Self-drive Tour 4
Self-drive Tour 4
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
Burana Tower - built in 11 century by Karahanids!
Stone Warriors Balbals - statures made in 7 century for brave warriors!
Issyk Kul Lake - the second largest mountain lake in the world!
Petroglyphs - ancient stone pictures made more than 2 500 years ago!
Karakol town - old town with famous Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque!
Jeti Oguz gorge - the gorge of red rocks with nomads not far from it!
Drinking Kumis - it is fermented mare's milk!
Kochkor museum - a museum with examples of national Kyrgyz handicraft!
Felt Show - master class in creating national carpets
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!
Day 1: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek (40 km, asphalt 100 %)
When guests come to Kyrgyzstan at Manas International they are met by our manager. The team provides with the car for rent you have chosen. After 30 minutes of the way you are in the capital and ready for seeing greatest sightseeing. But at the beginning of your Self-drive Tour 4 we would like to show you Ala Archa gorge, one of the most wonderful sites of the country where nature is preserved. Here it is possible to enjoy nature, witness Tien Shan forest and be amazed by the river flowing there. After this excursion you will return back to Bishkek and visit such sites as Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic. There can be a wider variety of the sites to see depending on weather and desires of the visitants. Hotel is booked for your relaxing.
Day 2: Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin (150 km, asphalt 100 %)
From Bishkek you will travel to Burana tower, known to be created in the 11th century of 45m high. With the time and wars it became lower, was on the brink of disappearance. But it is still protected by stone warriors. Then your way continues to Chon Kemin gorge, an incredible place of green pastures, forests and of course opportunities of horse riding. But horse riding must be made additionally. In the home of the local you will spend the night.
Day 3: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore - Karakol (330 km, asphalt 100 %)
Having enjoyed pastures and valleys of Chon Kemin gorge your tour continues to witness the north of Issyk Kul Lake. It is the second highest lake, after Titicaca in South America. Being at the altitude of 1600m it is still very comfortable, air is warm and fresh, water is pleasant. Then guests can get to the neighboring town of the region - Karakol. It is famous for being the town of greatest dish ashlyamfu, petroglyphs on the ancient walls and more that can be learned in a trip. All together being in Karakol pay a visit to Dungan mosque and Orthodox Church. These are different religions but still they bare the same idea - to be respectful to the others. There will be booked a room in one of the lodging houses.
Day 4: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Kochkor (300 km, asphalt 100 %)
Starting from Karakol you will see the testimony of legends and myths - Jeti Oguz gorge and mountain Broken Heart. The first is of a red color, just a row of bulls staring at our visitants. All the way will also going to Bokonbaevo village. We are of great desire for you to see the process of eagle hunting included in the price of a route. The skills of hunting are going from generation to generation, that is why it is difficult to find men in this kind of tours doing it. Then you can get to know peculiarities of carpets creation in the village Kochkor. In the past the village was used by the traders making their way to Kashgar. Now it is an exciting site for trekking, horse riding, home-staying. At night you will be exactly in the home of the local.
Day 5: Kochkor - Tash Rabat (235 km, asphalt 80 %, 20 % dirt)
The morning after home-staying you will have a quick breakfast and start a self-drive to the striking and rather breath-catching site of Kyrgyzstan - Tash Rabat Caravanserai - included in the tour program. It was used as the stay for all going along the GSR. It is made of stone, even was named as Stone Castle. What is peculiar - it is based in the very mountain with 31 rooms at 3200m above sea level. During the ancient times the underground hole was used for prisoners to be put there never to return. It is bottomless pit, being here it is possible if guests hear some noises as they travel here - probably souls of those people. Dinner of the traditional Kyrgyz style will be served with spending the night near Tash Rabat Caravanserai - in the yurt.
Day 6: Tash Rabat - Son Kul (255 km, asphalt 50 %, dirt 50 %)
Today you leave Tash Rabat and go to Son Kul Lake, the second largest lake of Kyrgyzstan and one of the most mystery sites - it is can be visited just from June to September as the other time it is covered with snow and ice. And this fact is not surprising - altitude of 3016 m above sea level and mountains all around. The territory is used by famers and their cattle. Yurts are located on the shore of the lake for visitants to sleep there.
Day 7: Son Kul - Kochkor (140 km, dirt 50 %, asphalt 50 %)
After having a night in the Kyrgyz dwelling, like a real nomad, you are moving back to Kochkor. But before it you immerse in pure nature of the lake, ride horses and just imagine your future route to our country. Then at 2 pm there will be served lunch for guests to acquire new strength for the way back to Kochkor. Here you will visit the gorge, wander about passes of a mountain range and if it possible get to the top of the mountain. In the lodging house of the family the bed will be waiting for you.
Day 8: Kochkor - Bishkek (225 km, asphalt 100 %)
Getting up in the village Kochkor guests will start a way to Bishkek. Unlike the first day in the capital, today you will visit the Asian Bazaar for you to see the life of the residents, buy dried fruits and clothes of any kind you would like. Before the day of arrival you will be in the hotel.
Day 9: Bishkek - Airport
This day your Self-drive Tour 4 is over, our team will meet you in the hotel to take to the airport.