from Rs136940

Kyrgyzstan Winter Snow Drive

Trip Rating

Review

Days/ Duration

7 nights 8 days

Tour Style

Jeep Tours

Group Size

08 to 14 people

Season

January & February

Location

Bishkek

Meeting Point

Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan

Skill Level

Advanced

Accommodation

Hotels / Homestays

Weather

weather

Starting From Heart

Rs136940

Overview

Kyrgyzstan – Land of adventure!

Kyrgyzstan is a mountain country and the weather changes very quickly in the mountains. It is a land of adventure and the main season for adventure and culture tour programs is in the months of summer  but there are still a lot of things and places explore as well as in wintertime. In winters the roads are empty there is snow and ice of the road and only the adventurous date to travel. This is the time when we go off in the comfort of our 4×4  SUV and explore the raw natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan and driving on the snow covered roads and off-road trails in the winter months. Temperatures can range from +10 degree to -20 degree in the county and the mountainous areas are usually the coldest.  Wintertime is also convenient for travelers to do round trips around the Issyk-Kul region and have experience with traditional culture, nature sightseeing and entertainments.

Itinerary


Day 1 |  Airport – Bishkek
Arrival from Delhi to Manas Airport in Bishkek at 11:45. Our team welcome you in the airport. The check in at the hotel is followed by Lunch and then we proceed for City tour in Bishek. All sightseeing & transfers will be done in common vehicle for the group and we will get our self drive vehicles next day.
For dinner we go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste Indian food.

Day 2 | Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin
At 09:00 our vehicles will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the Self drive cars parking lot from where after pick-up cars from hotel to the highway where we will pick up cars and start journey.  Lunch will be with a local family at Aizada.

Our journey begins with a visit of the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.  Then we are going to Chon Kemin it is the biggest valley in Kyrgyzstan. We will drive through the mountain gorge.

Day 3 | Chon-Kemin – Cholpon-Ata
Аfter a hearty breakfast at the guest house, we start at 9.00, pre-warming up our “iron horses”.  We pass the Boom gorge and enter the Issuk-Kul region, the homeland of the biggest lake of Kyrgyzstan.

Lake Issyk-Kul was a stopover on the Great Silk Road, the land route of travelers from the Far East to Europe. Also for us, it will become a place of respite on our “Great Winter Path”. Lunch at the guest house of local residents at Tamchi village, in the traditional atmosphere of a Kyrgyz family.

Then we continue along the northern shore of the lake to Cholpon Ata. On the way, we turn to a panoramic point near the village of Ornok, which reveals fascinating view of the lake similar more to the sea with the gorgeous mountains behind. On the panorama we pause where we can enjoy hot tea and coffee looking at this beauty.

We will stay in Issyk-Kul near to the shore of the lake.

Day 4 | Cholpon Ata – Semenov Gorge – Karakol
Start the day at leisure around 10 a.m.  Today we are going to visit in the Semenov gorge.  It is located on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, 60 kilometers from Cholpon-Ata.  This place is considered as the most famous attractions in Issyk-Kul. Pine trees and green hillsides cover the mountains. You can hear the noise of the mountain river with glacial clear water, which flow down to the valley. The middle part of the valley is crowned with two snowy peaks: the peak of Kum-Bel (4200 m) and Eshenbulak peak (4647m).

We will stay in Issyk-Kul Resort Hotel situated in the shore of the lake, so you get the fascinating view of the lake similar more to the sea with the gorgeous mountains behind.

Day 5 | Karakol – Enilchek – Karakol
We are going to the remote area Enilchek ghost town through the high mountain passes. During Soviet Union times all the youth from soviet countries used to arrive there and were planning to settle down and to get employed there. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, life in the city began to fade away due to the unemployment. Nowadays population consists of 30 families. You can see many abandoned blocks of flats, houses, school, hospital, playgrounds and many other buildings, even a runway and airfield here.

On the way we will drive through unpaved roads covered with snow.

Day 6 | Karakol – Djety-Oguz – Barskoon – Skazka – Kochkor
A long day ahead with several visits along the way such as Jeti Oguz (from Kyrgyz it is translated – “Seven Bulls”). Dense vegetation covers red rocks of the gorge. The name “Seven Bulls” follows from Red Rocks, being on against sanatorium, which known for the medical hot springs.

Next place is Barskoon gorge is known by beautiful and powerful waterfalls. The most famous are the Bowl of Manas, the Leopard Tears, located at an altitude of 2,500 m above sea level, at a distance of 12 km from Barskoon village. After we visit Skazka canyons, which signify Fairytale. Here you can find objects of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you while you walk and explore this place.

Overnight and dinner in Nomad Lodge Hotel

Day 7 | Kochkor – Orto Tokoi – Bishkek
The morning starts with a traditional felt show presenting all the secrets of making Shyrdaks, the Kyrgyz felt carpets listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Making felt products is an ancient craft of the nomadic people. Then we are going back to Bishkek. The road to Bishkek passes through the Boom gorge. In Bishkek we will have time to buy souvenirs.

Farewell dinner in Evening .

Day 8 | Bishkek – Airport – Departure
On time transfer to airport to departure flight.

NO START DATE END DATE DURATION AVAILABILITY
I 04 Feb 2023 11 Feb  2023 07 Nights / 8 Days 08 Slots available
Note – Snow depends on weather, at times even in winters there can be no snow. But bone chilling cold weather is sure to be there.

 

Thing to do extra


– Star Gazing
– Explore Local food
– Winter Photography
-Off-roading
-Winter survival training

 

 

Food and Meal


During this tour, you will be served daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner at either the hotel or while on the road. Every day you get the best food with local Indian taste and flavor for all hotels and resorts and camps Buffy best healthy breakfast with Indian and western touch.

Lunch serves on the way at running local food joint. Dinner will be at hotel and resort or camp where you stay. On some places, we can plan to visit the best city restaurant

Type of stay


Hotels / Homestays / Guesthouse

  • Bishek – Plaza Hotel 4* / Similar
  • Chon Kemin – Kemin Hotel / Similar
  • Cholpon Ata – ( Issyk – Kul Lake ) – Caprice Issyk-Kul Resort / Similar
  • Karakol – Hotel 78 / Similar
  • Kochkor – Nomad Lodge Hotel / Similar

Getting there


STARTS AND END POINT OF TOUR
Bishek he capital of Kyrgyzstan is the start point and the end of the Trip. You can reach Bishek from Delhi by AeroNomad which has direct flight from Delhi or by Air Astana via Almaty.

 

Advanced
-can ride for five to six hours
-extensive riding experience
-assistance on demand (if required)
-comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Including the package cost


  1. All transfers – arrival & departure transfers from Airport to hotel & back.
  2. 4×4 SUV for duration of trip from Day 2 to Day 7  ( Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4×4  / Similar )
  3. Fuel for SUV for the trip.
  4. Lead car with backup team
  5. English Speaking Guide
  6. Accompanying Planet Way Round Trip leader.
  7. 07 Nights accommodation as per program on twin / double share basis of room.
  8. Daily Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner as per program.
  9. Felt show in Kochkor
  10. Visits described in the program
  11. Mineral water

Not including the cost


1. Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you )
2. Flights to the destination.
3. Security deposit for SUV – USD 350
4. Any damage/fine/ cost for the vehicle.
5. Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals, starters (Alcoholic, Mineral, Soft Drinks, Aerated) etc.
6. Extra guide fee, Camera & Video fee ,Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone
7. Any activity apart from mentioned ones.
8. Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc.
9. Any medical expenses incurred during the trip or travel insurance
10. Anything not mentioned in inclusions
11. GST ON BILLING

PAX COST
Applicable cost based on two pax travelling in Self drive SUV – with stay on twin / Double basis of room USD  1670 Per Person
Applicable cost based on 1 pax travelling in Self drive SUV with stay on single share basis of room USD 2430 per single
Seat in SUV basis Contact for details

Payment in INR as per the exchange rate on the date of money transfer

Checklist

Backpacking / Clothing (Must)

  1.  1 / 2 Jeans / 
  2.  1 / 2 Wind/Nylon Pants / Warm
  3.  2 / 4 Full sleeve shirt/ T-shirts
  4.  1 / 2 full slives T- Shirts
  5.  1 / 2 warm Sweatshirts / Sweater
  6.  1 Warm Jacket / Fleece Jacket (water proof) ( good for -10*c)
  7.  Slippers / Sandals/ Boots
  8.  Warm Night suit (If u use)
  9.  Warm Cap / Hat / Warm Cap
  10.  Warm Gloves (2 pare)
  11.  Warm Muffler / Buff
  12.  2 / 3 Cotton Socks and Warm woolen Socks
  13.  Towel (lightweight)
  14.  Snow Boots or Good Hiking Water Proof Boots/Gaiters
  15. Warm Inner Liner 2 set ( Must )

Other items (Must)

  1. Sunscreen Lotion
  2. Lip Guard / Care
  3. Body Lotion
  4. Face Wash / Soap / Shampoo / Oil / Deo / Comb etc.
  5. Sunglasses (good one for Snow in Sun)
  6. Toothpaste / Toothbrush

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Please note: This list does not include everything, and you should check your own needs to make sure you pack everything for your personal health and well being while Expedition.

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How to Prepare


We have tried to answer a few of your queries based on your experience of travelling in the winters to Spiti & Ladakh, please read our blog as per below link. Hope this helps a little.

Do’s and don’ts for planning the perfect winter getaway

Durations

07 Nights / 08 Days

Month

February
January

Tour's Location

Bishkek

FAQs

How to prepare for winters in Kyrgyzstan
Wear layers of clothes to keep yourself warm in the winters, minimize your expectations as this is not going to be a luxury trip but a Spartan Expedition. Always wear a layer of thermal with a layer of fleece and a layer of a down feather jacket with a layer of windproof jacket is more than enough for the winters.
A warm cap is a must. Add a pair of gloves and double layer of warm socks with breathable shoes and you will be super comfortable even in this temperature.
Also, keep the heater on a low setting while driving. It will make you drowsy and that’s not good when there is snow on the road.
Tip : If your feet gets cold and there is no way you can remove your shoes to warm them, try jumping on the same spot for sometime or even running.
Living in Sub Zero Temperature
Life in winters in Kyrgyzstan is tuff, outside temperature are freezing and night time may go down freezing extremes at times. In cities they have central heating in homes & hotels but in villages rooms are kept warm with Bukharis ( wood fired fireplace ) and water is frozen. You will have keep yourself covered in good quality and layers of woolens to keep your body warm. And when we go outdoors don't forget to wear that extra jacket, cap, good gloves and muffler on.

The minimum temperature in Kyrgyzstan can go down to -20˚C and will further drop as the winter progresses. So you have to prepare for it. It is colder than your freezer at home so you need good quality clothes for this trip.
Can you book a hotel for me?
Yes, sure we can book hotel stay for you for your pre and post tour days.
What is your cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/ unavoidable reasons we must be informed in written. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive mail in written and cancellation charges would be as follows:
• Once the booking is confirmed – 25% of the tour/service cost.
• 30 days prior to arrival – 50% of the tour/service cost.
• 15 days prior to arrival – NO REFUNDS
Can you send us the final itinerary before we book the tour?
Yes we always send the tour program before you book and the list of hotels before the start of the trip.
Note - In offbeat places at time if necessary we have to make changes in the itinerary due to snow fall / road closure or any other natural calamity that is beyond our control.

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