Blue Pearl

Title of tour: Blue Pearl

Sites to visit: Bishkek, Chunkurchak, Burana, Chon Kemin, Issyk Kul, Karakol, Jeti Oguz
 

Day 1: Bishkek - Chunkurchak - Bishkek
Local guide will welcome you at the airport and drive to capital city Bishkek. It will take about 30 minutes to get. Before lunch, explore the city Bishkek. The city tour will show you the important places like Pobeda Square, mildly Dubovyi Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and other administrative buildings. The second half of the day, have excursion to one of the beautiful gorges not far from Bishkek. It will be Chunkurchak gorge, about 45 km to drive. In translation from local language, it means "hollow'. In order to preserve natural beauty, the territory of Chunkurchak was  protected under the National Biological Reserve. The gorge hosts rare kind of tulips. Especially in springtime, you will see more than 10 kind of different flowers on the 1 sq. meters. There is a ski resort, popular among city residents. In addition, there are many recreational resorts all year around. There is another gorge up Chunkurchak, which is called Takhr Gorge. In Takhr gorge there is a 200 m rock facing Alamedin River. After enjoying nature, come back to Bishkek. Night in a hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin
In the morning, depart to another amazing gorge Chong Kemin. En route, there is a chance to discover historical sites like Burana Complex. It is the remains of old city during 11-12^th century.  Nowadays it hosts Tower Burana, several mausoleums, ruins of citadel and collection of warrior stones and petroglyphs. Continue to Chong Kemin, where 3-hours horse riding is waiting. The way goes through mountains, fir tree forest and field. In the middle of riding have a break with panoramic view. Overnight in a homestay with nice family.

Day 3: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore
Today tour goes on to the second largest mountain lake in the world-Issyk Kul Lake. It is located at the altitude of 1608 meters. It stretches from east to west 180 km, from south to north 60km.  Due to its exceptional beauty, it called "the pearl of Tien Shan". More than 1500 years, local people thought lake to be holy and neither swim and fish. The water of the lake is slightly salty and have minerals, which have medicinal quality. The main source of the water is mountain glacier. There more than 70 big and small streams flow into lake and no one flow out. Night in a hotel near the lake.

Day 4: Issyk Kul lake - Karakol
After having breakfast, continue to Karakol town, in the eastern tip of the lake. En route, visit Open air museum of Petroglyphs near northern town Cholpon Ata. This big collection of rock paintings dating back to 800BC. According to archeologists, they were painted by shamans 2000 years ago. Then drive along the northern shore of Issyk Kul. In Karakol town, visit some historical and architectural monuments like Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Church.  Overnight in a hotel.

Day 5: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
In the morning, drive back to Bishkek via southern shore- the untouched beaches and beautiful gorges will charm you. The first stop will be at Jety Oguz, which is famous for huge red rock formations. In translation, it means ‘seven bulls". There is another natural monument "Broken Heart Rock. After climbing 20-minutes panorama, continue to the next stop in Bokonbaevo. In this town, visit eagle hunter's house. It is the traditional way of nomadic hunting. The hunter will tell you the story of this kind of hunting. Drive to Bishkek via Boon gorge. Overnight in Bishkek.

Day 6: Bishkek - Airport
In the morning, drive to airport to start new adventures.