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Kyrgyzstan - Land of the Nomads
World Nomad Games Experience
26th August - 05th September 2018
An enigma, wild, remote and very less-trodden, Kyrgyzstan is the odd "Stan" more so for its sheer mountain splendor, picturesque alpine lakes and the imposing Tian Shan mountains that its recent official name change to the Kyrgyz Republic. Enter into the land of the nomads, albeit changing soon!
HIGHLIGHTS
Uncover the best of Kyrgyzstan's most iconic sites
Stay in boutique and charming hotels, guesthouses and yurts
Sample the most palettable traditional Kyrgyz cuisine
Experience the magic of the World Nomad Games in Cholpon Ata
ITINERARY
8 SEATS LEFT!
02nd Jun DAY 1 (SUN): SINGAPORE / DUBAI (Morning)
Recommended Flight Info:
Emirates 433 Singapore 0940hrs Dushanbe 1300hrs (Duration: 7h 20mins)
Arrive Dubai Intl Airport Terminal 3 this afternoon where you will be picked up and transfer to the Le Meridien for check in and rest.
02nd Jun DAY 1 (SUN): DUBAI / DUSHANBE (Evening)
This evening at 2015hrs, we return to Dubai Intl Airport Terminal 2 for your onward connecting flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Meals: NIL
03rd Jun DAY 2 (MON): ARRIVE DUSHANBE
Arrive Dushanbe which means "Monday" in Tajik - you'll learn about Tajikistan past and present.
Have the morning to rest before setting out on a city tour which includes the National Museum and the impressive Hissor Fortress, as well as more modern sites such as Rudaki Park (with its colorful monuments) and the impressive Navruz Hall.
Overnight: Dushanbe Serena Hotel (including guaranteed early check in)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
04th Jun DAY 3 (TUE): DUSHANBE / KALAIKHUMB
This day, you will start your journey towards the Pamirs over the Shurabad pass to Kalaikhumb, the halfway point to Khorog, taking the southern road via Kulyab.
Not far from Kulyab, visit the 9th Century citadel and palace of Hulbuk, once the fourth largest city in Central Asia and recently restored under the decree of the president.
There will be plenty of rest stops, and the stretch along the Afghan border is particularly scenic. You will also be able to spot Afghan villages along the way, and notice that the region gets more conservative with more bearded men as well as women wearing traditional clothes.
Overnight: Karon Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
05th Jun DAY 4 (WED): KALAIKHUMB / KHOROG
Drive to Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO) region, along the Panj River which forms a natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
In Khorog, we will visit the bazaar, then take a stroll through the botanical gardens which is the second highest in the world, boasting a panoramic view of the town in Khorog.
Overnight: Khorog Serena Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
06th Jun DAY 5 (THU): KHOROG / ISHKASHIM
Today, you drive towards Ishkashim. En route, we visit the turquoise pool of Garam Chashma hot spring (separate timings for men and women) for a dip.
The remote Wakhan Valley starts here, shared between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. You will be rewarded with stunning views of the 7,000m peaks of the majestic Hindu Kush mountain range.
Overnight: Local Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
07th Jun DAY 6 (FRI): ISHKASHIM / HISSOR
We leave Ishkashim today for a drive to Vrang to see the remains of a 4th Century Buddhist stupa, evidence that this was once a monastery along the Silk Road. In Zong village, visit the Abrashim Qala Fort, built to defend against Chinese and Afghan invaders.
Have lunch at the sacred Bibi Fatima hot springs, named after Prophet Muhammad's youngest daughter, then visit the ruins of the ancient, 3rd Century Yamchun Fort, perched defiantly on a hill in an area prone to tectonic movement and landslides.
End the day in Langar, near Hissor, where you can hike uphill to check out the 6,000-plus Bronze-age petroglyhs and enjoy the spectacular views over the valley.
Overnight: Local Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
08th Jun DAY 7 (SAT): HISSOR / MURGHAB
Set off early in the morning heading towards Murghab crossing the Khargush Pass. Visit two high freshwater alpine lakes - Yashilkul and Bulunkul, with the settlement of Bulunkul reportedly the coldest place in Tajikistan, and 6th coldest in the world.
Continue to Murghab through the Alichur Valley. The plains around Alichur are one of the most fertile in the region, and as such, in summer, you will be able to spot Kyrgyz nomads with their yurts, and who have inhabited the eastern Pamirs for generations.
Arrive at the town of Murghab, with a majority-Kyrgyz population where we enjoy a tour including the Container Bazaar and the white Lenin statue.
Overnight: Local Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
09th Jun DAY 8 (SUN): MURGHAB / KHOROG
After breakfast, we head back to Khorog. En route, visit the sacred Ak-Balik Lake, meaning white fish pond, and at Jelondy, enjoy another 40 degrees celsius hot spring dip in Soviet-style sanatorium, also known for its curative properties.
Overnight: Khorog Serena Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
10th Jun DAY 9 (MON): KHOROG / KALAI KHUMB
In the morning, we drive back to Kalai Khumb, spotting Afghan villages clinging to the hillsides.
Overnight: Karon Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
11th Jun DAY 10 (TUE): KALAI KHUMB / DUSHANBE
The next day, we will return to Dushanbe. This evening, enjoy a a farewell dinner
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Farewell Dinner
05th Sep DAY 11: DEPART BISHKEK
Recommended Flight Info:
Fly Dubai 760 Dubai 0540hrs Bishkek 0820hrs (Duration: 4h 40mins)
An unforgettable journey and adventure comes to an end as we make our way to Bishkek Manas Intl Airport early this morning or your onward journey home or continue your adventures in Central Asia.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
The only 5 star hotel in Bishkek, the Hyatt Regency Bishkek is conveniently located in the center of the capital city overlooking the awe inspiring Tien-Shan Mountain range and part of the ancient trading route The Silk Road, right in the center of the Bishkek’s business and government district and cultural area including the Kyrgyz Republic Opera House and Art Museum offering luxurious and well-appointed rooms for the discerning traveler.
The definitive lodging experience in Kyrgyzstan - Yurt camps are set up in the great outdoors and remote pristine areas of Kyrgyzstan in a portable tent/camp allowing you the opportunity of a lifetime to experience life under the stars, the romance of nomadic lifestyle and disconnect from the hustle and bustle.
Yurt Camps
Agro Complex Reina-Kench, which is situated in Tepke Village (Issyk-Kul region), has a total area of 27 hectares. While visiting this place, you can fully enjoy horse-riding, archery, hiking and many activities in this cozy family-owned guesthouse with comfortable rooms.
Reina Kench Guest House, Tepke Village
The Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel is situated on 251 km of Bishkek and 20 km of Cholpon-Ata (city-center) in Bulan-Sogotuu village. It is a four star hotel with 45 comfortable rooms including standard rooms (Single and Double), Deluxe rooms and Apartments.
Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel, Cholpon Ata
