Trip around Issyk-Kul Lake towards Son-Kul Lake

11
Days
June
-
September

We invite you to discover North and Central Tien-Shan, to drive around Issyk-Kul Lake and Son-Kul Lake. To explore its nature. We will visit famous valley and gorges, hiking to Ala-Kul Lake and visit hot springs of Kara-Tash in Inylchek area. And for sure you will discover kyrgyz culture by meeting nomads deep in the mountains in their yurts at the Land of Nomads - Son-Kul Lake.

Program
Day
1

Manas airport – Ala-Archa – Bishkek, up to 120 km.

Meeting at Manas Airport and moving to Bishkek. Few hours rest in hotel and after lunch driving to Ala-Archa National Park. The park, which includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding it, is a popular destination point for weekend picnickers, hikers, horse trekkers, skiers as well as mountain climbers looking for challenging ice, rock and mixed routes. Walking to Ak-Sai waterfall and back way to Bishkek. Dinner at local restaurant.

Day
2

Bishkek – Burana – Chon-Kemin, up to 170 km.

We will drive under mountains of Kyrgyz Range through villages, which is located close to range. Here you can feel fresh mountain air, after 1.5 hour of driving we will arrive to The Burana Tower. The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, which was established by the Karakhanids at the end of the (XI - XIII вв.) century. We will make radial trekking to Konorchek Canyons on the way (if weather will be open). We will walk from main road in Boom Gorge through narrow dry gorge and a maze of rocks scattered over a dry riverbed. In the canyons, you’ll see red sandstone columns which looks like Grand Canyon in Colorado, US! Arriving to Chon-Kemin National Park, dinner and accommodation in guest house.

Day
3

Chon–Kemin – Semenov Gorge – Karakol, up to 200 km.

Moving to Semenov Gorge, which is located on the north Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. After arriving to valley radial trekking to Sut-Bulak Lake. Picnic at the picturesque lake and continue our trip to Karakol. After arriving short city tour in Karakol. Dinner and accommodation in hotel.

Day
4

Karakol – Altyn-Arashan - Karakol, 30 km.

We will drive to the place where we start our hiking to Hot Springs of Altyn-Arashan, descending down back to Karakol on car after taking hot bath with radon water and lunch. Dinner and accommodation in hotel.

Day
5

Karakol-Inylchek-Karakol, up to 250 km.

One day jeep tour to the lost city of Inylchek through Chon-Ashuu Pass 3822 m. and scenic Tien-Shan mountains, a unique place with beautiful scenery and unique hot springs. Acceptance of hot springs and return to Karakol. Dinner and accommodation in hotel.

Day
6

Karakol - Ala-Kul Lake - Karakol, up to 15 km.

Transfer to Karakol Gorge, where we will have radial trekking to Ala-Kul Lake. Ascent and descent takes about 8-10 hours, the lake is at an altitude of 3533m. Distance 11 km. both ways, +- 1000 meters. Dinner and accommodation in hotel.

Day
7

Karakol – Jeti-Oguz Gorge – Bokonbaevo, 200 km

We are visiting popular Jeti-Oguz Gorge that means Seven Bulls. Most famous sight of that place is Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks. We will walk for panoramic view of mountains and continue our trip to Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon located on south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Amongst the weird rock formations, there is a ridge, which resembles two walls of fortification, something like the Great Wall of China, rising vertically out of the surrounding sandstone. Meeting with visit famous master of falconry Ishenbek, who is continue traditions of his parents. He will explain role of eagles and falcons in hunter life of Kyrgyzstan people and why he continue traditions of his father. Dinner and accommodation in yurt camp Bel-Tam located on the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.

Day
8

Bokonbaevo – Son-Kul Lake, 250km

Driving further to Kyzyl-Tuu village, where will be demonstrated yurt show by local masters, who is continue traditions of ancestors. After continue driving to Lake Son-Kul, where you can feel spirit of nomads. In summer some of the local people who live in the villages, leave their homes to go up to the green and luscious meadows of Son-Kul lake. Here during the warm summer months, they graze their cattle in the summer pasture live and in small farmsteads, which are called jailoo. You could see rest of real nomads only Son-Kul Lake, men all day long they ride horses and graze the cattle, which they collected from close villages. Women taking care of children and do housework: clean, cook, bake bread, make delicious butter and other dairy products from cow and horse milk. In the summer pasture, almost all the food is of natural, local products: meat, milk, butter and airan (local yogurt). Here you can see a lot of horses that graze and breed on their own. These noble animals are a particularly nice fit into the Alpine-like meadows. Accommodation and dinner at Yurt camp on Son-Kul.

Day
9

Son-Kul Lake – Kyzyl-Oi Village, up to 150

In the morning, we will have horseback riding to top of mountain in order to see panoramic view to Son-Kul Lake and then after lunch in yurt camp we proceed further to Kyzyl-Oi village via Kara-Keche Pass, which is on the altitude of the 3384 m. This pass is popular for cyclists and off-road lovers. Kyzyl-Oi is a mountain village located at the altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level in the valley of the mighty river Kekemeren. Here you can see an extraordinary landscape of majestic mountains surrounding the village. Accommodation and dinner in family (homestay) CBT guest house in Kyzyl-Oi.

Day
10

Kyzyl-Oi – Too-Ashu Pass - Bishkek, 200 km

We proceed to natural treasure of Inner Tien-Shan, to Suusamyr Valley. Suusamyr is one of the best grasslands in Kyrgyzstan. The pass attracts many alpinists, ski lovers and simply people who love fresh mountain air. Further, our road will pass through majestic Too-Ashu Pass, it lies at the altitude of 3400 m. That road connecting the north and south capitals. You could see amazing landscapes and good few to Suusamyr valley. Arrival to Bishkek and festive dinner in ethno restaurant Supara. Accommodation in hotel.

Day
11

Bishkek – Manas Airport, up to 30 km.

Early morning depart to airport. End of service.

Share this program with friends:

Included

  • All Transfers on SUV (4runner, Sequoia, Delica), depending on the number of people in a group

  • English speaking guide.

  • Full board during the program

  • Admission fee in museums and other sights.

  • Festive dinner in traditional Supara restaurant (except alcohol drinks)

  • Double/Twin accommodation in hotels, guest houses and Yurt camps (3 people in 1 yurt)

  • Trekking team

  • Mineral water

  • Border permit

  • Hot springs

  • Meeting with eagle hunter

  • Yurt show

  • Horseback riding on Son-Kul lake

Not Included

  • Alcohol

  • Visa and other fees

  • Insurance

  • Other personal charges

Notes

This program is for people who can go on foot for 6-7 hours per day. Kyrgyz visa is not required for citizens of the following countries: CIS, EU, the U.S.A., Switzerland and Japan. A passport valid at least for 6 months is needed. Compiled program is exemplary. It can be changed due to schedule flights, weather conditions or your individual order.