SAMPLE ITINERARY

Days 1 & 2: Bishkek

We fly from London, via Istanbul, to Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek and transfer to our hotel. After a morning’s rest we have a light lunch, followed by a guided city tour. Our evening meal is at our hotel.

Accommodation - Hotel Umai

Day 3: Ala-Archa Gorge

Today we visit the Ala-Archa Alpine National Park, south of Bishkek, where we enjoy a picnic lunch and short optional walk. Dinner is once more at our hotel and we enjoy an ‘Elechek Show’ of traditional Kyrgyz women’s headdresses and costumes.

Day 4: By Train to Lake Issyk-Kul

We take the train from Bishkek to Balykchy, a scenic 5 hour journey through mountains and canyons. Balykchy is at the western end of large Lake Issyk-Kul, the northern shore of which is a favourite summer resort area. Cholpon-Ata is one such resort and we overnight here.

Accommodation - Light House Hotel

Day 5: Kyrchyn Gorge and Karakol

Karakol is the main town at the eastern end of the lake, but we take a side trip en-route to visit the remote Kyrchyn Gorge, the ancient meeting place of the Kyrgyz tribes and now the home of the World Nomad Games. In Karakol we see Chinese influences in the pagoda-shaped mosque, and the magnificent wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral. We are now only 93 miles from the Chinese border.

Accommodation - Hotel Amir

Day 6: Jeti Oguz

We take a day trip to the Jeti Oguz (Seven Bulls) sandstone rock formations which guard the alpine valley, south of Karakol. We return to Karakol for overnight.

Day 7: Golden Eagles and Mountains

Today we travel along the more remote southern side of the lake, for more amazing sandstone scenery. We visit a local man who teaches us how they still hunt with eagles, before continuing our journey further into the mountains to Naryn (6,500 ft).

Accommodation - Hotel Aska

Day 8: Tash-Rabat

We visit one of the finest examples of 15th century stone ‘caravanserai’ (roadside inns) today, on the Old Silk Road. We are now at 10,400 ft and the rest of the homes in this area consist of familiar yurts, which the nomadic people take to their summer pastures. Afterwards we return to Naryn.

Day 9: Son-Kul and the Kemin Valley

We visit the high altitude Son-Kul Lake (9,700 ft) and have lunch in a yurt, before continuing to Kemin Gorge where we stay in a remote guest house.

Accommodation - Kok-Archa Guest House

Day 10: Return to Bishkek

En route back to Bishkek we visit the Burana Tower, a large minaret that is part of the remains of an Old Silk Road fortress town. On arrival in Bishkek we are treated to a barbeque evening meal in the garden of our hotel.

Accommodation - Hotel Umai

Day 11: Bishkek to London

We take an early flight from Bishkek, arriving in London in mid-afternoon on the same day.

PRICING

Included:

• Economy flights from London

• En-suite accommodation in good quality hotels (may be subject to change)

• All breakfasts, lunches & dinners

• Rail travel as specified

• Airport & other transfers by private mini-coach

• Entrance fees as stated

• The services of a UK tour leader & local Kyrgyz guide throughout

Not included:

• Meals other than those described above

• Drinks

• Gratuities and tips

We recommend packing lightly, with one manageable main piece of luggage per person.