TRIP ESSENTIALS
Tour Type: PHOTO & JEEP SAFARI
Total Duration: 11 days, 10 nights
Best Season: mid-June – end of September
Maximum Altitude on the Trip: 3 400 meters ASL
Accommodation: hotel in Bishkek, home stays and yurts in rural areas
Transport: 4 X 4 jeeps
Best group size: 05 – 07 PAX
Meals – All Included (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
Prices – contact at - 9910027300 or info@nakulphotography.com
(NOTE- every participant must signed the consent form before the trip date).
Bishkek – Cholpon-Ata– Jety-Oguz - Bokonbaevo –kochkor village- Song-Kol lake – Suusamyr valley – Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan is an amazing and unique in its beauty country. This small oasis in the Heart of Central Asia impresses with its huge variety of landscapes and a considerable role in it is played by unique Issyk Kul Lake. Often Kyrgyzstan is named "Asian Switzerland", however virgin mountains and richest nature of Kyrgyzstan are far excel in the cleanness of the beaten European Alps. Culture and historical heritage of Kyrgyz people are also very interesting. Until now, the country retains all the attributes of nomadic life. Only in Kyrgyzstan in summer period you will see yurts- nomadic portable dwellings decorated with felt carpets, meet nomads, who will welcome you and probably invite to their yurt to try traditional Kyrgyz drink kymyz. Optionally, you can ride horses and taste delicious national dishes.
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival at airport Manas. Meet and transfer to Bishkek. Depending at landing time city tour and Bishkek. Dinner. Accommodation at hotel.
DAYS 2 - Bishkek – Cholpon- Ata ( 250kms 3/4hrs)
Morning: Departure from Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata town. But, before we will visit Burana Tower which is best known for archaeological sites.
Afternoon: At first we stop to learn more about the Great Silk Road and visit Burana Tower Historical complex.
Burana Tower (ancient minaret) is located in 12 km far from Tokmok town. The territory where the tower is located was called Balasagyn town. This town had the strategic meaning for Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found at excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, and become familiar with collection of Balbals, turkic grave marks.
Continue to Issyk Kul Lake. It is a second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca located in South America. Its length reaches 182 km, and width is 58 km, maximum depth is up to 668 m. During the summer period the water reaches up to 20-23 Co so we can swim.
Arrival at Cholpon Ata town and visit local famous petroglyphs site.
Evening : For the sunset shooting we will go to Grigorevskiy and Semenovsky gorge. They are the largest and most famous gorges on the north coast of Issyk-Kul
DAYS 3 - CHOLPON-ATA TOWN → KARAKOL CITY → KARAKOL VALLEY → KARAKOL CITY
Morning: In the morning we continue our tour and head further along the north shore of Issyk Kul lake. In few hours reach Karakol town.
Experience the best of Karakol. Explore its colorful streets, vibrant markets, and favorite local spots. Understand the town’s diverse history, and learn about how it developed from an outpost of the Russian Empire into Central Asia's leading crossroads of cultures and cuisines.
City tour here upon arrival. Visit Memorial Museum of N.M. Przhevalsky a great Russian explorer and researcher of Asian continent, which 12 km far from Karakol. Later Dungan mosque a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now. Also you will visit Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church built of wood without a single nail used. In the miraculous iconostasis of the church there is the famous Tikhvinian icon of Divine Mother, painted in 1897.
Afternoon: This stunning valley lies immediately south of Karakol along the river of the same name that passes through the town. The valley has a ski base, which is visited by local and Russian skiers in winter, while in the summer it is a popular area for trekkers and campers. We will spend all day exploring the area.
Evening: After the sunset shooting drive to Karkol city.
DAYS 4 - KARAKOL CITY → DJETY OGUZ CANYON
Morning: Drive towards Djety Oguz Canyon, one of the many stunning destinations of Kyrgyzstan
Afternoon: Djety Oguz from Kyrgyz language is translated as Seven Bulls. Unlike Fairy Tale Canyon this picturesque gorge differs in the mountains covered with Tien Shan fir tree. At the beginning of the gorge you will face a famous Broken Heart Rock. Walking up further to panorama you will see those famous Seven Bulls rocks. The tourist guide will tell you the legend about the origin of the gorge name. In Soviets, there was a sanatorium built in the gorge. Many people used to come here for treatment with the help of radon water. Cosmonauts used to come here for rehabilitation, even Yuri Gagarin.
Evening: Do night photography.
DAYS 5 - DJETY OGUZ CANYON → SKAZKA CANYON → BOKONBAEVO VILLAGE
Morning: After good breakfast continue our way along the south shore of Issyk Kul lake for the sunrise photography at Barskoon valley.
Afternoon: Close to Tamga village we stop to visit and walk around Skazka canyon. The canyon was named because of its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into amazing sculptures and formations. The canyon looks scenic with the dark blue Issyk Kul Lake on the background.
Most interesting part of our journey! We will witness eagle hunting, dog hunting and Kyrgyz National Horseback Archery at Bokonbaevo village. ( depends on weather conditions)
Drive towards Shatyly, the panoramic view to Issik-Kul lake
Evening: Sunset shooting in Skazka Canyon. And Astro night Photography
DAY 6 - BOKONBAEVO VILLAGE → KOCHKOR VILLAGE
Morning: Morning photography at Skazka Canyon. ( optional)
Drive to Kochkor we will learn more about traditional carpet producing procedure – shyrdak show. Local ladies will share with their knowledge and experience of felt and carpet producing.
Afternoon: Continue the way to Kochkor village where tasty lunch is waiting for us. Here we will learn more about traditional carpet producing procedure – shyrdak show. Local ladies will share with their knowledge and experience of felt and carpet producing.
Evening: Sunset photography at Orto-Tokoi reservoir.
DAY 7 - KOCHKOR VILLAGE → SON-KUL LAKE
Morning: Morning photography in Kochkor. After lovely time in Kochkor village head to Son Kul Lake.
Afternoon: Alpine Son Kul Lake is located on Tien Shan range at the elevation of 3016 m. The territory around Son Kul is a pasture for the cattle driven from Kochkor village, Naryn and Jumgal regions. During the summer Son Kul pasture is considered to be the best Kyrgyz jailoo. The road to the lake goes through the windy mountain passes and vanishes in the sky. As a result Son Kul Lake from Kyrgyz language translates as “Last Lake”.
Taking our time to explore the details of this incredibly rural location. The beauty and culture of this remote part of Kyrgyzstan is endless: from stunning landscapes and multi-colored mountains, to yurt camps and encounters with shepherds and locals.
Evening: If we are lucky and the skies are clear, we will be able to spot the milky way, shooting stars and capture one of the most impressive light-pollution-free skies.
DAY 8 - SONG KUL FULL DAY
Morning: Early wake-up call for sunrise shooting, swimming and breakfast.
Afternoon: The area is very popular for horseback and trekking so we will go horseback riding and trekking. While trekking and horseback riding, you’ll likely see a variety of animals, including varieties fish, such as peled and rare carp species, and waterfowl, such as the demoiselle crane, mountain goose, black stork, and black-headed giggle. The lake itself is a natural beauty, and its surface color changes several times a day, becoming either a saturated blue, then purple-blue, or lush green.
Evening: Rest our legs in the common yurt as we enjoy a typical Kyrgyz meal together. And Night Photography milky way and stars.
DAY 9 - SONG-KOL LAKE → SUUSAMYR 250 km, 5-6 hours
Morning: After breakfast drive to Suusamyr camp.
Afternoon: Suusamyr valley is the naturaltreasure of Inner Tien Shan Mountains, located between the ridges of Kyrgyz and Talas Ala-Too. The valley is situated at the altitude of 2000-3200 m and has an extension of about 155 km. Suusamyr valley is famous for its pastures and year by year attracts mountain climbers, skiers and tourists who just want to spend time, enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Evening: Overnight at camp bungalows.
DAY 10 - SUUSAMYR → BISHKEK , 250 km, 4-5 hours
Morning: After breakfast drive back to Bishkek via Too-Ashuu pass.
Afternoon: Upon arrival to Bishkek, check-in to the hotel. Afternoon drive to Dordoi bazaar. It’s a street photographers haven, full of colors and characters. It is a great way to finish up the trip.
Evening: Farewell dinner and folklore concert at restaurant.
Lodging: Bakai Hotel
DAY 11 - BISHKEK CITY → AIRPORT
Early morning transfer to Manas airport and Departure. See you soon.
NOTE : Some things are beyond our control e.g. weather etc. and we will not be held liable for changes to locations, itineraries, accommodation or schedules due to bad weather, road closures, breakdowns or other unforeseen circumstances.
Itinerary is subjectable to change due to certain conditions like ( weather, road closure) our company is not responsible for that.
Participants must consult their doctors before the trip for the High altitude problems
Refund Policy:¬
25% if written cancellation is sent at least 60 days prior to departure date.
NO refund if written cancellations is sent within or on, 60th day from departure date.
*Cancellation charges calculated on the total payable amount.
SERVICES INCLUDED
Price includes: • Twin based accommodation according the program• English speaking guide
• Meals during tour (10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners), except alcoholic drinks
• Transport services according the program
• Visiting cultural/historical places and entrance fees
• Cultural events and show according to the program.
• Each day morning and evening shooting are specified in program
What’s not included?
Price doesn’t include: • 5% GST• single supplement
• activities out of program
• travel insurance
• tips
• horse riding
• personal expenses
• international air fare & Visa fee
