Journey to the Blue Eye of the Earth (Issyk-Kul Round Trip)

Journey to the Blue Eye of the Earth (Issyk-Kul Round Trip)

This is classic tour around the main treasure of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk-Kul lake. The lake is the second largest alpine lake after Titicaca in the world and named differently. One of interesting names is Blue Eye of the Earth as the lake's shape resembles human's eye from the space. You will visit beautiful places around Issyk-Kul lake from the north to the south shore and enjoy your journey

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek. Ala-Archa National Park

Stop At: Ala-Archa Gorge, Bishkek Kyrgyzstan
Meet and Greet on arrival and transfer to your hotel (cost of early check-in already included).
Breakfast at hotel. After some leisure time at hotel drive to Ala-Archa National Park, one the most picturesque sights of Bishkek surroundings. Here, in the narrow valley of Ala-Archa river you may see a concentration of wonderful, stunning landscapes, waterfalls and amazing rocks. Here is unexpectedly rich flora and fauna, so that many people suppose this region to be a symbol of Kyrgyz mountain range (Ala-Too).
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
Afterwards, explore Bishkek city – one of the greenest city of Central Asia. The city tour starts from exploring the central square – Ala-Too with highest flagpole and statue of Kyrgyz hero – Manas. Afterwards visit the Museum of Fine Arts, see the facade of architectural heritage – Opera and Ballet Theatre. Have short walk to oldest park of the city – Oak Park with beautiful sculptures at the open air. Before the city tour finish see the facade of National University, walk through Youth Alley and take photo of the State Philharmonic Hall.
Duration: 3 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: "Madison Ave" 4* hotel or similar

Day 2: Bishkek – Burana Tower – Issyk-Kul lake

Stop At: Issyk-Kul Lake, Tian Shan Mountains, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast proceed to the second largest alpine in the world after Titicaca – Issyk-Kul lake, located at the altitude 1600 m. above sea level.
Duration: 4 minutes

Stop At: Burana Tower, Don-Aryk, Tokmok 722201 Kyrgyzstan
En route visit UNESCO Heritage Site – ancient Burana Tower and get acquaintance with history of Silk Road period.
Continue driving to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake via gorgeous Boom gorge.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in "Akun Issyk-Kul" resort or similar in Issyk-Kul

Day 3: Full day in Issyk-Kul lake

Stop At: Issyk-Kul Lake, Tian Shan Mountains, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
Today spend full day in the city center – Cholpon-Ata and visit main sights of the area as open air museum of Petroglyphs, local historical-ethnographical museum and Rukh-Ordo complex.
Enjoy remain part of the day swimming at the shore of the lake.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in "Akun Issyk-Kul" resort or similar in Issyk-Kul

Day 4: Issyk-Kul lake – Chon-Aksu gorge – Karakol

Stop At: Karakol Gorge, Karakol Kyrgyzstan
Today drive to Karakol, a peaceful, low–rise town with back streets full of Russian gingerbread cottages, shaded by rows of huge white poplars.
En route group will visit picturesque Chon-Aksu gorge where possible to emerge into a real nomad atmosphere with meeting local nomads, tasting national Kyrgyz beverage – "Kymyz" (mare's milk), and riding a horse.
Duration: 7 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in "Reina Kench" guest house or similar in Karakol

Day 5: Karakol – Djety-Oguz and Kok-Djayik gorges

Stop At: Dungan Mosque, Karakol Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast explore Karakol city, visit Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dzhety-Oguz Wildlife Refuge, Teploklyuchenka, Kyrgyzstan
If your stay in Karakol is on Sunday, early morning possible to visit Sunday cattle market and see the real life of semi-nomadic Kyrgyz people.
Afterwards transfer to majestic Djety-Oguz and Kok-Djayik gorges.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a yurt camp in the gorge

Day 6: Kok-Djayik gorge – Tokmok – Barskoon gorge

Stop At: Barskoon Gorge, Barskoon Kyrgyzstan
Today proceed to Tokmok town by the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake.
En route visit Barskoon gorge which is famous for its cascading waterfalls. The most picturesque have interesting names: Tears of a Bars, Oldman Beard, Splashes of Champagne and Cup of Manas.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Canyon Skazka, Tosor Kyrgyzstan
Afterwards stop at dramatic Fairy Tale canyon for hiking.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in "Grand Burana" hotel 4* or similar in Tokmok

Day 7: Tokmok – Bishkek

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast meet with Kyrgyz eagle hunter who will demonstrate scene of hunting with an eagle. Afterwards return to Bishkek.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Osh Bazaar, Bishkek Kyrgyzstan
Upon arrival to Bishkek, visit local Osh bazaar for shopping souvenirs etc.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in "Madison Ave" 4* hotel or similar

Day 8: Departure

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport in proper time according to your flight.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.