Winter Active Fun in Kyrgyzstan, 9 days

Winter Active Fun in Kyrgyzstan, 9 days

A landlocked country with mountainous terrain of the Tien Shan covering over 80% of the country, and a population of only 6 million people. Kyrgyzstan is often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central Asia”. See the pristine nature in rarely touched places, admire stunning lakes, meet locals who still lead nomadic lifestyle.

Kyrgyzstan is still a hidden gem destination and the untouched nature is simply magnificent. Winter season brings about an adventure that is not found anywhere else. Navigate through beautiful winter landscapes by foot and by vehicle. Engage in outdoor activities like ice fishing, yurt making, snow trekking and watch eagles in action as they go about their hunt.

Duration: 9 days

Itinerary

Day 1 Bishkek

Welcome to Bishkek. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Meal: Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 2 Bishkek – Ala-Archa

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and the biggest city in the country. It’s a distinctive administrative unit and is a town of the Republican Submission. The very first name of it was Pishpek, then it was called Frunze and only in 1991 it finally got the name it has now – Bishkek. Its population is about 1 million people. The town is located on the north of Kyrgyzstan in Chu valley at the foot of Tian-Shan Mountains.

Tour around the city before we head to the Ala-Archa National Park to see winter mountains full of snow where you have time here wandering in the surroundings and playing snowballs.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 3 Bishkek – Kegety gorge – Tokmok town

After breakfast, drive to Kegety gorge where we will have a hike to Kel-Tor lake. The hike usually takes about 4 hours. Enjoy the nature and freshness of the air. Picnic on the lake and going back to the car which will take you to the Hawaii center with Burana hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 4 Tokmok town – Cholpon-Ata

This morning, drive to Cholpon-Ata – the town which is located on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan – Issyk-Kul lake.

Going along the Chu valley, get into mountains and drive through narrow Boom gorge. The road here is well paved so the driving will be nice and easy. Here we will stop at the Komorchek canyons and have a 4 hour walk through its narrow sides. After this we will continue our drive to Issyk-Kul lake.

Issyk-Kul Lake is the second biggest mountain lake after Titicaca in South America; it is one of 25 biggest and 7 deepest lakes in the world. Issyk-Kul Lake ranks second in the transparency of water after Lake Baikal. The climate here is very soft, the average temperature of the summer is +17 C, it seems that at such a low temperature of summer the winters should be severe but vice versa the winters here are quite warm, average temperature in January is -3 C. Local people call this lake the “Pearl of Kyrgyzstan”. As a small bead put on the chain of mountain ridges it justifies this name. The “Pearl” is located on the height of 1,609 m above the sea level and enclosed from two sides by the ranges with the poetic names Terskey-Ala-Too (turned from the sun) and Kungey-Ala-Too (turned to the sun).

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 5 Grigorievskoe and Semyonovskoe gorges

Today we will go for a city tour with visiting the open-air petroglyph gallery, historical museum and cultural center of Rukh-Ordo. After that, get off road, driving through very picturesque gorges. But the road is close to being a small trail as it is not cleaned during the whole winter period. Our aim is to reach the mountain lake. If it’s possible we will enter Grigoriyevskoe gorge, hike to the lake and come back to onto the main road through the next Semyonovskoe gorge.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 6 Karakol – Djety-Oguz – Karakol

This morning visit the local bazaar, an ancient Dungan Mosque, Holy Trinity wooden Church which was built without a single nail and a Prjevalsky museum. After that we will drive to Djety-Oguz gorge.

You will see the beauty of huge red rock formations and the gorge itself which has fir-trees all around. Here we will have a horse ride to the waterfall which is called Girl’s braids. Drive back to Karakol in the evening.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel

Day 7 Karakol – Bokonbaevo

Enjoy the view of Terskey-Ala-Too ridge and after breakfast, we will continue our way. See the amazing change of landscapes like in a kaleidoscope when we get to Barskoon gorge with its frozen waterfalls, and then to Skazka (fairy tale) gorge where you may walk like in the museum of fairy tale sculptures made by the sand and wind.

After that, get to the village of Bokonbaevo where we will visit the house of an eagle hunter and see the eagle-hunting show, hold the birds in your hands and hear the stories about these precious birds. We will also visit the felt factory with a small souvenir shop where you will be able to see the Shyrdak-show – the process of making Kyrgyz national felt rugs for yurts. Here we will stop in a yurt camp which is located on the shores of the lake.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: yurt

Day 8 Bokonbaevo – Chon-Kemin gorge

Get to Kyzyl-Tuu village where you will have an opportunity to erect a yurt yourself – learn how the yurt is built and how all of the parts are named. Easy drive to Chon-Kemin gorge. Upon arrival you may try fishing on the lake.

By your wish other optional winter activities can be organised here such as horse riding, Boorsok show, Chaise ride, Felt souvenir master class at an additional cost.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: guesthouse

Day 9 Transfer to the airport

There is free time in the morning to ride horses or a chaise, to do fishing or see Boorsok show or just enjoy the nature, the views of the mountains or make a snowman.

After lunch, our transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Inclusions

~ necessary transportation according to the itinerary;

~ 6 nights hotel stay, 1 night yurt stay, 1 night guesthouse;

~ 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners;

~ English speaking Guide;

~ admission fee as required to places of interest;

~ horseback riding in Djety-Oguz gorge;

~ eagle-hunting show in Bokonbaevo;

~ yurt show in Kyzyl-Tuu village;

~ fishing in Chon-Kemin;

~ Shyrdak show in Bokonbaevo.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Kyrgyzstan;

~ visa to Kyrgyzstan (if required);

~ comprehensive travel insurance;

~ tipping for local guide and driver;

~ expenses of personal nature;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip can be fully customised according to your preference and budget. Get in touch with us for a quote.

~ Should you require a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan, it is your responsibility to obtain such a document before departure.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the hikers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ All hikers are strongly encouraged to be appropriately dressed in the right footwear (covered hiking shoes) and attire suitable for hiking.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.