Experience the city of Bishkek with its scenic beauty, lakes and day tours
$1371/Person
Hotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt) with Breakfast Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group, Bishkek Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Song Köl Your Local Living Moment: Tamga Village Stay, Tamga. Half-day city tour (Bishkek). Burana Tower visit. Felt-making workshop visit. Karakol city tour (half-day). Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum. Saty Village stay. Kaindy Lake and sunken forest exploration. Charyn Canyon stop. City tour (Almaty). Transport to/from all included activities and between destinations.Hotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt) with All MealsHotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt) with BreakfastHotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt) with Breakfast and DinnerHotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt) with Breakfast
Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Max. Group Size:
16
Guide Languages:
English
Highlights
- Learn about the diverse cultures of Central Asia, Soak in the breathtaking mountain scenery, Connect with the locals during yurt and village guesthouse stays, Wander the Soviet streets of Bishkek, Take in the beauty of Song Kul Lake and Kaindy Lake, Trek to the sunken forest, Learn how yurts are built.
Meals
- 8 breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- , 5 dinners
Accommodation
- Hotels (2 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (2 nts), village homestay (1 nt)
Tour Plan
- Day 1: Bishkek
- Welcome to Kyrgyzstan's artsy capital and cultural hub, situated at the base of the Tian Shan mountain range. There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore!
- Day 2: Bishkek/chong-kemin
- After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Bishkek before travelling to the serenity of Chong-Kemin Valley. Along the way, stop at one of Kyrgyzstan's oldest sights, the Burana Tower and learn about this ancient structure, rare in nomadic culture. Tonight, stay in a cozy guest house run by Ashuu villagers. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village and savour a home-cooked traditional dinner.
- Day 3: Chong-kemin/song Kul
- In the morning, opt for a hike to the nearby mountains or explore the famous gorges of Chong-Kemin. After lunch, enjoy the scenic drive along the Kalmak-Ashuu mountain pass to Song Kul Lake. Immerse yourself in Kyrgyz culture with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt. Experience daily nomadic life and wander the breathtaking landscape. With an altitude of 3,016 meters above sea level, it's possible to experience four seasons in one day! Indulge in delicious home-cooked cuisine for dinner, then get cozy in the yurt around the stove.
- Day 4: Song Kul/tamga
- Tamga village was once famous for its Soviet-era military sanatorium, where Soviet cosmonauts relaxed and recovered after space flights. The complex still exists in its original, untouched 1930's glory, with an atmosphere that would seem to bring you back in time.
- Day 5: Tamga/jety-oguz
- Enjoy a free morning getting to know this isolated village. Around midday, transfer to Ak-Orgo Workshop Centre to observe how traditional yurts are built and learn about the importance of this Kyrgyz craft. Continue to Jety-Oguz Gorge and overnight in another one of those cozy yurts.
- Day 6: Jety-oguz/karakol
- Say goodbye to the beautiful valley of Jety-Oguz and ride to Kyrgyzstan's 4th largest city - Karakol. Stop for a visit at the Prejevalskiy Museum, dedicated to the famous Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky, followed by a city tour. See the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and pagoda-style Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th Century. Spend the afternoon as you wish, exploring Karakol.
- Day 7: Karakol/saty Village
- Cross the border into Kazakhstan on the journey to Saty Village, part of the Kolsay Lakes National Park. On arrival, jump in a Russian 4x4 for the ride to Kaindy Lake, then embark on a trek to explore the sunken forest. Soak in the bright hues and marvel at the eerie sight of submerged trees. Spend the night in a homestay and indulge in traditional Kazakh meals for a true Kazakh experience.
- Day 8: Saty Village/almaty
- Depart early this morning for Almaty, the former Kazakh capital, stopping along the way to marvel at Charyn Canyon. Boasting stunning shades of red, orange, and brown, the Charyn Canyon is a natural wonder comparable in beauty to the Grand Canyon. On arrive in Almaty, take a city tour visiting sights such as Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park, and the striking WWII memorial. Time permitting, opt to climb Green Hill for panoramic views, visit the local markets, or sip coffee in one of the plentiful cafés.
- Day 9: Almaty
- Depart at any time.
