UNDISCOVERED KYRGYZSTAN: NOMADS AND

LEOPARDS 

Attend the World Nomad Games - one

of the coolest competitions on the

planet.

Journey around the shores of Central

Asia’s largest alpine lake.

Visit the Snow Leopard rehabilitation

centre to learn about the rescue of

injured and orphaned snow leopards.

Visit an abandoned Soviet mining

town.

Journey deep into the Tien Shan

mountains - the realm of the snow

leopard

Stay in the extraordinary Pikertyk

valley and spot Marco Polo sheep and

herds of ibex.

 

Stay in a yurt on the shores of Lake

Son-kul and watch a game of Kok-Boru

- a form of polo using a goat carcass.

Meeting at airport, dinner and overnight in Bishkek hotel.

Day 1

Arrive in Bishkek

After breakfast we will explore Kyrgyzstan’s fascinating capital which is surrounded by a ring of snow capped

mountain peaks. Bishkek is a city of contrasts with both Soviet and modern architecture and we will take in

many of the central sights including Ala Too Square with its statues of Lenin and Erkindik, the national

parliament, Frunze museum, the oera house and Panfilov park.

In the afternoon we will drive to Ala-Archa National Park, an oasis just south of Bishkek containing more than

50 mountain peaks, 20 glaciers and spectacular waterfalls.

In the evening we will return to Bishkek, stopping for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the city.

Overnight in Bishkek hotel.

Day 2

Bishkek city tour and Ala-Archa National Park

After breakfast, we will depart Bishkek for our journey to Cholpon-Ata through Boom valley and check-in at

hotel after arrival. After a short rest we will participate in the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Nomad

Games celebrating Central Asian nomadic culture and sports. The opening ceremony is one of the highlights

of the games and is a cultural extravaganza with more than 40 countries attending.

Day 3

Bishkek - Cholpon-Ata

(World Nomad Games)

After breakfast we will attend the first day of the World Nomad Games and observe the various sporting

contests and exhibitions of nomad life. The World Nomad Games provides a fascinating insight into Central

Asia’s nomadic culture and tradition. Over 3 days participants from all over Central Asia compete in belt

wrestling, falconry, archery, horse racing and Kok-Boru - a form of polo using a goat carcass.

Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.

Day 4

Cholpon-Ata (World Nomad Games)

After breakfast we will again attend the World Nomad Games for another full day of exciting events. Guided

through the event by our own personal guide we will watch exhilarating horse racing,  witness incredible

displays of eagle hunting* and enjoy Kyrgyz traditional music.  Visitors can also observe yurt building and

singing storytelling competitions, meet camel shepherds and learn how to make yak butter.

Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.

Day 5

Cholpon-Ata (World Nomad Games)

*Eagle hunting displays will only be conducted using animal carcasses and NOT live animals

After breakfast we depart

Cholpon-Ata in the direction

of Karakol. Along the way we

will visit Kyrgyzstan’s first

snow leopard rehabilitation

centre. Here we may be lucky

enough to see a rescued snow

leopard if the Director of the

centre allows it, as there are

usually a few snow leopards in

care. Guests will only be

allowed to observe snow

leopards in very small

numbers under very strict

conditions so the animals are

not disturbed. Here we will

also meet with researchers

and park rangers who work

here and have seen and

tracked snow leopards in the

wild. Afterwards, we will be

visit the museum of the

famous Central Asian explorer

Nikolai Przewalski who led

expeditions into Mongolia and

Tibet and after whom the

famous Przewalski horses

were named. By mid-

afternoon we will arrive in

Karakol and enjoy a tour of

the city. At dinner, we will

enjoy folk music performed by

a local Kyrgyz band. Overnight

accommodation at our hotel.

Day 6

Cholpon-Ata - Karakol

Today after an early breakfast we depart in our four-wheel drive SUVs toward Sary-Jaz valley through Chon-

Ashuu Pass (3822m) with breathtaking views from the top of the pass. Sary-Jaz is a unique place where you

can fully retire and escape from bustle, embraced by the beauty, tranquility and majesty of the valleys and

mountain ranges. Afterwards we will visit the eerie abandoned Soviet city of Inylchek, which once boasted

one of the biggest mines in the USSR. Nearby in the Kyrgyz village of Inylchek we will meet local herders who

once hunted snow leopards but now work to protect them and prevent people entering the nearby Sarychat

Ertash nature reserve.  On our return journey we will stop to enjoy the Kara-Tash hot springs with hot radon

water, which flows under high black rock. Return to Karakol in the evening. Traditional dinner with a Dungan

family.

Accommodation at our hotel.

Day 7

Karakol - Inylchek - Sary Jaz - Kara Tash hot springs - Karakol

After breakfast we will depart for one of the most remote, picturesque and mysterious areas of the Kyrgyz

Republic, located near the border with China. This area is prime snow leopard habitat. First we will stop at

Barskoon to the headquarters for the Sarychat Ertash Nature reserve which was declared a protected

reserve where most people, including tourists, are forbidden. Here we will meet scientists who have been

tracking snow leopards, and view videos of snow leopards taken from camera traps throughout the Tien

Shan Mountains. The park rangers will also explain how they have successfully paired with local villages to

allow the nature reserve to thrive. Continuing on our journey we will traverse the Ala-Bel Pass (3918m) as

well as the Sook Pass (4022m) and will stop for lunch in the village of Kara-Say. Finally, we will arrive in the

Pikertyk valley through the narrow and challenging Chagyr pass and set up our camp for the next few nights.

Guests will enjoy a hot dinner created by our expedition cook and then retire to their tents or sleep under

the open stars if they prefer.

Day 8

Karakol – Kara-Say – Pikertyk Valley

After enjoying a hearty breakfast in magnificent natural surroundings, we will take a horseback ride through

the valley of Pikertyk towards the place where Marco Polo sheep and ibex herds can sometimes be observed.

Marco Polo Sheep and ibex descend lower due to the winter snows and low temperatures in the high

mountains. Some of the males in these herds have huge horns because of their age. Both species are

important prey for the snow leopard and they have been photographed and tracked many times in and

around the valley. By evening we’ll return to Pikertyk camp and enjoy a hot dinner from our expedition cook

before retiring for a second night in this serene valley.

Day 9

Pikertyk Valley

After our last breakfast in this beautiful valley, we will commence our journey back.

In the afternoon we will arrive at the Bel-Tam yurt camp located on the shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Here, nomads

will provide guests with a demonstration of falconry.

In the evening we will enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz feast before retiring to our accommodation in private yurts.

Day 10

Pikertyk Valley - Bokonbaevo

After breakfast in the yurt camp, we will travel to the nearby village of Kyzyl-Tuu to meet a family of yurt

makers. Guests will be provided with a demonstration of the process of yurt making and how they are

installed. After enjoying lunch, we will then travel through Naryn province to Kochkor village, where a felt

making demonstration will be provided to the group. Later we will arrive at Naryn, and enjoy dinner and

overnight accommodation at our hotel.

Day 11

Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu - Kochkor - Naryn

After enjoying breakfast, we will drive to Son-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s second biggest lake, which is located at an

altitude of 3016m. In the afternoon, equestrian games will be demonstrated on the shore of Son-Kul Lake

including Kok-Boru in which two teams of riders try to carry a goat carcass into the opposing team's end

zone. There will be some free time to wander around the shores of the lake in magnificent natural

surroundings. After a traditional Kyrgyz or Russian dinner, guests will retire to their accommodation in

private yurts on the shore of Son-Kul Lake.

Day 12

Naryn – Son-Kul lake

After breakfast at the yurt camp we will drive

to Chon-Kemin National Park, known as one of

Kyrgyzstan's most beautiful locales, and a

prime habitat for the endangered snow

leopard. The Chon-Kemin National Park is a

lush natural area brimming with diverse flora

and fauna. Its river flows over 70 miles, with

seven lakes in its basin. Forming the sides of

the valley are conifer forests, which are home

to many varieties of herbs, berries and

mushrooms.

The Chon-Kemin valley remains in its virgin

state. Here guests may enjoy a range of

outdoor activities from hiking to fishing and

horseback riding. We will stay overnight at the

Ashu or Jekshen Guest houses which are basic

but very comfortable and ideal for taking in

the spectacular natural surroundings. Kyrgyz

barbeque dinner provided.

Day 13

Son-Kul Lake - Chon-Kemin National Park

After a hearty final brunch we will commence our drive back to the capital, Bishkek. Along the way we will

visit the Burana tower, an ancient minaret on the Silk Road and visit the attached museum to learn about the

lost city of Balasagun. Afterwards guests will enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at the Supara restaurant

before our final transfer to Bishkek International Airport for your onward flights.

Astana Airlines departure to Almaty is scheduled for 19:55.

Day 14

Chon-Kemin National Park – Burana Tower - Bishkek

All road transport on luxury minibus.

Off road transport on comfortable 4x4

jeeps.

Double or Twin share accommodation at

3 star Hotels or yurt camps.

All meals provided - breakfast, Lunch and

Dinner.

All water and non-alcoholic beverages

provided.

English speaking guide throughout.

All off road expeditions are accompanied

by a cook & mechanic.

All admission fees to museums and other

sites.

Admission to full program of World

Nomad Games including opening

ceremony.

Falconry and yurt making displays.

All camping equipment; Tents, Mats and

tables.

Border permits to explore Tien Shan

border region.

Horses and porters in mountain region.

 Sleeping bags

Alcoholic beverages

Insurance

Tips to local guides or any other expenses

not included in the program.

**Please note:  This tour is subject to a minimum

operating group size of 6 participants and a

maximum group size of 12. 

** Based on current exchange rates on 10

June, 2018 and based on price in USD by

local supplier. USD$3078 USD PP (Twin

Share) + Single Supplement USD$384

TOUR CODE:  UWKZ_13NS

 AUD$4050 PP**  

TWIN/SHARE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

AUD$505 **

INCLUSIONS EXCLUSIONS

Prices