Mysteries of the North

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A trip to Son-Kol Lake through Boom Gorge is a peculiar thread that connects the two regions of Chui and Issyk-Kul. It is through this gorge that the railroad and automobile road run from the capital to the pearl of Kyrgyzstan - Lake Issyk-Kul. The length of the gorge is about 30 kilometers. Along the way the traveler enjoys beautiful views of high mountains - somewhere steep and rocky, somewhere gentle, and a rough stream of the Chu River. Not far from the upper reaches of the Chu River there is the Orto-Tokoi Reservoir. Because of the frequent changes in water levels, the floodplain forms rich fodder pastures. The Naryn province is the heart of the Tien Shan mountains. It is famous for its untouched high-mountainous nature and ancient traditions of nomadic peoples of Central Asia. You can climb up to Son-Kul Lake through two colorful passes. Kalmak-Ashu (3446) or Teskei-Torpok (3133). Stunning views of picturesque valleys, serpentine passes and majestic nature. Son-Kol is the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the mirror lies at an altitude of 3,016 m. It is one of the centers of ecological tourism and the traditional way of life of cattle farmers. Gorgeous pastures for cattle, a staging ground for many migratory birds. For centuries, a place of strength and unity of man with nature.

Route:
After an overnight stay in a Kyrgyz yurt and a good breakfast we will have no less interesting day - a trip to Ak-Sai and Kok-Kiya valley. We will go down from the Son-Kol Lake through one of the most beautiful passes "33 parrots", walk to the waterfall of the same name - 33 parrots. The name of the pass was given by the number of serpentines. After arriving in Naryn, we will have lunch here and then drive to the Ak-Sai Valley from the east through the Kynda Pass (the pass is open for travel only 6 months of the year, in winter it is closed due to snow and frost). We are stopped twice by border guards to check documents and permits. There is a border zone in the Ak-Sai valley. Travel is by pass only. It is not a crowded place of natural grandeur, surrounded by the rugged ranges of At-Bashi and Kakshaal-Too. The latter is the longest and highest range of the Tien Shan. Its eastern part has the highest point - Victory Peak (7,439 m). On the way we will see horses, sheep and yaks grazing peacefully among numerous glacial tributaries of the Ak-Sai River, which means "white stream". And indeed, the fertile purity of this austere high-mountainous plateau is beyond doubt. On the bank of the wide riverbed of the Kok-Kyya, among the spurs of the mountain range Kakshaal-Too, our yurt camp has settled down. In harmony with the nature and in complete isolation from civilization. Before dinner we will take an easy walk to the river bank.

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Wake up next to the Sary-Beles Glacier to observe its bright sheen in the sunny morning and warm colors on the rocky texture at sunset in the afternoon. After breakfast, a radial hike to the lake awaits us. Kel-Suu Lake itself is tucked between the peaks of the Kel-Too and Sary-Beles ranges. Like elder brothers, they protect their young sister from "imperfection" of the outer world, feeding it with pure glacier waters. The lake was formed by a rockfall and has a zigzag shape. It is 12 kilometers long and shallow. Sometimes the lake hides, going underground, and exposes its dry, cracked bottom. As if reminding mankind of the fragility of nature. Wild animals live among the rocky shores, hard-to-reach grottoes and caves. We will explore the lake shore and perhaps take a boat ride. Lunch will take place overlooking the lake. We will take some cool pictures and just relax. After that we will start our descent to our camp. In the evening you can play volleyball or relax at camp. Those who wish can go horseback riding.

Route:
In the morning after breakfast we leave for the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. On the way we will visit an interesting place, it is a water canyon of the Kuldja-Bashi River with high rocks of bizarre shapes. We will stop to take pictures and walk along the bizarre winding rocks. In a few hours we will reach the town of Naryn, where we will stop for Kyrgyz lunch. Interestingly, the name of the town, according to legend, means horse broth. But some sources claim that the word "Naryn" comes from the Mongolian language and is translated into Russian as "sunny", or from Chinese as "narrow". Construction of a small town at the foot of the Naryn-Too mountain range began in 1868. From 1927 to the present day Naryn is the administrative center of the Naryn region and district. After the meal we will continue our way, reaching the southern shore of Issyk-Kul we will see the canyons of Ak-Sai, or as they are also called "Canyons of Forgotten Rivers". After walking along the canyon we will settle in the yurt complex. Dinner, program by the fire.

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After breakfast we will go to Dzheti-Oguz Gorge. On this day we will have an opportunity to see an eagle hunt or, as it is called by the people, "Salbuurun". Since ancient times it was believed that the hunting bird is the most faithful and reliable assistant of the hunter. Eagles and falcons were used long before the appearance of firearms and were in the status of a family member. Kyrgyz tribes have used birds of prey since the 10th century A.D. and still maintain this incredible tradition from generation to generation. For the village of Bokonbaevo, eagle hunting is a true ancient tradition. At the end of the mesmerizing show we will visit the canyon "Fairy Tale". The canyon is so named for the bizarre rocky landscape that has been transformed over the years by wind into fairy-tale sculptures and sculptural ensembles. Some sections of the Fairy Tale have been given associative names for their resemblance to one way or another. For example, the mountain range in the canyon, was named the "Chinese Wall" for its resemblance to a Chinese architectural monument. Here you can also find statues of a hippo, a snake, a sleeping giant, a dragon and entire castles. Thanks to various rocks that carry amazing colors in their base, the rock statues not only have unusual shapes, but also have a magical coloring. Let's walk through the canyons and take pictures against the background of colorful rocks. Then we will visit Barskoon Gorge, where we will enjoy views of majestic cliffs and mysterious waterfalls. Walking along the gorge and short trekking to the waterfalls "Manas Bowl", "Tears of Bars", "Champagne Splash". After the walk we will be transferred to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge. Upon arrival, check-in at the ethno-complex, dinner, free time.

Route:
After waking up and having breakfast surrounded by mountains, fir trees and untouched nature of the Jeti-Oguz Gorge. We will walk to the Maiden's Spits waterfall. The gorge is one of the most popular attractions in the Issyk-Kul region. Jety-Oguz in Kyrgyz means "7 bulls". The gorge got such a specific name because of the rock massif of red clay, which is a kind of visiting card of the gorge. The rocks have a very bright color, which is quite rare for the Tien Shan mountains. Gentle slopes in front of the rocks, densely overgrown with grass and coniferous trees and resembling a soft carpet from afar, give the gorge an unusual contrast. Especially romantic is the rock "Broken Heart," located at the entrance to the gorge. After walking around the gorge and making a wish near the rock "Broken Heart" we continue our way to Karakol. This town is strikingly different from all other cities of Kyrgyzstan with its amazing ancient architecture, plenty of ancient sights and amazing natural beauties that surround Karakol. Founded in the XIX century, this city has long been the largest and the most developed city of Kyrgyzstan. We will give you a city tour and visit the local history museum. After arrival at our hotel you will be checked in, have dinner at Dungan House and bathe in hot springs.

Route:
After waking up and having breakfast we will go to Cholpon-Ata. On the way we will take a city tour, visit the Dungan Mosque and Przewalski Museum, and taste the famous Karakol ashlam-fu. After that we will be transferred to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. We will drive to the Semenovskoye Gorge, walk around the sacred lake "Suttu-Bulak" The lake was formed in 1910 as a result of a strong Vernensky earthquake, it is amazingly beautiful, the water in it is cloudy and milky, as if you poured milk into a cup of tea without stirring it up. On a clear day all the colors of the rainbow play on the water surface of the lake in the shimmering sunlight. All this is framed by tall Tian Shan firs and snowy peaks majestically reflecting in the mirror of water. After the walk to the lake we will drive out through Grigoryev Gorge, where we can taste mountain river trout (in season). Arrival in Cholpon-Ata, check in to the hotel. Dinner, free time

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This day will be completely devoted to rest on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. You will have the opportunity to swim or just sunbathe lying on the hot sand. Lake Issyk-Kul is undoubtedly the main attraction of the country, an amazing mountain lake, one of the cleanest on the planet. The unique healing microclimate, the mesmerizing beauty of the lake, which lies surrounded by snowy mountains and pine forests, the water, which is not inferior to the sea, - all this attracts more and more people who want to relax and improve their health away from the bustling cities and towns in the bosom of unspoiled nature. Issyk-Kul is unique in every way. The water in Issyk Kul is salty and doesn't freeze even in winter. This is the reason why the lake got its name: Issyk-Kul means "hot lake" in Kyrgyz. The lake creates a peculiar maritime climate in the valley, which is very unusual for the high mountains and Central Asia as a whole. For example, winters here are much milder than in other regions of the country, and in summer, on the contrary, it is not so hot. After the active part of the day, we will have an afternoon snack and drive to Bishkek through the familiar Boom Gorge. Arrival in Bishkek, check in to the hotel.