Winter Tour | 7 Days & Nights

Itinerary

Day 1: Bishkek

Stop At: Bishkek, Bishkek
White Leopard guides will meet you at the Manas International Airport and provide transfer to a hotel in Bishkek. (30 km, 40 - 50 min). After having some rest and breakfast, we can take a brisk walk to visit the main Bishkek city attractions, including the open air art gallery at Oak Park and the gently revolving ferris wheel at Paniflov Park. After a late, traditional lunch at a national cafe we will visit Ala-Too Square, lit up with expansive light designs for the months surrounding the New Year holiday.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in Bishkek

Day 2: Chon-Kemin Valley

Stop At: Burana Tower, Don-Aryk, Tokmok 722201 Kyrgyzstan
On the way to Chon-Kemin, we will visit the Burana Tower at Tokmok, a minaret from the 11th century. It is an important historical tower from the Silk Road period. Climbing to the top is possible by a dark, narrow, stone staircase that opens up to a 360 view of the Ala-Too range.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
The Сhon – Kemin Valley is a wide valley north of Lake Issykul that is accessed only by a narrow gorge. The Chon-Kemin River flows all the way through the center of the valley, and rushes out through the gorge to meet the Chui River.

After arriving in Chon – Kemin, we will have lunch, then take a horse ride to explore along the valley and into the nearby hills.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin

Day 3: Cholpon-Ata and Karakol

Stop At: Rukh Ordo, Sovetskaya St, Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan
On the way to Karakol we will stop in the complex “Ruh Ordo”. The cultural complex includes 10 mini-museums that highlight the art, history, and cultural traditions of Kyrgyzstan. Visits include a knowledgable guide and are interactive, so you will learn to dance, sing, and design in Kyrgyz fashion.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Karakol, Karakol, Issyk Kul Province
Karakol is located in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan, a 4 hour drive from Chon-Kemin. It is an interesting starting point to the diversity of Kyrgyzstan’s multinational history, fine cuisine and picturesque nature. It also gives access to some of the most popular sites in the country (for good reason).

Be ready for beauty, from the tree-lined road, to the looming Tien Shan peaks rising over the water of the lake. In Karakol we will have some time to walk around and explore the town.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in Karakol

Day 4: Skiing at Karakol Resort

Stop At: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
For two days we will have fun skiing at the Karakol ski resort. Here you will have the opportunity to ride on soft snow, with a low moisture content due to the altitude. The snow is usually at least 1 meter deep, and there are runs for every level, from beginner to advanced. Our guides can help you navigate the resort: rental equipment and lift tickets are included in the tour. If you would like to hire a private instructor they are available at varying rates depending on the number of people and hours desired. We can help arrange this if you would like.

After skiing, we will go to a hot spring, to relax and rejuvenate from days spent in the snow.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay at ski resort

Day 5: Skiing at Karakol Resort

Stop At: Karakol, Karakol, Issyk Kul Province
For two days we will have fun skiing at the Karakol ski resort. Here you will have the opportunity to ride on soft snow, with a low moisture content due to the altitude. The snow is usually at least 1 meter deep, and there are runs for every level, from beginner to advanced. Our guides can help you navigate the resort: rental equipment and lift tickets are included in the tour. If you would like to hire a private instructor they are available at varying rates depending on the number of people and hours desired. We can help arrange this if you would like.

After skiing, we will go to a hot spring, to relax and rejuvenate from days spent in the snow.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay at ski resort

Day 6: South Shore of Issykul

Stop At: Jeti-Oguz Canyon (Seven Bulls Rocks), Kyrgyzstan
On the way to Bokonbaeva, we will visit the Jeti-Oguz valley with the famous red rock formations “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart”.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Barskoon, Barskoon, Issyk Kul Province
We will drive into Barskoon Valley to see “Aksakal’s Beard”, a waterfall that freezes over in the winter, leaving a stunning white formation that is brilliant on a sunny day. Depending on the snow conditions it is possible to snowshoe part of the way, if participants are interested.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Canyon Skazka, Tosor Kyrgyzstan
One last sight to visit is Skazka Canyon, “fairytale” canyon. In the winter the road can sometimes be closed in extreme conditions, but in general it is open and the red rock formations are just as delightful in the snow as they are in the heat of summer.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
Arrive at the hotel, where you can enjoy a relaxing massage after the adventures of the day.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in Bokonbaeva

Day 7: Falcon Hunters, Archery, and Osh Bazaar

Stop At: Bokonbayevo, Bokonbayevo, Issyk Kul Province
After breakfast we will meet with a traditional “bürkütchü”, a falcon hunter that hunts specifically with eagles. They will give a demonstration of this prized skill that traces its history far back into nomadic tradition. Another common sport that is practiced in Central Asia is archery. Learn from Kyrgyz archers about how to shoot with a traditional bow, made from all natural materials.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Bishkek, Bishkek
After the eagle demonstration and archery practice, we will begin the journey back to Bishkek, stopping for lunch along the way. In Bishkek we can visit Osh Bazar to see a traditional Central Asian market and buy souvenirs.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in Bishkek