Nomad’s Land and Culture

Our guide will meet you at Manas Airport then we’ll start making our way to the south of Kyrgyzstan, driving through spectacular gorges and crossing high mountain passes. One pass we’ll cross in particular, the Too Ashuu Pass (3,000 m) affords a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the route we'll take is considered one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful. Dinner and overnight accommodations at a guest house in Chichkan.B L DGuest House

Leave early morning and make our way to the city of Jalal-Abad. Jalal-Abad, located in the northeastern portion of the Ferghana Valley, is the fulcrum of activity in the Jalal-Abad Province and is home to roughly 89,000 people. Here we’ll visit the Uzgen Tower built in the 11^th century and mausoleums of famous leaders. The whole way there provides more breathtaking scenery and panoramic views. Overnight accommodations at a guest house.B L DGuest House

Begin our journey to the village of Kazarman. Since Kyrgyzstan is over 90% mountains, it contains many remote pockets of land, some of which are tread by nomads, some inhabited by small villages, and some house nothing except open expanses of wilderness. Kazarman is one of these remote villages. The road to Kazarman will take us through commanding mountains and impressive gorges. We’ll also see nomads that live and herd in this area. Dinner and overnight accommodations at a guest house.B L DGuest House

After breakfast we’ll drive to the city of Naryn located in a gorge. To get there we’ll cross some high elevation passes; the drive is beautiful and won’t disappoint, so make sure to have your camera ready! This area will give you a taste of the wide variety of mountains present in Kyrgyzstan. On the way we’ll also have a chance to meet some authentic nomadic families. Overnight accommodations at a guest house.B L DGuest House

Drive to the village of Kochkor in the morning, passing through another gorge and crossing the Dolon Pass (3,030 m). In Kochkor we’ll see a demonstration of how to make traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets. If you’d like, you can also participate and make one of your own. Kochkor also has a handcrafts museum that contains many national items such as decorations for horse saddles, wolf-skin coats, etc. Overnight accommodations at a guest house.B L DGuest House

Transfer to “the pearl of Central Asia,” Lake Issyk Kul, the world’s second largest alpine lake. Lake Issyk Kul was considered a sacred place for over 1,500 years. Its brilliant blue waters are surrounded by snowcapped mountains. We’ll stop in the village of Bokonbaeva located next to the lake to visit a local eagle hunter. Eagle hunting is the traditional Kyrgyz way of hunting; hunters use eagles to help them catch rabbits and foxes. Afterwards we’ll make our way to the Jeti Oguz Gorge famous for its red rock formations and legendary “broken heart mountain.” Next we’ll continue on to the city of Karakol where we’ll spend the night at a guest house.B L DGuest House

After breakfast we’ll head to the city of Cholpon Ata, stopping along the way to visit both the Semenov and Grigoriev Gorges where we’ll break for a picnic. We’ll arrive in Cholpon Ata in the evening. Dinner and overnight accommodations at a hotel.B L DGuest House

After breakfast we’ll start making our way back to Bishkek, but with some leisurely stops along the way. We’ll drive along Lake Issyk Kul’s northern shore and stop to visit an open air petroglyph museum with inscriptions dating back to 800 B.C. From the museum there’s a fantastic view of the entire lake. As we continue our drive back we’ll also stop by Burana Tower, a minaret from the 11^th century surrounded by a field of stone warriors called balbans. We’ll enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz meal around 7pm. Overnight accommodations at a hotel in Bishkek.B L DGuest House

Transfer to Manas Airport in the morning.B _ __ _ _