10 days around Kyrgyzstan with hiking in the wild

Bishkek – Cholpon-Ata (270 km – 4,5 h) This day after breakfast we will go for a small city tour. On a city tour we will see the main Ala-Too square with the change of guards, old square with the Lenin statue, Oak park and Victory square. Then we will drive to the Boom Gorge. On the way we will visit the historical-architectural complex of Burana Tower. Burana tower (minaret) is located on the territory of an ancient settlement 90km far from Bishkek. The historians and archeologists proved that the settlement was once the capital of Karakhanid Khanate and was called Balasagun founded in 10th century AC. Burana tower is the central monument of this complex. After an excursion we will have lunch in the local family. Arrival in Boom gorge where we will be scouting and exploring the labyrinth of various canyons of Konorchek (10 km hike. Elevation change +200m) with names like „Grand Canyon“, Bobsled“canyon and „skyscraper“canyon - amongst others. In some canyons you’ll really have to strain to measure the true dimension whereas in others one comes face-to-face with the tight passages, some of which you will even have to turn sideways to pass through. Furthermore, it is sometimes necessary to climb the cliffs a bit in order to see the most interesting things. After coming to the last point you will have some time to walk in the area. After that we will go further to Cholpon-Ata town. Evening will be free to walk along the beach and enjoy the beauty of the lake. Overnight in a hotel.

Cholpon-Ata – Gringorievskoe, Semyonov gorges - Karakol (170 km / 3h) This day in the morning we will drive to Karakol town. On the way we will drive to Grigorievskoe gorge with the chance to hike up to the mountainous lake (10 km total walking to the second lake. Elevation change +250m). After the hike we will make a loop through Semyonov gorge and get onto the main road going to Karakol. Coming to the city and overnight in a hotel.

Karakol – Djety-Oguz gorge (30 km / 40 min) This day in Karakol town we will have a small city tour with visiting wooden Russian Orthodox Church of 19th century, Dungan Mosque (XIX century) and local bazaar. After that we will drive to Djeti-Oguz by the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. The gorge is located in 60 km to the west of Karakol on the northern slopes of Terskey-Ala-Too. This is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. For 25 kmon both sides of the gorge the fir trees are growing at first merging into small groups and then turning into huge forest mass. The gorge finally becomes a wide Kok-Djayik valleywhich is totally covered by fir forests up to the very top of the ridge. Over the forest zone (about 3000 m) in the wide valley of about 15 km there are amazing subalpine and alpine meadows called Djailoo. During the spring and the summer Djeti-Oguz gorge turns into a kind of flower holiday, among which you may see the silver stars of Edelweiss flowers, alpine daisies and asters, and nard (golden root). In the Autumn the gorge is being a colorful canvas as it’s covered not only by coniferous forests but also by the leaf trees. In the gorge we will have a hike to the waterfall and see the enormous stone constructions “7 bulls” and “Broken heart” (12 km from the resort to the waterfall and then to the yurt camp). Dinner and overnight in yurts.

Djety-Oguz gorge – Bokonbaevo village (200 km / 2.5h) In the morning we will enjoy the view of Terskey-Ala-Too ridge and after breakfast will continue our way. Southern shore is more picturesque than its northern brother. Though main hotels, night clubs and restaurants are on the north shore, south side has preserved virgin beauty. We will see the amazing change of landscapes like in kaleidoscope. The place we will visit today is Barskoon gorge known for its waterfalls which are not far from the road. Here we may see all three waterfalls (hike to the last Barskoon waterfall 6.5 km total (the hike is very steep). Elevation change +900m) or instead of hiking to the last waterfall you may choose he hike at the Arabel pass from where you may get to the glaciers and beautiful mountain plateaus. Finally you will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo where you will have dinner and overnight in a guest house.

Bokonbaevo – Son-Kul lake (240 km / 5 h) This morning in the village of Bokonbaevo we will visit the house of an eagle hunter and see the eagles, get information about eagle hunting and have an opportunity to hold them in hands. On the way to Son-Kul you will have an opportunity to walk in the Ak-Sai canyons (2 hour walk). The whole originality of the place is the frozen in bizarre forms colorful rocks, like after the eruption. Solid clusters made of limestone and sandstone are bulging from the colorful soil and the place looks like the ruins of ancient castles. Lunch will be in Kochkorka village. After that we will drive over Salkyn-Tor valley and Kalmak-Ashuu pass and you will get to Son-Kul lake located on the height of 3016 m above the sea level. This is the best place for shepherds-nomads. If you have ever heard a beautiful legend about the most beautiful lake in the center of Tian-Shan mountains most possible this was the lake Son-Kul. By some sources its name is translated as “the last lake”. This is the second biggest lake on the territory of Kyrgyzstan after Issyk-Kul lake. And the name can be treated as an “alpine lake”. The lake is located on an alpine meadow surrounded by mountain ridges and has its own microclimate. All the valley is covered with green alpine fields “jailoo”. That’s why this place was very popular among the shepherds and nomads in all times which is proven by the stone inscriptions and ancient shrines found on the shores of the lake. Shepherds-nomads bring their cattle to the lake in the summer and live here in yurts with their families. Upon arrival we will have dinner and overnight in yurts.

Son-Kul lake Acquaintance with nomad’s life. After breakfast staring to trek toward the Moldo-Tau range. Walking trip to the Usun-Bulak pass (3124m). Nice view of alpine meadows and herd of ship and yaks (13 km hike, Elevation change +200m). At first we will see the Tash-Tuulga stones. Stone circles on the southern shores of Lake Son-Kul. "Tash Tulga" or "Tulga-Tash" means hearth built of stones (support for large cauldrons). In the archaeological literature they are called "eight stone memorial fences." These eight stone monuments date back to the I century BC, and have analogues in the Altai, Tuva and Western Mongolia. In the Central Tien Shan, they are rare and "not in all the Saka era cemeteries," this means that the custom of building memorials from eight stones was not characteristic of the entire population of the Tien Shan Sakas. Each altar is eight lined stones arranged in a circle, with an average diameter of 1-1.3 m. Nine such eight-stone monuments lined up in a line facing north and south by 200 m. Thus, Tash-Tulga has a planning structure with numerical symbolism, many researchers from ancient times think that it served as a ceremonial center and a gathering place for the nomads. After that we will drive a little to the west and go up the hill to see the old stones (ancient calendar), petrography and walk in jailoo. Back to the camp, dinner and free time at leisure.

Son-Kul - Kyzyl-Oi village (180 km / 3.5 h) This day we need to drive over Kara-Keche pass and drive along the summer pastures and along the Kekemeren river shores. Before reaching the village of Kyzyl-Oi, we will turn off the road towards the village of Min-Kush to hike up to the small mirror mountain lake Ak-Kul where 7-8 Kyrgyz families live, grazing in the summer (9 km. Elevation change +350m). On the shore of the lake we organize a picnic and, enjoying its beauty, continue the journey to Kyzyl-Oi village where we will overnight at the house of a local family.

Kyzyl-Oi village – Bishkek (260 km / 4.5h) In the morning we will enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful rivers in Kyrgyzstan - river Kekemeren continuing going to Suusamyr and soon will dive to the main Kyrgyz road going from Bishkek to Osh and come into the green wide valley (steppe). The mountains surrounding it gave the valley so much space that for a moment one may forget being in the harsh mountain country. Here you may see many nomads who brought their yurts for the summer time. Going through the picturesque Suusamyr valley we will rise the Tuya-Ashu pass, and go down to Bishkek. On the way it's possible to hike in Belogorka gorge which is 55 km from Bishkek. The hike to the biggest waterfall in Chu walley will take about 3 hours (1.5 km one way). Coming to the capital in the evening. Farewell dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Departure This morning the car will take you to the airport for your flight home.