July 31 st, August 10th
Hit the road off the beaten track to the most beautiful and unique places in Kyrgyzstan! Drive a powerful 4×4 off-road car, feel the culture of Nomads, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Celestial mountains .
Accompanied by our Tour Leader, Mid-Mountain Guide, professional photographer and magazine journalist: with his advice your trip can become a true reportage of the wildest part of the ancient Silk Road.
Programm (11 days, 10 nights)
Day 1. Arrival – Bishkek (30 km, 40 min)
Arrival to Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick up you and drive you to hotel situated in the capital.
Then we make a city tour in Bishkek. Visit the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square where the State Historical Museum is located. You can enjoy a walk in the Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys making the city a great place to live.
After lunch, you will have time to visit the local market Osh bazar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a big variety of goods and colors.
In the evening, you can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Garden Hotel or similar)
Day 2. Bishkek – Suusamyr – Kyzyl Oy (200 km., 50% paved road, 50% unpaved)
Breakfast at the hotel and then we begin our adventure drive to the Celestial mountains.
At the beginning of our trip, we will have to overcome the mountain pass Too Ashuu. As we cross the tunnel, we arrive to the wonderful Suusamyr valley, a paradise for nomads.
Lunch at the café on the road. After we change the highway to the off-road running along Kokemeren river.
Later we get Kyzyl Oy, a mountain village located at the altitude of 1800 meters. Here you can enjoy the extraordinary landscapes of majestic mountains surrounding the village.
Dinner at the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (CBT Guesthouse or similar)
Day 3. Kyzyl Oy – Son Kul (180 km., 30% paved road, 70% unpaved)
Breakfast in the guesthouse. When driving a short section to the main road, you need to be vigilant, as the road is ridged and very dusty.
From the village our road leads again to the gorge, we will drive the serpentine road along the mountain river. The goal of the day is to reach Son Kul Lake, so we have to overcome another mountain pass, which runs through the coalmine Kara Keche.
When we arrive in the yurt camp in Son Kul, you can value the hospitality of the nomads; get to know their lifestyle.
Lunch and dinner in the yurts.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: Horseback riding, National horse games
Day 4. Son Kul – Tash Rabat (260 km., 50% paved road, 50% unpaved)
We continue our jeep-trip after the breakfast in the yurt.
The goal of the day is to reach the caravanserai Tash Rabat, so we should overcome a mountain pass called Moldo Ashuu.
Tash Rabat is a historical monument founded by monks in the 10th century. During the Silk Road history, Tash Rabat has lost its religious significance and the main function of the monastery was providing a stay for caravans and travelers.
Lunch in the restaurant in Naryn. Dinner in the yurt.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Note: yurt capacity 4 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to availability.
Optionally: Horseback riding
Day 5. Tash Rabat – Kochkor (230 km, 100% paved road)
Breakfast in the yurt. Departure towards Kochkor village. We will drive on a quiet and paved road with less car traffic.
On the way, we pass Naryn and we overcome Dolon pass (3000m).
In Kochkor, the Kyrgyz women show you the producing of the felt, which is used in making the different handicrafts.
You can take a shower and have a rest in the hotel.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Olive Hotel Kochkor or similar)
Day 6. Kochkor – Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Tamga (200 km., 80% paved road, 20% unpaved)
In the morning after breakfast, we go towards the biggest lake of the country Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. We go by the south shore of the and make stops in some places.
On the road, in Bokonbaevo we meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey.
Lunch in the guesthouse or yurt camp.
Later, we visit Skazka canyons, which signify Fairytale. Here you can find objects of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you.
In the evening, when we get to Tamga you will try a real Russian sauna.
Dinner in the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (U Pavla Guesthouse or similar)
Day 7. Tamga – Jety Oguz – Karakol (165 km., 80% paved road, 20% unpaved)
After breakfast, we drive towards Jety Oguz valley. Its name means “seven bulls”. The name is symbolic, because there are seven huge red-brown rocks resembling ranked furious bulls standing together. Especially romantic look has the rock “Broken Heart” located at the entrance to the gorge. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landskapes.
Lunch in the gorge or in Karakol.
When we get Karakol, we will visit its famous sights as Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.
At restaurant for a dinner, you can taste the typical dish of this region ¨ ashlan fu¨, Dungan traditional cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel Karakol or similar)
Day 8. Karakol – Semienovskoe and Grigorievskoe gorges – Tcholpon Ata (170 km, 70% paved road, 30% unpaved)
Slowly we will leave the city of Karakol and drive along the northern shore of the lake towards Grigoriev and Semienov gorges. They are located 60 kilometers from Cholpon Ata.
These places are considered the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kul region. We drive to the first lake at Grigoriev Gorge and we will have a picnic on the shore (if the weather is nice).
You can have a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and have a pleasant pastime in this beautiful place.
In Cholpon Ata, the boat trip on the lake will wait for you for one-hour excursion. Before dinner, you can relax on the beach and swim in the lake.
Dinner in the local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Hotel or similar)
Day 9. Tcholpon Ata – Tchon Kemin (170km., 100% paved road)
We leave our pearl, the Issyk Kul Lake. On the way, we will pass by the small town of Balykchy which means “fisherman”. This city during the Soviet Union was distinguished by its industrial zone, and the main tank division of the country was located there.
We head to the village of Tar Sou located in the Tchon Kemin valley known for its beauty and its rich diversity of animals and plants. You take a walk in the village to see the way of life of the local inhabitants. Lunch and dinner in the guest house.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
Day 10. Chon Kemin – Burana – Bishkek (200 km., 100% paved road)
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Last driving day to Bishkek.
On the road we visit Burana Tower located about 80 km from the capital. The tower with funerary monuments, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch in the restaurant on the road.
Upon arrival to Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents and souvenirs.
In the evening, dinner at traditional Kyrgyz restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Garden Hotel or similar)
Day 11. Bishkek – Airport (flight to destinations)
Transfer to airport
General information
Duration Destination Departure
11 days / 10 nights Kyrgyzstan July 31 (Bishkek)
PRIVATE Group tour (min. 4, max. 12 people): 11 days, 10 nights
COST PER PERSON :
- 4 or 5 person: 4200 €/person
- 6 or 7 person: 3300€/person
- 8 or 9 person: 2800€/person
- 10 to 12 person: 2500€/person
Safety deposit for each car will be blocked in the amount of 30.000 KGS (about 3200 €) on the credit card
PAYMENTS, RESERVATIONS AND PENALTIES POLICY:
Payments: 50% deposit upon booking – balance 45 days before departure.
Cancellation penalty: 50% for cancellation less than 90 days before departure; 100% for cancellations less than 45 days before departure
Booking deadline: tbd
Excursion as scheduled, organisation and assistance in preparing the programme by SUMMIT-8
Accompaniment by Mirko Sotgiu, professional photographer and Mountain Leader AMM
- All transfers
- 1 x Lead car & 1 x Driver
- 4×4 Car Rental with fuel (NISSAN X Terra 4×4 or equivalent)
- English Speaking Guide
- Accommodation described in the program (DBL/TWN) except for Yurt Camp
- Eagle Hunting
- Felt show
- Boat Trip (Cholpon-Ata) – 1 hour
- Full Board (Vegetarian meals available on request)
- Hotel early check included
- Visits described in the program
- Mineral water in the SUVs
- Walkie-Talkie connection between Jeeps
- Ecological & Entrance fees
- All Taxes
- International flights (airline ticketing available upon request: departure July 30, return Aug. 10)
- Alcohol and beverages
- Single Supplement available upon request (except Yurt Camp)
- Porters of luggage at the hotels and airports
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Optional activities
Other items not mentioned as included
Dinners, lunches, drinks, extras and everything not mentioned in “the price includes”.
