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

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Day 1 |  Airport – Bishkek
Arrival from Delhi to Manas Airport in Bishkek. Our team welcome you in the airport. The check in at the hotel and relax. later go for dinner at one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste local food.

Day 2 | Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin
At 09:00 pick-up cars from hotel to the highway where we will pick up cars and start journey. 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.

Lunch at the local Dungan family.

Then we are going to Chon Kemin it is the biggest valley in Kyrgyzstan. We will drive through the mountain gorge. Upon arrival at the guest house in Tar Suu you will have a horse-drawn carriage ride through this beautiful village. You will be able to relax during a leisurely ride and enjoy the fresh air. You can also try a horse riding with the help of a local guide. In the evening you will enjoy the national folklore show accompanied by traditional Kyrgyz instruments. You will discover music reflecting the life of Kyrgyz nomads.

Overnight at Hotel

Day 3 | Chon-Kemin – Cholpon-Ata
Аfter a hearty breakfast at the guest house, we start at 09:30, 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”.

At 15:00 you will experience a boat trip and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the pearl of Issyk-Kul and majesty of the snow-capped mountains of Tien Shan. You can enjoy the freshness of the local air and the beauty of natural landscape.
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.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 4 | Cholpon Ata – Semenov Gorge – Karakol
Start the day at leisure around 09:30 a.m. This day 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).

Arrival to Karakol. Visiting Dungan Mosque & Ortodox Church.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 5 | Karakol – Ski Base Karakol – Karakol
After breakfast we drive to Karakol Gorge. We will go hiking there on the territory of the ski resort. Then at 12:00 o’clock we take a cable car to the panoramic point (3000 m.) which offers a beautiful view of the mountains and the city opens. You can have a rest in this picturesque place breathing the pure mountain air.

After lunch we’ll go to the outskirts of the city for traditional Kyrgyz horse game “Kok-Boru”, where we will see the competition of two teams of riders for the carcass of a goat.
Return to Karakol for overnight stay.

Day 6 | Karakol – Djety-Oguz – Barskoon – Skazka – Kochkor
A Departure at 9 a.m. 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.
In the evening, we will have the farewell dinner.

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

NO	START DATE	END DATE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
I	01 Feb 2024	08 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

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

 

 

Food and Meal

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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

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Hotels / Homestays / Guesthouse

• Bishek – Hotel
• Chon Kemin – Hotel
• Cholpon Ata – ( Issyk – Kul Lake ) – Hotel
• Karakol – Hotel
• Kochkor – Nomad Lodge Hotel / Similar

Getting there

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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.

 

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

Including the package cost

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1.  Group Transfer Day 1 & Day 8 from airport to Hotel and vice-verca.
2. 4×4 SUV for duration of trip from Day 2 to Day 7  ( Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4×4  / Similar )
3. 07 Nights accommodation as per program on twin / double share basis of room.
4.  Daily Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner as per program.
5.  Accompanying Planet Way Round Trip leader.
6.  English speaking local Guide
7.  Folklore show on day 2
8.  Boat Trip on day 3
9.  Kok-Boru Horse Games on day 5
10.  Feltshow on day 7
11.  Visits described in the program
12.  Mineral water
13.  VISA Support

Not including the cost

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1. Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you )
2. Flights to the destination.
3. Security deposit for SUV – 30.000 KGS
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 – 5%
12. TCS as applicable

PAX	COST
Applicable cost based on two pax travelling in Self drive SUV – with stay on twin / Double basis of room	USD  1990 Per Pax
Additional pax in SUV – 3 & 4 Pax in SUV	USD 1510 Per pax
Applicable cost based on 1 pax travelling in Self drive SUV with stay on single share basis of room	USD 2499 per single
GST @ 5% + TCS as per slab ( 5% )

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.

                   —————————————————————————————————————How to Prepare

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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