Kyrgyzstan trekking 7

Places to visit: Bishkek - Karakol - Mokraya Polyana - Eastern Irdik Lake - Western Irdik Lake - Karakol - Kochkor - Bishkek

 

Your travel will start in the morning and on the way to Karakol you will visit the Burana Tower (minaret referring to the 11th century) with an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). Then you go to the incredible Issyk-Kul Lake - the second deepest lake in the world (1609meters above sea level). The Lake is also known as "Kyrgyz Sea", because of its huge size. You will really enjoy the wonderful view of the Tien Shan Mountains that surround this lake. On the way, you stop for a short break during which you have short excursion of ancient stone inscription (dating back to 800 B.C.). They were depicted by local tribes of Saks and Usuns which believed that through these inscriptions they sent their wishes to gods. During transfer to the Karakol town you will drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Rooms are ordered in guesthouse "Elita" in Karakol there you spend one night.

 

You visit the Dungan mosque in the morning. This mosque was built in Chinese architectural style without using a single metal nail. After that you visit an old wooden Orthodox Church. It was built more than 100 years ago and attracts a lot of visitors even nowadays. Afterwards you will be transferred to Karakol gorge. It is an amazing gorge that is situated at the very heart of the Terskey Mountains. Here you can see Tien-Shan spruce trees that are widespread only in Kyrgyzstan. These trees can grow up to 18 meters and the diameter of their trunks - 1.5 meters. You have hiking to the foot of the glade with the name « Mokraya Polyana » (7 h). Night is in tent camp at the height of 2790 m. above sea level.

 

This morning you begin with hiking to the Irdik Lake (3200 meters asl, 7 hours hiking). You hike over the pass Bokovoi (3300 m). During the hike you will see different landscapes; steep cliffs and precipices, high rocks, green mountains; you go through the juniper forest where you feel absolutely clean and fresh air. There you can see a sunset over the most beautiful peaks of Kungey Ala-Too mountain range: Fuchika (4010m asl), Morozov (3960m asl), 800 years of Moscow (3872m asl). Night is in tent camp.

 

You will be hiking for 7 hours today. On the way you will see a lot of edelweiss fields (the flowers of love) and pastures that are used by Kyrgyz nomads. You will see a lot of marmots at the altitude of 3650 m. On the way will you hike over Severnyi pass which is 3380 meters asl. During the hiking there you will forget about every day fuss and you can really relax and enjoy views of our primordial nature. Camping is at the height of 3300 meters. asl; night is in tent camp.

 

After breakfast you start your hiking with descent to Diychin valley (5 hours), many Dungan people live there. Dungans are Chinese Muslims that were prosecuted by the Chinese in the 19th century and fled to Kyrgyzstan. Today you visit a Dungan family, and you w try traditional cuisine lagman. While hiking to the village it is sometimes possible to meet real nomads on the way. Every summer they go up to the mountains with their cattle and live in yurts. Yurts are collapsible nomadic dwellings that are made of felt. Then you go to Karakol (10 km - 25 min). Rooms are ordered in "Elita" guesthouse (1650 m).

 

In the morning our driver will bring you to the Kochkor village. In Karakol you go to a local bazaar and try national dishes, such as ashlyamfu and shashlyk made of beef or lamb. After that you begin your way to Kochkor village. On the way you visit Djeti Oguz Mountains that are very popular because of their beauty and of course you will see the Broken Heart Mountain. During driving along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake you are visiting a family factory of producing yurts.  Lunch is ordered in Bokonbaevo village in Talgat's House. He is famous hunter with golden eagles. Hunting with golden eagle is very popular in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Talgat will tell you about the unique type of hunting. In the afternoon you can take some pictures of the birds. After arrival in Kochkor village you  see the process of making traditional Kyrgyz carpets and you can even to take part in this process .After it you have traditional dinner in a yurt during which you will be listening the performance of local musicians.  This night you spend in a home of local family.

 

Breakfast is in the house of host family. After it you come back to the Bishkek city. After arriving you have free time in your guesthouse and then will be the last dinner in national restaurant with national music. You spend the last night in Kyrgyzstan in "Celestial mountains" guest house. You will be picked up from your hotel and accompanied by our tour-guide to International Airport Manas according to the details of your flight.