Program of JS Turkestan. A7

Day 1. Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan - Karakol
You begin your tour in ALMATY, the capital of Kazakhstan. Today you arrive in this huge city and just upon arrival and after sightseeing tour, hosted by our guide (Highlights include the ORTHODOX CHURCH, ORIENTAL BAZAAR, NATIONAL SQUARE, MUSEUM OF ARTS etc.), you have a transfer to KARAKOL town via CHARYN CANYON (the small copy of American's Bryce or Grand or Zion Canyons) and TEMIRLAN STONES, place where is legendary burial ground of ancient Kyrgyz-Kazakh host. In Karakol you have accomodation for your first night in a hotel near the mountains or in Yurts Camp in downtown.

Day 2. Dzhukuchak valley
After breakfast in cafe you'll be transferred to DZHUKUCHAK valley (80km from KARAKOL) and begin your horse trekking. After a few hours of riding you'll have a camp in the forest under the main gorge TERSKEY ALA-TOO. Behind the ridge you'd see the valley Ara-Bel where the gold mines are developed by canadian company. But it's behind :-).

Day 3. Chon-Kyzyl-Suu
After breakfast under the fir-trees you begin your passing over the ridge to CHON-KYZYL-SUU valley. From the high altitude you observe the Lake Issyk-Kul's eastern part and all villages of this region. After hours of riding you find the best pplace for your camp in the forest. This good place is famous with hot springs.

Day 4. Chon-Kyzyl-Suu
Today is your day at leisure and riding up to the beginning of this river to the confluence of two small streams. There is an old meteostation there and nature is wild and virgin. After your excursion you go back to hot springs' camp down.

Day 5. Djety-Oguz
Today you will reach AT-JAILOO valley and go over JYLUU-SUU pass (3400m). The camp is again in the forest and near the rivers DJETY-OGUZ and AT-JAILOO. The altitude for overnight is 2500m.

Day 6. Djety-Oguz
Your day for riding up along the river to the wall of OGUZ-BASHI five-thousand peak. After that you go back to the camp and prepare for the next day.

Day 7. Karakol gorge
Horse riding over the pass to KARAKOL valley, where ski-base of Karakol town is situated, is the task for today. This valley is using for picnic time on holidays by people of town. Here you can see the small popular peaks for beginners in mountain climbing. Camp is in forest on altitude 3000m.

Day 8. Altyn-Arashan resort
Today is a day of KASHKA-SUU pass of 3410m high. You have good acclimatization for passing over it. The short top on the summit is good for seeing around and watching the highest peaks of Terskey Ala-Too: KARAKOL (5273m), DJIGIT and OGUZ-BASHI PEAKS. The ridge of these peaks lasts from the west to the east. After that, you go down to the valley of ALTYN-ARASHAN resort. This resiort is famous with its HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS. Your evening is at leisure and having bath in this lovely spot. Camping in tents or in a local guest house optional.

Day 9. Altyn-Arashan
The day of your relaxation and enjoying the surprising nature around. The valley is attractive with its wonderful mountains and nature. This place is famous worldwide with its beautiful forests and lovely places for campings. Full day of excursions, horse riding and swimming in the natural sulphur Hot Springs.

Day 10. Issyk-Kul
Today your morning is for your own exploration of this place or for visiting baths again and afternoon you drive or ride down along the river ARASHAN to the village AK-SUU. Then you go to the shore of ISSYK-KUL LAKE for your full and enjoyable relaxation. The "Pearl of Tien-Shan" - ISSYK-KUL justifies this name. The tents you can set just on the sand near the surf.

Day 11. Almaty
This morning you bid farewell to Issyk-Kul and complete your tour returning to Almaty through the towns and villages of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Upon arrival in Almaty you have a hotel accomodation for your last overnight in Central Asia after the horse trip in the mountains.

Day 12. Almaty - Depart for home
Today you travel home from airport with many pleasant memories of your visit to Issyk-Kul region and mighty mountains of Kyrgyz Republic.

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