Morning:

Arrival at Manas International Airport, Bishkek. Meet your guide after passing through passport control and baggage claim.

Transfer from the airport to a hotel in the center of Bishkek. We choose 3-4 star hotels located in the city center for easy access to attractions.

Check-in at the hotel and some time to rest after the flight.

Day:

Bishkek city tour: Introduction to the main sights of the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Ala-Too Square: The main square of the country, visiting the monument to Manas the Great, changing of the guard (if timing coincides), walking around the square.

Oak Park: Stroll through the shady park, viewing open-air sculptures.

Victory Square: Visiting the memorial complex dedicated to Victory in World War II.

Eastern Bazaar “Osh Bazaar”: Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a real oriental bazaar, walk through rows of spices, dried fruits, handicrafts and souvenirs.

Lunch at a local cafe: The guide will suggest lunch options where you can try local and international cuisine.

Evening:

Free time in Bishkek: You can relax at the hotel, take a walk around the city on your own, visit museums or theaters of your choice.

Welcome dinner at a national restaurant: We recommend starting your acquaintance with Kyrgyzstan with dinner in a national restaurant, where you can taste Kyrgyz dishes and possibly watch a folklore performance (upon request and for an additional fee).

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Trip to Ala Archa National Natural Park (about 40 km from Bishkek). Transfer takes approximately 40-50 minutes.

Day:

Walk in Ala Archa National Park: Light trekking or walking along one of the park’s routes, depending on your physical fitness and desire.

Easy option: Walk along the Ala-Archa River to the Alplager (2-3 hours round trip), suitable for most.

Medium option: Trekking to the waterfall (4-5 hours round trip), requires slightly more physical fitness.

Enjoy mountain landscapes, alpine nature, fresh air. Opportunity to see alpine flora and fauna.

Picnic lunch in the park (lunch boxes): We will organize a picnic for you in nature with lunch boxes so you can enjoy lunch in the fresh air in a picturesque location.

Evening:

Return to Bishkek after a walk in Ala Archa.

Free time in Bishkek: You can relax at the hotel, visit museums, theaters, shops or cafes that interest you. The guide can give recommendations upon your request.

Dinner in the city : You can choose a restaurant to your taste for dinner.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from the hotel in Bishkek.

Transfer to Lake Issyk-Kul (northern coast, Cholpon-Ata town). Distance is about 250 km, travel time 4-5 hours.

Stop at the historical complex “Burana Tower”: On the way to Issyk-Kul, we will stop to visit the historical complex “Burana”, a monument of the Great Silk Road of the 11th century. Excursion to the complex, visiting the tower, museum, petroglyphs.

Day:

Continue the journey to Lake Issyk-Kul.

Arrival in Cholpon-Ata, accommodation in a hotel on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We choose hotels with good location and lake views.

Lunch in a cafe in Cholpon-Ata. You can try dishes from local fish – sig or trout.

Free time on Issyk-Kul: After settling in, you can enjoy a holiday on the lake shore.

Walk along the beach: The northern coast of Issyk-Kul is famous for its sandy beaches.

Swimming in the lake (in summer): In July-August, the water in the lake warms up to a comfortable temperature for swimming.

Walk around Cholpon-Ata: You can walk along the promenade, visit local shops and souvenir shops.

Evening:

Dinner at the hotel or restaurant in Cholpon-Ata.

Enjoying the sunset on Lake Issyk-Kul. Evening is a great time for walking along the shore and admiring the views.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visiting the Rukh Ordo Cultural Center named after Chingiz Aitmatov: Excursion to a unique cultural and spiritual center located on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Getting acquainted with the idea of the center, uniting different cultures and religions, as well as with the life and work of Chingiz Aitmatov.

Open-air Petroglyph Museum in Cholpon-Ata: Viewing ancient rock carvings dating back to the 2nd millennium BC – 8th century AD. The guide will tell you about the meaning of the petroglyphs and the history of this place.

Day:

Free time on Issyk-Kul: You can continue to relax on the lake, engage in water sports (for an additional fee, depending on the season), or explore the surroundings of Cholpon-Ata.

Lunch in a cafe in Cholpon-Ata: You can choose a cafe to your taste for lunch.

Evening:

Free time on Issyk-Kul: Rest, walks, enjoying nature.

Dinner at the hotel or restaurant : You can have dinner at the hotel or one of the restaurants in Cholpon-Ata.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from the hotel on Issyk-Kul.

Transfer to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The road runs along the picturesque southern shore, opening up views of the mountains and the lake.

On the way, stop in Bokonbaevo village.

Visiting the eagle hunting show (in Bokonbaevo village): Introduction to the traditional Kyrgyz art of hunting with birds of prey. You will see a demonstration of hunting with eagles or golden eagles (depends on the season and availability of hunters).

Day:

Continue the journey along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.

Visiting Skazka Canyon (Kyzyl-Tuu): Walk through the picturesque Skazka Canyon, known for its bizarre shapes of red sandstone, created by wind and water. Exploring the canyon, taking photos.

Lunch in a cafe on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul: You can have lunch in one of the cafes on the southern shore, enjoying lake views.

Accommodation in a guesthouse or yurt camp on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul (in the area of Tamchi or Bokonbaevo village). Accommodation on the southern shore may be simpler than on the northern shore, but closer to nature and traditional culture. Examples of accommodation: “Yurt Camp Altyn Bulak”, “Guesthouse with locals in Bokonbaevo”.

Evening:

Dinner at the guesthouse or yurt camp (homemade cuisine).

Evening time on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Enjoying silence, nature, possibly gatherings around a campfire in a yurt camp.

Morning:

Breakfast at the guesthouse or yurt camp on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul and check-out.

Transfer to Kochkor village. Kochkor is a well-known center of handicrafts, especially felt products. Travel time is about 3-4 hours.

Visiting the felt cooperative in Kochkor: Getting acquainted with the process of making traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets – shyrdaks and other felt products. Opportunity to see the work of craftswomen, buy souvenirs.

Felt making master class (optional, for an extra fee): Try your hand at felt making by participating in a master class. You will be able to create a small souvenir with your own hands.

Day:

Lunch at a guesthouse in Kochkor (homemade cuisine): Enjoy traditional homemade cuisine at a guesthouse in Kochkor. (Lunch is included in the tour price).

Horseback riding in the vicinity of Kochkor (optional, for an extra fee): For those who wish, there is an opportunity to go horseback riding in the picturesque surroundings of Kochkor. Kyrgyzstan is a country of horses, and horseback riding is a great way to explore nature and feel like a nomad.

Evening:

Dinner at the guesthouse in Kochkor (homemade cuisine).

Evening time in Kochkor. Possibly getting acquainted with a local family, stories about traditions and culture, simple communication in a rural atmosphere.

Morning:

Breakfast at the guesthouse in Kochkor and check-out.

Return to Bishkek. Transfer from Kochkor to Bishkek takes about 3 hours.

Hotel accommodation in Bishkek (possibly in the same hotel where you stayed on the first day, or another of your choice).

Day:

Free time in Bishkek. After returning to Bishkek, you will have time to relax, take independent walks, visit museums, souvenir shops, or other places of interest to you.

Lunch in the city: You can have lunch in one of the cafes or restaurants in Bishkek.

Evening:

Farewell dinner in Bishkek: We can organize a farewell dinner for you in one of the good restaurants in Bishkek to celebrate the completion of your trip to Kyrgyzstan. Possibly dinner with a folklore show (upon request and for an additional fee).

Free time in Bishkek: Last evening in Bishkek, you can walk around the city, buy souvenirs as a keepsake.

Morning:

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from the hotel in Bishkek.

Transfer to Manas International Airport for departure. Depending on your departure time, you may have some free time in the morning for last-minute souvenir shopping or relaxing at the hotel.

Day:

Departure from Manas International Airport, Bishkek.

End of the tour “Kyrgyzstan Highlights: Culture, Nature and Active Leisure (8 days)”.