Small Groups & Tailor-Made Tours

Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is famous for snowy peaks, high alpine meadows, broad grasslands filled with the fragrances of plants and flowers, clear mountain rivers, and serene mirrored lakes scattered among the tall peaks. This tour to Kyrgyzstan introduces you to these wild natural spots, as well as the ancient history of the Silk Road. From a luxury yurt camp in beautiful surroundings to watching locals play horse sports or hunt with eagles and to the towns and villages with their exotic bazaars, this will be a unique, off-the-beaten-track experience.

Itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek

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Arrivals in Bishkek.
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Transfers from airport to hotel.
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14.00 Optional Bishkek City Sightseeing Tour including:
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A visit to the main Ala Too Square (formerly Lenin Square) and its monuments to Kurmanzhan Datka (The Queen of the South) and Manas (a 10th century legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people).
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Then we see the Old Square and see Bishkek’s huge Lenin statue - the only major statue of Lenin remaining in Central Asia. Here are the main governmental buildings and Parliament House, the Old Square and Parliament House.
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We visit colorful Osh Bazaar for shopping.
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The tour finishes at Victory Square which is dedicated to victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.
Day 2: Bishkek - Chon Kemin Vally

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After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive one hour to see the Burana Tower near Tokmok town. This UNESCO-listed large minaret is all that remains of the ancient 9th century city of Balasagun. It is one of the oldest architectural structures in Central Asia and was used as the template for other minarets.
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We then visit Don Aryk Village where we will watch horseback riding games at the local hippodrome.
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A local family will provide us with lunch.
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We will stay in a guest house in the Chon Kemin Valley.
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Those who are interested can also learn how to set up a yurt with locals.
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Dinner in the guest house.

Day 3: Chon Kemin Valley - Lake Issyk Kul
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After breakfast in our guest house we drive to Lake Issyk Kul via the Boom gorge.
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Sites we will visit include petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) and an open air museum.
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Lake Issyk Kul is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world and due to its incredible transparency, it is second only to Lake Baikal.
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Accommodation will be a hotel in the resort area on the shore of Lake Issyk Kul. We will have free time to explore this area.
Day 4: Cholpon Ata Town - Karkyra Valley (Luxury Yurt Camp)

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Breakfast in our hotel.
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After driving along the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake, we reach the beautiful area near the border with Kazakhstan - Karkyra.
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We will stay in a luxury yurt camp with en-suite facilities where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery and have time to walk along the canyon or hike up the closest hill for panoramic views. For those who ride, horses are available (extra cost).
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Lunch and dinner will be provided in the yurt camp.
Day 5: Karkyra Valley - Karakol Town

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Breakfast at the yurt camp.
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On the way to Karakol Town, we will stop at the Tepke Horse Farm where Kyrgyz racing horses are bred. Horses are an extremely important part of Kyrgyz culture and life. The farm has beautiful views and gardens.
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We visit Dungan Mosque which was constructed in the shape of a pagoda and built entirely without nails. The Dungans, Chinese Muslims who fled warfare in China in the 1880s, built the colourful mosque with a pagoda instead of a minaret.
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Next is the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church whose story goes back to 1869 when Karakol was basically a garrison town established as an outpost on the edges of the Tsarist Russian Empire and a church was needed to serve the Cossacks and other troops.
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Dinner will be in the village of Yrdyk where a local Dungan family will teach us how to make Dungan specialities. We will eat with the family.
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We can also visit a small museum in Yrdyk to learn more about the unique Dungan history.
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Accommodation in a hotel in Karakol.
Day 6: Full Day in Karakol Town

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After breakfast, there is an optional early morning visit to the Karakol Animal Market (every Sunday, ends at 10am). Karakol is the gathering point for nomads in the surrounding valleys, especially for the popular animal market. There are sections for horses, cattle and sheep and you may even see the occasional donkey or even camel.
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Free time to walk around Karakol and see the Tsar Russia legacy and visit the local bazaar.
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In the evening we will have dinner with a Cossack family. They will show us their traditional costumes, taste their homemade drinks (!), show us how to bake black the bread and prepare a unique meal for us.

Day 7: Karakol Town - Djety Oguz, Barskoon and Skazka Gorges - Kadji Say Village
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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A stunning drive will take us through changing landscapes and we will see the famous “Broken Heart Rock” and “Seven Bulls Rocks”. Next we will visit the lovely waterfalls of the Barskoon gorge and after a beautiful panorama of Issyk Kul.
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In the evening we will arrive at Kadji Say Village where we will stay at a hotel.
Day 8: Kadji Village - Bishkek City

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Breakfast at the hotel.
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We drive to Bokonbaevo Village where we visit a local woman’s cooperative who produce some of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular presents and souvenirs.
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Here we also have the opportunity to watch an eagle-hunting demonstration.
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We arrive in in Bishkek and check into our hotel for some free time and a farewell dinner (optional).

Day 9: Bishkek
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Breakfast in the hotel followed by airport transfers.
Kyrgyzstan - Silk Roads
There is also the option of organising your own dates for groups of four or more. These trips can be tailor-made to suit your needs and although they are not accompanied, local guides with excellent english will be available in each city.
Additional Information
This tour is limited to nine people and transportation will be provided in a Mercedes Sprinter.
Price:
GBP £1700 (US $2200) per person. Single supp GBP £190 (US $240)
Bring:
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Comfortable walking shoes.
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Lip balm and moisturiser (it is a very dry climate)
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Sun screen.
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A coat or jacket - we will be in the mountains on some days.
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Cash - many places do not take credit cards.
Included:
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Accommodation in hotels, guest houses and a yurt (with en-suite).
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All ground transportation by comfortable air-conditioned minibus.
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9 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 5 x dinner.
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Sightseeing with local English speaking guides.
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Eagle hunting demonstration and horseback riding games (as spectators).
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Entrance tickets to the monuments and museums on all tours.
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Bottled water provided daily (one bottle per person per day).
The price does not include:
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Visa cost (no visa required for EU, UK, Canada, Australia).
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International flights.
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Lunches and dinners.
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Any additional transportation to anywhere not listed in the schedule.
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Any charges at monuments and museums for using video or cameras.
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Hard drinks.
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Porter service if required.
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Tipping for drivers and guides.
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International arrival/departure transfers can be arranged for approx $25 each way.