They prepared a route for the main attractions for those who are not familiar with Kyrgyzstan – gaining popularity in the tourist direction. Interesting places to travel through a bright representative of Central Asia are enough for two weeks. We have chosen points for a quick acquaintance, best reflecting the country’s flavor. Visit them and you will definitely want to return.
What you need to know before the trip:
- The state language is Kyrgyz. Russian has an official status, almost all residents say it.
- Religion. Most of the population are Muslims-Sunnis. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan is a secular state.
- The national currency of Kyrgyzstan – som. 100 cats are equal to 87 rubles*, but it is better to clarify the course right before the trip.
The best time to travel in the warm season is August and September. July is considered the hottest month. In summer, air often warms up to +40 ℃. By August, the water in the lakes becomes comfortable for swimming, so we definitely advise you to swim. In September, the heat falls, and the bazaars are breaking from the fruit crop.
The first day. Bishkek
How to get To Bishkek
Tickets from Moscow to Bishkek and back in the season are about 20,000 rubles*. Travel time is four hours. To travel around the country, it is best to rent a car. Renting a car on OneTwotrip will cost 8,000 rubles* per day.
Where to live In Bishkek
In the center of Bishkek are Orion, Ramada, Ambassador hotels. The cost of night starts from 6,000 rubles* for two. There are many offers of apartments and apartments for rent. There are also simpler options in the center – from 2500 rubles*.
What to watch in Bishkek
Let us begin to get acquainted with the capital of Kyrgyzstan in her very heart-on Ala-Too Square. Here is the State Historical Museum with one of the largest expositions in Central Asia. It is also worth visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts named after Gapara Iitiev, where the works of Kyrgyz artists are represented. The ticket costs 100 soms*. With the tour, you will be able to learn more about the traditions of the country.
After the cultural program, take a walk around the Bishkek chief park – oak. On its territory in the open air is a museum of sculptures. The oldest building of the city is the Nikolskaya Church. Also, be sure to go to the mosque borboard. Next, go for a walk along Chui Avenue – this is one of the central streets of the capital of Kyrgyzstan. On the way, pay attention to the monumental monuments of architecture: the Sports Palace of Kozhomkul, the Cinema Russia, the Frunze Museum. Look at Victory Park. On the avenue, come to the famous Osh bazaar – perhaps the most colorful place in the city. Spices, dried fruits, tea, dishes, bright fabrics and carpets are sold here.
For a complete immersion in history, go to the Ata-Bayite memorial complex 30 km from the city. In this place, during the Stalinist repressions, more than 137 Kyrgyz people were shot. The writer Genghis Aitmatov is also buried here. On the spot they conduct thematic excursions and there is a museum.
Where is there in Bishkek
Traditional food is served in restaurants of Navat, “Yr Caes” and the Chaika Chaikan. Order pilaf, lagman, manti, all kinds of cakes, a national drink of Maxym, Karakolsky Ashlyam-Fu and pies.
The second day. Tower of Buran and Canyon Conorke
How to get to the tower of Buran and Canyon Conor
The first stop is the Buran Tower in the Chui Valley, located 80 km from Bishkek.
What to watch
Buran’s tower is one of the most famous archaeological monuments of the country. The minaret was built in the X-XI centuries. The complex is an open -air museum with petroglyphs and stone statues. The tower itself, with which the view of the whole settlement opens, is allowed for a symbolic fee. Nearby there is a garden of stones with balbal – ancient tombstones.
After meeting with an archaeological monument, go to watch the local version of the Grand Canyon, located 80 km from the Buran tower. Get ready for tracking – you can go to Kanon Konork only through the labyrinths of the rocks along the channel of a dried river. Here you will see the remnants of the ancient volcano Segizkhan-skins, and once Issyk-Kul reached these places.
Where to stop
From the canyon to Issyk-Kul, where our next stop will be, 40 km. One of the most famous cities on the lake is Cholpon-Ata. You can settle in a guest house, which there are a lot. Prices start from 1000 rubles* per night for two.
The third and fourth day. Lake Issyk-Kul
What to watch On Lake Issyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul is the main natural attraction and the universally recognized highlight of Kyrgyzstan. The name is translated as “hot lake”: in winter, the reservoir does not freeze. In the summer, local residents come here at sea: water warms up on average to +20 ℃. We recommend that you devote at least two days to this place to feel in the resort and relax perfectly.
Issyk-Kul consists of two shores. North is more adapted for tourists, there are many boarding houses and sanatoriums for any budget. The southern coast is not yet so mastered. There you will find on -line camps, wild beaches, canyons and waterfalls.
Devote the first day to the study of the northern shore: the coast of Cholpon-Ata is famous for white sand and transparent water. To explore the lake, we recommend renting a boat or kayak. From Cholpon-Ata, excursions to the Grigoryevskoye and Semenovsky gorges are taken, the trip will take about four hours. Grigoryevskoye – narrower and rocky, and Semenovskoye is gentle and covered with heels. Another way of pastime on the north shore is to swim in hot springs. The most common Lake fish is Issyk-Kul Chebachka, be sure to try it with beer. Toward evening, go to Karakol, where the southern coast begins.
Where to stop On Lake Issyk-Kul
There are comfortable accommodation options in Karakol like Hillside Hotel for 3600 rubles per night for two. Budget guest houses are also in abundance, you can spend the night in a traditional yurt for 1000 rubles.
For those whom the beach vacation does not attract, we propose to arrange tracking on the fourth day. In the Karakol gorge is the ski base of the same name. The lift will deliver to the peak with a view of the lake. 30 km from Karakol is a picturesque resort-the gorge of Jeta-Oguz. It is a red cliffs covered with thick forests. One of the points of attraction of tourists is the rock of a broken heart. If the Issyk-Kul temperature is low for you, go to the village of Zhyrgalan, there is a resort with thermal springs. Another hot springs-Altyn-Arashan-are located in the same name gorge 10 km from Karakol.
The night can be spent again in Karakol or in another settlement of the southern coast. And already early in the morning go back to Bishkek. To the capital from this point-400 km, this is 5-6 hours on the way.
The fifth day. National Park Ala-Arch
How to get to the Ala-Arch National Park
It is located 40 km from Bishkek. On the territory there is a famous gorge in honor of which the park is named. On the last day, we offer to do without long crossings and take a break from the road in nature.
From the Osh market in Bishkek to the entrance to the gorge there is a minibus No. 265. The passage costs 50 soms*. A taxi trip will cost 500-600 soms. Entrance to the territory of the park is paid – 500 soms* per car.
Ala-archa-Mecca for climbers. Professionals regularly make ascents here, but there are also ordinary walking routes. Tourists come to breathe fresh mountain air and reach the Ak-Sai waterfall. In such a area, take a horseback riding perfectly: an hour costs 400 soms*. You can relax in the gazebo, yurt, rent tap residents or cauldron.
*Prices are valid at the time of publication
