After breakfast drive to Lake Issyk Kul Lake 280 kms. En route stop at Burana tower of 11 century.  Visit Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs, a civilization dating back to 5th Century BC near the lake and in both locations, you can see the Baalbals: stone faces carved on rocks. 

Issyk Kul (literally “Warm Lake”) never freezes despite its altitude of 1600 m. This is due in part to thermal activity deep down. The lake is the second highest and largest in the world at 702 m deep. It is unique in that many streams and rivers flow in, none flow out. 

The Tian Shan looks like a sleeping camel, and among its humps, in the circle of mountain ranges, Issyk Kul is sparkling like a birth-mark on a girl’s face – in the words of the Old Kyrgyz song.

After breakfast, we will depart to Karakol, on the Eastern end of Lake Issyk Kul. En route we will visit to them beautiful gorge Grigoryevskoe. Hiking exploration. Later continue to Karakol. 

Karakol town, one the first Russian military outpost founded on July 1, 1869. The town existed from early on as a trading centre and garrison. It was called Przhevalsk in Soviet times, after the explorer Nikolai Przewalsky, whose last expedition ended here, and who is buried nearby. 

The Dungan Mosque is the only one of nine mosques not destroyed by the Bolsheviks, although they did close it for ten years. Impressively, it was built without a single nail, using techniques brought from China, the Dungan homeland. The regional museum is interesting for its range of exhibits, from prehistoric petroglyphs to bronze Scythian artifacts, right through to Soviet memorabilia and contemporary art. Opening hours can be erratic!

Full day excursion to Altyn-Arashan hot spa. Hiking. Swimming in the small hot springs. Back to Karakol for overnight. 

After breakfast, start driving to Son Kol Lake. En route, we will have few visits. First visit to Jety Oguz gorge (40 minutes), a lush valley with striking red sandstone rock formations – the ‘Seven Bulls’ from which the valley takes its name. Short exploration hiking in the Jety-Oguz gorge.  Our next stop at Kyzyl Tuu village to visit the country workshops of Yurt Masters village. Continue to Son Kol lake via Bokonbaeva village. Dinner and overnight in Yurt, Son Kol. 

After breakfast, few hours exploration of Son-Kol Lake. Later drive to Chon-Kemin valley. Upon arrival in Chon-Kemin valley, exploration of the location.  

Chon-Kemin Valley, where we will have the opportunity to explore an old soviet farm (kolkhoz) village and enjoy a short hike in the Valley with green fir trees mountains background in the south.

This evening experience true Kyrgyz hospitality with traditional meals with Brandy/Vodka Party. Dinner and Overnight in Guest house

After breakfast, drive to Alarcha National park outside of Bishkek. En route Visit Stalin’s victim’s memorial Ata-Beyit Complex. Enjoy either an easy or strenuous hike at Alarcha at 9200  feet (2,800 meters) surrounded by beautiful mountains. Drive back to Bishkek to transfer to airport for Tashkent flight.