Wonders of Kyrgyzstan in Autumn

Welcome upon your arrival at Manas airport by your driver. Transfer to your hotel.

Meet at 11am in the lobby of your hotel, where your guide will be waiting for you.

You then head towards Ala-Artcha National Park, a vast mountainous area located about forty kilometers south of Bishkek.

Arrival in the Soussamir Valley where we will discover magnificent postcard landscapes of Kyrgyzstan. Road to the small village of Kyzyl-Oi.

After arriving at the village we take a walk to visit the surrounding areas.

Day 4
You can use this day to relax and discover the lifestyle of the family you are staying with. Attend the creation of dairy products, cattle herding or even cow milking.

If you wish, you can leave after lunch for a short horseback riding trek.

Travel back in time with a visit to the historic Tach Rabat Caravanserai. Located on the road to Khasgar, the Tach Rabat caravanserai, the Stone Hotel, is probably the best-preserved site on the Silk Road, and you will be able to feel its original atmosphere here. Dating from the 15th century, it had many rooms used to shelter merchants.

You visit the women's cooperative, where traditional felt carpets (sherdaks) are made, bearing witness to the region's craft expertise.

In the evening, you attend a traditional Kyrgyz folk show. On the program: a Manas storyteller, traditional music and songs that immerse you in the country's epic tales and legends.

Arrival on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul (1609 meters altitude), the second largest alpine lake in the world. This lake, a true inland sea, is the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. Surrounded by the Tian Shan mountain range, snow-capped peaks culminating at over 5000 meters are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. From the surrounding mountains, dozens of rivers flow towards the lake via numerous valleys rivaling in beauty.

Located 25 km from Kochkor, we take you to visit the Chong Tuz salt mines, which were once exploited during the Soviet period. Today you walk through its galleries which serve as a sanatorium, and discover an atypical site that will fascinate more than one.

You will head to the salt lake, a small lake with high salinity neighboring its big brother Issyk-Kul Lake where you can swim before we immerse you in the fresh and warm waters of Issyk-Kul.

Arrival in the village of Kyzyl-Tuu renowned for the traditional manufacture of Kirghiz yurts. A family from the village will have the honor of showing us how a yurt is built, and if you wish you will be able to help them in this activity.

At Bokonbayevo, you attend an Eagle hunting demonstration. The Kyrgyz falconer, on horseback, presents the complicity that unites him with his eagle and demonstrates his hunting technique on small prey such as rabbits.

You visit the Skaska canyon, whose name means "fairy tale" in Kyrgyz. Its multicolored rock formations dominate Lake Issyk-Kul. Born from ancient volcanic eruptions, these natural sculptures with varied shapes evoke landscapes worthy of a fairy tale.

Arrival in Karakol, a peaceful small town on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. We take time to visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a 19th-century Orthodox church; the Chinese Mosque with the appearance of a Mongolian Buddhist temple, built by Dungan Chinese craftsmen.

Along the way, you stop at the Przewalsky Museum, which traces the history of the discovery of the wild horse in the Gobi Desert.

After this climb, we relax in the hot springs of Altyn-Archan, renowned for their healing properties.

For dinner, we are welcomed by our Dungan family, who will offer us a traditional meal and introduce us to the history of this Muslim people originally from Western China, who came to live in the region over 140 years ago.

New destination, the hot springs of Orto-Oruktu known for their healing properties, rich in minerals. On the way, we stop at a fish farm, where we will fish our lunch.

Ride in the surroundings where we discover another small gem of Kirghizistan, the Sut Bulak lake.

You visit the Ruh-Ordo cultural centre in Cholpon-Ata, a place where culture and serenity meet. In a peaceful setting, the complex is dedicated to the four major religions: Islam, Catholicism, Judaism and Buddhism. You also discover spaces dedicated to Greek philosophers as well as several influential figures from Kirghizistan.

You will set out on horseback to discover the beauty of the surrounding area, departing from your host's house where you will spend the night.

You stop to visit the ruins of the Burana Minaret, an ancient Jami mosque destroyed in the 13th century during the Tatar invasions. You then climb to the top of the minaret, from where you enjoy a clear view of the surrounding countryside. The visit continues with the associated museum, which allows you to better understand the history of the site.

Last day of travel before returning to the Kyrgyz capital. We leave the green mountains of Kyrgyzstan where we discovered warm-hearted people with traditions still so persistent and arrive in Bishkek. Check-in at your hotel where you can rest for a few moments.

We head to Osh Bazaar, the liveliest market in Kyrgyzstan. Stands of dried fruits and spices multiply according to your visit with the colors of Central Asia. You will also find many traditional souvenirs from the country.

Stroll through Ala-Too Square in the heart of Bishkek. A meeting place for Kyrgyz youth, it comes alive every evening with crowds of onlookers who come here to stroll. This square has also been the scene of numerous revolutions in the country's history.

Breakfast at the hotel.