Arrival to Almaty
Arrival to the airport of Almaty and transfer to the hotel Kazzhol 4* for rest. Today we will have a city tour around Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park – named after the 28 heroes, who died for freedom and independence of the country. Zenkov Cathedral - the oldest building of the city, that is entirely wooden, built without any metal nails and a Memorial complex devoted to the World War Two and with eternal flame. Continue sightseeing at Green bazaar – a place where you can buy souvenirs, central Moslem mosque, Republic Square with three main symbols of Kazakhstan and Obelisk devoted to the independence. After that visit the top of Kok-Tube hill, where you can enjoy unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of the tallest TV tower in Kazakhstan you can take a walk along the winding paths of the Kok-Tube park, where you will come across "The Beatles" monument devoted to the popular Liverpool band. At the end of the tour take a short ride from the hill to the city center by the cable car. Dinner and transfer to the hotel. (B/L/D)
Almaty – Charyn canyon – Saty village (300 km / 4.5h)
This day we will drive to Charyn canyon. Charyn Canyon is a unique natural monument, stretching for 154km along the banks of Charyn river to the east from Almaty. It consist out of sedimentary rocks which are about 12 mln years old. The height of canyon walls can be up to 300 meters. The most interesting tourist place is Valley of Castles, curvy 2-km path through the bottom of canyon will lead you along picturesque mountains, red cliffs and rocks. Walk in the canyons and overnight in a chalet in Saty village. (B/L/D)
May - Kolsay and Kaindy lakes (15 km / 20 min)
Kolsay lakes is the system of 3 picturesque lakes which are located 330km south from Almaty on the altitude of 1800, 2250 and 2700 respectively. Area is interesting in its geological landscape and availability of rare plants and tranquil untouched nature. Kolsay lakes are often called the Pearls of Northen Tian-Shan.
The sunken forest of lake Kaindy is a stunning view to behold and a lovely place to relax for a picnic when going east from Almaty. In 1911, an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which formed a natural dam on the slopes of the Kungey Alatau range outside of Almaty. The imposing shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest there, were now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide.
Walking in the surroundings and overnight in a chalet in Saty village. (B/L/D)
Saty village – Karakol town (210 km / 4h)
This day you will drive to the border Kegen and cross to Kyrgyzstan. Continue driving through Karkara gorge with stunning views. On the way we may visit the farm where they breed race horses and have lunch. Here you will admire the views of the vast valley with fruit garden, may do fishing, enjoy the fresh air and a light walk in the surroundings as well as may take the horse for a short ride.
After That we will drive to Karakol town. Overnight in Karagat 4* hotel.
Karakol town – Djety-Oguz gorge (60 km / 1h)
After breakfast you will visit the museum of Prjevalsky the explorer, Russian Orthodox church of 19th century and the Dungan mosque.
After that we continue our tour and drive to Djeti-Oguz gorge by the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. The gorge is located in 60 km to the west of Karakol on the northern slopes of Terskey-Ala-Too. This is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. For 25 kmon both sides of the gorge the fir trees are growing at first merging into small groups and then turning into huge forest mass. The gorge finally becomes a wide Kok-Djayik valleywhich is totally covered by fir forests up to the very top of the ridge. Over the forest zone (about 3000 m) in the wide valley of about 15 km there are amazing subalpine and alpine meadows called Djailoo.
During the spring and the summer Djeti-Oguz gorge turns into a kind of flower holiday, among which you may see the silver stars of Edelweiss flowers, alpine daisies and asters, and nard (golden root). In the Autumn the gorge is being a colorful canvas as it’s covered not only by coniferous forests but also by the leaf trees.
In the gorge we will have a horse riding to the waterfall and see the enormous stone constructions “7 bulls” and “Broken heart”. We will have lunch in a yurt and hike to the beautiful waterfall. Dinner and overnight in Marco-Polo 4* hotel. (B/L/D)
Djety-Oguz gorge – Kadji-Sai village (100 km / 2h)
In the morning we will enjoy the view of Terskey-Ala-Too ridge and after breakfast will continue our way. Southern shore is more picturesque than its northern brother. Though main hotels, night clubs and restaurants are on the north shore, south side has preserved virgin beauty. We will see the amazing change of landscapes like in kaleidoscope. The first place we will visit today is Barskoon gorge known for its waterfalls and the Arabel pass from where you may get to the glaciers and beautiful mountain platos.
Then we will drive to the “Fairy Tale” gorge. The whole originality of the place is the frozen in bizarre forms colorful rocks, like after the eruption. Solid clusters made of limestone and sandstone are bulging from the colorful soil and the place looks like the ruins of ancient castles.
The most surprising is that the architect and sculptor of the place is the nature that used only water, sun and wind as instruments. Besides the fancy castles and fairy figures there the structures can also be considered as many-domed churches, and crenellated walls with loopholes; so for example - Sandy fence, which is very much like a "Chinese wall", stretching for several kilometers along the southern shore of Lake Issyk- Kul.
After the excursion we will drive to the village of Kadji-Sai. Evening free to sit on the terrace of the Al-Hayat art hotel and enjoy the views. Dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)
Kadji-Sai - Bokonbaevo – Bishkek (270 km / 4h)
After breakfast we will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo. In the village we will visit the house of an eagle hunter and see the eagles, get information about eagle hunting and have an opportunity to hold them in hands. We may also visit the local felt factory.
After lunch in yurts on the shores of Issyk-Kul lake we will depart to Bishkek. Arrival to the capital in the evening. City tour with visiting main Ala-Too square with changing of the gusrds, victory square with the central market, old square with the statue of Lenin, Manas complex and Central market – ZUM.
Dinner and overnight at the 4* hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 8. Departure
This day the car will take you to the airport for your flight home. (B/-/-)
