Self-drive Tour 2
Self-drive Tour 2
Number of days: 9
Seasons: 1 May - 15 September
Highlights:
Ala Archa National Park - was created to preserve endangered rare species of animals and plants
Son Kul Lake - the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan located 3 016 m above see level
Tash Rabat Caravanserai - Stone Castle (14th century) built in mountains.
Nomads - you will meet nomadic families to find out more about them!
Yurts - you will have a chance to sleep in nomadic felt dwellings yurts!
High passes - you will drive over passes more than 3 000 meters high!
Yaks - it is possible to see these unusual animals in the mountains!
Kochkor museum - a museum with examples of national Kyrgyz handicraft!
Felt Show - master class in creating national carpets
Issyk Kul Lake - the second largest mountain lake in the world!
Jeti Oguz gorge - the gorge of red rocks with nomads not far from it!
Drinking Kumis - it is fermented mare's milk!
Karakol town - old town with famous Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque!
Petroglyphs - ancient stone pictures made more than 2 500 years ago!
Burana Tower - built in 11 century by Karahanids!
Stone Warriors Balbals - statures made in 7 century for brave warriors!
Mountains, Mountains, Mountains - amazing nature will surprise you!
Day 1: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek (40 km, asphalt 100 %)
On your arrival at Manas International Airport, you will be met by our representative and receive a car for rent to begin your Self-drive Tour around Kyrgyzstan. After, you will start a tour in driving to the capital of Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek. It will take about 30 minutes. Travelling in Kyrgyzstan will be full of adventures. You will have an opportunity to visit wonderful Ala Archa gorge. Due to its uniqueness, the access to this place was strictly controlled by the government and only officials were allowed to enter there. Besides, you will see the great Tian Shan mountains. The distance is about 45 km from Bishkek. In addition, you will have a chance to take outstanding pictures from a panoramic view of the gorge and enjoy your holidays. The second half of the day will be start of visiting the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and others. After adventurous day, your night will be spent in a hotel.
Day 2: Bishkek - Kyzyl Oi (200 km, asphalt 60 %, dirt 40 %)
Today, your route is dedicated to visiting Kyzyl Oi village. We are sure that, you will like it! In the course of tours, you will pass through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, where you can have a short break and capture magnificent views of mountains and valleys. In addition, you will visit the famous Tue Ashuu pass. It is important to note that, the height of the pass is more than 3000 meters. On the way, you will pass by beautiful landscape of evergreen forests and get inspiration of virgin nature. Your day will be memorable. After a long day, you will be presented by a home stay.
Day 3: Kyzyl Oi - Son Kul (140 km, dirt road 100 %)
We are glad to offer the next day of your Self-drive Tour by representing the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Son Kul Lake. As for lake, it is considered to be the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan and surrounded by great mountains. The lake lies at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Travel in Kyrgyzstan with us and you will get acquainted with nomadic lifestyle and exchange culture. Due to its nearness to the Naryn region, some herders used to spend off days in Son Kul as well as pasture cattle. Your tour will be joyful with our company. We have no doubt that, you will like it! In the end of the day, you will have dinner as well as overnight in comfortable nomadic dwellings - yurts.
Day 4: Son Kul - Tash Rabat (255 km, dirt 50 %, asphalt 50 %)
Today you will drive to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road. It is the stone castle, which appeared in the 14th century. In order to see this large building, you will pass by the great Tian Shan Mountains. When you enter in Tash Rabat, you will find it built of stone blocks. It lies at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level. It is important to note that, there is a deep pit (zindan), where prisoners sentenced to death and sent to this pit. In the course of a tour, you will find there 31 rooms and its walls are about 1 m thick. In the end of the day, you will have dinner and overnight in nomadic dwellings - yurts, near Tash Rabat Caravanserai.
Day 5: Tash Rabat - Kochkor (235 km, asphalt 80 %, dirt 20 %)
Today's plan is to drive to Kochkor village. You will have an opportunity to pass by the wonderful landscape and enjoy pristine nature. The road is not that much long and thus, you will see the mountain pass of over 3 000 meters high. Being in Kochkor village, you will have a chance to get master class of handmade felt carpets and even make your own. In addition, you will visit a small handicraft museum and get impression of national items of Kyrgyz culture. You can find there silver decorations, coats made of wolfs, horse saddle decorations, carpets and other interesting attributes. Dinner and night will be in a home stay.
Day 6: Kochkor - Issyk Kul southern shore - Karakol (300 km, asphalt 100 %)
Your tour will be start of visiting the wonderful Issyk Kul Lake. The second name of the lake is "the pearl of Central Asia". We are sure that, you will be excited by its visibility of 20 m and clearness. Before, the lake is considered to be the sacred and may be up to date. The lake is surrounded by mountains and valleys. After, you will have a self-drive to the Bokonbaeva village and the destination of this tour will be to get acquainted with berkutchi. You are going to see strong eagles and their hunts on hares and foxes. Eagle hunting is highly appreciated in Kyrgyzstan. Later on, you will visit the famous Jeti Oguz gorge or Red Rocks. They are situated in a row. On the back, you will find the Broken Heart Mountain. The day will be continued of driving to Karakol city, where you are going to have a hearty dinner and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 7: Karakol - Issyk Kul Lake - Chon Kemin (330 km, asphalt 100 %)
We are glad to present you the next day of visiting Issyk Kul Lake. The route will be wonderful and stopped for a photo stop along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. You will have opportunity to capture unforgettable moments and enjoy pristine nature. During a tour, you can swim and enjoy on sandy beaches (if you travelled in summer). Kyrgyzstan is one of the unique countries with virgin nature! The second half of the day will be continued of visiting a small local museum, where you can see handicraft, music instruments and other cultural treasures. Later on, you will have traditional dinner and spend night in a home stay in Chon Kemin village.
Day 8: Chon Kemin - Burana - Bishkek (150 km, asphalt 100 %)
Today, you can have a morning horse riding for 3 hours. It requires extra price. Riding along wonderful mountain valleys and seeing evergreen forests are the best that, our company can offer! On the way, you will have photo stops and capture outstanding pictures of pristine nature. Landscape of Kyrgyz Republic is very beautiful! You will not see it anywhere else. After, you will have a traditional lunch and drive to Bishkek city. In the course of driving, you will visit the famous Burana Tower, which appeared in the 11th century. It is important to note that, Burana Tower was a sign of rest during the Great Silk Road. Besides, you will find the magical open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). These stones are dedicated to brave soldiers, who died to protecting their Motherland. After a long and productive day, you will continue your route to Bishkek and spend night in a hotel.
Day 9: Bishkek - Airport
Morning transfer to airport.
