Bishkek and around tours

BISHKEK CITY TOUR

A walking tour of the city center with a guide can be arranged which includes the above sights  (visits to the museums are optional depending upon client wishes).

A motor tour might include the above plus:

• The mosque
• Osh Bazaar
• The Avenue of the Young Guards
• A drive through the suburbs for example to visit
• Pishpek
• Rabochy Gorodok - The Hippodrome
• Panorama in the foothills overlooking Bishkek

The Kyrgyz Village complex - This collection of some 30 yurts, set in attractive surroundings on the outskirts of Bishkek, gives you the chance to see different styles of yurt and many aspects of traditional Kyrgyz life - there are demonstrations of traditional crafts, shows of traditional Kyrgyz horsemanship and a chance to sample traditional Kyrgyz cuisine.  

Concert - A Kyrgyz Experience - Sit and listen to traditional Kyrgyz music played on traditional instruments.   We can arrange concerts by a number of different groups – including Jetigen – the musical ensemble of Music School ¹ 7.

Kyrgyz Crafts - a demonstration - A visit to a village in the Chui valley combined with a demonstration of the making of Shyrdaks and Ala Kiyiz.  Optional lunch.  It is possible to arrange demonstrations and master classes of various national crafts, such as how to make Shyrdaks and Ala kiyiz, at different places around Kyrgyzstan – for example in At Bashi, Naryn and in Bishkek – either as part of a tour or as a special event.  We also organize special Saturday sessions at the Silk Road Lodge throughout the Summer.  Ask for details.

DAY TRIPS

Burana Tower - The Burana Tower is described separately.  It is possible to combine a visit to the Tower with a trip to Kegeti or Shamsy Gorges, Lake Issyk Kul, Kochkor, Lake Son Kul or Naryn and beyond, or simply as a half-day or one day trip in itself.  A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

Ala Archa - National Park - Situated some 30 km outside the capital city of Bishkek is the Ala Archa National Park. sometimes called the “superb gem” of the Tien Shan.  Suitable for anything from a half-day trip to several days trekking, or horse riding.  A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

Alamedin - Hot Springs - Alamedin is one of the valleys in the Kyrgyz Krebet.  Looking at the mountains from Bishkek - it is possible to notice a deeply cut valley in the Kyrgyz range - This is the Alamedin valley.  About 35km from the city centre is the resort of Teployie Kluche - Warm Springs with a naturally heated swimming pool and splendid walks in the valley above.  A picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.

Picnic at Dove Waterfall - one of the nearest waterfalls to Bishkek.  From the Ala Archa valley to the Alamedin, there is a road along the top of the foothills of the Kyrgyz range.  Visit the Kashka Suu ski resort  (if the ski-lift is working, ride to the top) - and then continue round the road with spectacular views over the Chu river valley - visiting Dove Waterfall; 

The foothills from Ala Archa to Alamedin  - Kashka Suu to Dove Waterfall - From the Ala Archa valley to the Alamedin, there is a road along the top of the foothills of the Kyrgyz range.  Visit the Kashka Suu ski resort  (if the ski-lift is working, ride to the top) - and then continue round the road with spectacular views over the Chu river valley - visiting Dove Waterfall.   Light walking is possible … and a Picnic Lunch or Shashlik can be arranged.  It is possible to combine this with a drive to the Burana Tower through the foothills of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range.

The Hot Spings of Issyk Ata - Seventy seven kilometers from Bishkek, nestled at a height of 1175 meters above the sea level in the Issyk-Ata valley, (about one and a half hours from the city center), is the Issyk Ata sanatoria.  The valley has been a place of pilgrimage since ancient times.  It is famous for its image of Buddha and Buddhists inscriptions (dating from V-II centuries BC).   The hot springs after which the valley takes its name (Issyk Ata = Warm Father) and on which the Sanatoria is based have attracted visitors, drawn by their curative powers, for many centuries. After an easy hike (2 hours) along the mountain slopes to a waterfall in the picturesque alpine meadows above the sanatoria, there is the possibility to take a plunge in the hot springs (3 open air swimming pools with clear blue water). There is time for a short swim (20 minutes).  Following this there is a short drive to a hunter’s wooden lodge for a long, leisurely lunch followed by the chance to simply relax in the magnificent surroundings before returning to Bishkek.

A visit to the Kegeti Gorge - Ninety kilometers from Bishkek lies the Kegeti valley with steep forested slopes.  This is a place where few people go, and if you want to escape from the crowds of people and cars that you see on the streets of Bishkek, then a trip to Kegeti Canyon will be a good choice of destination. We leave Bishkek in the morning and drive to the Kegeti gorge – it will take an hour and a half to get there. This canyon has plenty of routes for hiking. One leads to a waterfall – its sparkling waters providing an amazing sight; another to a valley which, in Spring, is carpeted with flowers displaying a multitude of colourful blooms; whilst a third – following a serpentine track – will bring you to alpine meadows.  (For those who want a longer trek – the itinerary to Kul-Tor lake in Kegeti is an attractive alternative to this one day trip.)

Horse riding in Shamsy - The Shamsy gorge is considered to be the most beautiful of the canyons in Chui valley.  From ancient times it was known as a holy place, people used to come here to worship and to simply enjoy nature.  The golden mask of the ancient Queen Shamsy, was found nearby.  We drive from Bishkek towards the town of Tokmok (70 km from Bishkek) near the ancient capital of the Karakhanids with it's famous Burana Tower (XI C.), going up to the Shamsy gorge with it's magnificent heavy forests of fir-trees, rushing river and glaciers.   Horses will await your arrival and together with your guide and a stable-man, you will ride slowly through the mountain pass to the camp, where a hot meal will be ready, waiting for you. After lunch you can continue to explore the gorge, on horseback – or if you prefer on foot – or simply relax taking in the splendour of the mountain scenery, until it is time for the departure back to Bishkek.  (If you have an extra day – you could consider a two day trip – overnight at the hunting lodge built for the Shah of Iran.)

Chong Kemin - This valley is sandwiched between the mountains to the North of Issyk Kul and Kazakhstan.  It is the birthplace of President Akaev and has many picturesque and tranquil spots.  Homestays can be arranged and there are a number of routes for trekking and for horse-riding.  Ideal for a “weekend break”.

Horse Trekking - It is possible to organise a one-day horse trekking experience in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range to the South of the city.  One tour includes transfer from the hotel to the Noorus Gorge, horse riding; lunch and transfer back to your hotel in the evening. It is possible to arrange a day’s horse riding in the Ala Archa State Nature Park – a leaflet describing routes is available.

Rafting – Fishing - White water rafting and fishing expeditions can be arranged on several stretches of water.  Closest to Bishkek are the waters of the Chui River and Boom Gorge (on the way to Lake Issyk Kul).  The Silk Road Water Centre (no connection to the hotel) has equipment and experienced staff.  Anything from one day to several day expeditions can be arranged.

WEEKEND BREAKS

Within easy reach of Bishkek are a number of possible places for a Weekend Break.  Possible destinations include:

• Ala Archa, Alemedin, Issyk Ata, Kegeti, Kyzyl Suu, Shamsy, Tash Bulak – valleys in the Kyrgyz Krebet mountain range South of Bishkek;
• Chong Kemin – from the beautiful valley, birthplace of President Akaev, trek over the mountains to Balikchi;
• Lake Issyk Kul – simply relax by the lakeside and stay in one of the many sanatoria, hotels, guest houses, homestays (for example at Cholpon Ata);
• Semyenovka – enjoy a real Kyrgyz cultural experience in a traditional ayil (Kyrgyz yurt encampment);
• Kochkor – surrounded by a number of Jailoo (“mountain meadows”), trekking and horse riding;
• Lake Son Kul – the beautiful mystery of the “Last Lake” set on a “desolate”, treeless mountain plateau;
• Naryn – visit the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat and visit a master shyrdak maker in At Bashi;
• Talas – the Land of Manas and Chingiz Aitmatov – (overnight in Suusamyr – visit Talas – return by Kazakhstan).

Leave Bishkek Friday afternoon, overnight, Saturday explore your destination, overnight, Sunday morning relax and return to Bishkek in the afternoon – refreshed and enlivened.