Day 1 - Bishkek

On arrival in Bishkek, the bustling capital of Kyrgyzstan, you will be met by our interpreter. Accommodation in hotel, lunch. This afternoon you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide. Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE and ARTS MUSEUM. An optional early evening excursion involves a thrilling helicopter flightseeing tour above the snow-capped peaks of the KYRGYZ ALA-TOO. After getting to know Bishkek you will be transferred to the Hotel. This evening is at leisure for relaxation and enjoyment of Bishkek's nightlife.

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Day 2 - Bishkek - Lake Issyk-Kul (North) - Karakol

Today your adventure takes you along the North shore of LAKE ISSYK-KUL to KARAKOL, via 11th-century BURANA TOWER and the prehistoric PETROGLYPHS at Cholpon-Ata. Lunch in a cafe or roadside yurt (the Kyrgyz equivalent of motorway service stations) is included. From Karakol you will be taken by 6WD ex-Soviet army jeep up to spectacular KASHKA-SUU (branching from the main body of KARAKOL canyon). At 2,900m, this remote wooded valley makes a truly wonderful place to pitch the tents and strike camp. Tonight you will be served a hot, tasty evening meal around the campfire.

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Day 3 - Kashka-Suu - Przhevalsky peak

After breakfast you will set off on a hike across Kashka-Suu meadows and up towards the glacier flowing down from PRZHEVALSKY peak. This peak, at 4271m, was named in honour of Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky, one of the Tien-Shan's greatest explorers. Even in summer's fiercest heat, the glacial ice and snow at its feet remain obstinately frozen. Lying at the head of KASHKA-SUU river, the glacier supplies Karakol, far below, with fresh, drinkable water. We will eat our packed lunches here, at an altitude of 3300m, just under PRZHEVALSKY peak. After some free time to drink in the arresting views you will be guided back down to the campsite.

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Day 4 - Karakol - Lake Issyk-Kul (South) - Bishkek

This morning you must bid farewell to this isolated nook of Eastern Kyrgyzstan. The jeep will bring you down to KARAKOL, where a comfortable car or private bus (depending on group size) will be waiting to transfer you back to BISHKEK. This time you will be driven along the beautiful Southern shores of Lake ISSYK-KUL. The road hugs the water's edge and winds through remote Kyrgyz villages of wooden chocolate-box cottages, against the backdrop of the captivating Central Tien Shan mountains. After a short stop in Balykchi for lunch your trip will continue via BOOM gorge. On arrival in Bishkek you will be taken to the Hotel ISSYK-KUL for your last overnight and a much-appreciated warm shower.

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Day 5 - Bishkek - depart for home

Today you will be transferred to Bishkek MANAS airport (or to the train or bus station if you plan to travel onwards), taking with you many unforgettable, spectacular memories of your adventures in Kyrgyzstan.