Terra Fantastica Tour - Tien Shan - Issyk-kol - 7 Days
About this tour
This tour is ideal for those who want to discover for the first time the Land of Heavenly Mountains - a land of endless mountains, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, green gorges and blue lakes. If you choose this tour, you will be immersed in the culture, history and life of the nomadic people - the Kyrgyz. You will get to know the pearl of the Tien Shan Mountains - Lake Issyk-Kol, the second deepest and largest high mountain lake in the world. We will explore the territory of this fantastic country, where great and interesting events in the history of mankind have taken place. You will learn and even build your first yurt. You will learn what a Blue Wolf game is all about. You will experience the depth of melody and meaning of Kyrgyz folk music. Welcome to the Kyrgyzstan.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The first day of the programme. Arrival to the country of heavenly mountains - Kyrgyzstan. * Accommodation in a hotel. * Meet and get to know all group members. * Briefing on the programme in Kyrgyzstan. Presentation of gifts. * We will get to know with the capital of Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek. * City tour, excursion. * Getting acquainted with local cuisine.
Day 2: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
Today we get to know the heavenly mountains of the Tien Shan. First we drive out to explore our first attraction, the Burana Tower. It is a historical and archaeological site and one of the oldest existing towers from the 10th century. We will learn interesting secrets and stories that took place here. After Burana Tower we will go to get acquainted with the national cuisine of Dungan - ethno-nationality originating from China. After a rich and tasty lunch, we continue to one of the unique and beautiful National Park of Chong-Kemin. In the afternoon we will arrive in the beautiful Chon-Kemin valley and stay in the warm and cosy atmosphere of the guesthouse. After staying at the guesthouse, we will go to watch the most important national horse game - Kok-Boru. In the evening we return to the guesthouse for dinner and excellent nomadic music.
Day 3: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan
Today is the day of our introduction to the pearl of the heavenly mountains - Lake Issyk-Kol. We will explore its southern shore. First we will learn how to build a traditional house and the basis of nomadic life - a yurt. Then we will go to look for eagle hunting show performance (optional). After a good lunch we go straight to the Fairy tale - the colourful canyon on the southern shore of the lake. We will have a chance to get to know the lake and have a swim in it. After a swim in the lake (optional) we move on to Barskoon Gorge. The place where there are many snow leopards and also in the gorge in whose upper reaches there is the second highest gold mine in the world. Overnight in a glamping site and dinner in the Barskoon Gorge
Day 4: Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
After waking up today, the first thing we'll do is explore the surroundings of our glamping site, in particular a waterfall hidden in a spruce forest. We will also see the memorial to Yuri Gagarin - the first man in space. We will also learn interesting stories connected with this gorge. After a delicious breakfast we continue to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge. A place of spiritual peace and idyll. Here we will also have the opportunity to visit a cave (optional). After getting to know the gorge, we drive to the capital of Issyk-Kul - Karakol town. There we will explore one of the old buildings of the Orthodox Church and a Dungan mosque. There will be an opportunity to visit souvenir shops. In the evening we will have dinner in the cosy atmosphere of a yurt with a Kyrgyz family and try a rare and very tasty Yssyk-Kul dish. In the evening we will listen to a musician playing national Kyrgyz instruments.
Day 5: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Wake up, we have a full programme today. First of all we will go to the ski base, where we will have an opportunity for an easy trekking up to a very beautiful panorama of Kyrgyz Switzerland. After our walk we will return to Karakol, where we will get introduced to a very interesting museum of the explorer of the Heavenly Mountains - the Przhevalsky Museum. Having learned a lot about the Tien Shan mountains, we will take a boat ride on the Issyk-Kol lake. Our water activities do not end here, we will get introduced to the local thermal springs. After a good rest we will have a delicious dinner and return to the hotel.
Day 6: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Today is the second-last day of our tour. After waking up we will drive to the northern shore of Issyk-Kol. First we will drive to the White River Gorge, where we will have the opportunity to walk to a beautiful milk lake. After a delicious lunch of river trout, we drive to the resort town of Cholpon-Ata. Here we will be introduced to a local attraction - petroglyphs. Stones with drawings left by ancient people before the birth of Jesus. After the sightseeing we will have a chance to relax in the open air in the thermal baths. We then check into the hotel and have dinner.
Day 7: Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Today is the last day of our week-long and busy tour around the Pearl of the Heavenly Mountains - Lake Yssyk-Kol. Today we will head back to Bishkek. After arriving in Bishkek we will have a good lunch and transfer to the airport.
What's included
- Group/Individul transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle - English speaking driver (2-4 pax) - Accommodation described in the program - Full board - Sightseeing tour around Bishkek, Karakol & Burana Tower - Additional performances (Yurt show, Eagle Hunting show, Folk Show, Kok-Boru show) - Boat trip - Entrance tickets (Petroglyphs, Hot Springs, Environmental fees)
- International flights - All personal purchases - Drinks & Beverages - Early check-in on arrival day in Bishkek - 95 USD per DBL/TWN room - Early check-in on arrival day in Bishkek - 75 USD per SGL room - Tips for driver and guide - Optional activities - Other services not mentioned as included
What to know
The tour can also be modified to suit your requirements. Depending on your wishes, preferences and time. Anything can be added or removed from the tour. Just get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan