Roundtrips

Dossier ref: KYRTMG Kyrgyzstan Issued: June 2007

Roundtrip with guide

Kyrgyzstan or “The Land of Forty Tribes” statues remind of the Soviet period in country’s after we’ve taken some rest we make a city tour is a paradise for those who cannot live culture and history. and visit the local market, famous for its exotic without mountains. It is often called for fruits and vegetables as well as a number of ’s Switzerland - several of the Issyk Kul marvellous hand-made souvenirs. We visit also the over 7.000m summits are located here. The Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes Art Museum and the History Museum. mountains make Kyrgyzstan a unique place in the world, and is famous for its magnificent [B] for vigorous sports. The fantastic flora and scenery and rich fauna. The lake is drainless fauna of the country attract like a magnet although it’s fed by many streams. The lake likes Day 3: Bishkek enthusiasts from all over the world. It is an inland sea, ringed by snow-capped mountains, On this day (due to the late flight change !) we probably one of the few places in the world and it has quite a number of beaches, mainly in make a short excursion in the mountains around that still offers an unspoiled nature and the Northern part. The area offers a fair number Bishkek: Ala-Archa National Park (45 km). This is crystal clear air. Here you can experience of hotels and sanatoria, some of which have an additional acclimatisation. the mysterious and primeval landscapes and hydrothermal springs and offer mud baths. [B][L][D] feel really like the first and sole man on this planet. On our trip we enjoy among other Day 4: Bishkek- Chon-Kemin (ca 140 km). things the unforgettable sceneries of the This town situated by the lake Issyk Kul has After breakfast we drive from the capital to Chon- lakes Issyk Kul and Son Kol and we come in emerged as a Russian military outpost. Nowadays Kemin National Park; on the way we pass Burana close contact with the nomad way of living. it offer the visitors a very pretty wooden mosque Tower (from the XI-th century). After lunch built by Chinese artisans and a Regional museum we have free time at own disposal: there are with pethrogliphs. It is the best base from which possibilities for walking in the park, excursion on Special highlights to explore the lakeshore and Central Asia’s prime cart (telega) or visit to a local Kyrgys family. For Bishkek trekking and mountaineering routes - blood-red these interested a folklore show can be arranged The capital with its ca 1 mln inhabitants is a cliffs, hot springs, Scythian burial mounds, nomad (optional; at an extra charge on the spot). vibrant, rapidly modernizing city, with many camps and sandy beaches thousands of miles Accomodation and dinner in Ashu Guest House. restaurants and cafes. A number of museums and from the sea are all within easy reach. [B][L][D]

Tash-Rabat Day 5: Chon-Kemin -Issyk-Kul (180 km) One of the stops along the Great that After breakfast we drive eastwards to the town of connected for centuries East and West. Tamchi , on the north side of the lake Issyk Kul. The lake is also called The Warm lake as it never freezes, not even in winter, even though the lake ITINERARY is situated at an altitude of 1.607 m a.s.l. The size Legend: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner. of the lake, 170 km long, 70 km broad and 695 m Please note that drinks (non-alcoholic, beverage, deep makes it the world’s second largest mountain beer etc.) are not included; you order and pay lake, after lake Titicaca. There is a possibility to these on your own. swim in the lake. We have lunch on the way or upon arrival. Accommodation at CBT home stay. Day 1: We are flying with the Turkish airlines via [B][L][D] Istanbul. Day 2: Arrival to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan’s capital). Day 6: Issyk-Kul Lake - Karakol (140 km). We arrive by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul at Our trip goes to Karakol, situated in the foot of 03:15 (local time); Transfer to Guest House/hotel; Kyrgyzstan’s highest peak, Pobeda (7 436 m

[email protected] www.penguin.dk useful thing to have.

Tour type GT: Group tours There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English. The group size is normally 6-12 people, if not specifically mentioned.

Difficulty grade A: Easy: No special experience is needed; everyone who is in condition to cope with long Sunday walks in the forest can also cope with these tours. As a rule, the trips are short and at a low altitude. Often, it is your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The routes may follow a hilly terrain without steep ascents and descents. Normally we walk 3-5h a day.

Best period: July - August

Weather The climate is normally not as harsh as most of us could imagine. The weather in July-August is normally rather dry and warm (data in the table is only for orientation). However, keep it in mind that occasionally rapid short rain showers can occur.

Day temp. a.s.l.). On the way we visit pethrogliphs (collection “Shyrdak”. Accommodation at CBT home stay. Night temp. of stones with ancient inscriptions under the open Dinner. 40 air). Arrival. Sightseeing tour: Muslim Mosque built [B][L][D] 30 in shape of dungan pagoda, Orthodox Church, 20

Museum of Przhevalski, oriental bazaar. Lunch. Day 9: - Son-Kul (120 km). 10

Visit Altyn- Gorge (25 km), with peak Breakfast. Drive to Son-Kul Lake. Arrival. Check in. 0

Palatka (4 260 m a.s.l.) in the background. As Lunch. Accommodation at Yurt Inn. Dinner. This Temperatur 0C -10 options in Altyn Arashan: horseback riding; hiking area is strongly believed to be Kyrgyzstan’s most -20 in the area (at an extra charge on the spot). beautiful landscape. jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec Accommodation at a hotel. Dinner. [B][L][D] [B][L][D] Day temp. 3 3 10 18 23 27 31 30 25 17 10 5 -9 -7 0 6 11 15 18 16 11 5 -1 -5 Day 10: Son-Kul - Tash-Rabat (186 km ). Night temp. Day 7: Karakol - Jety-Oguz Gorge - On this day, after breakfast, we drive southwards Equipment & clothing (175 km). to Tash-Rabat. Lunch. Visit Tash-Rabat Recommended items: waterproof rucksack (60 Breakfast. Drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge. As options caravansaray (12-th c.). The village of Tash Rabat l) & daypack (35 l); walking waterproof boots in Jety-Oguz: horseback riding; hiking in the area (ca 3.000 m a.s.l.) is situated close to the Chinese with suitable ankle support; light casual shoes (at an extra charge on the spot).Lunch. Drive to border; it has been an important stopover for the for walking and/or for travelling; gaiters; loose, Tosor. Accommodation at Yurt Inn. Dinner. caravans along the Silk Road between Far East casual trousers for trekking; waterproof trousers; [B][L][D] and Europe. fleece windstopper jacket; windproof, waterproof As options in Tash-Rabat: horseback riding; hiking outer shell garment (breathable if possible!); hat Day 8: Tosor - Kochkor (120 km). in the area (at an extra charge on the spot). for sun protection; sunglasses with UV protection; After breakfast we drive to Kochkor via Dead Accommodation at Yurt Inn. Dinner. sunscreen lotion and lip balm; water bottle; cell Lake. Lunch. In Kochkor we visit the local [B][L][D] phone. museum and see making of Kyrgyz national carpet We recommend also that you have warm jackets, Day 11: Tash Rabat - ( 115 km). because the weather in Tash-Rabat and Son-Kul Breakfast. Drive to Naryn. It is a long, thin town Lake is changeable and it can be very cold at that straddles the fast flowing Naryn River and is nights. set between high, steep cliffs. Lunch on the way. Arrival to Naryn och accommodation in Yurt Inn. Visiting religious sites Dinner. Your local guide will give you useful information [B][L][D] about the clothes for for visit to religious and saint places. Day 12: Naryn - Bishkek (350 km). After breakfast we drive back to Bishkek. Lunch Visa requirements on the way. Upon arrival we check in for Scandinavian citizens do need a visa to enter accommodation in a Guest House/hotel. We eat the country. A tourist visa up to 30 days (for dinner at a local restaurant. Scandinavian citizens !) can be obtained upon [B][L][D] arrival at the airport in Bishkek (app. 30 USD). If you are a holder of another national passport Day 13: Departure please contact the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Transfer to the airport (about midnight) and Germany or the nearest one well in time before departure at 04:55 by Turkish Airline (via Istanbul). departure.

Accomodation Guaranteed departures 2008 We stay in a hotel (day 1, 2, 5, 11 and 12); 25 July private accommodation/Guest House (day 4, 5, 8) and jurta-camp (day 7, 9-11). Meals plan: day 2 & 13 (B); day 3-12 (B+L+D). There are various Flight information possibilities to get food on your own for the rest of We fly with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (with an the meals. early arrival and an early departure).

Luggage transportation Standard Time Zone Included in the package. A small rucksack is a CET + 05:00 hrs [email protected] www.penguin.dk