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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
26th Aug DAY 1 (SUN): DUBAI / BISHKEK
6 SEATS LEFT!
Recommended Flight Info:
Fly Dubai 759 Dubai 2240hrs Bishkek 0430hrs+1 (Duration: 3h 50mins)
Arrive Dubai Intl Airport this evening where then you connect over to Fly Dubai for your flight to Bishkek
Meals: NIL
27th Aug DAY 2 (MON): ARRIVE BISHKEK & EXCURSION OF ALA ARCHA
Arrive Bishkek Manas Intl Airport early this morning where you will be met and transferred to the Hyatt Regency Bishkek for check in and rest (early check in is guaranteed).
After some rest, we get ourselves rejuvenated breathing in the fresh alpine air of the Ala Archa National Park, The valleys offer a concentration of wonderful, stunning landscapes, waterfalls and amazing rocks and unexpectedly rich flora and fauna, We get a positive impression to begin our journey of Kyrgyzstan and make several stops including the mausoleum of the National hero - Baitik Baatyr, visit the stunning Ak-Sai waterfall. Returning to Bishkek later, lunch follows before enjoying a city tour of Bishkek where we will see the landmarks and monuments including that of the Monument of Manas the Great, the Statue of Kurmanjan Datka, the Lenin Statue and Walk on the Ala Too Square, built in 1984 to celebrate its independence from the former USSR. This evening, we will toast to new beginnings over a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Bishkek (including guaranteed early check in)
Meals: Welcome Dinner
28th Aug DAY 3 (TUE): BISHKEK / SON KUL LAKE
After breakfast, our destination is Son Kul Lake. En route, we visit the UNESCO-listed Burana Tower architectural complex. The minaret was constructed in Balasagun town, one of the capitals of the Karakhanid State that existed between the 8th to 12th Centuries AD. Here we explore the ruins of one of the most important trading point at the Great Silk Road and also visit a little local museum tells about that civilization by items of ancient. Thereafter, we have the chance to enjoy lunch with a local Kazakh family before continuing our drive along the spectacular road to the high altitude Son Kul Lake to reach our yurt camp. Here we will taste the local lifestyle, meet nomads, see their houses called yurts and also spend the night in a yurt like a real shepherd.
Overnight: Yurt Camp, Son Kul Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
29th Aug DAY 4 (WED): SON KUL LAKE / KOCHKOR VILLAGE / BOKONBAEV
This morning, we drive to Kochkor village. Here local people make felt, various carpets, embroidering and spinning, and other handicrafts. We visit a handicraft museum and a shop, where you can buy different masterpieces – starting from huge felt-silk blankets, finishing with small Christmas tree decorations. After lunch, continue to Bokonbaev village, located on the Southern Shore of the Issyk Kul Lake where we arrive at our yurt camp. Enjoy an insight into the old traditions of eagle hunting meeting a local eagle hunter, who takes us to the closet slopes to demonstrate the skills of birds of prey. The Golden Eagle is the biggest raptor, who is the king in the air.
Overnight: Yurt Camp, Bokonbaev Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
30th Aug DAY 5 (THU): BOKONBAEV / DJETY OGUZ CANYON / KARAKOL / KARKARA
After breakfast, we head to the Djety Oguz Canyon, literally-translated to "Seven Bulls", which comes from the fact that the rocks look like seven bulls. As you approach the valley, you pass another rock formation, which resembles a “broken heart” and legend says that this is the heart of a beautiful woman who died of a broken heart after two suitors killed each other fighting over her. Enjoy a mesmerizing hike to witness the surreal nature of the gorge and thereafter, continue to Karakol where arrive at our Base Camp surrounded by the majestic beauty of the mountains.
Overnight: Yurt Camp, Karkara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
31st Aug DAY 6 (FRI): KARKARA (SOUTH ENGILCHEK BASE CAMP EXCURSION)
An early rise today as we embark on an exciting helicopter excursion to the world's second-largest glacier, the Engilchek Glacier for one of the most incredible ice paradise in the world. We spend some time at the Khan Tengri Base Camp at 3,600m altitude walking and admiring the magnificent peaks - Pobeda (7,439m) and Khan Tengri (7,010m) subject to weather conditions. We will also witness the Merzhacher Lake - one of the most incredible and mystical alpine lakes. After enjoying lunch in the base camp, we return back to Karkara.
Overnight: Yurt Camp, Karkara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
01st Sep DAY 7 (SAT): KARKARA / KARAKOL / TEPKE
Today, we will continue our journey to Karakol town where we spend the night at the luxurious Karagat Hotel. We then visit the unique Dungan Mosque with its Chinese-inspired wooden architecture built in the early 20th Century. Visit as well the Holy Trinity Orthodox, built during the early foundations of Karakol in 1869. From Karakol, we continue to the village of Tepke where we will spend the night at the Reina Kench Guest House near a horse farm, renowned for the breeding of Kyrgyz horses. Enjoy a tour of the horse farm and stable where we gain insights into the special types of racing horses and a chance for a little hiking around the pristine area. Join your fellow travelers for a bonfire ritual and celebrate the great nature and vast plains of life in the Kyrgyz countryside.
Overnight: Reina Kench Guest House,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
02nd Sep DAY 8 (SUN): TEPKE VILLAGE / CHOLPON ATA
We leave Tepke today for a 3-4 hours drive to Cholpon Ata - home of the annual World Nomad Games! On arrival at Cholpon Ata, visit the Museum of Petroglyhs and then arrive at our hotel for check in and rest. Enjoy an early dinner this evening as we then gear up in attendance for the World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony at the Cholpon Ata Hippodrome - a colorful event celebrating nomadic culture and heritage and then traditional music and dance.
Overnight: Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel, Cholpon Ata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
03rd Sep DAY 9 (MON): CHOLPON ATA (WORLD NOMAD GAMES)
We spend a full day engaged with the atmospheric scenes of the World Nomad Games - where the mission is to revive and preserve the historical cultural heritage of the nomadic people's civilization of the world. Depending on your interest, we will marvel at the games and participants who will be dressed in their most traditional costumes while participating in a range of games such as wrestling, horseback archery, eagle hunting and more. This is going to be a day you will never forget!
Overnight: Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel, Cholpon Ata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
04th Sep DAY 10 (TUE): CHOLPON ATA / BISHKEK
Leave Cholpon Ata today where we will return back to Bishkek (4-5hrs drive) where on arrival, we enjoy a rest followed by a Farewell Dinner this evening to celebrate an epic journey with dinner in a local restaurant to the beats and rhythms of Kyrgyz folklore music.
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
