Bishkek-Karakol (430 km)

The group will be met at Manas Airport and transferred to Karakol. The journey, spanning 7-8 hours, will be punctuated with interesting stops along the way. We'll visit the archaeological complex "Burana Tower," situated within the ancient city of Balasagun, founded in the 10th century, which served as the capital of the Eastern Kaganate of the Karakhanids—the first Muslim Turkic state in Central Asia. Next, we'll explore the "Center of Nomadic Civilizations" museum in Ornoq, located on the shores of Issyk-Kul, dedicated to the culture, traditions, and way of life of nomadic peoples inhabiting the Issyk-Kul coast from ancient times to the present day. Here, a Kyrgyz national lunch will be served in a yurt.
Our journey continues with a visit to the open-air museum "Ruh Ordo" on the shores of Issyk-Kul, named after Ch. Aitmatov—a unique cultural and spiritual center dedicated to five world religions. We'll arrive in Karakol by evening, where an Uyghur dinner awaits us at a restaurant, set on a raised platform amidst soft cushions. Indulge in incredibly delicious Uyghur dishes while engaging in interesting conversations and learning about the Uyghur people, who migrated to Kyrgyzstan in the late 19th century, despite their existence for over 2000 years.

Accommodation: guest house
Meals: lunch, dinner

Karakol - Ayu-Tor Mountain (12 km)

After breakfast, we embark on a memorable journey aboard a sturdy military truck to one of Kyrgyzstan's most stunning locations—the Karakol Gorge nestled in the foothills of the Terskey-Ala-Too Range. To fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of untouched nature, we'll establish camp and spend the night amidst the mountains, at the base of Ayu-Tor Mountain (2500 m). The journey to the campsite will take approximately 1.5 hours. Following lunch, we'll embark on a scenic hike to On-Tor Mountain, covering a distance of 14 km.
During our hike, we'll encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna, including species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, as well as wild barberry and rosehip thickets, relic forests of Tien Shan spruce, and high-altitude alpine meadows adorned with an array of wildflowers. Our efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views, including a glimpse of the highest peak of the Terskey Ala-Too Range—Peak Karakol (5281m). As evening descends, we'll return to the campsite, where a delicious dinner awaits us.

Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day trip to Mount Ayu-Tor

Let's extend our stay in this captivating location and embark on another scenic hike. Today, we'll journey to the high-mountain lake Ala-Kol, nestled among the peaks of the Terskey Ala-Too Range at an altitude of 3520 meters. Our trek will cover approximately 15 km over the course of 7-8 hours. Ala-Kol Lake, with its glacial origins and pristine waters fed by melting glaciers, is a sight to behold—one that defies adequate description and must be experienced firsthand.
As evening approaches, we'll make our way back to the campsite, where we'll spend another night immersed in the tranquility of the mountains, beneath the mesmerizing expanse of the summer night sky, adorned with countless twinkling stars.

Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Mount Ayu-Tor - Karakol (12 km)

It's time to return to civilization, albeit slowly. We'll hike to the forestry station, located 12 km away, arriving in the city by lunchtime. After checking into a hospitable guesthouse, we'll head to a local restaurant for lunch. Following our meal, we'll explore the sights of Karakol, once the furthest Asian city of the Russian Empire. We'll stroll through the city streets, admiring ancient merchant houses, and visit the architectural gems of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque. In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner at Karakol's best restaurant, "Dastarkon," accompanied by a folklore ensemble.

Accommodation: guest house
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Karakol-Bishkek (430 km)

After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Bishkek, taking our time along the southern coast of Issyk-Kul. En route, we'll explore several natural attractions, starting with the picturesque Jeti-Oguz Gorge, also known as Seven Bulls Gorge, renowned for its stunning red rock formations. Next, we'll visit the Borskoon Gorge, famed for its cascade of waterfalls bearing poetic names such as "Tears of Bars," "Chasha Manas," "Beard of the Old Man," and "Sprays of Champagne."
Our next stop is the enchanting Fairy Tale Canyon, renowned for its vibrant red clay rocks sculpted into whimsical shapes by the forces of nature—Wind, Soil Erosion, and Water—creating a unique outdoor gallery of natural sculptures. We'll enjoy lunch en route. Our journey concludes upon arrival at Manas Airport.

Meals: lunch