Nomadic Culture & History Tour 2022

Start city tour after late breakfast. Sightseeing tour includes the Monument of Kyrgyz National hero Manas, Changing of Guards of Honor, State Historical Museum, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin statues, main Ala Too Square, governmental buildings, Oak park and Fine Art gallery.

The sightseeing tour of Bishkek comes to the end at the Victory Square.

Welcoming dinner in a local restaurant. (Breakfast – hotel, dinner – local restaurant)

Lunch at a local family in Tokmok. Then, we continue our trip to the Issyk Kul Lake.

Issyk Kul Lake has a tectonic origin. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca, which is located in South America. Its length reaches 182 km, and width is 58 km, maximum depth is up to 668 m. During the summer period temperature of its water reaches up to 20-23 C°. On the way you may admire beautiful landscape and change of scenery.

Arrival at the Cholpon Ata town and visit local famous petroglyphs site. After excursion get accommodated at the resort on the lake shore.

Dinner in a local restaurant. (Breakfast – hotel, lunch – local family, dinner – resort)

Karakol – is a small but very interesting town with its traditional Russian architecture. It was established in the middle of 19th century and became an important garrison settlement in the territory of Issyk Kul region.

City tour here upon arrival. Visit Memorial Museum of N.M. Przhevalski a great Russian explorer and researcher of Asian continent, which 12 km far from Karakol. Later Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now. Also you will 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.

Lunch and dinner at a local cafe in Karakol town.

Accommodation at a hotel. Rest. (Breakfast – resort, lunch and dinner – cafe in Karakol)

Djety Oguz from Kyrgyz language is translated as Seven Bulls. Unlike Fairy Tale Canyon this picturesque gorge differs in the mountains covered with Tien Shan fir tree. At the beginning of the gorge you will face a famous Broken Heart Rock. Walking up further to panorama you will see those famous Seven Bulls rocks. The tourist guide will tell you the legend about the origin of the gorge name. In the Soviet times, there was a sanatorium built in the gorge. Many people used to come here for treatment with the help of radon water. Cosmonauts used to come here for rehabilitation, even Yuri Gagarin.

After Djety Oguz continue drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake till we reach Kajy Sai district where stop for a walk at the Skazka canyon.

Arrival in Bokonbaev village. Accommodation at the yurt camp or guest house. Dinner in place of accommodation.

Rest. (Breakfast – hotel, lunch – en route, dinner – yurt camp / guest house)

After lovely time in Kochkor village head to Tash Rabat caravanserai via Naryn town.

Naryn is a town of long and narrow form, situated along the famous Naryn River also named Syr Darya, which is one of the biggest rivers in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Naryn is the only town in Kyrgyzstan, where 90 % of the population is Kyrgyz. Here we briefly visit the Central Blue Mosque and the Central Square.

Later drive further south in a direction of China. Turn to Kara Koun canyon and reach yurt camp.

Accommodation.

Tash Rabat caravanserai is situated at the elevation of 3200 m asl. not far from Chinese border (Torugart). Its origin is a complete mystery; however, there is a hypothesis that it was built in 10th century. Researchers consider it to be a Nestorian monastery, others suppose it to be a victualing-house for the trade caravans, and third ones insist on its defensive function. It is obviously clear that during the various epochs Tash Rabat caravanserai had different functions.

Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp. (Breakfast – yurt camp / guest house, lunch – family,
dinner – yurt camp)

Lunch en route.

In the afternoon reach Son Kul lake.

Alpine Son Kul Lake is located on Tien Shan range at the elevation of 3016 m. The territory around Son Kul is a pasture for the cattle driven from Kochkor village, Naryn and Jumgal regions. During the summer Son Kul pasture is considered to be the best Kyrgyz jailoo. The road to the lake goes through the windy mountain passes and vanishes in the sky. As a result, Son Kul Lake from Kyrgyz language translates as Last Lake.

Accommodation in a local comfortable yurt camp. Here you can feel like a real nomads and get acquainted with the culture of Kyrgyz people.

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 does not require a lot of time that makes it practical and useful for locals. The interior of a yurt is decorated with felt carpets and traditional embroidery.

Dinner and overnight. (Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – en route, dinner – yurt camp)

Lunch en route.

Upon arrival to Bishkek still have some time to deal with unfinished business, purchase souvenirs or gifts back to your relatives and friends.

Farewell dinner and folklore show at a local restaurant is waiting for us today. Especially for you musicians will play national melodies of Kyrgyz people and show you musical instruments. You will listen to a singing and enjoy the charming melodies of our ancestors.

Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast – yurt camp, lunch – en route, dinner - local restaurant)