Silk Road travel: Tour 1

Silk Road travel: Tour 1, Silk Road Tours.

Silk Road travel: Tour 1
Destination: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
Duration: 8 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk - Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Ala Archa - Bishkek

Day 1: Almaty
Welcome to Silk Road tour. Upon arrival to Almaty airport, the driver will meet you and transfer to the city. Our travelers will get acquainted with development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan and see its main sights and highlights. Then we will visit the Green Bazaar and see atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors and so on. The tour will be continued to one of the oldest Almaty parks as Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world as Zenkov Cathedral is located. We will visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, devoted to the memory of the troops who perished for freedom of Kazakhstan. The next destination is visiting to the Medeo Gorge and see the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Later on we will travel to Kok Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located. We will finish a day by riding to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to a hotel for rest.

Day 2: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
We will travel to the most beautiful gorges of Trans Ili Alatau as Issyk Gorge. This amazing gorge is located on the Kuldja tract. Being on this region, travelers will see the burial mounds of Saka period, where the famous "Golden Man" is placed. Nowadays it is the state symbol of Kazakhstan. The next destination is visiting the State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK", where you will see the descriptions devoted to the history and culture of the Saka period as a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. Our travelers will drive to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to see one of the attractive mountain lake Issyk, situated in the valley with the similar name. The lake was molded about 10,000 years ago because of landslide, caused in construction of the natural dam of 300 meters in height. This lake shows incredible view of transparent surface and cool water. In the end of day is transfer to a hotel.

Day 3: Almaty - Bishkek
Today we will travel to Kazakh and Kyrgyz border. The driver will meet you and transfer to Bishkek. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan and situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is an extension lead of the Tian Shan mountains, which rises up to 4,855 meters (15,928 ft) and presents a remarkable backdrop to the city. Today you will have a city tour and visit the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic and so on. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 4: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
The driver will pick you up at 8 am and drive you to Issyk Kul Lake, enclosed by the great mountains. It's the second largest alpine lake in the world of about 1608 m. above sea level. The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". On the way we will visit Burana Tower and an open air museum of Balbals, so called stone warriors. It is a minaret found in the 11th century. Before this place was a golden key for caravans. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 5: Issyk Kul lake - Karakol
This tour we will travel to Karakol city. On the way, we will take a short break to give you the chance to visit ancient stone inscriptions (800 B.C.). These petroglyphs were made more than 2 000 years ago by shamans. We will drive along the northern shore of the lake to the town of Karakol. On arrival you will visit Dungan mosque built in a Chinese style with no metals. Travelers will visit an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
This tour will start by driving to Jeti Oguz gorge. You will see red rocks constructions which is also called Seven Bulls. Here is a chance to see Broken Heart Mountain. Walk 20 minutes to see a great panorama view of the gorge. This tour will be continued to Bokonbaeva village. Here we will meet a local eagle-hunter. You will be shown an eagle hunting and take photos with wild birds. We will continue our way to Bishkek. Transfer to a hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek
In the morning we will walk to Ala Archa gorge. In Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had approval to go for a walk over here. The Ala Archa gorge is located on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It will take 45 km from Bishkek. You will have a short hiking tour to see an outstanding panoramic view of the gorge. We will return to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Flight
In the morning is transfer to airport.

Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus

Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter

Price per person:
02 pax - 945 $
04 pax - 700 $
06 pax - 560 $
08 pax - 485$
10 pax - 445$
Single - 130 $

Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $

Half board - 115 $
Full board - 205 $

English speaking guide - 535 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guides