Why you will love this tour
Experience nomadic life in a traditional Kyrgyz dwelling boz-ui (yurt)
Learn about the history of the Islam Renaissance in Central Asia exploring Burana Tower
Meet the local Kyrgyz eagle hunters
Visit Ysyk-Kol Lake and Skazka (Fairy-Tale) canyons
Take a 4-hours-long horse riding to Shatyly panorama with a majestic views of Ysyk-Kol Lake
A perfect combination of history, culture and horseback riding
Itinerary
Day 1. Bishkek – Burana – Ysyk-Kol Lake – Skazka canyons
Fast facts: Transfer: 330 km – 4-5 h.
This morning, you’ll start explore the country with a drive towards Bokonbaevo village in the southern part of Ysyk-Kol Lake. The first stop on the map is archaeological and architectural complex “Burana Tower” registered on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Founded in the 11th century, the Burana tower was the minaret of a mosque in the city of Balasagun, the capital of the once largest empire – Khara-Khanid Khanate of local Turkic-speaking tribes in Central Asia. While except of the tower none of the original city stands above ground today, there is a museum onsite that explains the history of this important site and showcases some of the archaeological discoveries. Take a tour of the ruins in the surrounding hills and then visit the top of the tower with a view of Chui Valley.
Next, you’ll have a lunch at the local authentic café with a local famous food “kattama” and continue your trip to the village of Bokonbaevo. When you arrive early in the evening, check into yurt accommodations, and spend the remainder of the day visiting Fairy-Tale canyons 30 km far from the village. The red and yellow cliffs here, towering above a lunar-like landscape, are immense, and the area is perfect for some easy hiking. Once back at the yurt camp by the lake, you can rest until dinner walking by the water of Ysyk-Kol Lake.
Enjoy a supper at yurt and get ready to spend your first night at boz-ui – a traditional yurt of the Kyrgyz people.
Day 2. Horse riding. Drive back to Bishkek
Fast facts: Horse riding: 12 km – 4 h. Transfer: 290 km – 4 h.
Wake up at yurt with a breakfast! Today you will drive to Boz-Salkyn pasture for horseback riding tour to Shatyly panorama with a majestic view of Ysyk-Kol Lake. The ride is smooth and easy and offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes often coming into direct view. As you will reach the top of the panorama enjoy the breathtaking view, for photography enthusiasts the panorama is the right place, so snap some great photos against the background of the stunning lake and mountains. Once you get on your horse again, choose the upper trail for better views of the lake and make your way to the second panorama. From here, the ride is fairly moderately strenuous as you will descend towards the valley, then spend the last hours of smooth riding until you will reach the finish point. Say goodbye to the horses and drive back to Bokonbaev village where you’ll meet the hunters with eagle. After some explanations about golden eagles and hunting with them, he will demonstrate hunting to fox and rabbit. If you don’t want to see how the eagle hunts the wild animals, then the hunter will use the skin of a fox. After the demonstration, there’ll be many opportunities for camera shoots with the eagle on your wrist. Finish up your 2-days Kyrgyzstan experience with a drive back to Bishkek.
