Mountains Are Always a Good Idea

Itinerary title: Mountains Are Always a Good Idea
Days of tour: 5 days

Day 1: Torugart – Tash Rabat
Upon arrival at the Chinese-Kyrgyz border, your Kyrgyz driver will meet you and you will start your amazing tour in Kyrgyzstan. Firstly, we will drive to Tash Rabat Caravanserai. It is a stone castle from the 14^th century on the Great Silk Road.  What makes Tash Rabat slightly mysterious is that its layout is unusual for this kind of caravanserai. What is left is a single structure that looks like a blend between a castle and a temple. Built of hefty stone, it stands out against the mountainous backdrop and vast nothingness. It’s bright outside with the sun at full force but step inside and suddenly everything is dark… and cool…and quiet. The treasure is at an elevation of 3200 meters above the sea level. This unique building will amaze you with its interesting facts such as 31 rooms, 1meter thick walls, underground prison and many other mysteries.   Kyrgyz family will prepare a traditional dinner for you. The first night of your amazing tour on the Great Silk Road is going to be very unusual. You will sleep in the traditional dwelling of Kyrgyz people called as yurts which are near to this Caravanserai.

Day 2: Tash Rabat – Kichi Naryn – Kochkor
On the second day of the tour we will transfer to Kochkor village.  The road goes through beautiful Kichi Naryn gorge. During the ride you should be ready for the indescribable beauty of the gorge, fascinating panoramic view at the mountain pass that is 3 000 meters high. Upon arrival to Kochkor village, you will be met by a family that will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. You will have a great chance to join them and create your own carpet called “shyrdak” or “ala kiyiz”. Moreover, we will visit a handicraft museum there. There are many examples of silver decorations, coats made of wolfs, horse saddle decorations, carpets and many other things. Today you will spend the night in a homestay.

Day 3: Kochkor – Bishkek
In the morning we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek city. On the way we will stop to visit famous and ancient Burana Tower daing back to the 11th century. Tower was used during the Great Silk Road as a sign for travelers that there was a city to have a rest. Nearby you will see an open-air museum of Balbals. These grave stones that look like warriors – they were made in honor of brave soldiers that died for their Motherland. In the afternoon you will have a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Victory Square, Oak Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many other highlights of the capital. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel where you will spend the night.

Day 4: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek
Today’s day is devoted to an excursion to Ala Archa National Park. It is just 45 km from Bishkek city. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. There we will hike to see the wonderful panoramic view of the gorge. Further we will return to Bishkek and then visit our Asian Bazaar. It is the important part of the day. The bazaar is full of diversity of the goods: clothes, souvenirs, fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, nuts, spices and number of different kind of products. Here you will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of bustling local life. At the end of the productive day you will come to the hotel where you can have a rest and spend the night.

Day 5: Airport
Today is the last day of your tour in mountainous Kyrgyzstan. In the morning you will be transferred to the airport.