Take Memories, Leave Footprints

Itinerary title: Take Memories, Leave Footprints
Days of tour: 6

Day 1: Torugart – Tash Rabat
Upon arrival at the Chinese-Kyrgyz border, you will be met by our driver. Here your tour so-called “Take Memories, Leave Footprints” will start. You will drive to Tash Rabat Caravanserai. This is a unique architectural monument of the early Middle Ages and one of the main archeological sites of Kyrgyzstan, being a symbol of Tenir-Too mountain architecture. It is situated in Tash Rabat picturesque canyon-gorge of Naryn region on 3200 m height. In times of the Great Silk road Renaissance "Tash-Rabat" served as a caravanserai, in our understanding an original "hotel", coaching inn for merchants and travelers on ancient caravan roads from Transoxiana to Kashgar. The building will amaze you being unique, having 1meter thick walls, underground prison and inaccurate number of rooms. Some people believe that there are 31 rooms, while others think there are 30. You will have an opportunity to count it for yourself. Further we will have dinner by Kyrgyz family. Today you will spend the night in the traditional dwelling of nomad which are near to Tash Rabat 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 – Issyk Kul Lake  
In the morning we will drive to the “Pearl of Kyrgyzstan” to Issyk Kul Lake. The name of the lake is translated from Kyrgyz language as “warm lake’, because it never freezes over. The celestial Issyk Kul lake is considered as the second alpine lake in the world. It is located at an altitude of 1608 meters above the sea level. Its length is 180 km and it is 60 km wide. For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. Thanks to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. It is possible to see the mountains from all sides of the lake. The lake is popular not only among tourists but also among local people. We will stay in the city of Cholpon-Ata, where we will visit ancient stone inscriptions dating back to 800 B.C. Thousands of year ago shamans made these petroglyphs. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 4: Issyk Kul Lake – Bishkek
Today we will transfer to the capital of Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek city. On the way to Bishkek we will visit Burana Tower. The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, which was established by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century. The tower was built in the 11th century and was used as a template for other minarets. An external staircase and steep, winding stairway inside the tower enables visitors to climb to the top. It is one of the oldest architectural construction in Central Asia. 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. Upon arrival to Bishkek, you will have a guided tour. You will visit the part of the city which includes: Victory square, Oak Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, the National Philharmonic and other highlights of the capital. At the end of this productive day you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 5: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek
Today’s day is dedicated 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 6: Airport
Today is the last day of your “Take Memories, Leave Footprints” tour in Kyrgyzstan. In the morning you will be transferred to the airport.