4x4 Tour: Discovering Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul lakes
Kyrgyzstan is the country of celestial mountains with rich and unique nature, ancient history and culture. No wonder that tourists from all over the world visit our country every year. Among them there are people who come back here again and again, because it’s impossible to see all stunning places and landscapes during one visit.
We offer you to set off for an amazing journey through our country. We will visit resort areas, learn interesting facts about national customs, see pristine nature hidden in the mountains of Tien-Shan, will explore surroundings of the famous Issyk-Kul Lake (one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world.) and discover the Land of Nomads - lake Son-Kul.
We offer you to plunge into an unforgettable journey at a comfortable SUV.
Manas airport - Bishkek (30 km.)
Meeting with guide at Manas airport and transfer to Bishkek. Rest and breakfast at the hotel. Later in the morning we get vehicles. Then we start our city tour in the national cafe and have a lunch. After we drive to Osh Bazaar to buy some souvenirs, things for trip and just to discover real Central Asian Bazaar. Upon return to the hotel we will walk in the center and see: Victory and Ala-Too square, Erkindik avenue, Dubovy Park. Possible to visit Frunze museum. It’s open till 16:00. Dinner in cafe in the center of Bishkek. Night in hotel.
Bishkek - National Park Chon-Kemin (165 km.)
After breakfast in the hotel we start to drive towards Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountain ridge. By the way we will stop and explore Issyk-Ata Gorge. 1 hour walking to the waterfall. Continue the way to Burana Tower (historical monument from the Great Silk Road era -XI century ). Picnic on the open air. After picnic departure for Chon-Kemin village. Arrival and accommodation at “Ashu” guest house. It’s a unique place reflecting the Kyrgyz people mode of life and providing services at high level. It’s an ideal place for those who want to enjoy a quiet, serene atmosphere and find out more about Kyrgyz culture. Here we will take part in national yurt installation process. Then we’ll join the national bread production process in “tandyr”. We will spend some time relaxing in the open air. Dinner and night in the guest house. Horseback ridings, fishing, rafting – by request.
Chon-Kemin – Cholpon-Ata (150 km.)
After breakfast in “Ashu” guest house we will see national folklore show and will hear national Kyrgyz music. Then we will head towards Cholpon-Ata town situated on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul – the pearl of Central Asia. As we travel towards there we make a stop to look at panorama of the lake. Arrival in Cholpon-Ata. Lunch at the local cafe «Fish Man». After we will visit open gallery of ancient rock engravings (petroglyphs) and make an excursion to the museum of unique cultural center – Ruh-Ordo (Museum of Five Religions). Accommodation in resort where we stay overnight. Free time for having rest. Dinner at the resort.
Cholpon-Ata - Karakol (170 km.)
Today is another huge day, full of spectacular sceneries. After breakfast in the resort we will have a ship cruise over Issyk-kul lake. Then we head for Karakol town. On the way there we visit the most beautiful gorges of Kyrgyzstan - Grigorievskoe and Semenovskoe. Let’s explore these stunning areas and learn some interesting info about them from our guide. Picnic in the gorge near the mountain lake. In the afternoon we arrive in Karakol. We will have a city tour of Karakol. We’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the marvelous religious sites here – old wooden Holy Trinity Church and Dungan Mosque built in the style of Buddhist pagoda. Visiting M.V. Prjevalsky museum. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Karakol - The valley of Altyn-Arashan (30 km.)
After breakfast in the hotel we will drive towards mountains of Terskey Ala-Too to the valley of Altyn-Arashan. The valley is popular for hiking to the nearest peaks and lake Ala-Kul. One slope of the gorge is overgrown with dense spruce forest, and the other is covered with a colorful carpet of mountain herbs, flowers, berries and low shrubs. Also Altyn-Arashan has several small hot-spring developments. Natural hot water flows into a series of concrete pools enclosed by wooden sheds. After discovering the valley we will have a lunch (picnic). Swimming in the hot-springs. Back to Karakol by the evening and have a dinner - lagman-show (amusing making of this national dish). Night in the hotel.
Karakol – Jeti-Oguz gorge – Tamga
After breakfast we will drive towards south shore of Issyk-Kul lake and head to the stunning Jeti-Oguz Gorge. The road leading to Jeti-Oguz runs along a mountain river and through alpine mountains covered with fir forests. Here we will meet real nomads at jailoo (summer pasture) and our guide will tell legend about this unique place. Also we’ll see falconry tradition. Lunch (picnic) in the gorge. Let’s make a trek to the waterfall located high in the mountains and surrounded by rocks. Late afternoon we make our way to village of Tamga where we stay overnight. Diner in the guest house.
Tamga - Kochkor (270 km.)
After breakfast we continue towards south shore of the lake. Then we will turn to the mountain road - to Tosor pass (3800 m.). This road will open for you many interesting and breathtaking landscapes hidden into Tien-Shan. Along the way we will meet real nomads who graze their cattle in the mountain valleys. Picnic on the open air. Descent to Jalpak-Bel pass (3300 m.). Arrival in Kochkor village by the evening. Accommodation and dinner at the guest house.
Kochkor - Son-Kul lake (125 km.)
After breakfast we will visit local craft center where we’ll discover how to make felt products, to learn the national tradition of carpet weaving. We call it felt show. Continue the way to the alpine lake Son-Kul. We will drive on the mountain road - to Kalmak-Ashu pass (3450 m.). Picnic on the pass. Arrival in Son-Kul. It’s real land of nomads. Accommodation and dinner at yurt camp on the shore of the lake. After having a dinner you can see the show of national horse games - by request.
Son-Kul - Kyzyl-Oi (185 km.)
After breakfast we will leave Son-Kul lake and head to Kyzyl-Oi village which is situated in Kyzyl-Korgon Gorge (1800 m.). We will drive on the mountain road - to Kara-Keche pass ( 3384 m.). Descent to Jumgal valley. Then we will enter to Kokomeren valley and have a picnic on the shore of the same name river. You’ll really appreciate the magnificent mountains, many-colored slopes and rapid Kokomeren River flowing between cliffs. Kokomeren valley is a fabulous place. Arrival in Kyzyl-Oi village. Accommodation and dinner at the guest house.
Kyzyl-Oi - Bishkek (200 km.)
After breakfast possible to make a light hike to the mountains of Kyzyl-Oi. Horseback riding by request. Continue the way on the mountain road to the Suusamyr valley (2200 m.). Picnic on the open air. Then we will drive up to the Too-Ashu pass (3400 m.) where we will have a nice view of the valley. Arrival in Bishkek. Accommodation at the hotel. After resting in the hotel we will drive to Supara Ethno Complex where we will have a farewell dinner. Night in the hotel.
Bishkek- Manas airport (30 km.)
Transfer to the Manas airport. Departure.
Включено
- Transfers from and to Manas airport
- Round-trip transportation (SUV - 4 people for vehicle) + car maintenance services
- Hebrew, English or Russian speaking guide
- Meals (3 times a day)
- Accommodation (hotels, guest houses, yurt camps, resorts)
- Excursions, entrance fees to museums, parks and hot-springs
- Folklore show
- Falconry
- Ship cruise
- Yurt installation show
- Carpet weaving
- Tandyr bread preparing show
- Mineral water supply
Не включено
- Airfare
- Visa
- Single rooms
- Alcoholic drinks
- Costs, not mentioned above
Примечания
The climate in Kyrgyzstan is sharply continental, and throughout the day the temperature in the mountains can range from + 30 to 0 degrees, that’s why we recommend the tourists to take warm shoes, warm clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses with them. Tour pricing can change depending on customer’s needs. We can tailor the tour to your requirements: add or subtract number of days, change any itinerary and program, add excursions, activities and a number of other additional extras.
