10 DAYS KAZAKHSTAN + KYRGYZSTAN

Almaty – Charyn canyon – Saty village (280km / 4 hours) This day we will drive to Charyn canyon. Charyn Canyon is a unique natural monument, stretching for 154km along the banks of Charyn river to the east from Almaty. It consists out of sedimentary rocks which are about 12 mln years old. The height of canyon walls can be up to 300 meters. The most interesting tourist place is Valley of Castles, curvy 2-km path through the bottom of canyon will lead you along picturesque mountains, red cliffs and rocks. Walk in the canyons and overnight in a guest house in Saty village. Total hike - 4km, time – 2 hours, no elevation change (easy hike)

Kolsay and Kaindy lakes Today we will hike to the second Kol-Sai lake and if the time allows will visit the Kaindy lake by car. From Saty village we will drive 11 km to the first lake and from there start walking up. Kolsay lakes is the system of 3 picturesque lakes which are located 330km south from Almaty on the altitude of 1800, 2250 and 2700 respectively. Area is interesting in its geological landscape and availability of rare plants and tranquil untouched nature. Kolsay lakes are often called the Pearls of Northen Tian-Shan. The sunken forest of lake Kaindy is a stunning view to behold and a lovely place to relax. In 1911, an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which formed a natural dam on the slopes of the Kungey Alatau range outside of Almaty. The imposing shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest there, were now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide. Overnight in a guest house in Saty village. Total hike – 8 km (one way), time – 6 hours, elevation change +400m / -400m (medium hike)

Saty village – Karakol town (210km / 4 hours) This day you will drive to the border Kegen and cross to Kyrgyzstan. Continue driving through Karkara gorge with stunning views. On the way we may visit the farm where they breed race horses and have lunch. Arrival to Karakol town and have a city tour with visiting wooden Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque (XIX century) and local bazaar. Also, if you have a desire you may visit the museum of Prjevalsky the explorer. Accommodation in a Green Yard hotel.

Karakol town – Djety-Oguz gorge (30 km / 40 min) After breakfast 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 km on 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 valley which 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 horse riding to the waterfall and see the enormous stone constructions “7 bulls” and “Broken heart”. We will have lunch in a yurt and hike to the beautiful waterfall. Dinner and overnight in yurt. Total hike - 12 km from the resort to the waterfall and then to the yurt camp. Elevation change +300m (medium hike)

Djety-Oguz gorge – Bokonbaevo village (115 km / 2.5 hours) 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 first place we will visit today is Barskoon gorge known for its waterfalls and the Arabel pass from where you may get to the glaciers and beautiful mountain platos. After that we will drive to the “Fairy Tale” gorge. 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. The most surprising is that the architect and sculptor of the place is the nature that used only water, sun and wind as instruments. Besides the fancy castles and fairy figures there the structures can also be considered as many-domed churches, and crenellated walls with loopholes; so, for example - Sandy fence, which is very much like a "Chinese wall", stretching for several kilometers along the southern shore of Lake Issyk- Kul. Finally, we will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo. In the village 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. We may also visit the local felt factory. Dinner and overnight in a guest house. Total hike to the last Barskoon waterfall 6.5 km total (the hike is very steep). Elevation change +900m (intensive hike), Another variant is to drive to Arabel pass where you can get to the glaciers (walking along the alpine lakes about 3 km). You may decide with the guide at the spot.

Bokonbaevo – Kochkorka – Son-Kul (300 km/ 4.5 hours) After breakfast we will drive to Kochkorka village where we will have lunch and see the crafts show. You will see how Kyrgyz people make their carpets and will have a chance to visit the handicrafts museum where you may even buy some souvenirs for your relatives and friends. After that we will be transferred to an amazing mountain lake Son-Kul which is opened only in summer as all the roads and the lake itself is covered with snow for the rest of the year. Dinner and overnight in local yurts. At Son-Kul lake you may hike up to the petroglyphs (stone inscriptions) and view the panorama of the lake. Total hike - 3km, time – 1.5 hours, elevation change +100m / -100m (easy hike)

Son-Kul – Bishkek (360 km / 6 hours) This will be a long drive back to Bishkek. Coming to the capital in the evening. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast you will have a city tour with visiting main Ala-Too square with changing of the guards, victory square with the central market, old square with the statue of Lenin, Manas complex and the local colorful bazaar. Free time after lunch to walk around the city and have shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Variant 2: Hike in Ala-Archa park (45km / 1 hour) After breakfast we will go to the national park Ala-Archa where we will take pleasure from seeing a great Kyrgyz nature. The park is located in 40 km from Bishkek on the slopes of Kyrgyz Ala-Too. Ala-Archa is translated from Kyrgyz language as “motley juniper”. The gorge got its name due to a great amount of juniper covering its slopes. As different kinds of juniper have different colors and the gorge seems to be very colorful. Almost all treks and hiking trips start from the same named alpine camp Ala-Archa, located at the forest zone on the height of 2100m over the sea level. The camp first consisted of tents in 1951 and then grew into the modern size. This was the second important place in Soviet Union after Caucasus, a kind of climbing Mecca of Central Asia. A lot of famous climbers started their climbing career here. The camp itself is located close to Ak-Sai glacier, that is surrounded by many summits of different difficulty level. We will have a hike to Ak-Sai waterfall and come back to Bishkek. Overnight. Ala-Archa hike - 3.75 km (one way). Elevation change + 600m / -600m (intensive hike)

Departure This morning the car will take you back to Almaty. End of the program.