Handicraft Tour Route: – Chon-Kemin – Issyk-Kul – – - Bishkek Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Day-1: Bishkek • Meet and greet at International Manas airport • Transfer to hotel (early check-in is included) • Breakfast in hotel • After short rest drive to Kyrgyz local house for “Elechek” show • Visit Ala-Archa National Park • Overnight in hotel “Elechek” show is a unique chance to get acquainted with traditional Kyrgyz clothes. Elechek is one of the oldest Kyrgyz women's headdresses in the form of a turban, always white. In the past, women headdress could determine her tribal affiliations. The shape of elechek varies from simple wraps to quite complicated ones, depending on which region of the woman lives. During this show you will see different colorful Kyrgyz traditional headdresses as well as traditional Kyrgyz clothes and could determine their regional differences. Also, you have chance to learn to wrap “elechek” and even wear it. Archa National Park is one the most picturesque sights of Bishkek surroundings. Here, in the narrow valley of Ala-Archa river you may see a concentration of wonderful, stunning landscapes, waterfalls and amazing rocks. Here is unexpectedly rich flora and fauna, so that many people suppose this region to be a symbol of Kyrgyz mountain range (Ala-Too).

Day-2: Bishkek - Chon-Kemin • Morning visit of local bazaar • Drive to Chon-Kemin gorge • After lunch have yurt installation show • Dinner and overnight in guest house www.voyager.group [email protected]

Have a chance to watch a demonstration of yurt installation (nomadic dwelling) and even take a part in installation if you wish. Local Kyrgyz woman will tell you the meaning of each part the yurt. A National Park located in Chon-Kemin valley is a unique natural environment with diverse flora and fauna that features beautiful landscapes, from semi-deserts to glaciers. Natural Park occupies an area of 500 hectares, its height gradually increases from 1400 to 2800 m. From the myriad of natural objects found in the valley, 6 species of plants and 21 species of animals, including snow leopards, maral, golden eagle, are listed in the Red Data Book. In the park of Chon-Kemin coniferous and mixed forests grow.

Day-3: Chon-Kemin - Tamchi village - Issyk-Kul • Drive to Issyk-Kul lake • En route stop in Tamchi village, visit local family house, see felt carpet making show • Continue driving to Issyk-Kul lake • Overnight in hotel The exceptional expressiveness of Kyrgyz felts is marked by the singularity of pattern arrangement and combination of colors. These carpets are listed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. You will learn how to make Kyrgyz felt carpet and be stunned with the result of this process. What is also impressive is the joyful atmosphere the women create as they work together in sunny courtyard. Lots of joy and laughter will accompany the show.

www.voyager.group [email protected]

Day-4: Issyk-Kul • Full day leisure at the shore of Issyk-Kul lake • Optional tours are available upon request • Overnight in hotel

The pearl of Kyrgyzstan, a lake surrounded on two sides by the majestic Terskey and Kungei Ala-Too mountains is called Issyk Kul, which is translated from Kyrgyz as "hot lake". The water in it does not freeze even in the coldest periods. This is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world, and by its incredible transparency it is second after Lake Baikal in Siberia. The coasts of the lake are famous for their unique nature and crystal-clear fresh air. Geographical location and natural conditions have created a special maritime climate on the coast, which makes every tourist experience the feeling of comfort and ease. The area around the lake is full of resorts where you can relax and improve your health.

Day-5: Issyk-Kul-Chon-Aksu gorge-Karakol • Drive to Karakol. • En route explore picturesque Chon-Aksu gorge. • Upon arrival to Karakol, explore the town and visit main sites as wooden Orthodox Cathedral and Dungan Mosque. • Overnight in guest house.

Chon Aksu is one of the most famous and beautiful sights of Issyk-Kul Lake. Enjoying the beauty of the mountain slopes and sound of mountain water, here you can also see beautiful Tien-Shan spruce.

www.voyager.group [email protected]

Day-6: Karakol - Djety-Oguz and Kok-Djayik gorges - Karakol • Visit well-known Djety-Oguz and Kok-Djayik gorges. • Afternoon at leisure time. • Overnight in guest house.

Day-7: Karakol – Kyzyl-Tuu village - Tokmok • Drive to Tokmok town by the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake • En route stop visit Kyzyl-Tuu village • Overnight in Tokmok Kyzyl -Tuu is located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, 230 km from Bishkek. The village has a population of about 1,800 people and most of them are engaged in manufacturing the traditional Kyrgyz home – a yurt. Kyzyl -Tuu is a popular destination among travelers, where you can discover the art of yurt building in special workshops. A festival, Kiyiz Duino, displaying the traditions and customs of the is held annually with thousands of people in attendance in Kyzyl –Tuu. www.voyager.group [email protected]

Day-8 Tokmok - Bishkek • Visit unique historical and architectural sight of Tokmok – ancient , known as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site. • Return back to Bishkek. Free afternoon. • Overnight in hotel.

The Burana Tower is located within a large archaeological and architectural complex near Tokmok, 80 km to the east of Bishkek. The unique minaret was built in the 11th century in the medieval town , the capital of mighty Karakhanid Empire. Once near the tower stood a mosque and a minaret which was used to call people to pray. The height of the tower is about 25 m, while in the Middle Ages, it was more than 40 m. It is assumed that a part of the tower was destroyed by an earthquake in the 15th century. You can climb the stairs to the top of Burana, where you’ll be able to enjoy wonderful view of the surrounding valley.

Day-9: Departure • Transfer to airport

www.voyager.group [email protected]