water resources, there are a lot of them in the country: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. You will spend the night in a homestay.

Day 10: Iskanderkul - Dushanbe
This day you will lead to fascinating capital Dushanbe via Anzob pass (3 372 m) and tunnel of Isticlol. Your tour route will take you along majestic mountain passes, you will have a chance to make photos and admire the nature of this region. After arrival to the capital you will have a highlight tour where you can observe the major attractions. You will experience Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. Then you will visit National park, Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world - 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. You will also explore Central Museum and discover Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. Your night will be in the hotel. 

Day 11: Flight
In the morning is transfer to the airport.

 

Transport in KG:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter 

Transport in TJ:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex 
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex 
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex  

 

Price per person:
02 pax - 1 520 $
04 pax - 970 $
06 pax - 880 $
08 pax - 755 $
10 pax - 745 $
Single -160 $ 

All dinners - 150 $
All lunches and dinners - 300 $ 

To be 2 in one yurt (now 4 pax) - 15 $ per person

 

English speaking guides:
KG - 600 $ per group
TJ - 380 $ per group

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Chon Kemin - Homestay
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Kochkor - Homestay
Son Kul - Yurts, "Nomad's Dream" camp (4 pax in 1)
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - Home stays
Dushanbe - "Meridians" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Horse riding in Chon Kemin
- Mineral water during the tour
- Flight tickets Bishkek - Osh (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg) 

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide