Explore Issyk-Kul and Kol-Ukok Lakes

Itinerary: Bishkek – Burana Tower – Chong-Kemin Valley  – Karakol Town – Altyn-Arashan Hot Springs — Jety-Ögüz Gorge – Bokonbaevo — Kochkor – Kol-Ukok Lake – Bishkek

Best Season: May – October
Duration: 7 days
Category: includes 2 two – days medium-level trekking
Level of Difficulty: Easy to medium
Group size: 2-12
Transport: Jeep or Minivan (2-5 pax); Minibus (6-12 pax).
Requirements: Weatherproof warm clothes, trekking boots, hat, sleeping bag with mat, sunglasses and sunscreen

Day 1: Morning transfer to Chong-Kemin valley, on the way make a stop to visit Burana tower, architectural complex of 10-11 century, important point on the Great Silk Road. Continue your way to Chong-Kemin valley to Karool-Dobo village. Upon arrival to home stay, have a lunch and free time. Optional, you can do short trek or horse riding. Dinner and B&B at home stay.

Day 2: Continue the drive to Karakol (about 3-4 hours). On the way, we make a stop in Cholpon-Ata to visit an open-air petroglyph (rock painting) gallery (5km from Cholpon-Ata, heading to the mountains). Lunch en-route in a café. Afternoon arrival in Karakol followed by a city tour: visit the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Church. Dinner, bed and breakfast at a home-stay.

Day 3:  Morning after breakfast transfer from Karakol town to Ak-Suu. Meet your guide team and start trekking up to the river Ak-Suu. Ascent the Altyn-Arashan Valley first day. At the Altyn-Arashan resort it is possible to take a thermal water bath.  Overnight in yurt or hut.

Day 4: At the Altyn-Arashan resort it is possible to take a thermal water bath. You will never be able to forget the sight of the snow on Peak Palatka (Tent) 5260 m or «Swallow’s Nest Pool», nestling beneath the open sky. After breakfast walk from Altyn Arashan resort down by Arashan Gorge (4 hours).  Have a lunch at café in Karakol, then transfer to Jety-Oguz gorge (Seven bulls gorge). 2nd stop will be at Skazka Canyons (Fairy Tale canyons). Dinner and B&B will be at Bel-Tam yurt camp/home stay at Bokonbaevo village.

Day 5: After late breakfast you will continue your way to Kochkor village (Naryn district), on the way you will make a stop at Jaychi yurt camp, where you will experience Hunting with an Eagle. It will be interesting to talk with family and see their farm. Then transfer to visit Kyzyl-Tuu village. This village famous with a yurt makers, Visit a Kyrgyz family where all family members make a Boz Ui (Yurt) – a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling tent. Lunch in the village. Then continue your way to Kochkor, upon arrival to home stay, have a dinner and B&B at home stay.

Day 6: Transfer by car from Kochkor to Isakeev village, 30 minutes. Go on foot to the Ters-Tor jailoo, famous for its pure air and lots of crystal clear water. Arrival in the shepherd’s yurt at Ters-Tor. Lunch. After lunch continue to the Kol-Ukok Lake. After visiting the lake trek back to the Ters-Tor jailoo. Dinner and B&B in a yurt.

Day 7: Sleep out and enjoy the late breakfast. After breakfast trek back to the tour starting point. Transfer to Bishkek. Upon arrival to Bishkek, hotel accommodation, dinner at café.