Kyrgyzstan Adventure: From Lakes to Peaks

Highlights:
- One of the oldest existing minarets in Central Asia;
- The second biggest lake in the country;

In the morning transfer to the Son Kul lake and en route visit to Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok city. That minaret was constructed in Balasagun town, one of the capitals of Karakhanid State existed in 12 centuries AD. Also, watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient stone statues. After excursion lunch at the Kazakh family house in Tokmok, where we can learn more about life of local people. In the afternoon continue the journey to Son Kul lake, the second largest mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan.

Upon arrival accommodation in the yurt camp located on the south shore, not far from the water of the Song Kul Lake. Dinner at the yurt camp (3100 m). Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: + 2300 m

Driving: 390 km, 8-9 hours

Highlights:
- An opportunity to see the way of life of nomads;

Today, we step into the nomadic life at the Son Kul Lake. Here, Kyrgyz people still live in traditional houses of nomads – yurt. Yurt – is a traditional dwelling of nomadic people of Central Asia. The foundation of yurt consists of wooden carcass and several felt layers. The construction of such dwelling doesn’t require a lot of time that makes it practical and useful for locals. We can optionally have horseback riding (own arrangements) or just hiking, spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their products, like Airan (yogurt) and Kymys (a fermented national drink from mare’s milk).

Lunch and dinner at the yurt camp. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Highlights:
- Old town erected by Cossacks;
- The pearl of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk-Kul lake;

In the morning continue the trip and head further to Karakol town along the south shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Lunch in Bokonbaev village at a local kyrgyz family house. On the way stop to visit and walk around Skazka canyon. The canyon looks scenic with the dark blue Issyk-Kul Lake on the background. After walk we continue drive and in a few hours reach the town.

Upon arrival dinner at a local cafe and accommodation at the hotel (1700 m). Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: - 1400 m

Driving: 350 km, 7-8 hours

Highlights:
- Visit to the main architectural historical heritage of Karakol town;
- First night in tent camp;

In the morning we have sightseeing tour, visit Memorial Complex of N.M. Przhevalsky a Great Russian explorer and researcher of Asian continent, which is in 12 km far from Karakol. Later visit Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda, which is functioning mosque up to now. In addition, we visit Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church. In the miraculous iconostasis of the church there is the famous Tikhvinian icon of Divine Mother, painted in 1897. After sightseeing, lunch at a local cafe.

After lunch we meet mountain guide and porters, further drive to Karakol gorge on a special military truck. Dinner and accommodation at the tent camp (2500 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Driving: + 800 m, 25 km, 1 hour

Highlights:
- The highest peak of Terskei Ala-Too;
- Mountain sauna at the tent camp;

Today, we have radial hike to the foot of Karakol peak. We go along Uyun Tor river, the part of the way is old dirt-truck road that ends after a small river. After we crossed the river the trail is going through Tien-Shan blue spruce forest (starting from May there are flowers blooming on the meadows – snowdrops, tulips, primerose, white anemone, alpine Aster, edelweiss (really big ones), etc. After forest zone we go up to the stone hill and reach the point with a view at the highest peak of Terskei Ala Too – Karakol peak. Here is a nice place to have lunch with a wonderful view.

Later, we walk back to the tent camp with the same route. Dinner and overnight at the tent camp.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: + 700 m, - 700 m, 16 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- Magnificent Ala-Kul lake;
- The Highest overnight of the trip;

After breakfast we descent along the gorge about 1 km and later cross the river over a bridge and the trail leads us into a forest. Rather long ascent finishes at a steep slope covered with grass, the trail turns into a serpentine, passes by a river overflow, and arrive to an unusual place, which is called “Sirota” mountain log hut. There is a table, benches, fireplace inside. We can find a number of sculptures of animals and idols carved in wood around the hut. It looks like a fairy tale place. It is a nice place to sit down, rest, have a snack. Later, the trail goes up higher, leaving the forest behind we hike along the river and reach a beautiful waterfall, flowing down from Ala-Kul Lake. We pass the waterfall and ascent on a natural dam, from where we can see Ala-Kul lake. The last kilometer till the tent camp goes along the lake.

Dinner and overnight at the tent camp (3600 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: + 1100 m, 10 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- Natural hot springs;
- Highest pass of the trip;

Moraine Lake of Ala-Kul stretches from east to west for 2.8 km, its width is 500 m and depth 70 m. Ala-Kul means Colorful Lake in Kyrgyz language. Depending on the light the water might change its color. It can be emerald green, turquoise with white clouds reflected, light green or dark grey, or even black. After breakfast we start the ascent to Ala-Kul pass. During the ascent, we enjoy wonderful views of the lake. Arriving closer to the lake we see the main range of Terskei Ala-Too with a number of peaks – Ak-Suu, Djigit, Karakol, Oguz Bashi, etc. From the lake edge, it will take us another hour and half to the pass. Descent from the pass along a talus slope, and later across a wide valley of Keldike with picturesque landscapes, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing.

Upon arrival to the tent camp you may use an opportunity to relax in the hot springs. There are thermal baths (up to +50C) in the valley. Dinner and overnight at the Guest house (2600 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Trekking: + 200 m, - 1200 m, 18 km, 6-7 hours

Highlights:
- Transfer on a special military truck from the gorge to Karakol town;
- Overnight on the shore of the biggest lake in the country;

There is a resort Altyn Arashan, founded in 1963, famous for its hot mineral springs. The resort represents several wooden huts located on a big treeless meadow on the right bank of Arashan river. The Northern slopes of the left river bank are covered with fir trees. It gives an unforgettable picture – dark green trees with snowcapped mountains “Ak-Suu wall” (5022m) in the background. In the morning special military truck will come to the tent camp to pick us up. After breakfast we start drive towards Karakol town along the gorge. The descent is over green fields with blooming flowers and crystal mountain springs. The final 5 km of the gorge are very narrow, not more than 30 m width with high rock walls. At the entrance to the gorge we pass by a village – Ak Suu (the name comes from the hot springs). Here you will take place inside the car and drive to Karakol.

Lunch at a local cafe in the town. After lunch continue drive to Cholpon Ata town. Upon arrival accommodation in a hotel on the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (1600 m).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Driving: - 1000 m, 185 km, 4-5 hours

Highlights:
- Scythian petroglyphs near Cholpon-Ata town;
- Beautiful Boom gorge;

In the morning transfer to the Bishkek city. En route we also visit so called “Stone garden” or Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hung suns civilizations dated back 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungei Ala-Too Range with a beautiful view of the whole lake. Continue driving to Bishkek.

Lunch en route. Upon arrival to the capital accommodation at the hotel. Last dinner at the cafe.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Driving: - 800 m, 270 km, 5-6 hours

Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Departure back home.

Meals: Breakfast

Driving: 30 km, 45 min