In The Footsteps Of The Silk Road
About this tour
Following in the footsteps of the Great Silk Road, you get closer to the culture of Kyrgyz nomads. This tour goes really off the beaten track. The freshness of Kel Suu Lake and the snowy peaks of Tian Shan mountains will offer you unforgettable positive memories.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Arrival to Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick up you and drive you to hotel situated in the capital. After breakfast in hotel, we start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square where the State Historical Museum is located. After we 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, we 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, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
Day 2: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzyl-Oi, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast in the hotel. At the beginning of our journey, we will have to overcome two mountain passes Too Ashuu. We cross the wonderful Suusamyr valley, a paradise for nomads and their cattle. Dinner in the café on the road. Later we change the highway to the off-road; our road will run along Kokemeren. We get Kyzyl Oy, a mountain village located at the altitude of about 1800. Here you can take a picture of extraordinary landscapes of majestic mountains surrounding the village. Especially colorful is the red clay covering the mountains from bottom to top. This clay was used as material for house building since the beginning of 20th century. Nowadays some of these houses can be still seen in Kyzyl Oy. Dinner in the guesthouse. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Guesthouse (CBT Guesthouse or similar)
Day 3: Kyzyl-Oi, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Diner in the guesthouse. Departure. 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. Note: yurt capacity 6 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Yurt camp Optionally: national horse games demonstration, horse riding
Day 4: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan
We continue our 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. Note: yurt capacity 6 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Yurt camp Optionally: horseback riding
Day 5: Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan to Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning, we visit the Tash Rabat caravanserai. After we pick our way towards the Chinese border in order to reach the Kel Suu mountain lake. This mesmerizing lake is located at an altitude of 3 400 meters. Surrounded by steep rocks from all sides, this lake has many caves, grottos and stone islands. We arrive to the yurt camp and after some rest, we will hike to the lake (ca. 2 h.) or if you want you can ride a horse (ca. 1 h.) (option). At the end of the day, we will have a rustic dinner in the yurt camp. Note: yurt capacity 6 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Yurt camp Optionally: horseback riding
Day 6: Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
We will spend a whole day on the area of the mountain lake. You can ride horses and explore this magic and gorgeous place. All the meals are served in the yurts. Note: yurt capacity 6 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2 pax per yurt according to the availability. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Yurt camp Optionally: horseback riding
Day 7: Köl-Suu, Kyrgyzstan to Naryn, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast in the yurt. In the morning, we keep our road towards Naryn, the center of the region. On the way, we pass Kyrgyz traditional jayloo, the summer pastures with yurts camps of nomads. As you arrive to the city, you will take shower and have a rest in the hotel. Before dinner in the restaurant you can take a walk in the town. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Hotel (Khan Tengri Hotel or similar)
Day 8: Naryn, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning, after breakfast we go towards the biggest lake of the country Issyk Kul, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. We go by the south shore of the lake. On the road, in Bokonbaevo we meet eagle hunter with his bird of prey (option). 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. You can hike here for one hour. In the evening, when we get Tamga you will try a real Russian sauna. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Guesthouse (U Pavla Guesthouse or similar) Optionally: yurt show, eagle hunting
Day 9: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast, we go 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 landscapes. 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. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Guesthouse (Jamilya Guesthouse or similar) Optionally: dinner with Dungan or Uighur family
Day 10: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
After the breakfast, we go towards Grigoriev and Semienov gorge. They are located on the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, 60 kilometers from Cholpon Ata. These places are considered as 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 the evening, we get Chon Kemin valley. Dinner in the guesthouse. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
Day 11: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer to Bishkek. On the road we visit Burana Tower located about 80 km from the capital. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, 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. After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market and buy some presents. In the evening, dinner at traditional Kyrgyz restaurant. Meals included: breakfast Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
Day 12: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan
Transfer to the airport. Departure.
What's included
• All transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle • English speaking driver (2-4pax) • Russian speaking driver (6-10pax) • Accommodation described in the program in twin /double room/tents/yurt • Breakfast • Visits described in the program • Mineral water • Permits for the border zone for Kel Suu lake
• International flights • Personal expenses • Single room supplement • Insurance • Early check-in • Optional activities • Other items not mentioned as included
What to know
• English speaking guide – 995 $ per group • Lunches & Dinners – 242 $ per person
Route & locations
Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan