Mysterious Lakes

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The first location is the archaeological museum of the Balasagun settlement. In the past, a major city on the northern strand of the Great Silk Road. It was the trading capital of the Karakhanid Empire, under which the Islamization of the territories of Central Asia in the 10th century. The city of Balasagun is the birthplace of a prominent Turkic thinker and poet Y. Balasaguni. Not far from the source of the Chui River there is the Orto-Tokoi Reservoir. Because of the frequent changes in the water level in the floodplains form food-rich pastures. Naryn province is the heart of Tien Shan mountains. It is famous for its untouched highland 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-Kul is the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the mirror lies at an altitude of 3,013 m.a.s.l. It is one of the centers of ecological tourism and traditional lifestyle of cattle farmers. Magnificent pastures for domestic cattle, a transshipment base for many migratory birds. For centuries it has been a place of strength and of human unity with nature. Upon arrival we check in at the yurt village of "Ulush Yurts", where we will spend two nights. Among the fields of edelweiss sown by the stars of the Milky Way, on the shore of the "last" Lake Son-Kul. Drive: 350 km, altitude difference 800 - 3,446 m

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After breakfast, transfer to Karakol. We will be waiting for a transfer through the Boom Gorge - this Picturesque gorge is often called the hallmark of the road connecting Bishkek and Lake Issyk-Kul, the "gate" of the Issyk-Kul basin separating it from the Chui Valley. The name Boom (Buam) is presumably Mongolian and translates as "a sheer cliff, a cliff on the riverbank." The highway leading from the capital to the shores of Issyk-Kul rises 260 m and enters the Boomsky Gorge, located in the middle reaches of the Chu River, between two ridges: Kungei Ala-Too and Kirghiz Ala-Too. On the way, we will stop at the Semenovskoye and Grigoryevsky gorges, which is known for its wooded slopes, the stormy Ak-Suu river, as well as the high-altitude lakes Suttu Bulak or Holy Lake. The lake, formed in 1910 as a result of the strong Vernensky earthquake, is amazingly beautiful, the water in it seems to be cloudy – milky, as if you pour milk into a cup of tea and do not stir.. The depth of this lake is about 20 meters, the water is transparent with a bluish tinge, the water temperature is about 5 degrees, wild ducks can be seen swimming on the lake. With interesting woody hummocks –the remains of trees-overgrown with strands of aquatic plants. In clear weather, all the colors of the rainbow play in the iridescence of sunlight on the water surface of the lake. And all this is framed by tall Tien Shan fir trees and snow-capped peaks that are majestically displayed in the mirror of the waters. Upon arrival at the Holy Lake, we will rest by the lake, refresh ourselves, take a dozen pictures and continue our journey. At the end of the trekking to the lake, we will be transferred along the Northern shore of Issyk-Kul to the city of Karakol. We will tell you about this city the next day. Upon arrival in Karakol, we will stay at the hotel, have dinner and drive to the famous Ak-Suu hot springs.

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The morning of the fourth day will begin with a trip to the beautiful Jeti-Oguz gorge or the Rock of the Seven Bulls. It is located 30 kilometers from the city Karakol attracts many tourists, both local and foreign.Jety-Oguz, translated from Kyrgyz means "7 bulls". Such a specific name was given to the gorge because of the rocky massif of red clay, which is a kind of visiting card of the gorge. The rocks have a very bright color, and this is quite a rarity for the Tien Shan mountains. The next point of our trip will be the Barskoon gorge, which is known for its cascades of waterfalls, green shady forests and the fact that this gorge was a favorite vacation spot of Yuri Gagarin. Upon arrival in the Barskoon gorge, we will hike to several waterfalls with the poetic name "Manas Bowl", "Tears of the Leopard", "Champagne Spray". On the way to the waterfalls, your guide will tell you what is the reason for such an interesting name of the waterfalls. After that, we will continue our journey to the Southern shore of Issyk-Kul and also check into the most beautiful canyon "Fairy Tale".The wind has been polishing natural and fabulous sculptures here for years. Walking through the labyrinths of the canyon, you will feel like you are in a real fairy tale. No wonder the gorge is named that way. The rocks resemble castles, towers, monsters, giants, people and animals. And all this is created by nature, not by human hands. Eter has been polishing natural and fabulous sculptures here for years. Walking through the labyrinths of the canyon, you will feel like you are in a real fairy tale. No wonder the gorge is named that way. The rocks resemble castles, towers, monsters, giants, people and animals. And all this is created by nature, not by human hands.

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Rise in the early morning, transfer to Son Kul Lake (3016 m). On the way, we will visit with you a craft workshop in the village of Kochkor, Felt carpets or Kiyz are basic necessities in the life of Kyrgyz nomads. They are used for the construction and decoration of yurts: they are laid on an earthen floor, cover the yurt from the outside, decorate the walls inside. Felt made of natural sheep wool perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture, while remaining dry and keeping warm inside the home. For yurts, light-colored wool is usually used to make it light inside. Then there will be a break for shopping and lunch. Then we will cross the Kalmak Ashuu pass (3446 m) with you, Passing through it, you can get to the northern shore of Son Kul Lake. It is noteworthy that the road through the pass is open only in summer and autumn (from June to October), the rest of the time it remains impassable due to heavy snow. On the way to the pass, nature surprises: stone deserts are replaced by endless high-altitude meadows decorated with beautiful edelweiss.Its surroundings are a real paradise for Kyrgyz shepherds. Upon arrival at Son Kohl, we will be settled in the eco-yurt town of Ulush Yurts. We will have dinner in real Kyrgyz yurts, enjoy the fresh Alpine air and the clear starry sky.

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After a night in a Kyrgyz yurt, a hearty breakfast, we will have an equally interesting day, moving to the valley of Ak-Sai and Kok-Kya. We will descend from Son Kol Lake along 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 streamers. We will arrive in Naryn, here we will stop for lunch, have a hearty lunch, then we need to get to the Ak-Say valley from the east through the Kynda pass (the pass is open for travel only 6 months a year, closed in winter due to snow and frost).The area of responsibility of the Kynda border post begins at the Kynda pass – we enter the border territory. We will be stopped twice by border guards to check our documents and permits. There is a border zone in the Ak-Sai Valley. Travel only by passes. A sparsely populated place of the greatness of nature, surrounded by the brutal At-Bashi and Kakshaal-Too ridges. The latter is the longest and highest ridge of the Tien Shan. In its eastern part is the highest point — Victory Peak (7,439 m). Along the way, we will see horses, sheep and yaks grazing peacefully among the numerous glacial tributaries of the Ak-Sai River, which means "white stream". And indeed, the blissful purity of this harsh high-altitude plateau is beyond doubt. Our yurt camp is located on the bank of the wide bed of the Kok-Kyya River, among the spurs of the Kakshaal-Too ridge. In harmony with the elements and in complete isolation from civilization. Before dinner, we will take a light walk to the riverbank.

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We will spend the first half of the day in the Chon-Kemin Gorge. Chon-Kemin Gorge and the valley of the same name is a unique natural zone, which is located in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan. At valley is a national park. Chon-Kemin is remarkable for its length: being a narrow gorge in its eastern part, it gradually widens, forming a wide valley in the central part and closing again at the very exit. В This day we will take a horseback ride through the gorge. Horseback riding is not only a way of active recreation. It is also a method of restoring strength after a hard day's work or, as in our case, after a long journey through the passes. We will pass through firs and birches, We will get acquainted with rare plants, local nomads and learn about their unique traditions and way of life. After a 4-hour horseback ride we will have a snack in the guesthouse and then drive to Bishkek. Upon arrival we will have dinner in a national restaurant and check into the hotel.

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