The Six Lakes of Kyryzstan
Conquer the six most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan by challenging the celestial mountains of Tien-Shan. This very varied circuit will allow you to discover not only the virgin nature of Kyrgyzstan but also the culture of the Kyrgyz people.15 days | 14 nights
Distance: 2350km
Max Altitude: 3900m
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Accommodation: Hotel | Guesthouse | Yurts
Day 1 | Airport - Bishkek
Arrival at Manas airport (35 km from the city). Welcome by the guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel. Rest. After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Kyrgyz capital: its green parks, markets, central square and history museum. Lunch and dinner in traditional restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar
Day 2 | Bishkek - Son kul lake
Departure from the hotel at 09:00 am. We head towards the wonderful Son-Kul lake at an altitude of 3015 meters above the sea level. It is a paradise for nomadic shepherds and their animals who live there from May to October. You will have the opportunity to experience the life of the Kyrgyz nomads and their traditions.Accommodation: Yurt camp
Day 3 | Son kul lake - Tash Rabat caravanserai
Departure from Son kul from Son Kul after breakfast. We leave Son-Kul on foot (4 hours walk) and join our driver who will be waiting for us to bring us to another yurt camp next to the Tach-Rabat Caravanserai dating from the 11th century and located at 3500 m altitude. Picnic on the way. Arrival in the afternoon in Tach-Rabat caravanserai. We will be able to enjoy the sauna and visite the caravanserai. Dinner in the yurt camp.Accommodation: Yurt camp
Day 4 | Hike to the '' Panorama '' pass
After breakfast, 8 hour hike to the '' Panorama '' pass (4050 m). The goal is to climb to the pass to see Chatyr – Kul Lake located on the other side of the pass. Picnic on the '' Panorama '' pass. Picnic at the pass. Return to the yurt camp in the evening, sauna and dinner.Accommodation: Yurt camp
Day 5 | Tash Rabat caravanserai - Kel Suu lake
Departure at 8:30am. Arrival at the Kel Suu yurt camp around noon. After lunch we set off on horseback to Kel Suu Lake (3 hours round trip). After picnic we return to the yurt camp afternoon. Dinner in the Yurt camp.Accommodation: Yurt camp
Day 6 | Kel Suu lake - Kochkor
Departure to Kochkor after breakfast. Lunch in Naryn. In Kochkor, we attend a folklore show. This is the opportunity to discover the songs and instruments of Kyrgyz music. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.Accommodation: Mira guesthouse or similar
Day 7 | Kochkor - Kol Ukok lake
Departure at 09:00 am. Our driver takes us to the village of Isakeev from where we set off on horseback to Kol Ukok lake (4-5 hours). Kol-Ukok is a small isolated mountain lake, populated by three families of nomads for the summer. Picnic on the way. Kol Ukok can only be reached on foot or on horseback. In the afternoon, for those who want, trek on foot to Kol Tor lake (2 hour walk). Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.Accommodation: Yurt camp
Day 8 | Kol Ukok lake - Bokonbaevo
After breakfast, we take the same route on horseback to the village of Isakeev. Lunch in Kochkor Arrival in Isakeev, we take the car to go to the Bokombaev village located on the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Along the way, we stop at the Orto-Tokoi reserve to see the bactrian camels. In Bokonbaevo, we meet an Eagle hunter and his birds of prey. We will be able to get acquainted with the ancient tradition of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia - Eagle hunting, participate in a hunting demonstration and take pictures with golden eagles. Dinner in guesthouse.Accommodation: Emily guesthouse or similar
Day 9 | Bokonbaevo - Karakol - Sirota
Departure at 8:30 am. Arrival in Karakol, we meet our local guide and his team who will accompany us during the 3 days of trek towards Ala Kul lake. Transfer to the starting point of our trek in Soviet SUV. Then treking of about 3 hours to arrive in Sirota camp.Overnight in tents
Day 10 | Sirota - Ala Kul lake - Keldike
After breakfast in Sirota, long day of walking awaits us. We pass Ala Kul lake (3520 m) and the pass with the same name (3860 m). Then, we will descend into the Keldike valley. Dinner in Keldike. Overnight in tents.
Day 11 | Keldike - Altyn Arashan valley
After breakfast, we will descend to Altyn Arachan valley(4 hours walk). The picturesque Altyn Arashan Valley is an ideal place to relax after a long hike. Relaxation and swimming in the hot springs. Lunch and dinner in guesthouseAccommodation: Aftandyl guesthouse or similar
Day 12 | Altyn Arashan valley - Karakol
Departure after breakfast. 4 hours of walking to get down to the village of Ak-Suu where our driver is waiting for us to bring us to Karakol. Lunch in a cafe in Karakol. Visit of an orthodox church of the Holy Trinity and a mosque built by a Chinese architect at the beginning of the 20th century. Dinner in a restaurant in Karakol.Accommodation: Djamilya guesthouse or similar
Day 13 | Karakol - Tamchy
After breakfast, we drive towards Tamchy village on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, 170 km from Karakol. On the way stop at Cholpon-Ata to have lunch and visit the sights of this city, Rukh Ordo spiritual complex and Petroglyphs museum. Arrival in Tamchy, if the weather is good, swimming in the lake. Dinner in the guesthouseAccommodation: CBT guesthouse or similar
Day 13 | Karakol - Tamchy
After breakfast, we drive towards Tamchy village on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, 170 km from Karakol. On the way stop at Cholpon-Ata to have lunch and visit the sights of this city, Rukh Ordo spiritual complex and Petroglyphs museum. Arrival in Tamchy, if the weather is good, swimming in the lake. Dinner in the guesthouseAccommodation: CBT guesthouse or similar
Day 14 | Tamchy - Bishkek
After breakfast we return to Bishkek. On the way, lunch and visit of the Burana tower. Arrival to Bishkek in the afternoon. Last preparations before the flight(buying souvenirs, sending postcards). In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar
Day 15 | Bishkek - Airport
Transfer to the airport. Departure.Included :
• All transfers in a comfortable car with AC
• Experienced driver
• English/German/French/Spanish/Italian speaking guide
• Full board
• Accommodation in Yurts / Double / Twin
• All entrance
• Eagle hunting demonstration
• Folklore show
• Local guide and horses during the treks (day 4, day 5, day 7 and 8)
• Local guide and porters during the trek (day 9, day 10 and 11)
• Border permits and entrance fees
• Hot springs in Altyn Arashan
Not included :
• International flights
• Insurance
• Single supplement
• Personal expences
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips
