From Ferghana valley to the pearl of Tian Shan

Arrival at the airport Osh early in the morning. Meeting by our English speaking guide. Transfer to the guesthouse. Visit of several monuments of the capital of south Kyrgyzstan: Salomon sacred mountain wich is World heritage Site, supported by UNESCO, square of Alymbek Datka, and largest and most crowded outdoor market in all of Central Asia. Overnight in the guest house in Osh.

Morning transfer to Jalal Abad. Visit the mausoleums and Minaret Uzgen on road. After lunch, transfer to the village of Arslanbob. The road follows first the border with Uzbekistan and the Arslanbob mountains. The village Arslanbob has a typical architecture and the center of the largest walnut forest in the world. It is said that Alexander the Great came to have a rest there with his army and would have brought Macedonia to Arslanbob nuts. Possibility to walk to a sacred waterfall or discover kyrgyz cuisine. Overnight in guest house.

In the morning we walk to the waterfall and forests. Lunch in Arslanbob. Then drive to Toktogul lake. We drive through canyon of the Naryn River and barages. Taking several pictures at the edge of the cliffs and the lake stops. Then we go round the artificial lake of Toktogul. Arrival in the gorge of the Chychkhan river. Overnight in the guesthouse.

We drive to Chichkhan Canyon, famous for its honey and trout. Then we leave the canyon to lead the Ala Bel Pass (3175m alt.) We open amazing view of the upper valley of Sussamyr. Driving to this valley will take us to the village of Kojomkul, where we visit the small museum dedicated to local hero who wore stones over 600kg. At noon, we descend the canyon Koekoemeren river that leads to the peaceful village of Kyzyl Oi where we share a meal with our host. In the afternoon, we walk the "red hollow", this little dry with red ocher cliffs valley leaves no doubt that lies above one of the finest pastures Tian Chan. Overnight in homestay.

After our breakfast, we continue down the canyon that offers scenery more amazing. At the intersection with Jumgal river, we ascend the river to these new sources. Stop for lunch at the inhabitant in the village of Djumgal. We discover life "sedimentary!” The nomadic Kyrgyz. After lunch, we go back neck Kyzart (2664m. alt.) And descend to the small village of Epkin, where you will discover the way how to make shirdak, the traditional kyrgyz carpet. Arrival in Kochkor, installation in a homestay. Visit of the town. Dinner and overnight in a homestay.

Morning tour of the city: local crafts bazaar and transfer Barskoon the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul, the second altitude lake after Lake Titicaca, on the called " the pearl of Kyrgyzstan " a sandy shore, huge and deep , without flow. We drive to the village of Kyzyl Tuu for lunch at our host, manufacturer yurt. Then we drive to Bokonbaeva where we visit two eagles and hawks breeders, ancestral tradition received from father to son. Then after getting acquainted with the raptors, we continue our journey to Barskoon to spend the night in a charming guesthouse.

The morning excursion to the frozen (if winter) waterfalls of Barskoon valley, then we drive to valley Jeti Oguz, reflecting means the "Seven Bulls " and the famous red canyons where we take our picnic outdoors and take a short walk from 2 pm the bottom of the valley. Arrival in Karakol, diner in the local restaurant, in town. Overnight in guesthouse .

This day is dedicated to visiting the town of Karakol built at the foot of mountains. (Centennial Orthodox Cathedral and Mosque, Zoo, bazaar, museum and memorial Przewalski). In the middle of the afternoon, we return to the guesthouse to take a bath in the Russian (type sauna). Overnight in guest house. Opportunity to ski in the ski resort of Karakol in winter season. ( www.ski-karakol.com )

Transfer to Bishkek by the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Wake up at 5am, breakfast, then visit the bazaar animals. Then we drive to the Cholpon Ata city, we visit a museum of petroglyphs outdoor and descend slowly to the Boom gorge where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Burana Tower dating from the 11th century, the ancient capital of Central Asia. Arrival in Bishkek, dinner and overnight in guest house.

Depending on your flight time, your guide will join you to the airport and help you check in for your flight.  If your flight is later in the day your guide will show you more places in Bishkek before your flight.

We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and we hope you come back again to explore other counties in Central Asia with us.